Doing the Most Good Award

ANIKA "NIKI" HAWKINS
6abc, WPVI-TV

Anika Hawkins – Known as ‘Niki’ - is Vice President of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships for 6abc, WPVI-TV. Niki proudly represents the 6abc brand, and its parent company – The Walt Disney Company, in the Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Northern Delaware communities. She builds strategic partnerships with non-profits, secures new linear and digital content, and presents new sponsorship opportunities for the Disney Ad Sales Team (Local) in the growing cause-related and corporate responsibility marketing field.  She works with the venerable Action News – the #1 Broadcast News program in the region for over 40 years – along with all 6abc departments identifying, creating and promoting diverse and inclusive community content. Niki conceives and executes new content for 6abc’s growing streaming and digital platforms, executive produces a half-hour local political talk show – Inside Story - that goes beyond the headlines, manages the PSA inventory, coordinates local and state-wide political debates, plus plans several external affairs’ events that celebrate local leaders during the various Heritage Months.  Niki is proud to highlight, elevate and promote the ‘good works’ of many hyper-local organizations and non-profits throughout the region.

Niki also coordinates various Walt Disney Company Corporate Social Responsibility campaigns and significant philanthropic giving, localizing those endeavors and making them resonate within the Philadelphia market. She is a Co-Lead for the ABC Owned Television Stations inclusive BERG and was an original executive champion for “Disney on the Yard” - TWDC’s HBCU initiative.

Anika was raised in Bucks County, PA., and is a proud Spelman College graduate.  She serves as Secretary and Chair of External Affairs on the Board of Philabundance – The region’s largest food bank. She is a member of the Penn Towne Links, Inc and the Forum of Executive Women.  She serves on the planning committees for the Philadelphia Chapter of the UNCF, and the Urban Affairs Coalition. She enjoys spending lots of time with family and friends, enjoys traveling, and taking in theatre shows and performances due to her acting roots! She is an avid walker - can walk for miles anywhere in nature, loves spa treatments (deep tissue massages specifically) and you’re in for a treat if she ever cooks for you! 

"Others" Award

CONGRESSMAN DWIGHT EVANS
Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District

Congressman Dwight Evans represents Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South and Center City Philadelphia. He was first elected in a special election in November 2016. Before that, he served as a state representative and made history as the first African-American chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Throughout his public service career, Congressman Evans has worked tirelessly to expand and broaden access to economic and educational opportunities for all Philadelphians. He currently serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Social Security, Medicare, taxes, and trade. His priorities there include using the tax code to increase affordable housing, repair school buildings and strengthen the social safety net.

As part of the House Democratic majority that served from 2019 to 2022 and in the current Congress, Congressman Evans works to advance priorities such as protecting health care and reducing health disparities, and advocate for gun reform, criminal justice reform and economic development, including supporting small businesses. He works on these issues as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus.

A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, he is a graduate of Germantown High School, the Community College of Philadelphia and LaSalle University. Congressman Evans will keep working to rebuild Philadelphia, and America, block by block!

Evangeline Booth, daughter of the founders of The Salvation Army, was quoted as saying, “There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good for the most people in the most need.” During her 30-year tenure as National Commander of The Salvation Army in the United States, the organization experienced phenomenal growth. In 1934 she was elected General, assuming worldwide responsibilities at International Headquarters in London, England.

To recognize exceptional leadership, commitment, and spirit of serving those most in need, The Salvation Army created the Doing the Most Good Community Leadership Award.

In 1879, Eliza Shirley and her parents immigrated to Philadelphia, PA from England. Passion for her faith and service led 16-year-old Eliza to contact General William Booth, requesting that The Salvation Army’s mission be brought to the United States. Unsure of her abilities, he gave her permission to “test the waters.” Within a month of her arrival to Philadelphia, Eliza and her family had rented a building on the west side of Philadelphia and were preaching the gospel with a specific focus on helping the poor. After hearing of their success, General Booth sent more members of The Salvation Army to the United States to officially begin the work. Because of Eliza’s leadership, The Salvation Army was able to serve in the U.S., and because of the women in leadership throughout our community, we can continue to serve.

To recognize those women in leadership who exemplify dedication to service, community, and faith, The Salvation Army created the Eliza Shirley Women in Leadership Award.

The “Others” Award is rooted in the history of The Salvation Army, dating back to the early 1900s when General William Booth, the Army’s founder, sought to send a word of encouragement and direction to his officers around the world. Wanting to be thrifty yet make his message clear, the General sent this one-word telegram: “Others.” Following that history, The Salvation Army honors an individual or organization exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to ‘others,’ not only through support of The Salvation Army but for the broader community as well.