#USA #Park City #Elevate Prize #Kerry Washington #Nevertheless

Kerry Washington Honored at Sundance Film Festival

Kerry Washington, the Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, director, author, and activist, recently earned the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award during a special ceremony at the Sundance Film Festival. This honor recognizes her longstanding dedication to utilizing storytelling as a mechanism for enhancing democracy. Since launching her production company, Simpson Street Productions, Washington's mission has been to amplify underrepresented voices and ensure diverse stories are shared on screen. Notable productions under her banner include the Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere and HBO's Confirmation.

In conjunction with receiving the award, Washington announced her new role as Executive Producer of the docuseries Nevertheless, produced by Elevate Studios. The upcoming season, titled Nevertheless Democracy Defenders, aims to highlight four social impact leaders worldwide who are committed to countering increasing threats to democratic norms.

During her acceptance speech, Washington expressed gratitude towards the Elevate Prize Foundation and reiterated the importance of storytelling that resonates with our shared humanity. She stated, "At Simpson Street, we believe in the power of stories that join us in our common purposes, and I wanted to be a part of the Nevertheless series because it does that well. It spotlights those defending civil liberties, bringing their efforts into the public eye. This is essential in reminding us of what’s at stake and the significance of our voices."

The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award not only honors the recipients but also provides a financial boost, with $250,000 awarded to Washington's foundation to support grassroots activism and civic engagement initiatives. As she noted earlier, this funding aims to empower local communities in shaping a more equitable and inclusive democracy.

The first season of Nevertheless, which spotlighted transformative women changing the world, premiered to critical acclaim in early 2025, garnering over three million views. The second season is set to debut this fall on the foundation’s YouTube channel.

Eva Bloomfield, the Chief Marketing Officer of the Elevate Prize Foundation, commented on the first season’s success, saying, "The response exceeded expectations, demonstrating how storytelling can motivate real-world change. Season two arrives at a crucial time. In an age rampant with misinformation, we face a moral imperative to elevate genuine narratives that reflect diverse experiences and compel our audiences to pay heed."

The award presentation was part of a larger event emphasizing the interplay between storytelling, culture, and democracy. It highlighted key themes addressing threats to creative freedom in contemporary society. Washington also engaged in a panel discussion with social impact leaders featured in the new docuseries, including:

• - Koketso Moeti, who empowers South African communities to hold powerful entities accountable through technology-enabled activism.
• - Yordanos Eyoel, who leads efforts in Boston for inclusive democratic initiatives through global networks.
• - Hannah Fried, a nonpartisan advocate fighting for fair elections across multiple states.

This evening of programming underscored the critical role that storytelling plays in fostering democratic resilience and social change. The night featured a keynote address from comedian W. Kamau Bell and inspiring remarks from Elevate Prize winner Imran Ahmed, discussing contemporary challenges to free expression and censorship. Their messages reinforced the urgency for cultural narratives that galvanize society toward informed, engaged citizenship.

About the Elevate Prize Foundation

The Elevate Prize Foundation is dedicated to making social impact heroes famous, furthering efforts that turn good ideas into action. For more information and to follow their initiatives, visit www.elevateprize.org and check out their presence on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.