ELLIS ISLAND
HONORS SOCIETY
Celebrating our 38 year!
We are proud to celebrate Eric Carpenter-Grantham, a 2025 Beacon Award honoree
Eric’s advocacy has made history in Maryland with the passage of Eric’s Law, going into effect October 1st. This landmark legislation allows individuals with non-apparent disabilities to voluntarily add a notation on their IDs—helping create safer, more compassionate interactions with first responders.
At the Ellis Island Honors Society, we are incredibly proud to recognize Eric as a 2025 Beacon Award recipient. His light shines not only in Maryland, but across the nation as an example of what it means to lead with compassion.
January 29, 2026
The Beacon Awards returns to The Wall Street Hotel
Call for Nominations: The 2026 Beacon Awards
We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Beacon Awards, which will be held on January 29, 2026.
The Beacon Award celebrates the invaluable contributions of young professionals who are not only shaping the future of their industries and communities, but who also embody the enduring values of hard work, compassion, and generosity that define the American dream.
If you know an emerging leader whose impact deserves recognition, we encourage you to submit a nomination and help us shine a light on the next generation of changemakers.
Beacon Awards
The 4th Annual Beacon Awards, presented by the Ellis Island Honors Society on January 23rd, 2025, was a night of inspiration and celebration! Hosted by Monica Morales of PIX11, the event honored 16 extraordinary young leaders who embody the spirit of service and innovation. Chairman Nasser Kazeminy was on hand to present the prestigious awards, recognizing these outstanding individuals for their dedication to making a difference. Congratulations to all the honorees for their remarkable achievements!
Nominations for the 2026 Beacon Awards are open until
October 15, 2025
The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are among America’s most prestigious awards, presented annually to individuals whose lives reflect a proud commitment to our nation’s ideals of diversity, opportunity, and service. This promotional reel highlights the extraordinary leaders, innovators, and humanitarians who have received this distinction, each with a unique story that embodies the spirit of Ellis Island and the American Dream.
From business pioneers and public servants to cultural icons and community champions, our honorees represent the very best of who we are as a nation. Their journeys remind us that America’s strength lies in its people — in the resilience, contributions, and values that immigrants and their descendants bring to every generation.
Join us in celebrating the legacy of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor and the enduring promise of hope, opportunity, and unity they represent.
From Chairman Kazeminy -
“The Ellis Island Medals of Honor shine a light on the brilliance, innovation, compassion, dedication, and creativity of one of the most diverse and dynamic generations in U.S. history. Our honorees are trailblazers across fields as varied as logistics, the military, journalism, biotechnology, and finance. Yet, they share a powerful common mission: to make their country—and the world—a better place.”
Nominations for the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor are open!
A National Day of Respect
The Ellis Island Honors Society calls on Congress to Establish
Under the leadership of Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy, one of the significant initiatives recently championed by the Ellis Island Honor Society is the introduction of a Day of Respect bill to the United States Congress. The Day of Honor and Respect aims to promote understanding, tolerance, and unity among Americans, transcending cultural, ethnic, and religious differences. The proposed bill seeks to designate a national day, September 17th, dedicated to these values, encouraging individuals and communities to reflect on the importance of mutual respect and the positive impact it has on society.
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© 2025 Ellis Island Honors Society is a 501 (c) organization.