About the Award

In 2025, the DPCC Community Service Award was renamed the Dr. Chinita A. Heard Hinton Community Service and Trailblazer Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Hinton, a founder of the Division and its first elected Chair. The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose contributions reflect her commitment to community impact, visionary leadership, and expanding opportunity for others.

Purpose: Named for Dr. Chinita A. Heard Hinton, a founding member and first elected Chair of the Division on People of Color and Crime (DPCC), this award honors individuals and organizations whose work has meaningfully improved the quality of life for communities facing systemic inequities and communities affected by crime. In keeping with Dr. Heard Hinton’s legacy, the award also recognizes trailblazing contributions within and beyond academia, including efforts that create new institutional spaces, mentorship pathways, policy innovations, community partnerships, or leadership opportunities that expand access and advance justice. The award celebrates those who connect scholarship, service, and social change to build inclusive and lasting impact.

Eligibility: Practitioners, advocates, community leaders, scholars, and organizations whose work demonstrates significant community impact or pioneering leadership are eligible. Nominees may be at any career stage.

Criteria: Nominees will be evaluated on the following:

1. Community impact or service: clear, demonstrable contributions to improving conditions for underserved communities.
2. Trailblazing leadership or innovation: evidence of pioneering work in academic or community settings, including programs, mentorship, policy, or curricula that expand access and opportunity.
3. Sustained commitment and collaboration: ongoing engagement and collaborative approaches that reflect lasting influence.

Nomination Materials:

• Nomination letter (up to 3 pages) describing the nominee’s qualifications relative to the criteria above.
• Nominee CV or organizational summary.

Deadline: Submit nominations and supporting materials by Friday, September 11, 2026, to Dr. Javier Ramos, Chair of the DPCC Awards Committee, at jxr248@shsu.edu.Please use “DPCC 2026 Award Materials” as the email subject line.