I am thrilled to announce that the Inaugural edition of The FECK Awards will be celebrating amazing individuals and/or organizations in Chicago on Saturday, April 4th, who truly embody the principles detailed in my book, It’s Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity Through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion and Kindness. The FECK Awards are more than a typical award; they are a call to action, honoring everyday heroes and leaders whose actions are helping to build a more humane, understanding, and compassionate world. We announced the 2026 recipients of these awards, whom we found following a nationwide search. And as an added bonus, we identified Honorable Mentions whose work and deeds were also so impactful we wanted to shine a light on them.
Congratulations to Azim Khamisa and the Tariq Khamisa Foundation from San Diego, California, for embodying the transformative value of FORGIVENESS. After his son Tariq was tragically killed in 1995 during a gang initiation robbery, Azim made the extraordinary choice to forgive the teenage offender responsible. Instead of allowing grief to turn into hatred, Azim partnered with the young man’s grandfather, Ples Felix, to found the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, dedicated to stopping youth violence. For more than three decades, the organization has reached more than two million young people with programs promoting accountability, forgiveness, and nonviolence.
Our recipient whose story exudes the value of EMPATHY is Melvin Parson from Ypsilanti, Michigan (pictured above). He founded the We the People Growers Association and We the People Opportunity Farm, which have transformed lives through urban agriculture and second-chance employment. After experiencing incarceration, homelessness, and addiction earlier in life, Parson built a program that created dignified jobs and workforce training through soil-changing opportunities, growing and selling fresh farm foods and creating the Good Soil Café. This helped formerly incarcerated individuals to foster understanding, opportunity, and healing while reducing recidivism. Just as we were going to inform Mr. Parson about his award, we were informed that he passed away earlier this month on March 5th. His work lives on.
Jayera Griffin of Riverdale, Illinois, is this year’s award recipient best representing the principle of COMPASSION. She began serving her community at just 14 years old by organizing free laundry days so students could have clean clothes for school. Now 22 and graduating from Western Illinois University in 2026 with plans to become an elementary school teacher, Griffin continues to lead initiatives that support and uplift her community, including organizing CPR and AED training for young people, collecting clothing for seniors, and organizing school supply drives and holiday programs for neighborhood families.
Last but certainly not least is our winner who embodies KINDNESS, David Ludlow Jr., of South Elgin, Illinois. He was born with Down Syndrome, and now at age 35, demonstrates the profound impact one person’s generosity can have. Each year, he saves his earnings to purchase toys for his local fire district’s Toys for Tots drive. In 2025 alone, he donated nearly 100 toys, inspiring an outpouring of additional donations from the community. At Rising Lights Project, a learning space for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Luplow is known for his quiet acts of kindness that inspire a ripple effect in the community.
We look forward to introducing our FECK Awardees or their representatives to the audience at 6 pm at the Ritz Carlton Water Tower Place. Members of our Panel of Judges will also be in attendance. The evening will start with musical selections from award-winning jazz vocalist Tammy McCann, and international vocalist Calvin Bridges. Come join us for an evening of joy and inspiration!
I would also like to highlight our Honorable Mentions in each category starting with Forgiveness: Judge Kathleen Coffey, founder of the Homeless Court at Boston’s Pine Street Inn, in Boston, Massachusetts. Each month for 15 years before retiring in late 2025, Judge Coffey transformed a room at the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter into a courtroom where people experiencing homelessness, facing misdemeanors, nonviolent felonies, or default warrants, could come before her to be heard and have their cases adjudicated, allowing individuals to rebuild dignity and self-respect through employment, housing and other opportunities.
Our Honorable Mentions in the categories of Empathy, Compassion and Kindness are:
-The Cancer Cartel in Enumclaw, Washington. Founded by three remarkable cancer survivors, Kerry Solmonsen, Katy Tinney-Olson and Shelly Tinney-Miller, this national non-profit was born from their firsthand experience of how wellness and financial considerations can be at odds. In it’s Mission Statement it says: Cancer Cartel provides financial resources to cancer Warriors. We want anyone in the battle against cancer to be able to focus all of their energy on getting well and nor on how much having cancer is costing them. From gas money to groceries, power bills to mortgage payments, we are fighting to tear down financial barriers to wellness. (They depend on grants,strategic partnerships, and donations which are passed directly to cancer Warriors, and all operating costs are underwritten.)
-Michael Airhart, founder of Chicago’s Taste for the Homeless. Airhart’s nonprofit provides services to uplift homeless people and those living in shelters to become contributing citizens by providing hot food, clothing, hygiene items, and social services. He said it is a calling for him, as he could not just walk past people who needed help without providing it. His organization has grown with the aid of many kind people who are attracted to his goodness.
-Hector and Diane Corona are founders of City Kids Camp in Chicago. It is a free summer camp for children from economically disadvantaged communities, allowing them to experience a true outdoor adventure in a peaceful environment. They recognized the healing power of nature, just allowing kids to be kids away from the cares of the city.
These descriptions are but a thumbnail introduction of what each of the Winners and Honorable Mentions bring to the world. On April 4th, when we celebrate these everyday heroes in person and introduce them to each other, our inaugural honorees will show what it truly means to “give a FECK.” Their stories remind us that each of us has the power to uplift others and help create a kinder and more compassionate world. Join us for an inspiring evening of storytelling, celebration, and community honoring these remarkable individuals and the values they represent. Reception begins at 6pm CT, followed by dinner and the awards show at 6:30pm CT. For full event details and to order tickets, visit GiveAFECK.com.