Nominations Are Open for the Fifth Annual Christiana Carteaux Bannister Awards
The awards program, a partnership between Rhode Island Monthly and the Rhode Island Foundation, recognizes individuals working to advance equity and promote diversity in the Ocean State.
E/N: Nominations are now closed.
Now in its fifth year, the Christiana Carteaux Bannister Awards will recognize a new round of Rhode Islanders who are working to strengthen their communities by advancing equity and justice for all.
The awards are named for Christiana Carteaux Bannister, a nineteenth century hair doctress and Rhode Islander whose strong voice and passion for equity changed the course of history across the state and nation. She was active in the Underground Railroad, rallied for social justice amid Reconstruction-era racism, spoke out for elders of color and built a successful business that brought out the beauty in all people. (Read more about Bannister’s life and legacy here.)
In her honor, Rhode Island Monthly and the Rhode Island Foundation recognize individuals who, like Bannister, empower their communities and make the state a better place for us all to live.
“Over the past four years we have partnered with the Rhode Island Foundation to recognize individuals who tirelessly toil, often in anonymity, for diverse interests,” says John Palumbo, publisher of Rhode Island Monthly. “Whether characterized by faith, sexual orientation, race or social strata, our goal is to shine light on their work in the hopes that legions more will join them in their efforts.”
Since their inception in 2021, the Bannister Awards have recognized twenty-three individuals for their commitment to advancing equity in their communities. Last year’s recipients include Dr. Pablo Rodríguez, Julie Owens, Lisa Ranglin, Julio E. Sabater, Meghan Grady, Lauren Nocera and Lisa Raiola. Other winners have been recognized from the fields of health, education, advocacy, law, government and the arts.
The awards program was developed in conjunction with the Rhode Island Foundation’s long commitment to supporting work that is guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, compassion, mutual respect and humility.
“We are honored to help raise up the work of people who are addressing the fundamental causes of inequity. Disparities in student success, health and economic mobility have held too many back for too long,” says David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Christiana Carteaux Bannister was a pioneer. We are proud to help shine a light on her inspiring legacy.”
The 2025 Bannister Awards are supported by the Papitto Opportunity Connection and the United Way of Rhode Island.
2026 Christiana Carteaux Bannister Awards Nomination Form
The 2026 nominations open Monday, April 20, and run through Friday, May 1, on RIMonthly.com. Individuals are invited to nominate themselves or someone they feel is helping the community thrive and working toward positive change. Nominees can be recognized in their personal, public or professional capacities. What matters is that their efforts are improving the community and inspiring fellow Rhode Islanders by example. Nominations will be screened by a panel of community leaders working in these fields. Honorees will be announced in the October issue of Rhode Island Monthly and celebrated at a special event later this year.
