The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host its fourth annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workplace Excellence Awards from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Community Choice Convention Center. The event will recognize West Des Moines residents and organizations for their efforts toward making Central Iowa more inclusive, according to a news release.

Ninth-grade student SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas will receive a $2,000 education scholarship as recognition for DEI Student Leader of the Year. Licensed massage therapist La Toshia Burrell, who was named as the DEI Emerging Leader of the Year, will receive a full-tuition scholarship to the West Des Moines Leadership Academy.

The Polk County Housing Trust Fund, recipient of the Nonprofit award, will receive a portion of proceeds from sponsorships.

• DEI Student Leader of the Year: SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas
• DEI Emerging Leader of the Year: La Toshia Burrell
• DEI Leader of the Year: Heather Schott
• Small Business: The Joy of Curls
• DEI Ally of the Year: Erlin Kakkanad, Ph.D.
• Large Business (250 and above): Turner Construction
• Nonprofit: Polk County Housing Trust Fund
• Education: Iowa Juneteenth
• Medium Business (50 – 249 employees): Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency
• Government: West Des Moines Human Rights Commission
• Best Inclusion Initiative: 2024 Aspire to Inspire ERG Conference (Iowa Safe Schools)

“It’s incredible to know there were a record number of applications this year,” said Kara Matheson, vice president of workforce development and culture for the WDM Chamber, in a prepared statement. “It’s so encouraging to see individuals and organizations working harder than ever to further the positive impact of this work.”

Registration for the event, which will include a networking portion to highlight local nonprofits, as well as live music and multicultural appetizers, closes on Aug. 30. Tickets can be purchased on the West Des Moines website.