About The Awards
The Focus Awards are the Mid-South’s premier awards for recognizing LGBT+ persons and allies who are making a significant impact on the LGBT community through their leadership, career achievements and personal qualities, and who also inspire others to excel.
Focus Awards 2024
August 23, 2024, 6pm – 9:30 pm
Ballet Memphis at Overton Square
Get Directions
VIP happy hour 6-7pm
All guests welcome 7pm
Show starts 8pm
Awards Categories
The Visionary Award
Awarded to an LGBT+ person or ally aged 30 or older whose work has created opportunities, or will have long-lasting benefits in the Mid-South LGBT community.
The Allie Award
An ally of any age whose work has created opportunities, or will have long-lasting benefits in the Mid-South LGBT community.
The Trailblazer Award
Awarded to an LGBT+ person aged 30 or younger whose work has created opportunities, or will have long-lasting benefits in the Mid-South LGBT community.
The People's Choice Award
Any LGBT+ person or ally of any age. Nominations will be submitted online. Top vote-getters will be sent to a panel of judges for final determination of the winner.
Legacy Award
Chosen by the Publisher, this award recognizes a person or persons, community group, business or ally whose work or community involvement will have long-lasting benefits in the Mid-South LGBT+ community.
Publisher's Award
Chosen by the Publisher and the Managing Editor, this award recognizes a person or persons, community group, business or ally whose involvement in Focus Mid-South magazine's editorial content is exceptional because of the frequency of submissions, quality of writing, depth of research on a topic, or superior artistic contributions.
Person of the Year
This award is presented an outstanding individual who exemplifies values that align with the Focus mission. This person is selected by Focus staff for their devotion over the past year to advancing the city.
Business or Organization of the Year
This award is presented an outstanding business or organization who exemplifies values that align with the Focus mission. This person is selected by Focus staff for their devotion over the past year to advancing the city.
The People's Choice Award
An LGBT person or ally of any age. Nominations will be submitted online. Top vote-getters will be sent to a panel of judges for final determination of the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
What are the Focus Awards?
The Focus Awards are the Mid-South’s premier awards for recognizing LGBT persons and allies who are making a significant impact on the LGBT community through their leadership, career achievements and personal qualities, and who also inspire others to excel.
Who can be nominated for a Focus Award?
Any LGBT person, ally, business, or group of any age who is making or has made a significant impact on the LGBT community through their leadership, career achievements and personal qualities, and who also inspire others to excel.
How are the winners determined?
Any LGBT person, ally, business, or group of any age who is making or has made a significant impact on the LGBT community through their leadership, career achievements and personal qualities, and who also inspire others to excel.
What is the dress code for the event?
Dress code for this event is semi-formal. Black tie is not required.
Are there sponsorship opportunities?
Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you would like to sponsor the event please contact us at awards@focusmidsouth.com
Who do the Focus Awards support?
Yearly at the Focus Awards, we make it a point to have our core nonprofit groups present. With excess funds from the Focus Center Foundation, we will be making monetary donations announced the night of the event.
Who’s behind the Focus Awards?
The Focus Awards are proudly presented by Focus Mid-South Magazine. The Focus Center Foundation, 501c3, is the fiscal agent for the Focus Awards. Focus is all about LGBT people and their allies… their work, play, families, creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies, and souls. Serving the Memphis Metro Area within a 100-mile radius, Focus launched its first issue, appropriately called the Coming Out Issue in September 2015. Focus is published by Ray Rico Freelance, LLC.
How do I nominate someone for a Focus Award?
All nominations must include the official nomination form, a description of the candidate’s achievements, a description of the candidate’s responsibilities and accomplishments within and outside the LGBT community, and a description of qualities possessed by the candidate that makes them worthy of recognition by Focus Mid-South Magazine and the Mid-South LGBT community.
All nominations must be submitted online.
Will alcohol be served at the event?
This event will feature a full open bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks for those 21+. All drinks are included in ticket price.
Can I volunteer to help with the event?
Volunteers are needed for the night of the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at awards@focusmidsouth.com
Where are the Focus Awards 2024 being hosted?
The Focus Awards 2024 will be hosted this year at Ballet Memphis at Overton Square on August 23, 2024 from 6pm – 9:30 pm. Special VIP Happy Hour for honorees, guests, and sponsors will be from 6-7pm. All guests welcome at 7pm with full bar, food, and seating. The show begins around 8pm.
