Dion Alexander McNeal received the 2023 Next Generation Leader Esteem award for their work as an HIV Advocate. 
On their site Hopeful in Victory they discuss dismantling HIV stigma one conversation at a time.
This Black queer nonbinary, Artist/Activist &amp; Author will be a
panelist at Artists in the Afternoon 3: The Write Passion and
Purpose in Atlanta this Labor Day weekend on September 2nd
They will also be speaking at the Rainbow Café LGBTQ Center
Annual Gala in Illinois Garden Grove Center on November 4th. It will
be an evening of community, advocacy and gratitude.
We met at the Esteem Awards this year in Chicago and the
connection was immediate and deep. 
Originally from Chicago, they now live and work in Atlanta where they are  the Communications Manager at Morehouse College.

Esteem Awardee: Dion Alexander McNeal

Reyna Ortiz is a proud Indigenous Trans woman who was born and raised in  
Chicago. Her experiences navigating through this society, poverty and various levels of systemic oppression has given her a great understanding of the needs in her community. She is an advocate, activist and author. Reyna works hands on with her community, providing vital resources and has dedicated herself to building and working with her Trans community.
She is Program Director at Taskforce Prevention & Community Services/ TaskForce is committed to addressing the environmentally systemic needs of disenfranchised adolescents living in communities with limited resources that provide HIV/AIDS prevention education, testing, treatment, and care services.

2025 Esteem Award Winner Reyna Ortiz - Outstanding Service Transgender Activist

It's time again for the Esteem Awards. This annual event held in Chicago at the Sidetrack Video Lounge, recognizes individuals and organizations whose impactful work has inspired many and brought hope to our communities.
Founder and creative genius behind not just the Esteem Awards but also Pride Index, Philip Esteem is back to talk about his year's awardees and program taking place on July 5, 2025.
2025 honorees include Roderick K Hawkins, Pen & Paper, Reyna Ortiz, Noel C. Green, Thresholds Chicago, One Roof Chicago, The Black & Brown Femme Film Festival, The School of Opulence, Guy Anthony, Angela Harvey, Toni Newman, Darrlyhan Edmond, AIDS United and more.
This year's Awards will be co-hosted by STorie Devereaux and Michelle E. Brown,
Phil will also give a preview of this year's "Artist in the Afternoon" program taking place in Atlanta on August 30th

It's Time for the 2025 Esteem Awards

Author, Public Speaker, Radio Host of Collections by Michelle Brown Blog Radio

New tracks tagged #Esteem Award