Every year, the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) celebrates the passionate volunteers, visionary community partners, and dynamic local leaders who are shaping the future of our neighborhoods.Â
These remarkable individuals bridge the gap between community dreams and the resources that make them a reality. Through their expertise and dedication, they help transform ideas into solutions that empower historically disinvested communities. Their work with NDC creates lasting, positive change — one project, one neighborhood, one design at a time.
At NDC, we know that our mission wouldn’t be possible without these extraordinary contributors. That’s why, every year, we take the time to honor them through our annual awards.
This year, we proudly recognize community advocates, design volunteers, long-time partners, and visionary leaders for their unwavering commitment to building more equitable, vibrant places.
Meet The NDC Award Winners!
Monica Cortes
Kelley Oklesson Advocate of the Year Award
This award gets its name from a former NDC Prince George’s County staff member who modeled the qualities it seeks to recognize. This award goes to a community partner individual or organization who has demonstrated advocacy, vision, leadership, and inclusivity through participation in NDC initiatives or projects in Prince George’s County during the last year.
Project involved in:
A. Toni Lewis
Prince George’s County Lifetime Achievement Award
Inspired by the Larry Reich Award (Baltimore), this award celebrates an individual’s commitment to a grassroots approach to neighborhood initiatives throughout their volunteer or professional career, in the Prince George's County region.
Project involved in:
Dr. Meleny Thomas
Baltimore Community Advocate of the Year Award
This award goes to a community partner individual or organization who has demonstrated advocacy, vision, leadership, and inclusivity through participation in NDC initiatives or projects in Baltimore City during the last year.
Project involved in:
Violeta Fiorino Schwartz
Baltimore Volunteer of the Year Award
This award goes to a design volunteer from the NDC Baltimore office who has gone above and beyond the NDC mission through their contributions of time, effort, and attitude towards NDC projects.
Project involved in:
Corriane Setzer
Prince George’s County Volunteer of the Year Award
This award goes to a design volunteer from the NDC Prince George's County office who has gone above and beyond the NDC mission through their contributions of time, effort, and attitude towards NDC projects.
Project involved in:
Wanda Best
Larry Reich Award
Co-sponsored by the Neighborhood Design Center and the Baltimore City Department of Planning, The Larry Reich Award is given annually to an individual whose volunteer and professional work exemplifies a special commitment to community-based planning and design. This recognition, accompanied by a $1,000 cash award, was established by colleagues of long-time Baltimore City Planning Director Larry Reich to commemorate his pioneering concern for inclusion of grassroots groups in neighborhood initiatives.
Projects involved in:
