The Raydiant Awards is an award show honoring
ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
We specifically focus on college students, educators,
entrepreneurs, and public service workers from
historically excluded communities throughout the
Chicagoland area.
The 2024 Raydiant Awards will take
place on Saturday, November 09.
Interested in applying for an award?
The application window is now open.
We are proud to offer scholarships and awards in the following categories.
Each winner receives an official Raydiant Awards trophy and $1,000.00.
RISING ICON AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Second semester freshman or sophomore currently
enrolled at a 4-year college or university, or a 2-year community
college in the Chicagoland area
Possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-scale
or 4.0 on a 5.0-scale
YARD RUNNER AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Third, fourth, or fifth-year undergraduate student currently
enrolled at a 4-year college or university, or a 2-year community
college in the Chicagoland area
Possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-scale
or 4.0 on a 5.0-scale
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Current teacher, professor or educational support professional
at a preschool, elementary school, high-school, college
or university in the Chicagoland area
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Own a business based in the Chicagoland area that serves
the local community
Be registered (and in good/active standing) with the
Illinois Department of Business Services
HOMETOWN HERO AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Active duty armed forces, reserves/national guard,
a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, EMT, doctor,
nurse, or 911 dispatcher in the Chicagoland area.
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Second semester freshman or sophomore currently
enrolled at a 4-year college or university, or a 2-year community
college in the Chicagoland area
Possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-scale
or 4.0 on a 5.0-scale
YARD RUNNER AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Third, fourth, or fifth-year undergraduate student currently
enrolled at a 4-year college or university, or a 2-year community
college in the Chicagoland area
Possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-scale
or 4.0 on a 5.0-scale
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Current teacher, professor or educational support professional
at a preschool, elementary school, high-school, college
or university in the Chicagoland area
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Own a business based in the Chicagoland area that serves
the local community
Be registered (and in good/active standing) with the
Illinois Department of Business Services
HOMETOWN HERO AWARD
For consideration, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in the Chicagoland area
Active duty armed forces, reserves/national guard,
a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, EMT, doctor,
nurse, or 911 dispatcher in the Chicagoland area.
“An unforgettable tribute to Black excellence,
setting a new standard for recognizing and
celebrating extraordinary accomplishments.”
iLLAN0iZE Media
Congratulations to our 2023
Raydiant Award honoree and winners.
SPONSOR AN AWARD
Your tax-deductible donations empower us to dismantle imbalanced social systems
by creating resources and opportunities for historically excluded communities.