The 2024 Raydiant Awards will take place on Saturday, November 09.
Early Bird tickets are already sold out.
Get your ticket while they’re still available.
The Raydiant Awards is an award show honoring
ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
We specifically focus on
college students, educators,
entrepreneurs, public service workers and military personnel from historically excluded communities throughout the Chicagoland area.
“An unforgettable tribute to Black excellence,
setting a new standard for recognizing and
celebrating extraordinary accomplishments.”
iLLAN0iZE Media
This year’s Raydiant Awards show will be our brightest yet.
Bree Specific and Tahiti Spears will be joining us as our hosts, with sounds by DJ LMS.
Rashida Briana and Chanelle Tru will take the stage with
musical performances, accompanied by the Vibes Live
Chicago Band and Reggie Royal will be honored as this year’s Maker award recipient.
We will also reveal which of
our esteemed nominees will
become 2024 Raydiant
Awards winners!
Interested in applying for
an award?
The 2024 application window has closed.
Please check back for details on next year’s application window.
Below you will find more information about our award categories and qualifications.
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.
SPONSOR AN AWARD
Your tax-deductible donations empower us to dismantle imbalanced social systems
by creating resources and opportunities for historically excluded communities.