We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Heart of Community Awards!
Each year, this honor recognizes leaders, advocates, and champions who embody compassion and dedicated service to preserve childhood and strengthen families across our region.
Join us as we celebrate their incredible contributions at the Heart of Community Gala on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA.
Learn more about this year’s honorees below
2026 John White Alumni of the Year Award
Amadeu Vital
From the Greentree Shelter to the House of Dreams. Coach “AV” is this year’s John White Alumni of the Year.
His resilience and discipline both personally and professionally are the embodiment of NCCF’s mission to help children meet every challenge and leverage every opportunity.
A former Division I All-Conference football athlete (Norfolk State & Tarleton State), AV holds degrees in Business Management and Information Systems. He is the founder and co-owner of House of Dreams, a purpose-driven fitness and performance brand built to inspire transformation through faith, discipline, and community.
2026 Tom Cookerly Exceptional School Superintendent Leadership Award
Superintendent William J. Barnes
Howard County Public Schools
Teaching Excellence Drives Student Outcomes. A nationally recognized science and math teacher who has committed his entire career to improving outcomes for students, Superintendent Barnes is NCCF’s Tom Cookerly Exceptional Superintendent for 2026.
In the nearly 20 years he’s worked for HCPS, his priorities have remained unchanged. Mr. Barnes is building the educational infrastructure needed to address the day-to-day challenges of teachers and innovate programs that improve the lives of his students.
2026 Champion in Our Midst Award
Ms. Wilhelmina Frederick
Serving Her Purpose One Child at a Time. For more than two decades, Ms. Frederick has dedicated her life to caring for foster children. Her career started with teen girls and progressed into caring for medically fragile children.
She is legend in the NCCF foster care community for her humility, her humor, and her incredible ability to understand the needs of a child who cannot express themselves. Ms. Frederick moves through life informed by the confidence and certainty that doing “what’s right,” is always its own reward.
She is the reason for thousands of smiles, laughs, and childhood milestones. Children who once had no hope have found joy and comfort because of her loving care.
2026 Champion in Our Midst Award
Officer Demond Johnson
Montgomery County Police Department
Community Means Everyone. With 16 years’ experience on the job for MCPD and more than double that time behind the scenes doing community building work, when Officer Johnson became the new Community Services Officer for the 2nd District his goal was to enhance relationships and address neighborhood concerns.
But when he set foot on NCCF’s Campus and asked to meet with the young people who lived in the Residence Program, little did he know that he would become the catalyst to irrefutably change the lives of dozens of the youth he calls “his boys.”
His consistent, caring, and honest approach has effectively repaired law enforcement’s relationship with NCCF’s youth population. The sight of a police car on campus has gone from a trigger to the anticipation of visit from a caring adult who will always have your back.
2026 Humanitarian Spirit Award
Tami Buckner for Jackson’s Pantry
A Child’s Legacy; A Community’s Heart. After the life shattering loss of a beloved twelve-year-old, Jackson Payne Buckner’s family and the Bullis School Class of 2029 came together to honor him in a way that tangibly spoke to his kindness, curiosity, and generosity.
What started with his class marking the anniversary of his passing with a day of service has blossomed into a sustainable food distribution site at NCCF bearing his name. Jackson’s Pantry now stands as a living tribute to Jackson’s spirit, helping families in need while spreading the joy of giving that he embodied every day.
Join Us in Celebrating These Heroes
Reserve your seat today and stand alongside our region’s most inspiring leaders at the 2026 Heart of Community Gala.
