The San Francisco-based James Irvine Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2022 Leadership Awards.

Seven Californians from six organizations were selected in recognition of their solutions to pressing issues facing the state, including civic engagement, crime prevention, health and health care, support for foster youth, wildfire prevention, and workforce development. They will receive a total of $1.5 million to expand or replicate their work, which benefits the people of California, and boost its impact. As part of the program, the foundation also helps recipients share their approaches with policy makers and peers. 

This year’s recipients are: Noha Aboelata, founder and CEO of the Roots Community Health Center, whose organization works to address the root causes of health disparities and improve outcomes for people impacted by systemic inequities; DeVone Boggan, founder and CEO of Advance Peace, which aims to create healthy, safe, and just communities by transforming the lives of individuals at the center of gun violence; Camila Chávez, co-founder and executive director of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which works to strengthen underrepresented communities by inspiring and training the next generation of leaders; Serita Cox, co-founder and CEO of iFoster, which uses technology to connect foster youth with resources, jobs, and support to become successful, independent adults; Naindeep Singh, executive director of the Jakara Movement, which aims to empower Sikh youth to reimagine and improve their communities; and Brandon Smith and Royal Ramey, co-founders of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, which works to prevent wildfires by training formerly incarcerated individuals to enter the firefighting workforce.

“These trailblazing leaders are an inspiration for what they have accomplished for the people of California already and what they can accomplish in the future,” said Irvine Foundation president and CEO Don Howard. “We are delighted to highlight the promise of their efforts and help others take note of their approaches.” 

For more information about the recipients, see the Irvine Foundation website. 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/filadendron)