Shorts Jury Awards Program

Erika Anthony – Erika L. Anthony is the Executive Director of Ohio Transformation Fund (OTF). OTF is a collaborative fund developed by national and local funders advocating for healthy communities and an equitable democracy across Ohio. Prior to OTF, she served as the Vice President of Government Relations and Strategy for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. Erika is also the co-founder of Cleveland VOTES and Hack Cleveland. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxine G. Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University

Awatef Assad – Awatef Assad is the Risk Manager for Cuyahoga County. She is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association's Board of Directors and Executive Committee and serves as its Vice-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association's Advisory Council on Diversity Initiatives and the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2020. Nationally recognized for her community work on behalf of the Arab-American community, Awatef is the recipient of the F.B.I. Director's Community Leadership, the Arab American Institute's Excellence in Public Service, and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission's "Keeping the Dream Alive" awards.

Sunny Nixon – Sunny Nixon serves as legal counsel to emerging Northeast Ohio tech companies, combining her business experience with an education from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Inspired by her late parents, her civic work focuses on elder justice, equal rights, legal advocacy, and the arts, including service on the boards for Brite Winter Music & Arts Festival and InCuya Music Festival. A resident of the Warehouse District, Sunny encourages everyone to explore all that Cleveland offers, including its incredible architecture, museums, restaurants, businesses, and one-of-a-kind lakefront.