Faces Not Forgotten Wins 2nd Annual Anthem Awards
[Alton, IL] — [February 17, 2023] – Faces Not Forgotten, an Alton-based non-profit, has been named a Gold winner for Special Projects showing Innovative Products and Services as well as a Silver winner for Community Outreach in the Education, Art, & Culture category of the prestigious 2nd Annual Anthem Awards. The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide. Fellow winners include Gloria Steinem, Billy Porter, Amanda Gorman, and Abigail Disney.
Faces Not Forgotten is a social justice visual art project that honors the children in America, eight per day, disproportionately black, who are killed by gun violence. “We convert horrific statistics into individual human beings by painting portraits that give dignity to these children. These portraits are donated to the survivor families,” said Christine Ilewski, founder and executive director. “We then assemble the images into quilts, organized by state, and exhibit them in venues across the country hoping to shift our collective social consciousness.”
“Since launching this platform in June of 2021, we have seen that social change has emerged as a dominant force in mainstream culture,” said Anthem Awards managing director Jessica Lauretti. “The sheer number, breadth and overall quality of the entries shared with us in the 2nd Annual Awards is a testament to the strength of this growing movement and demonstrates an enduring commitment to the work. From the war in Ukraine, to protests in Iran and the ongoing battle for equality here at home in the States, the call for change not only perseveres but is a growing global chorus.”
The Anthem Awards was launched in response to the prevalence social good has taken within the national conversation and aims to amplify the voices that spark global change. The 2nd Annual competition received nearly 2,000 entries from 43 countries worldwide. Winners for the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards will be honored at the Winners Celebration on February 27 in New York City. Fans can watch and listen at www.anthemawards.com.
About Faces Not Forgotten
Since 2010, Faces Not Forgotten and its network of artists have painted more than 300 portraits of gun violence victims 20 and under. Our 35 quilts travel nationwide and most recently were displayed at the 10th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Washington D.C., attended by President Biden. A portrait of a child lost to gun violence can be requested at www.facesnotforgotten.org.
About The Anthem Awards
Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we’re defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.
About The Webby Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites; Video; Advertising, Media & PR; Apps, Mobile, and Voice; Social; Podcasts; and Games. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received more than 13,500 entries from all 50 states and 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include Verizon, WP Engine, YouGov, Brandlive, Canva, NAACP, KPMG, Fast Company, Wall Street Journal, MediaPost, Podcast Movement, and AIGA.