The Tribute to Change brings together people who care about social justice in the Philadelphia region to connect with each other, to celebrate recent victories, and to raise money for the next chapter of the story of grassroots change.
The 2026 Tribute to Change will be held Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Vie, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Resist, Rise Up, and Reimagine.” We’ll honor the leaders and grassroots groups who are meeting this moment with courage—organizing their communities, taking bold action, and imagining a just future we all deserve.
Nominate a Philly movement leader
Do you know a local organizer or grassroots group building real power in Philadelphia? Fighting for our human rights? Refusing to back down? Submit a nomination for the 2026 Tribute to Change by March 9.
Our Tribute to Change award nomination categories are:
Paul Robeson Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to social change throughout their lifetime.
Trailblazer Award: This award is given to an outstanding leader in community organizing who has helped to pave the way for others.
Emerging Leader Award: This award is given to an individual who is beginning to make their mark as a community organizer.
Victory is Ours Award: This award is given to a community organization, union, or campaign that has advanced movements for racial and economic justice.
The challenges right now are real. There’s chaos, confusion, and fear. But that’s not the only story. Across the country—from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to Chicago—people are building collective power and showing what resistance looks like. And here in Philadelphia, leaders are doing the same.
While institutions retreat, community-based organizations step forward. They see possibility where others pull back. They’re in it for the long haul—fighting authoritarianism, defending our right to live in peace, and pushing us closer to liberation.
They show up. Let’s show up for them.
Explore past events here.