Nominations Now Open for the 2027 Innovator of Color Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Innovator of Color Awards, recognizing brilliant leaders of color driving breakthrough impact in the PreK to Gray learning and workforce ecosystem.

Nominate an Innovator of Color

Over the past 12 years, dozens of extraordinary honorees have shaped this community into a collective engine of transformation. Each year, we welcome more leaders whose work is forging new pathways, unlocking potential, and underscoring a common theme: Opportunity is about more than changing the world as we know it today.

It’s about expanding possibility for generations to come.

Past Innovator of Color Honorees

That sense of purpose to change the world for good is truly what the world needs now—and what it will always need.

This year, we're once again looking to honor visionary Innovators of Color who are measurably and meaningfully transforming education or work with scale, depth, and ingenuity. We’ll celebrate their impact together at the 2027 ASU+GSV Summit and throughout the year across our global community.

Nominate Yourself or Someone You Know

Nominations close December 9, 2026

Thank you for helping us identify and champion these remarkable individuals accelerating equal access to the future for ALL!

In partnership,

Tiffany Taylor, Deborah Quazzo, and the 2027 Innovator of Color Award Committee

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