Big Heart Foundation Hosts 2nd Annual Courageous Awards
The ceremony in Atlanta honored fifteen domestic violence survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cultural

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The Big Heart Foundation recently held its 2nd Annual Courageous Awards at the Atlanta Central Library to honor fifteen survivors of domestic violence. The event provided participants with direct connections to essential support resources and scholarships.
Why it matters
By providing a public platform for survivors, the foundation aims to frame domestic violence as a critical community issue while assisting individuals in rebuilding their lives. The awards highlight the importance of localized support systems in addressing the long-term impacts of abuse.
The 2nd Annual Courageous Awards honored 15 domestic violence survivors during a three-hour program. This follows the 1st Annual Courageous Awards held at Atlanta City Hall in October 2025.
The players
Big Heart Foundation
This organization is dedicated to honoring survivors of domestic violence and providing them with resources to rebuild their lives.
Karlie Redd
She is a public figure who received an official appreciation day from the Atlanta City Council.
Linda Pritchett
She serves as an Atlanta City Councilwoman who issued official proclamations for the event honorees.
Yandy Smith
She is a public figure who received an official proclamation from the City Council during the awards ceremony.
The details
Organizers conducted a three-hour ceremony that included prayer, gospel performances, and various speaker presentations to uplift attendees. During the event, Atlanta City Council officially designated October 28 as Karlie Redd Lewis Appreciation Day to recognize her advocacy.
Timeline
The 2nd Annual Courageous Awards took place on October 28, 2026.
The first annual ceremony occurred in October 2025.
Industry Dynamics
The 2nd Annual Courageous Awards continues a tradition established by the 1st Annual Courageous Awards held at Atlanta City Hall in 2025. This expansion reflects a growing trend of using public ceremonies to solidify local advocacy programs for domestic violence survivors.
Attendees and community members gained direct access to support resources and scholarship information intended to assist those affected by domestic violence. The public ceremony serves as a local gateway for survivors to connect with services available throughout the Atlanta area.
The takeaway
Supporting survivors requires a combination of community-level public recognition and sustained access to private resources. Residents interested in advocacy can support local foundations to help provide ongoing educational and financial assistance to those in need.
Further reading
For more information on local events and advocacy, visit the Atlanta Cultural section.
More information
For immediate help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline website.
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