FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2026
Hillcrest Honors Returns for Fourth Year, Celebrating the People Who Make Hillcrest and San Diego Extraordinary
Beloved, volunteer-run community tradition brings San Diegans together November 16 to recognize local changemakers, Lifetime Achievement honorees and the power of community, connection and joy.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (November 12, 2026) — At a time when uplifting one another and finding moments of joy feel more important than ever, a beloved Hillcrest tradition is returning to celebrate the people who make a difference.
The fourth annual Hillcrest Honors will take place Monday, November 16, bringing together community leaders, volunteers, artists, activists, business owners and neighbors for an evening dedicated to recognizing the people and places that make Hillcrest extraordinary and whose contributions extend throughout San Diego.
What began in 2023 as a grassroots effort by longtime community advocates Rick Cervantes and Benny Cartwright has grown into an annual celebration of gratitude, recognition and belonging. Created through the @HillcrestSanDiego social media platform, Hillcrest Honors has recognized nearly 300 individuals, businesses and organizations since its inception.
Unlike traditional awards ceremonies, Hillcrest Honors is completely volunteer-run, with Cervantes and Cartwright organizing and producing the event alongside community volunteers and local partners. The founders have remained committed to keeping the celebration free and open to the community.
"Hillcrest has given so much to so many of us. It's where we've found friendship, family, acceptance and a sense of belonging," said Cervantes, co-founder of Hillcrest Honors. "Benny and I created this event because we wanted to give that love right back. Four years later, seeing what this celebration has become and how much it means to people is incredibly special. We do this because we love Hillcrest and believe the people who make our community what it is deserve to be seen, appreciated and celebrated."
Beyond Hillcrest: Celebrating the Spirit of San Diego
While Hillcrest Honors remains deeply rooted in the neighborhood that inspired its creation, this year's celebration intentionally reaches beyond its geographic boundaries to recognize individuals whose contributions strengthen communities throughout San Diego.
For co-founders Rick Cervantes and Benny Cartwright, the decision reflects a belief that Hillcrest is more than a place on a map. As the historic heart of San Diego's LGBTQ+ community, Hillcrest represents a spirit of resilience, vibrancy, diversity and belonging that extends far beyond the neighborhood itself.
"This year, we felt it was especially important to look beyond Hillcrest's borders because Hillcrest has never been just a neighborhood. It's a feeling. It's a spirit of resilience, vibrancy, diversity and belonging," said Cervantes. "Hillcrest is home to San Diego's LGBTQ+ community, but that spirit lives in people all across our city, whether they live in Hillcrest or not. We wanted to recognize that, bring our communities closer together and celebrate the incredible people who make San Diego such a special place to call home."
The expanded recognition reflects the founders' desire to celebrate the shared values that connect San Diegans, from neighborhood advocates and small business owners to artists, volunteers and changemakers whose contributions strengthen the broader community.
"There's so much good happening in San Diego, and sometimes it gets lost in everything else going on around us," Cervantes added. "We wanted to create a night that reminds people of that goodness. A night to uplift one another, celebrate our differences, recognize the people making an impact and remember why we're so lucky to call this city home. Especially this year, we need more moments that bring us together and remind us how much joy and love exists in our communities."
A Celebration of the Entire Community
Hillcrest Honors recognizes the many people whose contributions shape the neighborhood and the greater San Diego community, including those whose work often happens quietly and without recognition.
This year's honorees span a wide range of categories, from neighborhood restaurants, bars, bartenders and service industry professionals to volunteers, nonprofit leaders, community changemakers, activists, DJs, drag entertainers, artists, content creators and local businesses.
For generations, Hillcrest's businesses and gathering spaces have served as more than places to eat, drink or socialize. They have been spaces for friendship, advocacy, fundraising, chosen family and community organizing, helping shape San Diego's LGBTQ+ history and culture.
"The beauty of Hillcrest is that community happens everywhere," said Cartwright, co-founder of Hillcrest Honors. "It's the bartender who remembers your name, the volunteer who shows up without being asked, the activist speaking up for others, and the small business owner who gives back year after year. Those contributions matter, and they're all worthy of recognition."
Among this year's honorees is viral San Diego DJ Daniel Joseph, whose free performances at Golden Hill Park brought people together through music and became a widely celebrated community experience. Joseph will receive the Hillcrest Honors Spirit of San Diego Award and headline the official dance after-party at Rich's San Diego following the awards ceremony.
Also being recognized is Anthony Ralphs, the San Diego activist whose viral Darth Vader appearance at a City Council committee meeting brought national attention to concerns surrounding automated license plate reader (ALPR) surveillance. Through art, satire and performance, Ralphs demonstrated how creative expression can bring new audiences into important civic conversations.
These honorees represent just two examples of the many ways individuals are making a difference throughout San Diego.
Honoring the Generations Who Helped Shape Hillcrest
At the heart of this year's celebration are four Lifetime Achievement Award recipients whose lasting contributions are woven into the fabric of San Diego's LGBTQ+ community:
Norman Braxton, affectionately known as "Miss Norma"
Judy "The Beauty on Duty" Forman
Susan Jester
Alice Henry Taylor
Together, these honorees represent generations of community leadership, advocacy, service and resilience.
"The Lifetime Achievement Awards are especially meaningful because they allow us to recognize people who helped build the community so many of us enjoy today," said Cartwright. "Their contributions are part of our history, and we want them to know that their work, sacrifices and dedication have not gone unnoticed."
Recognizing Impact Beyond Hillcrest
This year's program also introduces special recognition for individuals whose contributions reach beyond San Diego.
Global music icons and philanthropists Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz will receive the inaugural Hillcrest San Diego Global Impact Award, recognizing their influence and commitment to making a difference beyond the entertainment industry.
Philanthropists Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano will receive the Hillcrest Honors Spirit of San Diego Award, joining Daniel Joseph among this year's special award recipients.
Organizers are continuing to confirm attendance with all honorees. Regardless of their availability to attend in person, each will be recognized and celebrated.
"Hillcrest Honors has never been about who can make it into the room. It's about recognizing the impact people have made on our community," said Cervantes. "Whether someone joins us in person or celebrates from afar, their contributions are no less meaningful. We honor the work, the dedication and the difference they've made, not their attendance."
More Than an Awards Ceremony: A Night of Joy and Belonging
While the awards are the centerpiece of the evening, organizers say the atmosphere is what makes Hillcrest Honors special.
The celebration brings together people from different generations, backgrounds and corners of the community, creating opportunities for connection among individuals who might not otherwise cross paths.
"One of the most meaningful parts of this experience has been watching honorees share their announcements and reading their words of gratitude," said Cervantes. "Some of those messages have genuinely brought us to tears. Being recognized and knowing that your community sees the work you do can mean so much. That's what this night is really about."
With the constant weight of national headlines, political division and challenges facing many communities, the founders hope this year's celebration will offer something especially meaningful: a chance to reconnect, celebrate one another and experience joy together.
"There's so much happening in the world, and we all carry a lot with us," Cervantes added. "For one night, we want people to leave that weight at the door, come together and experience nothing but joy, gratitude and community love. That's the spirit of Hillcrest Honors."
The event is organized and produced entirely by volunteers, with support from local businesses, sponsors and community partners. From its inception, the founders have committed to keeping Hillcrest Honors free and accessible to the community.
A Night of Celebration, Entertainment and Community
The evening begins with an Honorees and VIP Pre-Party at Uptown Tavern from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the Awards and Community Celebration at Rich's San Diego.
Doors at Rich's open at 6 p.m., with the awards program beginning at 7:30 p.m. Returning host and performer Kickxy Vixen will bring entertainment and her signature flair to the celebration.
Following the awards ceremony, viral DJ Daniel Joseph will headline the official Hillcrest Honors dance after-party at Rich's.
General admission is free, but advance reservations are required. Tickets do not guarantee admission if the venue reaches capacity. The event is restricted to guests ages 21 and older.
For free tickets, the full list of honorees and additional event information, visit HillcrestHonors.com.
ABOUT HILLCREST HONORS
Founded in 2023 by Rick Cervantes and Benny Cartwright, Hillcrest Honors is an annual, completely volunteer-run community celebration recognizing the individuals, businesses, organizations and events that contribute to the culture, vitality and spirit of Hillcrest and the greater San Diego community. Created through the @HillcrestSanDiego platform, the event has recognized nearly 300 honorees and remains committed to celebrating community contributions through a free, inclusive annual gathering.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Benny Cartwright, Co-Founder
619-316-9197
benny.bc.cartwright@gmail.com
Rick Cervantes, Co-Founder
ricky.rc.cervantes@gmail.com
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