Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champions Awards

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) Champions Awards recognize and celebrate the people and organizations who are shaping our community into a more welcoming, fair, and inclusive place to live, work, and grow. It includes four distinct categories to recognize individuals, youth, businesses, and community organizations.

Whether through advocacy, workplace practices, or community building, nominees demonstrate leadership behaviours that align with the core concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion:

Diversity recognizes the many visible and non-visible qualities, experiences, and identities that shape how we live, think, and engage with the world
Equity means fairness, ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed and working to dismantle systemic barriers
Inclusion means more than representation; it is about creating welcoming spaces that value and capitalize on the ideas, skills, and talents of all

Nomination forms

Nominations will open in February 2026.

Review process

A sub-committee of the Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (C.D.E.I.C.) will review and evaluate the nominations received and make a recommendation for each award to the Corporate and Finance Committee (C.F.C.). The C.F.C. will review the recommendations by the C.D.E.I.C. and make a recommendation to City Council for approval of the award winners.

Award categories

D.E.I. Community Champion

This award celebrates an individual who is leading positive change in Oshawa. It recognizes community members whose leadership strengthens connections, inspires participation, and builds a sense of belonging for everyone.

Eligibility

Reside, work, or study in Oshawa or collaborate with an Oshawa-based organization. (Former residents are eligible if they lived in Oshawa within the past year)
Demonstrates a commitment to DEI through efforts to create change and/or raise awareness (for example, advocacy work, fundraising, community mobilization, art and cultural expression, creating welcoming spaces, collaboration, program development, etc.)

What we are looking for

The nominee has demonstrated some or all of the following criteria:

Strong positive impact on their community and/or school (for youth) that has resulted in meaningful and positive change
Clear commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice in ongoing efforts
Meaningful leadership by empowering others and creating spaces for everyone to participate
Lived experience, demonstrated through personal, cultural or community experiences, that meaningfully informs one’s leadership and commitment to advancing D.E.I.
Lived experience that is reflected in how the nominee approaches their work, deepens understanding, and helps create action that is responsive and grounded in community realities

D.E.I. Youth Champion

This award celebrates a young person (18 or under) from an equity-deserving group who is helping to make their school or community more inclusive.

Eligibility

Reside or study in Oshawa
Are 18 years of age or younger at time of application
Demonstrates a commitment to D.E.I. through efforts to create change and/or raise awareness (e.g. advocacy work, fundraising, community mobilization, art and cultural expression, creating welcoming spaces, collaboration, program development, etc.)

What we are looking for

The nominee has demonstrated some or all of the following criteria:

Strong positive impact on their community and/or school (for youth) that has resulted in meaningful and positive change
Clear commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice in ongoing efforts
Meaningful leadership by empowering others and creating spaces for everyone to participate
Lived experience, demonstrated through personal, cultural, or community experiences, that meaningfully informs one’s leadership and commitment to advancing D.E.I.

D.E.I. Business Champion

This award celebrates a private business that is putting diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) into action. A Business Champion might be a company that has improved its hiring practices, created a workplace where employees feel they belong, or launched community programs that support equity-deserving groups. Businesses that show leadership and inclusivity help make Oshawa a stronger and more welcoming city.

Eligibility

Operate in Oshawa (business must be in Oshawa or provide services to Oshawa residents)
Demonstrates practices that integrate equity and inclusion into their policies, operations, and relationships
Demonstrates measurable, sustained impact, both within their workplace and across the broader community, and/or collaborates with community partners to advance D.E.I. in communities

What we are looking for

The nominee has demonstrated some or all of the following criteria:

Commitment to D.E.I. through inclusive hiring, promotion, and retention practices, accessible policies and environments, and training or supports that build employee awareness of D.E.I.
Proactive leadership in identifying and addressing barriers in creative or innovative ways, going beyond minimum requirements to advance meaningful D.E.I. commitments
Strong community connections through partnerships, collaborations, and ongoing engagement, creating opportunities for Oshawa residents and contributing to the broader community through support, sponsorships, donations, or services
Clear evidence of accountability by defining, tracking and demonstrating outcomes related to D.E.I. efforts

D.E.I. Organization Champion

This award recognizes a non-profit, charity, grassroots collective, or association that is making D.E.I. a core part of the work that they do. An Organization Champion might be a group that runs programs for newcomers, advocates for accessibility, partners with Indigenous communities, creates safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and more. These organizations play a vital role in removing barriers and building a stronger sense of belonging in Oshawa.

Eligibility

Non-profit organizations, charities, grassroots collectives, or associations
Based in Oshawa or deliver services to Oshawa residents

What we are looking for

The nominee has demonstrated some or all of the following criteria:

Clear and measurable impact on the community, with evidence that their efforts have made a positive difference at an organizational or community-wide level
A strong commitment to embedding D.E.I. values into the organization’s vision, daily operations, services and/or programming
Foster collaboration and inclusion by engaging community members, partners, or volunteers in meaningful ways
Sustainability and longevity of impact, demonstrated through future-focused plans, strategic goals, or past initiatives that have been recognized through reports, funding, or grants