About this Event
Come Join Us at the Esteem Awards 2026!
Join us for an afternoon at Sidetrack 3349 N Halsted St where we honor individuals who have made a significant impact in their communities. The Esteem Awards recognize those who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to serving others. This in-person event promises to be a memorable afternoon filled with inspiring stories, heartfelt speeches, and well-deserved recognition. Come dressed to impress and be prepared to be inspired by the incredible individuals being honored. Don't miss out on this special occasion to celebrate and uplift those who are making a difference in the world!
The Esteem Awards is a 501(c)(3) organization. Each year, finalists are selected based on the impact of their work—work that inspires others and brings hope to our communities. The selection process is guided by a committee composed of past award recipients and informed by significant input from the community. This approach underscores the importance we place on community engagement and helps ensure that the awards reflect the values, perspectives, and aspirations of those we serve.
The Class of 2026 Honorees:
Chicago:
Outstanding Service, Male: Dr. Travis Gayles.
Dr. Gayles is a health care leader with extensive experience advancing public health and health equity across government, the private sector, and academia. As CEO of Howard Brown Health, he brings visionary leadership to promoting LGBTQ+ health and reducing systemic barriers to care.
Outstanding Service, Female: Dominique Leach.
Chicago-based chef Dominique Leach is a classically trained chef and nationally recognized pitmaster known for her acclaimed barbecue. Inspired by her grandmother’s Mississippi cooking, she co-founded Cater to You Events & Drop Offs. She later launched Lexington Betty Smokehouse, which gained national attention through appearances on Chopped and Fire Masters and recognition from Good Morning America as serving some of the best barbecue in Chicago.
Outstanding Service, Transgender: Myah Brown.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Myah is a proud Black trans woman whose resilience and passion have shaped more than twelve years of dedicated service in the LGBTQ community. Her work has centered on advocacy, empowerment, and creating safe spaces for queer and trans people of color. From grassroots organizing to leading community initiatives, she has been a consistent voice for inclusion, justice, and visibility. Today, she continues to inspire others by turning her personal journey into a testament of strength, pride, and the power of representation.
Future Leaders: Darius Caffey.
Darius is the founder of The Closet Unlocked and director of institutional partnerships for Black Alphabet NFP. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and media producer, he uses education as a catalyst for systemic change and is committed to empowering leaders and expanding opportunities for under-resourced and underrepresented communities.
Outstanding Service Social Services/CBO: The Chicago Women’s AIDS Project (CWAP).
(CWAP) is committed to empowering women living with HIV and their families. The organization provides comprehensive support services, prevention education, and advocacy to enable women to manage their health and lead full, productive lives. For more than twenty years, CWAP has pursued this mission by offering a wide array of services that address the mental health, treatment, educational, and advocacy needs of women living with HIV, including those reentering society following incarceration.
Institutional: UBtheCURE LLC.
UBtheCURE is a Chicago-based organization operating at the intersection of faith, health, and human rights, with a focus on HIV and AIDS awareness, advocacy, and capacity building, as well as LGBTQIA+, gender, and racial justice. Faith is the common thread that weaves through UBtheCURE’s work, grounded in the belief that faith itself is a social determinant of health. UBtheCURE maintains a diverse portfolio of local, regional, and global partnerships, from serving as the ally institution for the Chicago Mind, Body, and Soul Health and Wellness Circle for same-gender-loving Black men, to acting as an official faith partner of the 2026 National Trans Visibility March, to managing and administering the HIV Vaccine Trials Network External Relations Research Project. UBtheCURE’s guiding organizational ethos is to treat people, not just dis-ease. Dr. Ulysses W. Burley III is the Founder and CEO of UBtheCURE LLC.
Artistic Expression: Peter Gaona.
Peter is the creator and owner of ReformedSchool and the creative director of marketing for Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. A dancer turned designer, he uses fashion to promote sustainability and cultural awareness through handmade wearable art that repurposes materials and celebrates Black culture and history.
Special Recognition: Jerry Jones.
Jerry is a passionate entrepreneur and a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights. He is committed to promoting equality and inclusivity in society.
National:
Outstanding Service, Male: Kevin G. Smith.
Kevin is an accomplished educator in science and engineering with experience as an instructor at Chicago State University, adjunct professor at the Indiana Institute of Technology, and Dean of Instruction and Online Learning at the City Colleges of Chicago. As director of programs and events at NACME, Inc., he leads initiatives to promote scholarships and support undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering and computer science.
Outstanding Service, Female: Dr. Brandynicole Brooks.
Dr. Brandynicole is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with twenty years of experience in trauma-informed care and leadership development. As CEO of Dr. Brandynicole, LLC, she leads initiatives supporting trauma-informed leadership, diversity, and inclusion, and is the founder of The Complete Compassion Project and Sleep Sweet Junebug, Inc. She holds a Master of Social Work from The University of Alabama, dual bachelor’s degrees from Hardin-Simmons University, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Outstanding Service, Transgender: Dr. Elijah Nicholas.
Dr. Nicholas is a national leader at the intersection of HIV policy, LGBTQ+ rights, veteran equity, and artificial intelligence. As founder of the Global Trans Equity Project and the Veterans Equity Project, he leads initiatives expanding HIV prevention, PrEP access, mental health resources, and reproductive justice for marginalized communities. With Capitol Hill lobbying experience through Advocates for Trans Equality and more than 100 state delegates, he has advanced federal and state policy on HIV, transgender rights, veterans’ care, and reproductive health. He also develops AI-driven public health programs and hosts Focal Point with Dr. Elijah Nicholas on CBS Atlanta, using research and storytelling to inform policy and strengthen community impact.
Outstanding Service Social Services/CBO: Brothers of the Desert.
Brothers of the Desert is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing support and community for Black gay men and allies in the Coachella Valley through philanthropy, mentorship, education, advocacy, and social networking. Founded in 2017 to address isolation and disconnection among Black gay men, the organization formally incorporated in 2020 and has since awarded over $20,000 in scholarships to LGBTQ+ and Black students, partnering with groups like Better Brothers of LA to strengthen local support and opportunity.
Outstanding Healthcare Professional: GLMA.
GLMA, founded in 1981 as the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights, is the world’s largest and oldest association of LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals. Its mission is to ensure equality in healthcare for LGBTQ+ patients and providers across a broad range of issues, including mental health, cancer, substance use, and access to affirming care for trans and nonbinary individuals. Originally focused on HIV and supporting physicians coming out at work, GLMA has expanded to include tens of thousands of health professionals across disciplines and specialties, advocating for LGBTQ+ health equity through public policy, education, and research.
Artistic Expression: Wyatt O’Brian Evans.
Wyatt is a journalist, author, radio personality, advocate, and speaker whose work has appeared in outlets including The Advocate, HuffPost, Washington Blade, and Baltimore Gay Life. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of Wyattevans.com, a widely read online news and commentary platform for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, reaching audiences in nearly 100 countries.
Special Recognition: Rayceen Pendarvis.
Rayceen Pendarvis is a renowned event host, dedicated activist, self-described gender-blender, and lifelong Washingtonian. As an inspirational speaker, enthusiastic promoter, dynamic emcee of numerous LGBTQ events, and venerated champion of many local causes in the Nation’s Capital, Rayceen has earned the monikers High Priestess of Love, Queen of the Shameless Plug, Empress of Pride, and Goddess of DC. In addition to being a steadfast advocate for the arts and ardent proponent of voter participation, Rayceen regularly hosts festivals, Pride celebrations, award ceremonies, community gatherings, and other events, often in partnership with Team Rayceen Productions. For more information, please visit Rayceen.com
Visit TheEsteemAwards.com & PrideIndex.com
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
3349 N Halsted St, 3349 North Halsted Street, Chicago, United States
USD 0.00
