A projector screen reads, "DivInc Champions of Change Awards presented by Notley." Two speakers present from a stage before a crowd.

These groups are worthy of the limelight. | Photo by ATXtoday

DivInc’s annual Champions of Change Awards celebrate underrepresented entrepreneurs to “generate social and economic equity through entrepreneurship.”

All funds raised toward DivInc’s $150,000 goal will help support that mission. It’s a great place to keep the giving going after Amplify Austin last week — along with many of the spotlighted businesses.

This year’s award winners include:

Shaleiah Fox at Thinkery | Executive of the Year

Mission: “To create innovative learning experiences that equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers.”

Dr. Elizabeth Medina at Everly Health | DEI Leader of the Year

Mission: “Transform lives through modern, diagnostics-driven care.”

Betty Wu Adams at The Disability Opportunity Fund | Investor of the Year

Mission: "... improve the quality of life and build personal wealth for People with Disabilities and their families, and support organizations serving this market.”

Katrina Tolentino at Naturally Network | Startup Leader of the Year

Mission: "... to champion CPG founders and professionals, service providers, suppliers, investors, and their supporters.”

Ash Hall at Justice Strategies | Young Leader of the Year

Mission: “Promoting humane, effective approaches to criminal justice and immigration reform through rigorous analysis, high-quality research, and practical policy solutions.”

A young child stares at a bright light reflected in a metal plate. — These organizations light up our community. | Photo by Michael Gail Photography via Thinkery

Rockie Gonzalez at Austin Justice Coalition | Nonprofit Leader of the Year

Mission: "... to improve the quality of life for people of color by helping them be the driving force behind their own liberation.”

Natalie Sanders at The Orisha Mere Project | Spacemaker of the Year

Mission: "[to provide] housing and resources for STI/HIV.”

Jazz Mills at Free Lunch | Rising Star of the Year

Mission: "... reduce food insecurity by cooking and serving food and engaging in food access advocacy by publishing a quarterly magazine.”

Nicole K. Bell at Full Humanity Consulting | People’s Choice Award

Mission: “Curating spaces where full humanity can thrive.”

Hailey Easley at Asian Community Health Initiative | Champion of the Year

Mission: “Improving the health & well-being of Asians in Central Texas through advocacy, education, and support.”

POLL

What do you look for in a skincare routine?

A. Convenience
B. Clean products
C. Anti-aging
D. I don’t have a skincare routine.

Congratulations to Jamie W. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, March 6

Hyperreal Hotel: “Thomasine & Bushrod” | Monday, Mar. 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Hotel Vegas, 1502 E. 6th St., Austin | $5-$10 | Tune into a screening of “Thomasine & Bushrod,” plus local short films.

Tuesday, March 7

Moving Memories: Portraying the Holocaust & Survivor Stories Through Dance | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 7:15 p.m. | Epstein Family Community Hall , 7300 Hart Ln., Austin | Free | Dance historian Dr. Rebecca Rossen speaks with Ballet Austin’s Stephen Mills before dance performances.

Wednesday, March 8

Meet the Mayors: Mattie Parker | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 12:15-1:30 p.m. | LBJ School of Public Affairs, 2315 Red River St., Austin | Free | Spend an afternoon with Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker.
Austin Indie Music Presents: SXWhatever | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 8 p.m. | Hotel Vegas, 1502 E. 6th St., Austin | $10 | Tune into Molly Ringworm and Lord Friday the 13th at this showcase of local artists.

Thursday, March 9

Nightbird | Thursday, Mar. 9-Friday, Mar. 10 | 8-10 p.m. | Austin Playhouse, 405 W. 22nd St., Austin | $17-$38 | Follow artist Chelle as she refurbishes her childhood home in Baltimore and confronts the racism in America’s history.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

EDU

How Rice University can prep your high school student for college ✏️

If your child is intrigued by a certain subject and would like to explore it in-depth before college, here is their chance. | Photo provided by Rice University

Calling all parents of high schoolers: The Rice University Precollege Online Program provides high school students with valuable insights and tools from expert practitioners working at the center of their respective fields in today’s most sought-after industries.

The program is designed for students who wish to dive deeper into a subject that piques their interest, such as genome engineering or physiology.

Pro tip: Because the program is available year-round, and 100% online, you can study anywhere, anytime, at your own pace.*

STUDY WITH RICE UNIVERSITY THIS SUMMER

NEWS NOTES

Weather

83º | Partly cloudy | 18% chance of rain

Civic

The city announced a pay package for Austin Police Department officers following an ordinance unanimously passed by the Austin City Council last month. The package includes a 4% raise, mental health certification pay, and pay increases for officers near retirement. (KVUE)

Cause

I Live Here I Give Here raised $9.9 million in 24 hours for Amplify Austin Day. More than 700 nonprofits will benefit from this windfall, which marks $100 million raised over the organization’s last decade in Austin.

Open

Voodoo Doughnuts opened its second Austin location on Friday at 5408 Burnet Rd. Open daily from 6 a.m.-3 p.m., the Oregon-based chain known for its inventive doughnuts fits right at home in Austin. Sort of like a doughnut hole. (KXAN)

Edu

A Texas State University program will receive $1 million in federal funding to support training in mental healthcare. The program creates a shared database for mental health providers to monitor social determinants of health, like education level and employment status. (Austin-American Statesman)

Finance

Don’t let your credit cards go to waste. Kudos helps you get the most rewards and benefits every time you shop online. It’s simple to use and completely free. Try Kudos now and start saving on the money you’re already spending. 💸 *

Travel

What’s your vacation vibe — cozy, luxurious, or chic? For a cozy stay, look no further than this snug and cheerful getaway on beachy St. Simons Island, Georgia. For luxury, book this lush Hawaiian resort on the island of Kaua’i. And for the chicest of stays, peep this renovated house in downtown Charleston.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

LIFESTYLE

Starstruck 🎥

Bobby Berk standing in a garden with crew members while filming Queer Eye.

Even “Queer Eye” has filmed in Austin. | Photo courtesy Garden Seventeen, @gardenseventeen, @nativeedge

It should come as no surprise that Austin was named one of the “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” in MovieMaker Magazine. The magazine lauded our photogenic city for its festival scene (think: Austin Film Festival), the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, and iconic film locations. What can we say? The camera loves how we keep it weird.

No wonder so many films and television shows have been shot here, including:

“Friday Night Lights” | You don’t need us to tell you this iconic show about football was filmed here, but it would feel wrong not to include it.
“Dazed and Confused” | You may recognize the former Americana Theatre, which has now been turned into the Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library.
“True Grit” | This Coen Brothers classic was filmed around Texas and includes a quick shot of the Capitol Building standing in as a rail station.
“Queer Eye” | Season six was filmed here, but don’t worry if you missed all the Austin references.

Do you have a favorite film set in Austin? Let us know.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Dayten.

Editor’s pick: Resurfacing last year’s Austin vs. Kansas City showdown — I’m your Kansas City-based National Content Editor, in case we haven’t met. Why am I think about this now? KC is a big barbecue city. But I saw some pictures of Austin barbecue while gathering news today... maybe I’m just a little jealous.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We talked with Coop, a business bringing more chickens to Austin’s backyards.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP