Discover and celebrate excellence in diverse storytelling through the CATALYST Awards

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About the Catalyst Awards

An iconic guide began humbly as a tool to diversify popular culture in education.

The awards were born from a desire to recognize first-generation voices and their lasting impact on future generations. They aim to be a space where everyone can be represented.

Join us in cataloging unforgettable experiences for all.

A collage of five movie posters: "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Umma," "Father of the Bride," "Wedding Season," and "From Today."
Three promotional posters for TV series. The first poster is for 'The Bear' featuring a woman with short curly hair and a serious expression, with several other characters behind her, set against a cityscape background. The second poster is for 'Abbott Elementary,' showing a group of diverse teachers sitting inside a school bus with a cheerful woman in the center, surrounded by colleagues, with the title above. The third poster is for 'Reservation Dogs,' depicting four Indigenous teenagers sitting on a red wall, with graffiti-style text on the wall behind them.
Book cover for 'If You Could See the Sun' by Ann Liang, featuring a girl with closed eyes surrounded by swirling waves and clouds in shades of blue, white, and pink.

Offering a visually compelling exploration of the diverse tapestry of human experiences and the multifaceted stories that shape our world. Cinematic journies bring to life the universal aspects of unique and transformative experiences.

Film
Book cover of 'We Were Dreamers' by Simu Liu, featuring a portrait of the author with a teal background, title in large white cursive font, and yellow subtitle that reads 'An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story'; includes a quote praising the book.

Explore the rich narratives of individuals charting the challenges and triumphs as first-generation members adapting to a new culture. These stories illuminate the intricacies of assimilation, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the pursuit of dreams.

Fiction
Poster for the movie "Don" featuring a man in white dress with sunglasses pointing upwards, surrounded by a group of smiling people in colorful clothing and sunglasses, with bold red and white title and blue sky background. 
Memoir/Non-Fiction

We celebrate and amplify authentic voices in nonfiction and memoirs, recognizing their profound importance in fostering understanding, empathy, and a deeper connection to the diverse human experience.

Poster for the TV show 'The Bear' featuring a central woman in a white shirt and blue apron with her hand on her head, surrounded by six diverse characters, a grocery store setup with canned beef products, and a city skyline in the background.

Television provides a vital, accessible platform for shedding light on identity, cultural adaptation, and familial dynamics. The small screen fosters understanding, empathy, and a deeper (and episodic) connection to the power of character-driven storytelling.

Television

Who’s Involved

The Catalyst Awards are reviewed and scored by a diverse panel of volunteer judges from across the United States. Our judges bring expertise from higher education, media, and the nonprofit sectors—reflecting the broad range of perspectives that shape and celebrate first-generation, transfer, and adult learner stories. Their collective insight helps ensure that each nomination is evaluated with fairness, integrity, and an appreciation for storytelling that drives social impact.

Learn more about the tapestry of first-generation college, community college, and adult learner experiences on our Media Resources Page.

Media Resources