MEA – ACTS

The Melanin Awards

Achievements

Honouring youths who demonstrate excellence in academics, entrepreneurship, service, sports, skilled trades, and personal growth.

Resilience

Recognising youths who have faced barriers, overcome challenges, and continued forward with strength and determination.

Leadership

Celebrating young leaders who inspire others, create change, mentor peers, and uplift their communities.

About The Melanin Excellence Awards (MEA)

Celebrating Youth Power, Purpose, and Possibility

The Melanin Excellence Awards is more than an awards ceremony. It celebrates the brilliance, leadership, and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and minoritized youth and young adults across Alberta. Led by ACTS YAT, it recognizes young people making a difference in schools and communities. MEA seeks to showcase brilliance and contributions of talented young people across the province.

Why the Melanin Excellence Awards Matter

This showcase is more than just trophies and accolades. It is about belonging, recognition, encouragement, confidence, inspiration and showing young people that what they do matters right now. Many youths carry responsibilities, barriers, and challenges that others never see. Some lead quietly, others inspire silently and some create impact without titles. Some rise through systems not built for them. The Melanin Excellence Awards creates a platform and space where those journeys are honored with dignity, pride, and respect. Recognition can change how a young person sees themselves. Sometimes being acknowledged at the right moment can shape everything that comes next.

Who Is This For?

Who Can Be Nominated?

Nominations are open for Black, Indigenous, and Minoritised youths and their families across Alberta who are making a positive difference in their schools, workplaces, communities, or personal journeys. You do not need a large platform to be worthy of recognition. Some of the most important work happens quietly, consistently, and without attention.

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Creativity & Culture

Celebrating artists, creators, performers, and youths using culture and expression to inspire others.

Education & Academia

Honouring youths showing dedication, achievement, and growth through learning.

Community Impact

Recognising young people creating real change in neighbourhoods, schools, and local spaces.

Innovation

Spotlighting young changemakers turning ideas into action and creating solutions for the future.

Nominate a Young Changemaker

Someone in Alberta is doing inspiring work right now and may never ask for recognition. Nominate them for the Melanin Excellence Awards 2027 and help celebrate the next generation of leaders, creators, and changemakers.

For More Details

Melanin Excellence Awards