About the Empowerment Awards
A Celebration of Empowerment, Community & Impact
Join NEW Pride Agenda for our annual Empowerment Awards, bringing together community members, advocates, supporters, and partners to celebrate the people and organizations helping build a more just and equitable New York.
2026 Co-Chairs
Carmen Neely
Co-Founder & President of Harlem Pride
Barton Jackson
Executive Director of NLGCCNY
2026 Honorees
Legacy of Leadership
Award
JOE SOLMONESE
NEW Vanguard &
Icon Award
JUNIOR LABEIJA
Empire State Pride
Advocacy Award
KIMBERLEIGH SMITH
Host Committee (in formation)
Alex Roque ✦ Rob Smith ✦ Rasheed Gonga ✦ Christian Amato ✦ Mitch Draizin ✦ Elisa Crespo ✦ Teresa Gonzalez ✦ Charles Montorio-Archer ✦ Rio Sofia ✦ Sheila Healy
Statement Sponsors
Visibility Sponsors
Michelle Ores & Chip Schorin
Dames-Podell Family
Community Sponsors
Josh & Roni Podell
Join Us
General Admission Tickets Are On Sale Now!
Don’t miss out on the excitement — grab your tickets, bring a friend, and be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating LGBTQ+ leaders. We can’t wait to see you there!
Interested in Sponsoring?
Support the 2026 Empowerment Awards and help advance NEW Pride Agenda’s work across New York.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact empowermentawards@newprideagenda.org to learn more.
