This June, Activate Good, at its 20th Anniversary Celebration, held the inaugural Spark Awards, a night full of heart, hustle, and high-impact stories. Designed to honor local individuals, families, schools, businesses, and partners who go above and beyond to spark change across the Triangle, the Spark Awards lit up the evening with moving speeches, well-deserved recognition, and a powerful reminder: it takes you to make a difference.

Here’s a look at our incredible 2025 honorees:

Up & Coming Changemaker Award

Winner: Emma Huang

This award celebrates a young go-getter making waves through service, and Emma Huang embodies it fully. Since joining Activate Good in Fall 2024, Emma has become a standout leader in the Youth Volunteer Corps and beyond. From serving meals at A Place at the Table to lending a hand at Wake County Parks and more, Emma has topped our leaderboard in volunteer hours. Her dedication to showing up, learning about different causes, and taking action across the Triangle is inspiring!

All-In Family Award

Winner: The Bowman Family – Mauren, Elliot, Noah, & Kevin Bowman

This award honors a family that gives back together, and the Bowmans truly exemplify this spirit. Whether they’re packing hundreds of kits for Oak City Cares and Wake Relief or helping build turtle basking pads, the Bowmans show up with energy, teamwork, and smiles. Their impact through Family Volunteer Day and Activate Kids has been nothing short of amazing.

Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Blake Foster

Talk about going above and beyond—Blake Foster lives it every day. As a Raleigh Water employee and founder of the B-Team at The Great Raleigh Cleanup, Blake has led volunteers in removing thousands of pounds of trash from our community. One cleanup alone cleared over 5,281 pounds! With a 2025 goal of collecting 20,000 pounds of litter, Blake is showing us all how one person can rally many and create real, visible change.

Community Connector Award

Winner: Diaper Bank of NC

This award goes to a partner who proves that teamwork truly makes the dream work—and Diaper Bank of NC is a powerhouse of connection and compassion. From distributing millions of essential items after Hurricane Helene to responding to massive increases in need during the pandemic, this organization has been an unwavering ally in promoting dignity, health, and access across North Carolina. We are honored to celebrate over a decade of partnership with them.

eLOVEate Wake Award

Winner: Bugg Magnet Elementary School – Accepted by Monique Booker, Magnet Coordinator

Bugg Magnet Elementary is leading the charge for service in education. This award recognizes a school that has embedded volunteerism and community engagement into its culture. Through the eLOVEate Schools program and 9/11 Day of Service, Bugg has become a hub of collaboration and innovation, linking with STEM leaders, higher education institutions, and nonprofits to bring service learning to life.

Impact Instigator Award

Winner: Emendo Consulting Group

When it comes to corporate social responsibility, Emendo Consulting Group doesn’t just talk the talk—they show up, dig in, and make things happen. Since 2022, their team has provided Activate Good with thoughtful, hands-on support through consulting, project management, and numerous volunteer hours. Their staff has even helped plan this very event! Emendo sets a high bar for how businesses can lead with purpose.

Good Neighbor Award

Winner: Fidelity Investments – Accepted by Dr. Kat Jordan, Brendan Hou, and Danita King

Fidelity Investments has partnered with Activate Good since 2014, and its commitment has only grown stronger. From financial literacy programs to painting teacher lounges and addressing food insecurity, they use their time and talent to improve long-term outcomes for all. With a signature month of service and year-round volunteerism, Fidelity proves what it means to be a truly good neighbor.

Legacy Builder Award – Founders’ Award

Winners: Amber Smith and Heather Leah

We ended the night with a tribute to the roots of it all. The Legacy Builder Award honors a visionary whose spark continues to ignite change, and this year, we honored two. Amber Smith and Heather Leah co-founded what would become Activate Good after a life-changing volunteer road trip in 2005. What started as ME3 has grown into a Triangle-wide movement—connecting changemakers with causes and building a legacy of compassion, action, and transformation.

The 2025 Spark Awards reminded us: every act of kindness counts. Whether you’re a teen getting started, a business stepping up, or a family pitching in, your efforts help build a brighter, more connected Triangle.

Congratulations to all our honorees—and to everyone who shows up to make a difference.