Reimagining the Joel Award

During the June IPNA meeting we discussed the renaming of our neighborhood community service award. As you may know, the award was created in the mid-1970s by Robert Griggs, the founder of Inman Park Restoration, as a way for young, pioneering neighbors to recognize one another’s efforts in revitalizing our long-neglected neighborhood. The award became known as the Joel Award in recognition of Joel Hurt, the surveyor and developer of Inman Park.

As awareness has grown in recent years about Joel Hurt and his history of using and abusing convict labor, his name has become uncomfortable for many. (For reference, see Slavery by Another Name by Douglas Blackmon.) Clearly, Joel Hurt doesn’t represent the values of 21^st century Inman Park. It is time for us to select a new name for the award.

We would like your feedback on what the new name should be. Please add your suggestion for a new award name below in the comments section or email [email protected].

Award Name Process: 

July 1-July 7th: Submit suggestions for new name via blog comment or email. 

July 8-July 15: Online Voting Begins. All name submissions received will be put out to the membership for a vote.

IPNA Meeting, July 16th: The top two suggestions with the most votes will be introduced at the meeting. Members will cast 1 vote for their choice during the meeting. The name with the most votes will be the winner and our new award name. 

We encourage you to submit your suggestion or echo your support for a name someone has already posted. Thanks for helping us rename this award.