La Paz Chattanooga, the longest-serving non-profit organization working directly with the Chattanooga area’s rapidly-growing Latino population, is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Latino Leadership Awards.
Started in 2009, the awards ceremony has honored notable members of the Latino community whose efforts are strengthening the entire greater Chattanooga area.
“This event is near and dear to our hearts because it allows us to shine the spotlight on so many incredible members of Chattanooga’s Latino community,” said Stacy Johnson, CEO at La Paz. “Through the Latino Leadership Awards, we celebrate businesses, entrepreneurs, volunteers, community leaders, and organizations who are all doing their part to make Chattanooga a better place to live and work. It’s a really special event, and we hope you’ll take a moment to nominate someone in your life deserving of one of these awards.”
The 2025 Latino Leadership Awards will take place on Friday, September 19, at the Westin Chattanooga, located at 801 Pine Street. Three finalists will be selected from nominations in each of the following categories:
- Latino Leader of the Year: Recognizing Latino/a/e/x individuals who are excelling in their industry as professionals, business and/or community leaders. The Latino Leader of the Year is someone who has contributed to their industry/community, promoting the positive impact of Latinos in Chattanooga.
- Chattanooga’s Choice: Recognizing influential Latino individuals across all sectors and communities in the Chattanooga region, building cultural bridges and connections to strengthen our local Latino population and the city as a whole.
- Latino Community Champion Award (organization/business): Recognizing organizations and businesses that have championed services for and/or made a significant impact on Chattanooga's Latino population.
- Emerging Latino Leader Award: Recognizing the emerging influence and accomplishments of a Latino young adult who is under the age of 25 years. The winner of this category is eligible for a $2,000 educational scholarship thanks to the Anne Shelton Scholarship Fund.
- La Paz Volunteer of the Year Award: Recognizing the outstanding dedication and volunteer service of one individual's commitment to the work of La Paz Chattanooga.
- Latino Business of the Year: Recognizing Latino-owned businesses in the Chattanooga area that serve as an economic backbone of our community and are critical in the cultivation of Latino progress in our city.
- Latino New Business of the Year: Recognizing up-and-coming Latino-owned businesses (operating for 3 years or less) that showcase exemplary business practices and contribute to the cultivation of Latino progress in Chattanooga.
Nominations for the above awards are open through May 30. Finalists will be notified by early June, and ticket sales for the event will open to the public soon thereafter.
To make nominations for the 2025 Latino Leadership Awards, visit lapazchattanooga.org/awards.
To learn more about La Paz Chattanooga, visit www.lapazchattanooga.org