The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) is thrilled to announce that its Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing program and Neighborhoods Now! training have received the Unsung Hero Award from the National Community-Based Organization Network (NCBON). 

The Unsung Hero Award serves to highlight the often unheralded accomplishments of community leaders who work tirelessly toward improving public health and equity at the local level. Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing program offers training and organizing assistance to support community leaders in identifying and tackling local issues, and in building vital communities that value full participation and embody racial equity and economic justice. 

The Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing program was nominated for this award by Fall 2022 Neighborhoods Now! alum Cirien Saadeh. “Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing is a network weaver and many community organizations rely on them to connect them with other organizations and resources that support their efforts,” said Saadeh. “This small group of individuals within the massive University are often unseen and unrecognized for their tireless efforts, but their impact is massive.” 

“It means so much to have Cirien nominate us for this award,” said Ned Wik Moore, Program Director. “We are so thankful to our alumni and community partners who affirm and lift us up in this work. The success of our program would not be possible without them.”

Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing program staff received word of the award shortly before meeting with Neighborhoods Now! Alumni and Hamline Midway Coalition staff Jenne Nelson (Spring 2021) and Justin Lewandowski (Spring 2022), happily sharing the news. “This is so awesome!” said Lewandowski, “It is great to know that I’m an alum of a nationally recognized-training program.” Nelson added, “I’m updating my LinkedIn!”

“The greatness of our program is the day-to-day and year-to-year resilience, love, and innovation of communities fighting for justice for generational change. We will appreciate this award as a monumental time for celebration, plus accountability to sustain this work for years to come,” said Ish Malik Holt Shabazz, Program Director.

It is gratifying to receive the award alongside so many other respected community based organizations, such as Brass Solidarity, Cultural Wellness Center, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute-EPNI and the East Phillips Health Team, the Harm Reduction + Street Outreach Team (Native American Community Clinic), and the Black Storytellers Alliance.

CURA is proud to be a part of NCBON’s legacy of honoring leaders making meaningful change in communities everywhere. Make sure you are on the Neighborhoods Now! email list to hear about the 2025 session.