Join BPACF in Honoring Excellence: Nominate a 2026 Forty Under 40 Emerging Legend Today!
Deadline: March 6, 2026
BPACF is thrilled to open nominations for the third annual Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends – Class of 2026, recognizing outstanding African American changemakers in Northeast Ohio, ages 25–39. This class of honorees celebrates forward-thinking leaders who are transforming communities, driving progress, and creating lasting impact across our region.
📝 Prepare Before You Begin
To make the submission process faster and easier, we encourage you to prepare the following before starting the online nomination form:
-
Responses to the five required narrative questions (up to 250 words per question)
-
The nominee’s current résumé (PDF preferred)
-
The nominee’s LinkedIn profile URL
-
Basic nominee information (email, phone number, date of birth)
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Deadline to nominate: March 6, 2026
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 June 3, 2026.
Can Previous Honorees Be Nominated Again?
- No. BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends is a one-time honor.
What Are We Looking for in a Nominee?
- We seek African American professionals ages 25–39 in Northeast Ohio who demonstrate leadership, professional excellence, and community impact. Strong nominees show meaningful contributions in their field, a commitment to service or mentorship, and clear potential for continued leadership and influence. Nominees may come from any industry. What matters most is the impact they make—professionally and in the community.
What Is the Nomination Process?
Before submitting a nomination, confirm your nominee’s interest and gather the necessary information.
The nomination form includes five required narrative questions. Please be prepared to respond to all five (maximum 250 words each)
- Career Development: Describe your nominee’s career journey and what led them to their current 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.
Helpful Tips
- Review the application in advance
- Gather the required information beforehand
- Complete the nomination in one session
- You may return to complete an unfinished submission
What Is the Deadline for Nominations?
March 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
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 in to 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 Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends nominations.
Who Can Submit a Nomination?
Anyone may 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. Please do not ask multiple people to nominate the same individual.
How Many Different People Can I Nominate?
Each person may nominate up to 4 different individuals. Please do not submit multiple nominations for the same person.
How Can I Strengthen My Nomination?
- Highlight the nominee’s individual accomplishments rather than organizational successes
- Provide specific achievements, measurable impact, and community contributions
- Clearly demonstrate the nominee’s influence within their industry and community
What Happens After I Submit a Nomination?
After nominations close, submissions are reviewed by the BPACF selection committee using 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 approximately 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 Selected?
Honorees must submit a short biography, participate in a professional headshot session with BPACF, and 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.
Nomination Deadline: March 6, 2026