Bweza Itaagi (Sistas in the Village and Grow Greater Englewood) has been selected to receive the 2026 Community Activist Award.
Since the late 1960s, the Urban Affairs Association (UAA) has served as a professional organization for scholars and practitioners seeking to advance social justice and policy equity through timely analyses and direct support of local residents and advocacy organizations.
In 2023, UAA established a special award to recognize and express gratitude for the work of locally engaged advocates who fight against social, economic and political barriers to both protect urban communities, and open access to opportunities and resources for local residents. Their work reflects the same values held by the Urban Affairs Association. This award recognizes local advocates for their current and/or past efforts in promoting the rights and well-being of urban communities and seeks to give public and national recognition to their many contributions.
AWARD COMMITTEE ASSESSMENT
The Community Activist Award Committee is proud to present this year’s Community Activist Award to Bweza Itaagi. Bweza is co-founder and co-owner of Sistas in the Village and Englewood Nature Trail Steward of Grow Greater Englewood. Bweza has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering neighborhood residents and cultivating a thriving food community. Her work embraces a holistic vision of food: honoring indigenous knowledge, valuing lived expertise, and recognizing the healing power of farming. At a time marked by SNAP cutbacks, rising food insecurity, and vilification of the immigrant communities that are the paragon of this country, Sistas In The Village stands as a beacon of cultural pride and spiritual resilience. Through grassroots collaboration with local organizations, Bweza has helped build a neighborhood ecosystem that champions social, economic, cultural, and environmental justice. Her leadership and dedication not only strengthen the community but inspire all of us to imagine a more equitable and sustainable future.
AWARD RECIPIENT BIO
Nyabweza “Bweza” Itaagi stewards the Englewood Nature Trail and Agro-Eco District with Grow Greater Englewood, and is the owner and co-founder of Sistas In The Village farm. She is an urban farmer, community cultivator, and horticulturist. She earned a master’s degree in Sustainable Urban Development from DePaul University and has worked with organizations focused on urban agriculture, city planning, community empowerment, and Earth stewardship. A first-generation Ugandan American, Bweza integrates East African farming traditions in Chicago. She sees farming as a spiritual practice that heals communities and builds collective power. Her work connects communities across continents, fostering solidarity and resilience through agriculture and shared cultural heritage.
AWARD PRESENTATION
The formal presentation of this award will be made at the upcoming International Conference on Urban Affairs in Chicago, Illinois. The theme of this year’s conference is No Little Plans: Realizing Urban Futures in Times of Crisis. The conference will convene 1100+ participants from 55+ countries and representing 20+ fields of study. All award recipients will be formally recognized for their achievements during the Awards and Recognition Program on April 29, 2026; 3:00 – 4:15pm.
AWARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Megan Hatch, Cleveland State University (Chair); Amy Foerster, Pace University; Loretta Lees, Boston University; Nadia Mian, Rutgers University; Chris Quattro, Appalachian State University
ABOUT THE URBAN AFFAIRS ASSOCIATION
The Urban Affairs Association (UAA) is an international professional organization for 1000+ urban scholars, researchers, policy analysts, & public service providers. UAA is dedicated to creating interdisciplinary spaces for engaging in intellectual and practical discussions about urban life. Through theoretical, empirical, and action-oriented research, UAA fosters diverse activities to understand and shape a more just and equitable urban world.
In addition to hosting an annual conference, UAA sponsors ongoing professional development opportunities; Upsilon Sigma: The Urban Studies Honor Society; and two peer-reviewed journals, the Journal of Urban Affairs and the Journal of Race, Ethnicity and the City. You can find UAA on the web, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Facebook, and X.
