Join us to celebrate the all-star citizens among us who inspire us to do — and be — better Philadelphians. The 2nd Annual Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner will take place Tuesday, February 25 at the Fitler Club Ballroom, 1 South 24th Street in Center City, Philadelphia.
Our goal at The Citizen is to inspire citizenship, elevate those who embody The Citizen’s mission of solutions-focused action, and activate Philadelphians to make change. Our annual Citizen of the Year program, launched in 2024, is about more than celebrating do-gooders — it is about building a network of changemakers within Philadelphia, and positioning them as role models for the next generation. Over time, we hope to see these awards empower more citizens to be active in making Philadelphia the best place to live for everyone in it.
All funds raised from ticket sales and sponsorship support this program, our ongoing coverage of civic solutions, and other civic-minded events brought to you throughout the year.
SCHEDULE
Cocktail reception, 5-6pm
Dinner and program, 6-8pm
Dessert reception and networking, 8-9pm
Cocktail Attire
This Year’s Honorees
Declan Cassidy
Youth Citizen of the Year
Dr. Alexis A. Thompson
Disruptors of the Year (with Dr. Grupp)
Dr. Stephan A. Grupp
Disruptors of the Year (with Dr. Thompson)
Njemele Tamala Anderson
Educator of the Year
Marsha Levick
A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Social Justice Champion
Dianna C. Coleman
Block Captain of the Year
Gregory E. Deavens
Lewis Katz Corporate Citizen of the Year
Larry Magid
The Edward G. Rendell Lifetime Achievement Award
Judith M. von Seldeneck
The Edward G. Rendell Lifetime Achievement Award
Declan Cassidy
Youth Citizen of the Year
Swenson Arts & Technology High School sophomore Declan Cassidy, 15, was so affected by his sister’s experience with homelessness, that he created Socks for the Streets — a nonprofit that has distributed more than 79,000 pairs of socks, 6,000 hygiene kits, and hundreds of meals and wound care kits to those in need.
Read his full profile here.
Dr. Alexis A. Thompson
Disruptors of the Year (with Dr. Grupp)
Dr. Stephan A. Grupp
Disruptors of the Year (with Dr. Thompson)
Njemele Tamala Anderson
Educator of the Year
Njemele Tamala Anderson is an English teacher at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber who practices Liberatory Education, an approach that combats discrimination and bias in schools, and holds students to the highest standards of intellectual work – all while showering them with radical compassion and love to bring out their best work, and prepare them to be engaged citizens of the world.
Read her full profile here.
Marsha Levick
A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Social Justice Champion
Marsha Levick co-founded Juvenile Law Center in 1975. A passionate advocate for children’s rights, she is a nationally recognized expert in juvenile law who has authored countless briefs in state and federal courts throughout the country, including many for cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dianna C. Coleman
Block Captain of the Year
Dianna C. Coleman has transformed her block in Southwest Philly, converting an abandoned lot into a community garden, organizing parades, field trips and bicycle giveaways for kids, and serving as a tireless liaison between her neighborhood and the City. Potholes: Consider yourselves warned.
Gregory E. Deavens
Lewis Katz Corporate Citizen of the Year
Gregory E. Deavens is president and CEO of Independence Health Group, the parent of Independence Blue Cross. Under his leadership, Independence is prioritizing behavioral health, focusing on reducing racial and economic health disparities, and diversifying the ranks of one of the city’s largest employers. Deavens also serves as board chair for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
Larry Magid
The Edward G. Rendell Lifetime Achievement Award
Larry Magid, the founder of Electric Factory concerts, changed Philadelphia — and the trajectory of live music as we know it. A legendary concert promoter and rock-and-roll impresario, he co-produced Live Aid 40 years ago, and continues to change Philly for good, as with his creation of the Philadelphia Music Alliance and scholarship opportunities for future generations of young people to attend his alma mater, Temple University.
Judith M. von Seldeneck
The Edward G. Rendell Lifetime Achievement Award
Judith M. von Seldeneck, founder and chair of Diversified Search Group, the oldest continuously-operating woman-owned search firm in the country. Von Seldeneck has been a pioneering leader in her industry for more than four decades, a woman business owner during a time when that was exceptionally rare in Philadelphia, a mentor to many who have followed, and a Philadelphia booster from her perch as a member of many public, private and nonprofit boards.
The final award celebrates the Philadelphia Citizen of the Year. Stay tuned for a very special announcement introducing this year’s winner.
Sponsor the 2nd Annual Citizen of the Year Awards
Submit your pledge instantly below. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 46-2777419, and your contribution will be tax-deductible minus any goods received.
$50,000
- Two tables at the event (20 seats) with table sign recognition
- Lock-up logo in every promotion, all print and digital assets, and trophy engravings
- In writing, the standard event name language will be “The Citizen of the Year Awards presented by [your organization]”
- Opportunity to make welcome remarks
- Present an award
- Full-page ad in the event program
- Full-screen ad in sponsor loop video
- Banner ad on Citizen of the Year landing page, as approved
- Co-sponsor The Citizen of the Year winners’ editorial profiles
- Co-sponsor the opening cocktail reception and closing dessert reception with visible branding (custom napkins, bar signage, etc. to be discussed)
- Opportunity to provide promotional gift to guests and/or winners
- Customization available for additional benefits
$25,000
- One table at the event (10 seats) with table sign recognition
- Logo in print and digital assets at event
- Recognition on digital promotions like website and newsletter
- Half-page ad in the event program
- Full-screen ad in sponsor loop video
- Co-sponsor The Citizen of the Year winners’ editorial profiles
- Co-sponsor the opening cocktail reception and closing dessert reception with visible branding (custom napkins, bar signage, etc. to be discussed)
- Opportunity to provide promotional gift to guests
- Customization available for additional benefits
$10,000
- One table at the event (10 seats) with table sign recognition
- Logo in print and digital assets at event
- Recognition on digital promotions like website and newsletter
- Quarter-page ad in the event program
- Half-screen ad in sponsor loop video
- Opportunity to provide promotional gift to guests
- Customization available for additional benefits
$5,000
- Half table at the event (5 seats) with table sign recognition
- Logo in print and digital assets at event
- Recognition on digital promotions like website and newsletter
- Customization available for additional benefits
Get on the Waitlist
We understand that the price to attend this event may be cost-prohibitive to some people. To address this, we work with individuals and organizations to sponsor seats for community members who would otherwise not be able to attend. If you would like to be considered for one of these sponsored tickets, which are provided at a deeply discounted rate or are completely free, please enter your information here. Recipients will be chosen by a randomized drawing closer to the event date.
Highlights from the Inaugural Citizen of the Year Awards
Watch the full program, recorded on January 31, 2024, and meet the inaugural honorees. The inaugural celebration and awards program was made possible by our generous sponsors.
Citizen of the Year Stories
