NEW YORK (Feb. 15, 2023) – The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) today announced the Winners for the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards, which was launched by The Webby Awards in 2021 to recognize social impact work across the globe.

“On behalf of the Able Channel Family we are humbled and deeply grateful for this honor and for helping us raise awareness that people living with disabilities are able make major contributions to society and workplaces the world over. Said Brian McCourt CEO of Able Channel. “The program tells the stories of 10 amazing people who have made a meaningful difference working in all aspects of society as doctors, athletes, dancers, CEO’s, students, musicians, actors, even White House staff members. “Our goal was to redefine what it means to be ABLE”, Said McCourt. “Since ADA was passed 30 years ago there’s only been a 1% increase in the hiring of people with disabilities. The people we interviewed explained they want paychecks not pity”, said McCourt. The program aired nationally on CBS, NBC, ABC and is hosted by Gold Medal winning Paralympian Mallory Weggemann and features Dr. Toby Cosgrove, former CEO of Cleveland Clinic, Deb Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global, Cameron McCourt, Musician/Artist, Deb Dagit, CEO of Deb Dagit Diversity, Jean Sok, Dancer Cirque De Soleil, John Kemp, CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, Dick Traum, CEO of Achillies International,  Maria Town, CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities as well as Laurel Rossi CEO of Creative Spirit and her daughter Mia Rossi.

Additional winners include Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, REI, Rihanna’s The Clara Lionel Foundation, March For Our Lives, Oprah Winfrey Network, Etsy, Human Rights Watch, The Problem with Jon Stewart, Salesforce, Pulitzer Center, Ryan Reynolds, NASA, Dove, ACLU, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Mission: Joy, Chobani, UNICEF and change-making nonprofits and foundations like It Gets Better Project, Doctors Without Borders, Sesame Street, The Asian American Foundation, UNHCR, Gates Foundation, Change.org, Global Giving, Walton Family Foundation, Caring Across Generations, Alzheimer’s Association, and; cultural icons including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Colbert, Ciara, Last Week Tonight, Killer Mike, Dr, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Selma Blair, the Cast of This is Us – Mandy Moore, Chrissy Metz, Jon Huertas, and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; and industry and brand leaders like Google, AT&T, Samsung, the Skimm, Morgan Stanley, Sephora, Adobe, CNN, IBM, Bank of America, ITVS, Vaseline, Economist and Participant. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impact work that inspires others to take action in their communities. For the full list of winners and to watch winner acceptance speeches visit: http://anthemawards.com/winners

Watch the Full Program on Able Channel

https://www.preview.ablechannel.com/together-we-are-able2