NACRJ AWARDS: RECOGNIZING LEADERS IN COMMUNITY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Community and restorative justice has grown tremendously in recent decades in thanks to countless individuals, organizations, communities, and groups who work tirelessly on these efforts across the U.S. and world. As part of its national conference, NACRJ recognizes leaders in six categories who have a consistent record of putting the NACRJ mission and vision into action.
The Call for Award Nominations is closed. Award recipients will be announced at the National Conference in July 2024 in Washington, D.C.
The Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to youth-led or youth-focused community and restorative justice initiatives. While not exclusively, this category particularly encourages the recognition of youth and young adults aged 24 and under. Criteria include:
- Youth Leadership and Engagement: Nominees should have a demonstrated record of meaningful youth involvement in leadership roles and decision-making processes, and/or offer youth-focused programming pertaining to community and restorative justice initiatives.
- Impact on Youth and Communities: Nominees should have a significant and positive impact on the lives of young people and the broader community it serves.
- Innovation and Adaptability: Nominees should have a record of exhibiting innovation and adaptability to the evolving needs and challenges faced by youth and young adults.
NACRJ honors the memory of Dennis Maloney with an award in his name. Click here to learn more about Dr. Gordan Bazemore.
Past Recipients of the Dennis Maloney Youth-Driven Award
2022 Recipient - Circles & Ciphers, Chicago, Illinois
2019 Recipient - Cindy Bigbie, Coordinator, Community Connections, Tallahassee, FL
2017 Recipient - Ayesha Brooks, Restorative Practices in Schools, Los Angeles, CA
2015 Recipients - Cheryl Graves, Ora Schub and Robert Spicer, Community Justice for Youth Institute
2013 Recipients - Dr. Fania E. Davis & Mr. Eric Butler, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY)
The Leadership Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have demonstrated outstanding leadership or innovation in community and/or restorative justice. Criteria include:
- Restorative Leadership: Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to living their personal and professional lives consistent with community and restorative justice principles, values, and practices.
- Vision and Innovation: Nominees should exemplify visionary leadership that has expanded, broadened, or diversified the application of community and restorative justice in new and innovative approaches.
- Empowerment and Capacity Building: Nominees should have a record of building diverse collaborations and partnerships that bring people together in meaningful ways.
Past Recipients of the Leadership and Innovation Award
2022 Recipient - Silas Deane, Founder and Director of Community Readiness at Tyler Technologies, Nashville, Tennessee
2019 Recipient - David Karp, Professor, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA.
2017 Recipient - Sujatha Baliga, Promoting Youth RJ Diversion Programs, Bay Area, CA
2015 Recipient - Janice Jerome, Executive Director, Restorative Justice Institute of Atlanta, LLC
2011 Recipient - Janet Conner, Restorative Justice Educator, Victim Advocate and Peace Activist, Boston, MA.
The John W. Byrd Education Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have achieved significant contributions in advancing the principles and practices of community and/or restorative justice through education and training initiatives. Criteria includes:
- Impactful Education or Training Initiatives: Nominees should have developed or
contributed to educational program design and implementationprocesses that effectively educate audiences about the principles and practices of community and restorative justice. - Demonstrated Commitment to Best Practices: Nominees should have a consistent record of promoting and advocating for high quality practices with fidelity to community and restorative justice principles.
- Achievements and Progress: Nominees should have examples of the positive impact their educational and training initiatives have had across sectors such as K-12 education, higher education, justice systems, workplaces, or the broad
er community.
NACRJ honors the memory of John W. Byrd with the John W. Byrd Education Award. Click here to learn more about John W. Byrd.
Past Recipients of the John W. Byrd Education Award
2017 Recipient - Loyola Marymount University, Intercultural Facilitator Program
2015 Recipient- Ms. Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist for the Minnestoa Department of Education.
2013 Recipient - Dr. Daniel Van Ness, Executive Director, Centre for Justice and Reconciliation, Prison Fellowship International.
2011 Recipient - Lorenn Walker, J. D., MPH, Restorative Law Practitioner, Waialua, Hawaii.
2009 Recipient - Dr. Mark Umbreit, Executive Director, Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking, University of Minnesota.
The Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who exemplify outstanding dedication in promoting community and restorative justice principles through faith-driven initiatives. Criteria include:
- Demonstrated Faith-Centered Approach: Nominees should have a demonstrated record and deep commitment to community and restorative justice principles within the framework of their faith tradition.
- Impactful Partnerships and Collaboration: Nominees should have developed or contributed to the formation of impactful and inclusive partnerships and collaborations within their own faith community or with other faith-based or non-faith-based groups.
- Achievements and Progress: Nominees should have examples of the impact their initiatives have had on promoting peace, healing, and justice through community and restorative practices.
NACRJ honors the memory of Bert Thompson with an award in his name. Click here to learn more about Bert Thompson.
Past Recipients of the Bert Thompson Faith-Based Award
2022 Recipient - Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Chicago, Illinois
2017 Recipient - Eric Boldiszar, Inmate at Handlon Correctional Facility, Ionia, MI
2015 Recipient - Scott Wood, JD, Professor of Law, Founder of the Loyola Law School Center for Restorative Justice
2011 Recipient - Alexander McLean, JD, African Prisons Project, London, UK and Kampala, Uganda.
2009 Recipient - John Sage, Founder & Executive Director, Bridges to Life, Houston, TX
The Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award recognizes individuals, organizations, or groups who have made exceptional contributions to advancing research, theory, and practice in the fields of community and/or restorative justice. Criteria include:
- Contribution to Knowledge: Nominees should have made significant contributions to expanding the theoretical understanding, empirical evidence base, or practical applications of community and restorative justice.
- Impact on Practice: Nominees should have examples of how their research findings have informed or influenced policies, programs, trainings, or other initiatives aimed at applying community and restorative justice principles in diverse settings.
- Engagement and Collaboration: Nominees should have a demonstrated record of partnering with diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to affected individuals, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.
NACRJ honors the memory of Dr. Gordan Bazemore with an award in his name. Click here to learn more about Dr. Gordan Bazemore.
Past Recipients of the Dr. Gordon Bazemore Research Award
2022 Recipient - Thalia González, University of California Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, CA
2019 Recipient - Danielle Sered, Executive Director of Common Justice, New York, NY
2017 Recipient - Dr. Marilyn Armour, Institute for Restorative Justice, Austin, Tx
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made vital contributions to the fields of community and/or restorative justice. Criteria include:
- Impactful Leadership: Nominees should have a record of outstanding leadership, having initiated, developed, or led significant initiatives, programs, or organizations dedicated to advancing the principles and practices of community and/or restorative justice.
- Sustained Advocacy and Engagement: The nominee should exhibit a sustained commitment to advocating for community and/or restorative justice at local, national, or international levels.
- Inspiration and Influence: The nominee should be recognized as someone who has profoundly inspired and influenced others through their exemplary dedication, integrity, and visionary efforts in advancing community and/or restorative principles.
Past Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award
2022 Recipient - Margaret Thorsborne, Author, Practitioner, Trainer
2019 Recipient - Fania Davis, Co-Founder and former Executive Director of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY)
2017 Recipient - Ted Wachtel, Founder of IIRP (International Institute for Restorative Practices) Bethlehem, PA
2015 Recipient - Kay Pranis, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Theorist, and Author
2013 Recipient - Dr. Gordon Bazemore, Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL