FAQs

The Community Service Awards is an annual gala dedicated to celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations within our community. It is a night of recognition, networking, and celebration. 

The event is a Formal/Black Tie affair. We encourage guests to dress in their best evening wear or cultural formal attire.  

The next award ceremony will be on Sept. 6th, 2026 at the Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia at 5:00pm. The Afterparty takes place at the same venue at 9:00 pm. 

Yes, there will be plated dinner served. 

Nominations can be submitted via our online portal at the link below ("Nominations"). Please provide a detailed description of the nominee's contributions to the community. 

Any individual, non-profit, or business that has demonstrated exceptional service and impact within the community over the past year is eligible. 

 Selections are based on a holistic review of each individual's/organization's community service efforts. Only the nominees that are selected become award recipients and will be notified. 

There is no limit to the number of nominations a person can submit.  

Nominations are free.

Yes.

No. Submitters are encouraged to nominate those that have not been recognized previously. Previous winners will not be considered for a second award.

Yes; if a nominee is found not following the submission instructions, omitting key information and/or submitting inaccurate information, their nomination will no longer be considered and they will be disqualified.

We stop accepting nominations for each year on December 31st for the following year's awards.  For 2026 nominees, the deadline is 12/31/2025.  

Both tickets will grant the holder access to both the Awards and Afterparty. The differences:

• VIP Tickets include premium reserved seating during the Awards Ceremony Only. 
• General Admission: Includes access to both the Award Ceremony and the Afterparty.

*Please note: VIP status only applies to the Award Ceremony, and not the Afterparty. 

Tickets can be purchased through our official website at ticketor.com/alln1, or by contacting our ticketing team at admin@africancommunityserviceawards.com .

To ensure a seamless experience for all guests, seating is strategically pre-assigned.

• VIP Guests/Sponsors will have reserved premium seating at the front. 
• General Admission: Includes assigned seating within the main hall.

*Please note: seating arrangements are final and cannot be altered on the day of the event. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the organized flow of the ceremony. 

No; while the Award Ceremony features a structured seating chart, the After-party is designed for networking and celebration. It features open seating and a lounge-style environment to allow all guests to mingle freely. 

Attendance is not required; however, we recommend that all recipients attend the event, as this will be an opportunity to be publicly recognized for impacting lives within your community. If you do not plan to attend, please notify an ACSA team member and appoint a substitute who will accept the award on your behalf. If you don’t appoint a substitute, an ACSA team member will  accept the award on your behalf.

No, all individual award recipients enter for free. 

Yes. However, the person that will represent the group enters for free. Other group members will need to purchase tickets if they choose to attend the event.

Yes, family/guests of award recipients are required to purchase tickets to attend the event.