Synergies Work Announces Finalists for Inaugural EDDIE Awards
“We are thrilled to bring attention to the entrepreneurial contributions of individuals with disabilities.” –Aarti Sahgal, Founder and CEO of Synergies Work
ATLANTA (PRWEB)
April 06, 2023
Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities, today announced the 15 finalists across five categories for its inaugural EDDIE Awards taking place April 27 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at City Springs in Sandy Springs in Metro Atlanta. Learn about the finalists and their respective categories here. One winner will be named in each category. Additionally, an Entrepreneur of the Year selected from the finalists will receive a $10,000 grand prize to further their business aspirations.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of applicants for our first-ever EDDIE Awards,” said Aarti Sahgal, Founder and CEO of Synergies Work. “We are thrilled to bring attention to the entrepreneurial contributions of individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster connections and bridge gaps within the ecosystem, highlighting the innovative and impactful work being done.”
Karen Graham, a former WAGA-TV sports anchor and morning-show host, will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies. A three-time regional Emmy Award winner for her sports feature stories, Graham is now co-CEO and executive producer of Sign1News, an award-winning media production company delivering news for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, powered by CNN. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by award-winning recording artist Lachi, the Georgia State University Aphasia Choir, Dj Sulaiman, and spoken-word artist Jasmin Duffey. Additional artists and entertainers, as well as speakers, will be announced soon.
“I’m honored to be a judge for the inaugural EDDIE Awards,” said Minna Hong, former Peer Support Supervisor at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center who is also an artist and entrepreneur. Hong served on Synergies Work’s first board of directors. “I was amazed by the ingenuity and creativity demonstrated by the EDDIE applicants. I love the collaborations with all people for the service of all people. I am excited to see the future leaders in business, think tanks, innovators, and artists through EDDIE!”
Other judges for the EDDIE Awards include Serena Lowe, Senior Director, LTSS and Community Life, at CareSource; Jeff Hilimire, Cofounder and CEO at Purpose Group; Meghan Pietrantonio, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy and Community Affairs at Truist Foundation; Merrill Friedman, RVP, Inclusive Policy & Advocacy at Elevance Health (formerly Anthem); Johnny Mason, Judge at State Board of Workers’ Compensation; Josef Scarantino, Head of Programs at All Raise; Peter Baron, CEO of Carabiner Communications; and Dana Cogan, President of Carabiner Communications.
The headline sponsor for the inaugural EDDIE Awards is CareSource, with other sponsors including The Coca-Cola Foundation, Georgia Advocacy Office, ZenBusiness, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Delta Air Lines, WestRock, America’s SBDC, and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Information on remaining sponsorships can be found here.
Tickets for the inaugural EDDIE Awards on April 27 are still available but are selling quickly. Attendees of the black-tie event will enjoy food and entertainment prior to the awards ceremony. Ticket information can be found here.
All finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the EDDIE Awards to take part in the evening’s celebration. Remaining proceeds from the EDDIE Awards will be used to support Synergies Work’s programs. To date, Synergies Work has supported over 200 entrepreneurs and helped launch over 70 new startups. The nonprofit is committed to the goal of supporting one million new entrepreneurs with disabilities by 2027.
A video that tells the Synergies Work story can be viewed here.
About Synergies Work
Founded in 2016, Synergies Work is the largest business incubator and accelerator for entrepreneurs with disabilities in the United States. The organization serves entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey—from ideation to success. With the goal of building one world where people with disabilities belong, Synergies Work helps entrepreneurs with disabilities build, launch, and grow sustainable and scalable ventures. Its approach is based on a fundamental belief that all individuals have boundless talent, an inherent curiosity to explore, and a passion to succeed. Synergies Work received second place and Audience Favorite grants from Truist Foundation’s Inspire Awards and is also part of the Moonshot Initiative, in partnership with SmartJob and Enable Ventures, which was announced at the Clinton Global Initiative. The nonprofit has also received the Dave Hammis Innovation Award from the APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First). For more information on Synergies Work, visit http://www.synergieswork.org or contact the organization at synergies@synergieswork.org.
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