Who is eligible to be nominated for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award?

Any resident of the State of Delaware who is 25 years old or younger at the time that the nomination opens each year and who has demonstrated meaningful commitment to addressing civil rights issues may be nominated for the award.

What is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2023 award? What if I miss the deadline?

All nominations must be completed in full and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 20th, 2023, to be considered for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. If a nominator misses the deadline, he or she will have the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s award.

Do I have to live in the State of Delaware to nominate an individual?

No, the nominator does not have to live in Delaware. However, the nominee must be a resident of Delaware and must demonstrate commitment to addressing civil rights issues in the state.

Can I make changes to my nomination once it is submitted?

No, after the application is submitted, you will not be able to make changes. Nominators should carefully review all information prior to completing and submitting the application.

Can I complete the nomination via mail or email?

No. All nominations must be completed and submitted using the online form found at sos.delaware.gov/JohnLewisAward. If you have a unique challenge that prohibits you from submitting an online nomination, please email DOS.Leadershipaward@delaware.gov. Note: No nominations will be accepted via this email address.

May I tell my nominee about the nomination? May I consult with my nominee to obtain the information needed to complete the nomination?

Informing an individual that he or she has been nominated for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award is at the discretion of the nominator. We encourage a nominator to consult with the nominee to provide the most compelling story of his/her commitment to addressing civil rights issues in his/her community.

What happens if two people nominate the same individual?

If an individual is nominated more than once, the selection committee will combine the information from both nomination forms to assess the nominee’s credentials.

Who is part of the selection committee?

The selection committee is comprised of staff members from the Department of State and the Governor’s Office.

How will the chosen winner be notified? Will I be notified as a nominator, regardless of whether or not my nominee was chosen for the award?

The recipient of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award as well as the nominating party(s) will be notified by email regardless if they were chosen for the award or not.

What will the recipient receive in terms of awards and other forms of public recognition?

The recipient of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award will receive an engraved award with the recipient’s name. The Secretary of State’s Office will recognize the recipient through a press release, on the SOS website, and on social media.