The Miami Foundation announced today that Felecia Hatcher, the co-founder of Code Fever and Black Tech Week, will be the recipient of the 2015 Ruth Shack Leadership Award.
The Ruth Shack Leadership Award is given annually to an emerging community leader that embodies the hard work and dedication to community of the foundation’s former president Ruth Shack. Hatcher has earned widespread recognition as the co-founder of the ice cream company Feverish Pops and Code Fever, an initiative that trains African American youth technology and entrepreneurship. In 2014, the White House named her a Champion for Change for her work in STEM access and diversity. This year, Hatcher and Code Fever hosted their first Black Tech Week celebration, which celebrates innovators of color in the United States and all over the world. “Felecia found a way to take her passion for technology and entrepreneurship to inspire and empower others, and in the process create a cadre of emerging tech innovators in Miami,” said Hank Raattama, Co-Chair of LEAVE A LEGACY.
“Ruth Shack has been phenomenal in the work she’s done and it’s an honor to even be considered,” said Hatcher. “To me this award reassures me that we are doing the work in the right communities and are headed in the right direction by impacting families.”
LEAVE A LEGACY also announced today that Baptist Health South Florida is the recipient of the 2015 Community Champion Award, which honors the person or organization that contributes to the wellbeing of the community through its work and philanthropy. Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals, 30 outpatient and urgent care centers, 15,000 employees and 2,200 doctors. Baptist Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of the organization, is highly regarded for its support of community programs for families in need.
Both awards will be presented at the 17th Annual Donor Next Door Luncheon, Thursday, May 14 at Jungle Island.