FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT

Hillary Brenner, Marketing Director, hbrenner@tacomavenues.org

The City of Destiny Awards Recognize Tacomans

New this year are the Inspire Tacoma Award and Community Showcase

TACOMA, Wash. – The 38th Annual City of Destiny Awards returns to the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, 2727 East D Street, on June 26, 2024. Next month’s event will include award presentations made by Tacoma City Council Members, with performances by Tacoma Musical Playhouse and the Tacoma Refugee Choir.

This year’s celebration includes the inaugural Inspire Tacoma award, recognizing individuals or organizations that make a positive impact on the city's continued growth and prosperity through civic engagement, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, or advocacy. Known for their charitable works with the Zeke-End Basketball Tournament, The Court at the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club, and continued service and contributions back to the youth of Tacoma, this year’s award will go to two-time NBA All-Star athlete and local philanthropist, Isaiah Thomas.

Guests are invited to come early for the Community Showcase, featuring the nominees’ connected organizations as well as a reception with complimentary refreshments at 5 p.m. Jessica Johnston, Chair of the City’s Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC), will emcee the award ceremony, beginning at 6 p.m. Johnston, a CERC Committee member since November 2020, is the Director of Courthouse Square and serves as the Vice President of the Downtown Tacoma Partnership Board of Directors.

"City Hall cannot solve any of the challenges we face alone. It demands the relentless efforts of dedicated volunteers, the very individuals we are celebrating, to forge Tacoma into the City of Destiny we all desire,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards. “Each one of us possesses the power to actively contribute, enabling us to collaboratively weave the fabric of our community and fortify its resilience. I am grateful for those that we are honoring this year.”

Community members are invited to attend the ceremony to hear the inspiring stories of people making a difference in Tacoma. This free community event will also be filmed by TV Tacoma. Additional event information, as well as a list of 2024 award recipients, is available at tacomadome.org.

The City Council-appointed CERC oversees the nomination and award process for the City of Destiny Awards. More than 320 individuals and groups have received recognition for their outstanding contributions to improving life in Tacoma since the awards’ inception in 1987. For more information on the City of Destiny Awards and for a full list of recipients from past years, visit cityoftacoma.org/CityofDestiny.

About the City’s Events and Recognitions Committee

The City’s Events and Recognitions Committee serves as an advisory and action committee on matters pertaining to City-hosted events, special events funding, and recognition programs. Members are responsible for planning, reviewing, and evaluating events to receive grant funding, as well as engaging the community in its planning efforts for City-hosted events such as City of Destiny Awards and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration.

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