Purple Diamond Awards

Hall of Fame

Angela Yee

Angela Yee is a Radio Hall of Fame host, four time Gracie award recipient, and media entrepreneur whose work has consistently amplified voices, fostered community, and created pathways to empowerment. As the nationally syndicated host of Way Up with Angela Yee on iHeartMedia, she reaches millions of listeners daily with conversations that inform, uplift, and inspire.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Angela began her career in marketing before transitioning into radio at SiriusXM’s Shade 45. She later co-founded the groundbreaking morning show The Breakfast Club, helping shape it into one of the most influential platforms in modern media. Throughout her career, Angela has used her voice not only to entertain, but to address real-life issues impacting women, families, and underserved communities.

Beyond radio, Angela is deeply committed to economic empowerment and community development. Through her Wealth Wednesdays initiative, she educates audiences on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth-building. Her entrepreneurial ventures include her Brooklyn-based coffee and café, Coffee Uplifts People, real estate investments in Brooklyn, Miami, Detroit and upstate NY, and her Lip Service podcast.

The Beacon Diamond Award

Lucy Del Gaudio

Lucy Del Gaudio is a U.S. Army veteran and the first Women Veterans Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, a first-of-its-kind position dedicated to serving and advocating for New Jersey’s women veterans. A longtime veterans advocate, she chairs the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board and has championed women veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and underserved veteran communities. In 2024, Lucy was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame for her leadership, service, and advocacy.

Diamond of Community Leadership Award

Craig Mainor

As Executive Director of United Community Corporation since 2016, Craig Mainor brings over 25 years of nonprofit leadership to empowering families and individuals. Drawing on his own lived experience as a past recipient of community services, he guided UCC through unprecedented pandemic demand, reaching over 170,000 clients annually. Mainor oversees vital food, shelter, housing, and outreach programs, advocating for systemic change and collaborative solutions to lift communities out of poverty.

Visionary Diamond Award

Leslie K. Brown

As Executive Director for Partners, Leslie K. Brown provides organizational change management, strategic leadership, staff and board development, and operational expertise. Her advocacy work focuses on women’s rights, children’s education, reproductive justice, low-income families, healthcare access and equity, unhoused communities, and criminal justice reform. Leslie also has over ten years of corporate experience. She is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, Planned Parenthood of Metro New Jersey Trustee, and Montclair Civil Rights Commissioner. She holds a BS in Pre-Medical Biology from American University, an MPH from the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she received the Dean’s Award for Distinction and the Arthur Turnbull Alumni Award for Public Service. Leslie is an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

President’s Circle of Honor Award

Sonja R. Herbert

Sonja Herbert is an Atlanta–based writer, speaker, author, mentor, social worker, activist, and Pilates instructor. She is the founder/creator of Black Girl Pilates®, a platform educating, mentoring, highlighting, and supporting Black Pilates instructors. Sonja is committed to Black representation within fitness and improving the health and wellness of the Black community through writing, speaking, advocacy, education, and mentorship.

Guiding Diamond Award

Dupree “Do It All” Kelly

Dupree “Do It All” Kelly is a dynamic community leader, public servant, mentor, and advocate whose work is rooted in one powerful belief: when you have the ability to make a difference, you have a responsibility to do it.

Known for his commitment to Newark and the surrounding community, Councilman Kelly has built a reputation for showing up, creating opportunities, and advocating for the people he serves. His leadership extends beyond the title of elected official — he is a connector, problem-solver, mentor, and champion for individuals and families who deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

Through his community engagement and public service, Kelly continues to champion initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods, empower young people, support families, and create pathways for residents to thrive. His hands-on approach and willingness to get involved have earned him the nickname “Do It All” — a reflection of his dedication to serving his community wherever he is needed.

Humanitarian and Angel of Service

Cathy Loup

After a long and varied career, Cathy Loup is devoting her retirement years to service – a way to embody her commitment to antiracism, intersectionality, and inclusion. She is dedicated to many mutual aid organizations led by Black women, including the BFGM Foundation, where her mutual aid journey began. Cathy is also active in her community, advocating for housing justice and building connections with homeless neighbors. A skilled baker, she enjoys making treats for local gatherings.