The second annual EDDIE Awards were presented at an evening banquet on April 11 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. Presented by Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit that empowers entrepreneurs with disabilities, the awards honored five entrepreneurs across six categories.
- Newcomer Award: Jacqueline Child, Founder, Dateability, the only dating app for the entire disabled and chronically ill community.
- Social Impact Award: Ruby “SunShine” Taylor, Founder, Financial Joy School, a diverse financial education platform and gaming company.
- Techprenuer Award: Alvaro Silberstein, Co-Founder, Wheel the World, a travel site for people with disabilities.
- Creativity Award: Derek Heard Jr., Founder, Derek’s Doodles, an Albany, GA-based graphic art company that promotes disability advocacy and justice for people with disabilities.
- Community Champion Award: Brett Swanson, Co-Founder, Three Basketeers, a Gainesville, GA-based nonprofit that showcases the talents of adults with developmental disabilities.
In the final award of the night, Dante Allen, commissioner of the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration, presented the Entrepreneur of the Year award to Silberstein of Wheel the World.
Atlanta inclusive dance troupe Full Radius Dance, blind rap artist Question ATL, and Precious Perez, “the blind reggaetonera,” each performed for a crowd of 250 people.
Synergies Work Founder and CEO Aarti Sahgal said, “The EDDIE Awards shines a spotlight on these talented, inspiring individuals while reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and belief that the entrepreneurial dream should be accessible to all.”
To learn more about Synergies Work and the EDDIE Awards, visit www.synergieswork.org.
