Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers virtual tour earns gold at international Anthem Awards
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers (HACFM) was recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences at the organization’s inaugural Anthem Awards.
HACFM earned a gold medal in the category of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion – Best Strategy for a virtual tour video that introduced The Greater Dunbar Initiative, a comprehensive transformation plan for the large-scale revitalization of the 199-unit Southward Village public housing community in Fort Myers. The initiative aims to improve existing affordable housing units for residents while expanding choices, creating market-rate amenities, and adding new mixed-income housing to create a resilient and healthy neighborhood moving forward.
The virtual tour was utilized by HACFM in earning a $30 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“The Greater Dunbar Initiative is a collaborative effort with residents to honor this valuable community as it improves the neighborhood and residents’ lives,” said Marcia Davis, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers. “This virtual tour and introduction played a critical role in sharing the vision for the initiative and securing funding that is now helping bring this vision into reality.”
Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Members include Daniel Dae Kim (actor, producer, and activist); Ashley Judd (Author, Actor, and Social Justice Humanitarian); Mitchell Baker (CEO and chairwoman, Mozilla); Lisa Sherman (president and CEO, Ad Council), Sarah Kate Ellis (president and CEO, GLAAD); Renata Erlikhman (chief investment officer, OW Management); Shayla Tait (director of philanthropy, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation); Russlynn Ali (CEO and co-founder, XQ Institute); Marc Ecko (chief commercial officer and board member, XQ Institute); Heidi Arthur (chief campaign development officer, Ad Council); and Alexis M. Herman (chair and chief executive officer, New Ventures, and former U.S. secretary of labor).
The inaugural Anthem Awards competition received nearly 2,500 entries from 36 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. Winners for the inaugural Anthem Awards were celebrated at the Anthem Voices conference and virtual awards show on Feb. 28.
“It is our distinct honor to recognize the work that brands, organizations, and individuals are all making to create an impact in their community,” said Jessica Lauretti, managing director, The Anthem Awards. “We launched this platform to show the world that all corners of our culture, from sports and entertainment to business leaders and celebrities, are all standing up to say, it is time for systemic change and that social good is what we value as a society.”
About the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers serves as a catalyst for increasing access to safe, stable and sustainable housing and to help develop, preserve and revitalize communities through affordable rental housing. For more information, visit www.HACFM.org or call 239-344-3220.
About The Anthem Awards
The Anthem Awards, the Webby Awards newest initiative, was developed to recognize the breadth of social good work (online and offline) around the globe by honoring the organizations, brands, and people creating long-lasting impact; including, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Education, Art, & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment, & Climate. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.