Since 1964, the Humanitarian Award Celebration has honored one or more individuals who have demonstrated a significant commitment to building inclusive communities.
2026 Humanitarian Award Sponsorship Opportunities:
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JCA’s 2026 Humanitarian Award Nominations
Are Closed At This Time.
Check Back Here in June 2026 for Next Year’s Nominations!
2026 Humanitarian Awardees
Maria Aguilar
María Aguilar is a community leader, cultural advocate, and passionate champion for equitable access to education and opportunities for all families. For more than 15 years, María has dedicated both her professional and personal life to breaking barriers for underserved communities throughout Arkansas…
Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
Frank Scott, Jr. is serving his second, four-year term as Mayor of the City of Little Rock. Mayor Scott is the City’s 73rd Mayor and is Little Rock’s first ever popularly-elected African American mayor. During his time in office, Mayor Scott has worked toward uniting Little Rock’s diverse neighborhoods through expanding our economy, creating new opportunities for educational growth for Little Rock’s students, enhancing public safety, and improving the quality of life and place in Arkansas’ capital city…
Keesa Smith-Brantley
Keesa Smith-Brantley serves as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a 49-year-old nonpartisan organization that works to improve the well-being of children in Arkansas through policy and advocacy. Before joining AACF, Keesa served as the Deputy Director for Children and Youth with the Department of Human Services, where she oversaw the divisions that managed childcare and early childhood education, juvenile justice, and child welfare…
2026 1st Youth Humanitarian of the Year
Mehikye “Kye” Harris
Mehikye Harris is a distinguished student leader, community advocate, and emerging public servant from Arkansas. As a student at Little Rock Central High School, Mehikye has established himself as a dedicated scholar and servant leader committed to making a meaningful impact through education, civic engagement, agriculture, and youth advocacy…
2024 Humanitarian Awardees
Second Presbyterian Church
Historically trailblazing Second Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Little Rock, Arkansas, seeking to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all. It is a growing and inclusive congregational community where all are committed to growing in knowledge of the faith, depth of spirituality, quality of fellowship, and compassion for all God’s children and creation.
Celebrate! mAya Project
Celebrate! Maya Project’s mission is to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Maya Angelou throughout Arkansas’ communities and schools. The Celebrate Maya Project strives to embody Dr. Maya Angelou’s life philosophy: “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”
City Year Little Rock
City Year Little Rock is one of 29 national City Year sites established across the country since the organization’s original founding in 1988. Its mission is to advance educational equity by supporting students furthest from opportunity and to develop diverse leaders through national service who can work across lines of difference. The core belief is that uniting and empowering diverse teams of idealistic young people to address some of our country’s most difficult challenges will change the world for the better.
The interfaith Center
The Interfaith Center’s mission is to reduce fear and prejudice among the people of the world’s religions. With more than one hundred active volunteers and over twenty partner congregations, the Center has become a vital part of the community.
2023 Humanitarian Awardees
Caroline Stevenson
Caroline Stevenson has dedicated most of her life to promoting peace through inclusive activism. Stevenson is a founder of the Pilgrimage for Peace, which brings together a diverse group of Arkansans for an interfaith peace walk and remembrance service to honor Arkansans killed by violence each year. A long-time volunteer at the Clinton Presidential Center, Caroline has provided housing to over fifteen Clinton School students.
Dr. Gloria Richard
Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, MBA, NCMP, FACOG is a fierce advocate for health equity, education, and mentoring. She has mentored, coached, and sponsored students, residents, and faculty, many of whom are national leaders in women’s health today.
Rebecca Cowling
Rebecca Cowling has influenced national legislation in the area of inclusion.
Her efforts helped ensure healthcare privacy and minimization of systemic discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals by promoting fair housing policies at the governmental and private business levels.
