Thursday, November 12th | 11am – 2pm | Renaissance Arlington Capital View
The annual Spirit Awards Luncheon gathers nearly 600 community members, leaders, and neighbors to celebrate the individuals who make Arlington a better, more inclusive place to call home.
This year’s celebration will carry special meaning. The 33rd annual Spirit of Community Award will honor the late Honorable William T. Newman, Jr., lifelong Arlingtonian, and founder of Arlington Community Foundation.
Named in Judge Newman’s honor, the Spirit of Community Award has recognized extraordinary community leadership since 1993. Though he never received the award during his lifetime, his vision, service, and belief in Arlington’s shared responsibility to one another shaped the very spirit this celebration was created to recognize. This year’s luncheon will include a tribute to Judge Newman’s incredible wide-reaching and dynamic legacy in Arlington.
This year’s program will also recognize two Arlington leaders carrying that spirit forward today: the recipient of the Spirit of Leadership Award, honoring excellence in nonprofit leadership, and the recipient of the Spirit on the Rise Award, recognizing an emerging changemaker whose work is already shaping Arlington’s future.
Together, these three awards reflect the full arc of community leadership: the legacy that grounds us, the leadership moving us forward today, and the rising voices helping shape what comes next.
Early bird tickets will be available in July, and sponsorship opportunities are open now. Click below to sign up for ticket announcements and event updates.
Strengthen the Movement.
For over 30 years, the Spirit Awards Luncheon has been a symbol of unity and shared purpose in Arlington. With this year’s event honoring Judge Newman and the cross-generational leaders carrying forward his legacy, sponsors have a meaningful opportunity to stand with a beloved community tradition at a defining moment in its history.
By sponsoring Spirit, you’re not only investing in the people and stories that define Arlington, you’re aligning your brand with a powerful legacy of service, innovation, and connection. Sponsors enjoy meaningful visibility among the hundreds of event attendees and thousands of community members reached through digital channels, as well as the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to community in a highly respected setting.
We welcome both individual and company sponsorships, with a variety of levels and benefits to fit your goals. Contact Jamee Hood at jhood@arlcf.org or 703-243-4785×205 to explore how you can be part of this inspiring celebration.
Click here to view the full list of past winners
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar turned her own challenges as a new immigrant into nearly two decades of service in Arlington’s schools and community. From Aspire Afterschool Learning to classrooms across Arlington, she is a steady presence: supporting teachers, guiding families, and sharing the knowledge she once had to find on her own so others don’t have to navigate essential services alone.
Nina Janopaul
Nina Janopaul has spent her life advancing housing justice and community well-being across Arlington and beyond. As former CEO of APAH (now True Ground Housing Partners), she led with the belief that housing is not charity, but justice. Today, she brings faith communities into action, building partnerships that turn moral conviction into lasting change.
Kellen MacBeth
Kellen MacBeth has spent nearly two decades driving policy and grassroots change in Arlington. From housing equity to LGBTQ+ rights, he has founded initiatives, shaped local and state laws, and championed marginalized communities with tireless dedication. His leadership has helped move Arlington toward a more just and inclusive community in countless ways.
