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Nine Local Leaders Honored at the 2025 Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony

Local leaders celebrated for their contributions at the Unsung Heroes Awards.

News Summary

Lexington prepares for the heartwarming 2025 Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony celebrating community leaders who have made significant contributions. This year’s honorees include advocates for equity, animal rescue, civil rights, and education. Joining the event on January 25 is an opportunity to show appreciation for these unsung champions. The ceremony promises to uplift and inspire as the community unites in celebration of those who have given so much.

Nine Local Leaders Honored at the 2025 Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony

Lexington is buzzing with excitement as the 2025 Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony approaches! This heartwarming event is all about celebrating individuals who have truly made a difference in our community, often without getting the recognition they deserve. That’s right, folks—these are the unsung champions whose everyday efforts help improve the lives of many.

The Unsung Heroes Award was a nifty brainchild of Bilal Elamin during the 2023 Leadership Lexington program. It was such a fantastic idea that CivicLex has taken the torch to keep this beautiful tradition alive. These awards shine a light on the unsung heroes working tirelessly in fields like health care, public safety, and education, and let’s face it—these guys deserve a huge round of applause!

Why These Awards Matter

Richard Young, the founder and executive director of CivicLex, highlighted the importance of recognizing those who are on the frontline facing community challenges. His sentiments resonated with many as we reflect on the incredible individuals who strive to combat issues in our neighborhoods day in and day out.

Mark Your Calendars!

Circle January 25, 2025, on your calendars, because you won’t want to miss this event! The ceremony will be held at the cozy Carrick House, an ideal spot for this kind of celebration. The evening kicks off with a reception at 7 p.m., leading right into the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Best of all, it’s a “pay what you can” event, making it accessible to everyone! So, gather your friends and family for a night of celebration, inspiration, and community spirit.

Meet The Honorees

The list of honorees is truly impressive. Let’s introduce you to these amazing individuals:

Legacy Hero: Rolanda Woolfork has been a powerhouse in advocating for equity and affordable housing. As a member of the Georgetown Street Area Neighborhood Association, her efforts in community wellness speak volumes.
Community Hero: Remy Simpson, the founder of Paws 4 the Cause, is recognized for his selfless dedication to animal rescue, all the while bravely battling a serious cancer diagnosis.
Community Hero: Lanance Martin leads a manufacturing team creating pharmaceutical nasal sprays, particularly Naloxone, which helps reverse opioid overdoses. This may just save lives!
Community Hero: Judith Humble is chair of both the Zero Waste Team and the Bluegrass Climate Action Team with the Sierra Club. She tirelessly advocates for waste reduction and strengthens our environment.
Community Hero: Elisha Mutayongwa founded the Marafiki Center, connecting Lexington with African and Swahili-speaking communities and even kicking off Swahili Day. Talk about cultural pride!
Civil Service Hero: Edward Dove works part-time as an attorney for the Human Rights Commission and has passionately stood up for civil rights, including LGBTQ rights.
Education Hero: Justin Royal, a teacher at Bryan Station High School, encourages thoughtful leadership and community involvement in his students, molding future leaders of tomorrow.
Social & Family Services Hero: Gale Reece established ITNBluegrass, which provides transportation for senior citizens and created the I Know Expo focused on aging and health.
Lifeline Hero: Amy Ross has been a dispatcher for the Lexington Police Department for 25 years. Her unwavering commitment to public safety is commendable!

Join the Celebration

Each recipient has made significant contributions to our community through their unique and compassionate efforts. It’s not every day that we get to celebrate such incredible individuals who often work behind the scenes. So, whether it’s your first awards ceremony or you’re a seasoned attendee, this is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and lift up those who lift us all.

Let’s come together to show our appreciation and support for these amazing unsung heroes! They’ve given so much, and it’s time to give back in celebration. Let’s roll out the red carpet for these remarkable folks!