2025 PERSONS OF THE YEAR
ARTIST/POET
DAVID POWELL III
David L. Powell III is a multifaceted author, screenwriter, and storyteller whose work moves fluidly between fiction, memoir, and film. With a voice shaped by lived experience, cultural reflection, and poetic intensity, Powell writes from the raw edges of the human condition—where trauma, faith, identity, and redemption collide. His work blends psychological depth with social insight, challenging readers to confront what lies beneath the surface of themselves and the world around them.
Over the course of his career, Powell has ghostwritten numerous works and penned more than twenty screenplays, bringing a cinematic lens to everything he creates. Whether writing prose or script, his stories are immersive and emotionally charged, often weaving together spirituality, struggle, and resilience into narratives that linger long after the final page. He is particularly drawn to stories of survival and transformation, where brokenness becomes a doorway to meaning.
Based in Pennsylvania, David continues to write, mentor, and develop new projects that push the boundaries of genre and form. His work resists easy classification, moving between poetic memoir and dramatic storytelling with a voice that is both intimate and fearless.
That fearless voice is on full display in his stunning debut collection, My Soul Speaks in the Voice I Swallowed. For years, Powell carried silence like armor. In this raw and luminous book, he finally breaks it. Structured as a poetic memoir across thirteen deeply resonant chapters, the collection unfolds through confession, protest, longing, and love. It is the story of a Black man raised in the shadows of loss and responsibility, determined to build light for his children even when the world offered him darkness.
These are not simply poems—they are survival songs. They are letters to the past, love notes to those who stayed, and battle cries for those who never had the words. Powell writes with unflinching honesty about grief, fatherhood, faith, desire, and healing, giving voice to the quiet struggles so many carry but few dare to name.
My Soul Speaks in the Voice I Swallowed is written for the ones who weren’t taught how to cry. For the fathers who had no blueprint. For the children we love—and the children we once were. It is a testament to the power of voice, the necessity of truth, and the beauty that emerges when silence finally gives way to song.
Because sometimes, the quietest voice carries the loudest truth.
PUBLIC SERVANT
MICHAEL CASSIDY
For more than a quarter of a century, Chief Michael Cassidy has redefined what it means to lead a fire service—not through sirens and suppression, but through education, prevention, and community trust. Since becoming Chief of the Holliston Fire Department in 2000, Cassidy has built a legacy that proves the most powerful tool in public safety is not a hose or a ladder, but knowledge shared before a crisis ever begins.
At the heart of his leadership is a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching. Long before assuming the role of chief, Cassidy was a fire educator, and that passion has never faded. For over two decades he has served on the Massachusetts Public Fire and Life Safety Education Task Force, helping shape statewide strategies that reduce risk and save lives. That dedication was formally recognized in 2024 when he was named Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services—a fitting honor for a leader who never stopped being a teacher.
What makes Chief Cassidy especially impactful is his ability to meet people where they are. He understands that education only works when it reaches its audience, which is why he has brought fire safety out of the firehouse and into homes across his community through his award-winning television series, Story Time with Chief Cassidy. By combining engaging storytelling with critical safety lessons, the show has reached thousands of families and earned prestigious honors including Telly Awards, Communicator Awards, Davey Awards, and ACM Northeast Region Nor’Easter Awards. Yet despite the accolades, Cassidy remains just as committed to the simple, personal moments—reading fire safety books in libraries, preschools, and elementary schools so that even the youngest residents see firefighters as guides and protectors, not just responders.
His influence stretches far beyond Holliston. As a national advocate for Community Risk Reduction, Chief Cassidy travels across the country presenting at injury prevention and CRR conferences, sharing the data-driven success of Massachusetts’ Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program. By helping other departments implement these proven strategies, he has mentored an entire generation of fire educators and extended his life-saving impact nationwide.
That same spirit of service carries into his work beyond the fire service, where he sits on multiple nonprofit boards, using his leadership and experience to strengthen the social fabric of his region.
Michael Cassidy understands something that few leaders truly grasp: the best way to fight a fire is to stop it from ever starting. Through innovation, mentorship, national advocacy, and hands-on teaching, he has transformed prevention into a powerful force for public safety. In doing so, he embodies the very highest ideals of education, leadership, and community stewardship.
COACH/MENTOR
SENDO TRAN
Sendo Tran is a highly respected martial artist, competitor, and mentor whose more than 25 years of dedication to the martial arts have shaped an extraordinary legacy of excellence, discipline, and leadership. Across a wide range of combat disciplines—including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Kudo—Sendo has demonstrated rare versatility and mastery, earning multiple first-, second-, and third-place finishes in tournaments spanning BJJ, Karate (sparring and kata), Taekwondo (sparring and poomsae), Judo, and the American Open Martial Arts circuit. His skill and determination have also been recognized with special honors in Kickboxing and Muay Thai, reflecting both competitive achievement and technical excellence.
Yet what truly defines Sendo Tran is not just what he has accomplished on the mat, but what he has built beyond it. As a proud representative of the Mixed Martial Arts community, he has devoted himself to coaching, mentoring, and uplifting athletes of all ages and backgrounds. His approach goes far beyond training techniques—he teaches confidence, respect, resilience, and integrity. Through patience, encouragement, and example, he helps students develop not only as martial artists, but as strong, principled individuals prepared to face challenges in and out of competition.
Sendo’s mentorship has inspired countless young athletes to believe in themselves, practice sportsmanship, and pursue their highest potential. He is known for creating an environment of teamwork and mutual respect, where growth is measured not only in victories, but in character. Parents, students, and fellow practitioners alike recognize him as a leader who genuinely cares about the people he trains.
Respected for both his technical skill and his personal character, Sendo Tran continues to be a driving force within the martial arts community. Through dedication, humility, and unwavering commitment to excellence, he exemplifies what it truly means to be an athlete, a mentor, and a role model.
ATHLETE
DRAKE WESTCOTT
Drake Westcott is the embodiment of the modern scholar-athlete—an elite competitor whose commitment to excellence extends as deeply into the classroom as it does onto the field. With a rare combination of athletic dominance, academic distinction, and leadership, Westcott has built a legacy that stands among the finest in collegiate baseball.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with honors, graduating with a 3.6 GPA, and went on to complete a Master’s Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, where he achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA. A Dean’s List honoree, Academic All–Big Ten selection, and Chi Alpha Sigma inductee, Westcott’s academic record reflects the same discipline, focus, and drive that defined his athletic career.
Before stepping onto the collegiate stage, Westcott became one of the most decorated high school baseball players in Illinois history at Edwardsville High School. A four-year varsity standout, he earned three All-Conference selections, was named All-State twice, and was ranked among the nation’s top first basemen by Perfect Game. His powerful bat and commanding presence at the plate established him as one of the Midwest’s premier hitters and a cornerstone of Edwardsville’s baseball legacy.
At the University of Illinois, Westcott elevated his game even further. Across 146 career games, he recorded 150 hits, 43 home runs, and 131 RBIs, ranking second all-time in program history in home runs. A Big Ten Champion and All-Tournament selection, he consistently delivered in high-pressure moments, anchoring his team with both production and leadership. His ability to perform at the highest level while maintaining elite academic standing set him apart as a true model student-athlete.
From Edwardsville to the Big Ten, Drake Westcott represents the highest standard of discipline, intelligence, and competitive excellence. His impact reaches far beyond the box score, leaving a lasting example of what is possible when scholarship, character, and elite performance come together in one extraordinary career.
WRITER/AUTHOR
DEBBIE BERLIN
Debbie Berlin, MD is a physician-turned-novelist whose meteoric rise in contemporary thriller and young adult fiction has made her one of the most decorated debut authors in recent publishing history. Blending medical precision, emotional depth, and cinematic suspense, Berlin has emerged as a commanding new voice in genre fiction, capturing readers across age groups and literary categories with her breakout novel, The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor.
With a background rooted in medicine and real-world human experience, Berlin brings an uncommon authenticity to her storytelling. Her debut novel combines mystery, political intrigue, and coming-of-age themes into a richly layered narrative that has resonated with both critics and audiences. Set against a backdrop of power, secrets, and moral reckoning, the book explores how young people navigate dangerous adult worlds while holding onto truth, courage, and identity.
The literary response has been extraordinary.
The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor has earned over forty national and international awards, including wins from the Paris Book Festival, Hollywood Book Festival, New England Book Festival, London Book Festival, Great Northwest, Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest Book Festivals, the Independent Author Awards, and the NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. It has also been recognized by major literary organizations such as the Chanticleer International Book Awards, IPPY Awards, American Fiction Awards, Eric Hoffer Awards, Firebird Book Awards, Page Turner Writing Awards, and the International Impact Book Awards, where Berlin was also nominated for Author of the Year.
The novel’s excellence spans both content and design, winning top honors for Thriller, Young Adult, Mystery, Action-Adventure, Military Fiction, and Book Cover Design—a rare achievement that underscores Berlin’s ability to unite storytelling and presentation at the highest level.
Critically, the book has received dozens of five-star and starred reviews from prestigious outlets including Readers’ Favorite, Chanticleer Reviews, BookView Review, Midwest Book Review, IndieReader, Literary Titan, Prairie Book Review, Reedsy, Atlas of Stories, Beyond Boundaries Reads, and BestThrillers, among many others. Reviewers consistently praise Berlin’s sharp pacing, layered characters, emotional intensity, and masterful blending of suspense with human vulnerability.
Beyond awards and reviews, Berlin has become a sought-after voice in the literary world, appearing in interviews and features with Spotlyts Magazine, Canvas Rebel, BooksShelf, My Book Place, Awesome Book Promotion, Book Goodies, CraveBooks, and more. Media coverage has extended beyond publishing into film interest, with articles highlighting her journey toward potential Hollywood adaptation.
Through The Third Estate, Debbie Berlin has proven that debut authors can arrive not quietly—but triumphantly. Her work stands at the intersection of intelligence, heart, and thriller-level momentum, offering stories that are as emotionally powerful as they are relentlessly engaging.
Berlin lives and writes with the same clarity and discipline that defined her medical career, continuing to develop new projects that expand the world of The Third Estate and push the boundaries of suspense-driven, character-centered fiction.
More information about her work can be found at www.DRBerlinAuthor.com.
WRITER/AUTHOR/INFLUENCER
ANDREW LENDNAL
Andrew Lendnal is an internationally recognized financial expert, edutainer, and bestselling author dedicated to helping people take control of their financial futures. Originally from New Zealand and now based in Washington, D.C., Andrew lives with his wife and three daughters while continuing his global mission to make money management accessible, practical, and empowering for everyday people.
With more than twenty years in the financial services industry, Andrew brings both entrepreneurial insight and corporate leadership to his work. He has founded and led successful ventures and held strategic roles within some of the world’s most respected Fortune 500 companies. This rare combination gives him a deep, real-world understanding of how money works at every level—from household budgeting to global finance—allowing him to translate complex financial systems into clear, actionable guidance.
What truly sets Andrew apart is his passion for financial empowerment. He doesn’t just analyze numbers—he helps people change their lives. Recognized as one of five leaders championing the financial wellness at work movement, Andrew is committed to equipping individuals, families, and organizations with the tools they need to build stability, confidence, and independence. His work focuses on turning knowledge into action and fear into opportunity.
As an international bestselling author and sought-after speaker, Andrew has become a leading voice in financial literacy. He has written seven widely acclaimed books that break down complicated money concepts into relatable, real-world strategies. His work spans generations and cultures, with titles such as Gold Start – Teaching Children About Money published in both English and Chinese, and The Camelot Way and Budget Wise Dollar Rich gaining strong followings in New Zealand and Australia.
Andrew has also made finance fun and approachable for younger audiences through his Money $mart series of illustrated children’s books, which introduce essential money habits early and help build lifelong financial confidence.
His latest book, Catalyst – Create and Protect Your Financial Happiness, serves as a powerful call to action for readers who want not just wealth, but long-term security and peace of mind. Through every book, talk, and training, Andrew Lendnal continues to prove that financial literacy isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom, opportunity, and the ability to shape your own future.
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
JORDAN SMELLEY
Jordan Smelley is an internationally recognized and award-winning mental health professional whose work bridges lived experience, professional practice, and systems-level advocacy to advance recovery-oriented, person-centered care. Jordan’s approach is grounded in the belief that effective mental health services must honor both clinical expertise and the voices of those who navigate these systems firsthand.
As a Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) and Certified People Planning Together (PPT) Trainer, Jordan brings a rare dual perspective to the field. His work is informed by both formal training and direct lived experience navigating mental health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and complex public systems of care. This combination allows Jordan to connect authentically with individuals receiving services while equipping professionals with practical, ethical, and human-centered strategies that improve outcomes.
Jordan’s professional focus centers on supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health and intellectual or developmental disabilities, particularly those navigating high-barrier environments such as Medicaid managed care, waiver services, and crisis-adjacent or transition-related supports. He is widely respected for translating complex systems into clear, navigable pathways and for ensuring services align with each person’s strengths, preferences, and recovery goals rather than forcing individuals to conform to rigid structures.
A defining aspect of Jordan’s impact is leadership in advancing person-centered planning, trauma-informed practice, and accessibility across mental health and disability services. Through training, consultation, and public education, Jordan helps teams better understand neurodivergent sensory needs, respond to behavior through a recovery lens, and reduce practices that unintentionally cause harm. His work consistently emphasizes dignity, autonomy, and equity.
Jordan’s leadership has earned state-level awards for empowerment and excellence in leadership, along with international recognition for outstanding applied psychology presentations. Beyond accolades, his impact is measured in tangible improvements—enhanced service quality, increased dignity, and expanded understanding for both individuals and professionals across the systems they serve.
Through compassion, credibility, and advocacy, Jordan Smelley exemplifies the values of innovation, integrity, and meaningful impact that define excellence in contemporary mental health practice and leadership.
WRITER/AUTHOR
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
CHARLES ROGERS
Charles R. Rogers has made a remarkable and highly successful transition from a distinguished career in public relations to becoming a celebrated voice in contemporary crime fiction. Drawing on decades of experience in communication, human behavior, and real-world conflict, Rogers brings a depth and authenticity to his storytelling that sets him apart in the genre. His fiction is known for being wholesome, engaging, and morally grounded, offering readers gripping suspense without sacrificing heart, integrity, or meaning.
What truly distinguishes Rogers’ work is his ability to combine fast-paced, page-turning plots with rich emotional and social insight. By anchoring his stories in authentic American settings—particularly the landscapes and communities of his Mississippi upbringing—he creates worlds that feel both vividly real and deeply resonant. His narratives explore justice, responsibility, and community, often weaving timely social themes into stories that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining.
This commitment to meaningful storytelling has earned Rogers an impressive collection of prestigious literary awards, affirming both the quality of his craft and his emergence as a significant voice in modern crime fiction. His growing readership continues to expand as more readers discover the unique blend of suspense, compassion, and moral clarity that defines his work.
His latest novel, The Community Files, exemplifies this approach. While firmly rooted in fiction, the book offers a powerful and practical blueprint for how everyday people can work together to reclaim their neighborhoods from drugs, gangs, and organized crime. Through its compelling characters and realistic scenarios, the novel highlights the strength of community, the importance of cooperation, and the belief that positive change begins when people take responsibility for the places they call home.
Rogers is currently working on his next highly anticipated novel, which returns readers to the familiar Mississippi landscapes that have become central to his storytelling. This forthcoming work continues his unwavering commitment to authentic, socially conscious, and emotionally rich fiction—ensuring that his voice will remain an important and influential presence in the genre for years to come.
EDUCATOR
DR. SANTARVIS BROWN
Dr. Santarvis Brown, a Distinguished Professor and Changemaker, boasts two decades of impactful experience in the realm of education. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Brown has seamlessly woven together the elements of faith, service, education, and visionary leadership, shaping both his professional endeavors and personal ethos.
As a sought-after speaker and esteemed researcher, Dr. Brown has graced numerous community and educational platforms with his insightful keynote addresses. His written contributions, spanning various articles addressing civic service, faith, and education, culminated in the recent publication of his book, "Leading While Limping," released in March of this year.
Currently, Dr. Brown serves as the Chair of Graduate Business Programs at Excelsior University. With a rich background in both K-12 and higher education, he has held instructional and administrative positions, enriching the educational landscape at institutions such as the University of Virginia, Florida International University, Cornell University, and other institutions around the world.
Complementing his academic pursuits, Dr. Brown has also dedicated twelve years to pastoral service in the AME Church, currently leading the congregation at Greater Mt. Pleasant AME Church in Hollywood, FL. Under his guidance, each pastorate has witnessed growth while successfully managing and eliminating debt.
Dr. Brown's contributions have garnered widespread recognition, including accolades such as being named one of the Top 100 Global Leaders in Education, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden, and being honored as an Innovator and Change Maker in Education. His academic achievements include doctorates in educational administration and business administration, alongside a Juris Doctorate. Furthering his expertise, he has pursued advanced studies in leadership at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and the Copenhagen Business School.
Actively engaged in community service, Dr. Brown sits on numerous boards and holds memberships in esteemed organizations, including the Minority Freedom Community Fund Board of Trustees where he serves as Chair. Additionally, he takes pride in his lifelong memberships with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, King James #15 Masonic Lodge, and the 100 Black Men.
WRITER/AUTHOR
ROBERT W. SMITH
Robert “Bob” Smith was raised in Chicago before answering the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1968. During four years of military service, he worked as a Russian Linguist with the Security Service Command, a branch of the National Security Agency, where he gained firsthand exposure to the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and Cold War–era tensions. That early immersion in global conflict, secrecy, and high-stakes decision-making would later become a defining influence on his writing.
Following his military service, Bob pursued higher education through the G.I. Bill, earning degrees from DePaul University and The John Marshall Law School. He went on to build a distinguished legal career, practicing for more than three decades as a criminal defense attorney in Chicago. In courtrooms across the city, he defended clients, confronted injustice, and witnessed the full complexity of human behavior—experiences that would eventually inform the moral depth and realism of his novels.
When Bob turned to fiction, he brought with him a lifetime of understanding about power, crime, loyalty, and survival. His writing reflects not only the discipline of a trained analyst but also the empathy of someone who has spent decades listening to human stories at their most vulnerable. That combination has earned him wide recognition in the literary world.
His novel Running with Cannibals (2022) won the Grand Prize of the CIBA 2022 Hemingway Award for Best 20th-Century Wartime Fiction, establishing him as a major voice in historical and political storytelling. That same year, A Long Way from Clare (2022) received the 2023 CIBA Goethe Award (First Place) and was also a Finalist for the 2023 Clue Award for Best Mystery and the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award, while winning the Pencraft Best Book Award for Fall 2023. His earlier work, The Sakhalin Collection (2007), was recently named a 2025 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist in the Legacy category, further cementing the lasting impact of his writing.
Bob’s seventh novel, A Gamble on Liberty, was released in June 2025, continuing his exploration of freedom, loyalty, and moral risk in a world shaped by political and personal conflict.
Today, Bob lives with his wife in the Chicago area, where he continues to write, drawing on a lifetime of service, legal experience, and deep insight into the human condition. More information about his work can be found at www.robertsmithbooks.com.
HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE
HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE
DR. CALYNN LAWRENCE
Dr. Calynn Lawrence aka "The Faith Doctor", is a passionate mental + spiritual wellness expert and social scientist with an affinity for the people of under-served communities. Her two highest degrees are a Doctorate in Pastoral/Faith-Based Counseling and a Master of Science in Management & Leadership. Her doctoral research project was "The Wonders of Using Trauma Informed, Spirit Led Programming in Rehabilitating The Incarcerated and Reducing Recividism" exploring how an integrative approach to psycho-social services for felons could increase successful reentry to society. She is a triple board certified specialist in Acute Traumatic Stress, Clinical Trauma and Religious Trauma.
She has several years of experience in working with and advocating for members of marginalized groups and at-risk populations! She has always had an undying love for and commitment to underprivileged communities coupled with her fascination in societal advancement through legal system reform, education equity, accessible healthcare and effective spiritual support for people of all religions or faith-based groups.
Growing up in a low income community on the Southwest side of Chicago her entire life exposed her to countless people, young and old, who were good at heart but sadly just didn't have the resources to break the cycle of poverty. Getting caught in the systemic black and brown prison pipeline OR struggling to obtain stable employment and postsecondary educational/training opportunities OR lack of proper wellness tools and support are all major threats to happiness and healthiness. These trialsome barriers are exacerbated by having marginalized, often intersectional, identities, which is why those are the communities she chose to focus on. Also, her own lived experience navigating a chronic mental health condition and going on a spiritual healing journey as a lifelong (now nondenominational) Christian lets her connect with others on a personal level and empathize deeply.
Thus, in her adulthood, after building a career in marketing and media with her firm, the Calynn Communications & Creative corporation, and founding a thriving nonprofit initiative to benefit aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs, The Fresh Faces Project, she decided to leverage her talents, interests and connections to directly support those who need it most with The Holistic Healing Source for Marginalized Society (launching soon in 2025). The Holistic Healing Source will be a virtual center filled with evidence backed educational resources (presentations, courses, articles, directories, and support groups) to help people thrive from the practitioner
standpoint and the individual standpoint, aiming to advance the life spans and life quality of BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA and disabled populations.
MEDIA MEMBER
HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE
MATTHEW KAMP
Matt Kamp is the longtime sports editor of the Edwardsville Intelligencer and one of the most respected high school sports journalists in Illinois. He has been with the newspaper since 2010, bringing more than a decade of steady, knowledgeable coverage to the Metro East athletic community. Since being named sports editor in 2013, Kamp has overseen the paper’s entire sports operation, shaping coverage that highlights not only wins and losses, but the athletes, coaches, and programs that define the region.
Over the years, Kamp’s work has earned multiple awards from the Illinois Press Association, recognizing both his reporting and his commitment to telling local sports stories with clarity, fairness, and insight. His influence extends beyond journalism as well — he has been selected as a future member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame, a rare honor for someone outside the coaching ranks and a testament to the trust and respect he has built within the basketball community.
In addition, Kamp is a recipient of the Special Recognition Award from the Edwardsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, reflecting his long-standing dedication to covering and supporting local student-athletes and programs. Through years of thoughtful reporting, historical perspective, and consistent advocacy for high school sports, Matt Kamp has become not just a chronicler of athletics in Edwardsville, but an integral part of its sports culture.
ACTIVIST
C.R. OWENS
C.R. Owens is a bold activist, author, and cultural commentator whose work challenges complacency and calls readers to think, question, and engage with the world around them. Known for his fearless voice and unapologetic advocacy for truth, faith, and personal responsibility, Owens has built a reputation as a writer who refuses to shy away from difficult conversations.
Through his fiction and public engagement, Owens explores the intersection of spirituality, politics, and human struggle, crafting stories that are both emotionally compelling and socially relevant. His work often confronts the forces that shape modern society—from media influence and ideological division to the erosion of personal accountability—while offering a message rooted in moral clarity and the search for meaning.
As an activist, Owens has been outspoken in his defense of free expression, law and order, and the importance of community and family. He engages directly with audiences through social media, using his platform to encourage independent thinking and civil discourse in an increasingly polarized culture.
Owens’s literary work reflects this same spirit of engagement. His novels combine suspense, social commentary, and spiritual themes to create stories that entertain while also provoking deeper reflection. Readers are drawn not only to the intrigue of his plots but to the moral questions and emotional stakes woven throughout his narratives.
Respected for both his creative voice and his willingness to stand firm in his beliefs, C.R. Owens continues to grow a devoted readership and a strong public following. Through his activism and storytelling, he seeks to inspire people to reclaim their voices, think critically, and live with purpose in a world that too often demands silence and conformity.
WEBSITE
https://americansportshalloffame.com/
The American Sports Hall of Fame is a modern, global tribute to excellence in athletics, created to honor the individuals whose dedication, talent, and impact have shaped the sporting world. Founded in 2024, the Hall was built on a simple but powerful mission: to recognize and preserve the legacies of outstanding athletes, coaches, and contributors who have left a lasting mark on amateur and professional sports across the United States and beyond.
As an all-virtual Hall of Fame, the American Sports Hall of Fame transcends geography, allowing fans, families, and communities around the world to celebrate extraordinary achievements without borders. Through the power of digital storytelling and online presentation, the Hall showcases the journeys, accomplishments, and influence of its honorees in a way that is accessible, permanent, and global in reach.
The Hall recognizes two distinct categories of excellence. Hall of Famers are individuals age 18 and over whose athletic careers and contributions have earned lasting distinction, while Rising Stars honor exceptional athletes age 18 and under who have already demonstrated remarkable talent, discipline, and promise for the future. Together, these designations celebrate both the legends who paved the way and the young athletes who are shaping what comes next.
Induction into the American Sports Hall of Fame is based strictly on merit and achievement. This is not a pay-to-play organization—every honoree earns their place through performance, impact, and dedication to their sport. The modest nomination fee exists solely to help offset the significant time, technology, and promotional resources required to operate and maintain the Hall. In truth, it does not come close to covering the full cost of preserving and sharing these stories, which is why sponsorships and donations from supporters of the mission are also welcomed.
Every dollar received goes directly toward supporting the Hall’s digital platform, promotional efforts, and the visibility of its nominees and inductees—ensuring that their stories are honored with the respect, reach, and permanence they deserve.
At its core, the American Sports Hall of Fame exists to do more than record statistics. It exists to inspire, to educate, and to remind future generations that greatness is built through discipline, sacrifice, integrity, and love for the game.
PODCASTER
PODCASTER
DAVE LIPE
Dave Lipe is the voice behind the Metro East sports community, serving as the head podcaster and driving force of the Metro East Sports Podcast. Known for his deep knowledge of local athletics and his authentic, conversational style, Lipe has become one of the region’s most trusted and engaging storytellers in sports media.
Through his podcast, Dave has built a powerful platform that celebrates high school, collegiate, and community sports across the St. Louis Metro East. More than just scores and statistics, his work captures the heart of the games—the athletes, coaches, families, and traditions that make local sports matter. By blending insightful analysis with compelling interviews and thoughtful commentary, he gives listeners a true inside look at the people and programs shaping the area’s athletic landscape.
What sets Dave apart is his commitment to elevating voices that are often overlooked. He shines a spotlight on student-athletes, emerging programs, and community leaders, creating a space where hard work, perseverance, and character are recognized and appreciated. His podcast has become a hub for fans, parents, and athletes who want to stay connected to the pulse of St. Louis Metro East sports.
2025 LUMINARY PRIZE FINALISTS
.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
CONTESTS
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
DEADLINE: 12/1/2026
PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS
DEADLINE: 12/31/2026
📚 Read All of Our POTY Book Reviews ↑
WHAT YOU GET
- Unbiased Book Review: Delivered in 4-8 weeks.
- One-Category Entry: Automatically entered into the Luminary Prize competition hosted by PersonsoftheYear.com.
- Professional Review: An unbiased, expert critique of your book, featuring lifetime publication and marketing of the review and cover on our high-traffic website—visited by literary agents, movie producers, industry professionals, peers, and thousands of readers.
- Amazon Buy Link: A direct purchase link included in your review to drive sales.
- Social Media Promotion: Your review shared across our social media.
THE PROCESS
- Start Your Review
Click "ORDER NOW" and complete your payment. A confirmation email with your receipt will be sent to you right away. - Submit Your Book Details
Email us your manuscript or book, along with your author bio and cover, to admin@personsoftheyear.com. We only accept electronic submissions. - Let Us Handle the Rest
One of our experienced reviewers will thoroughly read your book and craft a detailed, professional review. The review will be officially cited on personsoftheyear.com. - Your Review, Your Choice
Decide whether to showcase your review on our website to attract industry professionals, agents, and readers. If you prefer not to make it public, you have the option to keep it private. The decision is entirely in your hands.
