The second annual EDDIE Awards were presented at an evening banquet held April 11 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. The award, sponsored by Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit that empowers entrepreneurs with disabilities, recognized his five entrepreneurs across six categories.
- New face award: Jacqueline Child, Founder, Dateability, the only dating app for the entire disability and chronic illness community.
- Social Impact Award: Ruby “Sunshine” Taylor, founder of Financial Joy School, a diversified financial education platform and gaming company.
- Tech Prenuer Award: Alvaro Silverstein, co-founder of Wheel the World, a travel site for people with disabilities.
- Creativity Award: Derek Hurd Jr., founder of Derek’s Doodles, a graphic arts company based in Albany, Georgia. Advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and promoting justice for people with disabilities.
- Community Champion Award: Brett Swanson, co-founder of Three Basket Tears. A nonprofit organization based in Gainesville, Georgia that showcases the talents of adults with developmental disabilities.
In the final awards of the night, U.S. Department of Rehabilitation Services Secretary Dante Allen presented Wheel the World’s Silverstein with the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Atlanta inclusive dance group Full Radius Dance, blind rap artist Question ATL, and “blind reggaetonera” Precious Perez each performed in front of a crowd of 250 people.
Aarti Sahgal, Founder and CEO of Synergies Work, said: “The EDDIE Awards shines a spotlight on these talented and inspirational individuals and recognizes our commitment to inclusivity. It reinforces the belief that the entrepreneurial dream should be accessible to all.”
For more information about Synergies Work and the EDDIE Awards, please visit www.synergieswork.org.
