Join BPACF in Honoring Excellence: Nominate a 2025 Emerging Legend Today! Deadline Extended to March 7th
BPACF is thrilled to open nominations for the second annual "Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends" Class of 2025, recognizing outstanding African American changemakers in Northeast Ohio, ages 25-39. This second class of honorees will celebrate forward-thinking leaders who are transforming communities, driving progress, and creating lasting impact across our region. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. Deadline to nominate has been extended to March 7, 2025
Class of 2024 Salute Recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDx9gv6xG1k
Frequently Asked Questions
(Can also be downloaded in the "Download Section)
Who’s Eligible? Nominees must work in Northeast Ohio and be 39 years old or younger as of May 21, 2025.
What Are You Looking for in a Nominee? Honorees are young professionals who excel in their fields, demonstrate leadership, and positively impact their communities. We seek individuals making significant contributions to their industry while also showing a commitment to mentorship, advocacy, or service.
What Is the Nomination Process? Before submitting a nomination, confirm your nominee’s interest and gather the necessary details. The nomination form requires:
- Basic contact information about the nominee
- LinkedIn profile link
- Overview of the nominee’s career journey and key achievements
- Resume (PDF format)
- Community involvement statement emphasizing service and leadership impact
Helpful Tips:
- Review the application in advance.
- Gather the required details beforehand.
- Complete the nomination in one session.
- You may return to complete an unfinished submission.
Specific Required Information for Nomination?
- Nominee’s date of birth
- Nominee’s LinkedIn profile URL
- Career Development: Describe your nominee’s career journey and what led them to their leadership role.
- Leadership & Professionalism: What is one of your nominee’s most significant professional accomplishments?
- Innovation: What lasting impact does your nominee aspire to make in their field?
- Civic Engagement: Describe your nominee’s community involvement and service. How do they contribute to the local community?
- Lasting Impressions: What distinguishes your nominee from others? Share anything additional that would strengthen their candidacy.
What Is the Deadline for Nominations? March 7, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. EST.
Can Previous Honorees Be Nominated Again? No, BPACF 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends is a one-time honor.
How Do I Submit a Nomination?
- Nominations must be submitted via the online form. We do not accept nominations via phone, email, mail, or fax.
- To begin: Click the nomination link and sign in. If you don’t have an account, you’ll be prompted to create one. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox for the best experience.
- To finish an incomplete nomination: Sign into your account, select "incomplete" or "in progress," then choose "edit" to finalize your submission.
Is There a Fee to Nominate? No, BPACF does not charge a fee for 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends nominations.
Who Can Submit a Nomination? Anyone can nominate a deserving individual, including colleagues, supervisors, employees, clients, family members, or acquaintances. What matters most is presenting a compelling case for why the nominee stands out as a leader and changemaker.
How Many People Can I Nominate? Each person may submit up to four nominations.
How Can I Strengthen My Nomination?
- Highlight the nominee’s personal accomplishments rather than just their organization’s successes.
- Provide specific achievements, measurable impact, and community contributions.
- Clearly demonstrate the nominee’s influence within their industry and community.
- Nominate early! Only 40 honorees are selected, and competition is high.
What Happens After I Submit a Nomination? After nominations close, the BPACF selection committee reviews submissions through a structured evaluation process. We aim to recognize leaders from a broad range of industries and sectors.
When Will Honorees Be Notified? Honorees will be notified around five weeks before the public announcement. Due to the volume of nominations, we cannot provide status updates until official congratulatory notifications are sent.
What Is Required of Those Who Are Selected? Honorees must submit a short biography and participate in a professional headshot session with BPACF. We ask that honorees be present to receive their award. Failure to complete requirements will result in disqualification.
Can I Receive Feedback If My Nominee Is Not Selected? Due to the high volume of nominations and the complexity of the selection process, BPACF cannot provide individual feedback on why a nominee was not selected. Selections are based on overall merit, industry representation, and community impact.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Deadline: February 28, 2025 MARCH 7, 2025
✔ Eligibility: Under 40, working in Northeast Ohio
✔ What to Include: Resume, LinkedIn, key achievements, community impact
✔ How to Submit: Online only
✔ Honoree Requirements: Bio + Headshot session + Attendance at ceremony on May 22, 2025.
For any questions or more details, contact BPACF at info@bpacf.org or (216) 229-7110.