It's an award last won by music mogul Kenny Gamble, half of the famed duo of Gamble & Huff, for his creation of Universal Cos., an umbrella nonprofit corporation that provides services ranging from housing development to credit building.
And it's been won by captains of industry from the chairman of Strawbridge & Clothier, to the founder of Comcast.
But this year, the committee which will give the $100,000 prize is hoping to hear about an enrepreneur, an IT wizard, a community activist, or other innovative person who has had a big impact on the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
The Edward Powell Award was established in 1943 to be awarded to "the person whose individual efforts and personal application to the Manufacturing and Commercial interest of the City of Philadelphia has produced the best results, during the past four years, for the benefit and prosperity of the City of Philadelphia."
There was no award given in 2007. According to committee chairman Bill Hankowsky, that was likely because nominations came in late, or there were too few to be considered.
The committee will make its recommendations to Mayor Michael Nutter.
Hankowsky tells Action News that making a nomination is simple.
"All it takes is a name, and a page or two explaining why this person is deserving of the award. We'll follow up to get to know the nominee a little better."
Send your nominations with a short biography of the nominee and the reasons and explanation for your nomination to:
Powell Award Committeec/o Joseph S. Martz, Secretary
Board of Directors of City Trusts
21 South 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Please submit nominations by Friday, October 21, 2011.
