The Eclipse Award is a distinguished honor presented annually by the Orange County African American Historical Society. It recognizes individuals whose work has made a meaningful difference in preserving, sharing, and celebrating the history and culture of Orange County's African American community.

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What the Award Recognizes

The award specifically honors two intertwined contributions:

1. Cultural and Historical Advocacy — Recipients have played a significant role in raising awareness of, and building appreciation for, the rich legacy that African Americans have built in Orange County. This might include work in education, historical preservation, community storytelling, the arts, or public advocacy that brings this history to a wider audience.

2. Leadership Excellence — Beyond their specific contributions, honorees are recognized as strong, effective leaders. This means they don't just participate in the work — they guide it, inspire others to join in, and leave a lasting model of what impactful community leadership looks like.

 

Why It Matters

The name "Eclipse" evokes a moment of remarkable, hard-to-ignore visibility — fitting for an award meant to spotlight individuals whose efforts might otherwise go unrecognized, while illuminating a community's history that deserves greater attention. By honoring both cultural contribution and leadership together, the award tells a fuller story: it's not enough to do good work quietly. True impact, in the eyes of this award, comes from leading others toward a shared appreciation of history and identity.