KICKING OFF THE CREATOR AWARDS IN DC
On March 28, creators from the DC, Boston, and Philadelphia metro areas received more than $1 million in funding to take their ideas out into the world and create change.
What went down
When guests gathered at Washington, DC’s Mellon Auditorium for the Creator Awards, it was the first event of its kind. Local purveyors and designers sold their goods, professionals and area employers connected over conversation, and Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman and Axios co-Founders Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei shared their experiences in candid conversations known as Master Classes.


Master Class with Jonathan Neman
The order of the day was creating an atmosphere where community could blossom—and this celebration delivered. At the award ceremony, creators took the stage to win funding and recognition for their projects, which had the crowd feeling all the feels. DJ Mark Ronson closed out the evening with a soundtrack fit for the start of something big.
DC Winners
The top winners at DC’s Creator Awards were all female—including top winner and journalist Jay Newton-Small, whose Memory Well project catalogs life stories with the aim of improving care for Alzheimer’s patients. See our full list of award recipients below.
Incubate Awards $18K-$36K
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Milinda Balthrop
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Cindy Frei
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Debra Brown
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Ben Melman
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Nick Delmonico
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Chibueze Ihenacho
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Angelina Klouthis
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Jes Christian
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Charlene Brown MD, MPH
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CJ Cross
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Ian Rinehart
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Robert Fine
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Akwasi Asante
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Audrey Henson
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Jelena S. Mishina
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Karima Ladhani
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Katie Thompson
Launch Awards $72K-$180K
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J. Kevin White
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Sam Teicher
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Jay Newton-Small
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Robert Logue
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Elizabeth Bennet
Scale Awards $180K-$360K
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Kellee James
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Elizabeth Lindsey
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Cristi Hergranes