City of Destiny Awards
The City of Destiny Awards recognizes the outstanding contributions of volunteers improving life in Tacoma.
The annual City of Destiny Awards recognizes recipients for many awards, including Adult and Youth Leadership, Lifetime Service, Youth and Group Service categories, Environmental Sustainability, Disability Advocates (Professional and Volunteer), Economic Development, and Equity and Empowerment. More than 320 individuals and groups have received recognition for their outstanding contributions to improving life in Tacoma since the awards’ inception in 1987.
The City’s Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC) oversees the nomination and awards process for the City of Destiny Awards. The City Council appointed CERC, comprised of local community leaders from a broad array of backgrounds and expertise, develop the nomination tools and selection criteria.
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Adult Leadership: An individual that inspires others to help meet a need in the community.
- John Cummings – Legal and Civic Communities
Youth Leadership: An individual up to 18 years of age that inspires others to help meet a need in the community.
- Nateli Sanderson – Student and Author
Youth Service: Dedicated service performed by an individual that benefits the youth in the community.
- Nichollette Roe – Tacoma Children’s Business Fair
Group – Equity and Empowerment: Teamwork on a project that benefits the community.
- South End Neighborhood Council
Environmental Sustainability: Individuals or group of all ages dedicated to improving, conserving, or protecting the natural environment.
- Craig Bergstrom – Volunteer for Parks Tacoma
Disability Advocate: Individual, Group, or Professional dedicated to increasing accessibility to services such as employment, health, housing, civics, culture, recreation, facilities, and/or programs for people with disabilities.
- Parker Ayers – Rainier Adaptive Sports
Economic Development: Group or individual dedicated to improving, encouraging, and promoting sustainable economic development for underrepresented communities.
- Jason Gauthier – Tacoma Farmers Market
Equity & Empowerment: Group or individual dedicated to the promotion of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring all have access to resources and opportunities, with a specific focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
- Alicia Klein – Leaders in Women’s Health
Lifetime Service: Dedicated service performed by an individual for an extended period that benefits the community.
- Jim and Jill Weatherford – Fort Nisqually
Champion for Civic Engagement
- Mattice Hoyt – Mattice Beauty
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The City of Destiny Awards have been recognizing groups and individuals for their outstanding contributions to improving life in Tacoma since the awards’ inception in 1987.
View a list of Award Winners from 1989-2022View photos from previous award ceremonies:
- 2024 City of Destiny Awards Ceremony (Credit: Sierra Hartman)
- 2023 City of Destiny Awards Ceremony (Credit: Sierra Hartman)
- 2022 City of Destiny Awards Ceremony (Credit: Sierra Hartman)
- 2019 City of Destiny Awards Ceremony (Credit: Matty Photo & Motion)
- 2018 City of Destiny Awards Ceremony (Credit: Matty Photo & Motion)
- 2017 City of Destiny Awards Ceremony (Credit: Matty Photo & Motion)