14th Annual Lipman Family Prize Awards

Lipman Blog

14th Annual Lipman Family Prize Award Ceremony

April 24, 2025 – This year, the Lipman Family Prize celebrated three remarkable organizations that are driving bold, community-based solutions to global challenges: Barbershop Books, BleagLee, and Technovation. At the annual award ceremony in Philadelphia, Barbershop Books took home the 2025 Grand Prize, receiving $250,000 in unrestricted funding for its innovative work inspiring Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun. Additional winners, BleagLee and Technovation, each received $150,000 to advance their missions of combating climate change through waste collection and recycling and empowering girls through tech education, respectively.

A small group of people posing in front of a Barbershop Books logo. The person in the center is holding a trophy and is flanked by two others, all smiling.

The award ceremony which was emceed by 2024-25 Lipman fellows Fionnuir Ni Chochlain and Lusayo Mwakatika featured remarks by Euria Min, Director of the Lipman Family Prize, and the prize’s founder and generous benefactor Barry Lipman. Jeff Klein, Executive Director of Wharton’s McNulty Leadership Program, led a powerful panel discussion with our winners: Alvin Irby of Barbershop Books, Juveline Ngum Ngwa of BleagLee, and Rebecca Anderson of Technovation. It was wonderful to see our Lipman Prize community of alumni, friends, partners, and supporters come out to celebrate the impactful evening. Swipe through the photos below for some of the highlights from the evening.

Two people stand on a stage during an award ceremony, with the background displaying "Lipman Family Prize." One holds a trophy, and the other is dressed in a suit.
A person speaking at a podium with a banner, next to a stage with three chairs and floral arrangements. The screen displays text about Barry Lipman and the Lipman Family Prize.
A person speaking at a podium with a microphone. The podium has a banner for the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, featuring the Lipman Family Prize. The background displays a large screen with text.
A panel discussion with four people seated on a stage in front of an audience. The backdrop displays logos and text related to innovation.

Highlights from the evening 

  • A group of four people posing together, with a mix of formal and semi-formal attire. They are indoors, likely at a social or professional event.
  • A diverse audience seated in a conference or seminar setting, with attendees engaged and listening attentively. Some hold event materials or name badges.
  • A panel discussion with four individuals sitting on stage, each holding a microphone. The backdrop features logos and the word "TECHNOVATION".
  • A person smiling while holding an award, standing in front of a backdrop with several people applauding in the background.
  • A small group of people standing together, dressed in formal attire. Behind them, there is a backdrop with the words "Lipman Family Awards".
  • A small group of people smiling and dressed in formal attire, standing in front of a backdrop with the Wharton School logo.
  • A group of people dressed in various colorful outfits standing together indoors, posing and smiling for a photo at an event.
  • A small group of people engaged in conversation at a social event. They are dressed in formal attire, smiling, and wearing name badges.
  • A small group of three people smiling at a social event indoors, each holding a glass of wine. They are wearing name tags and dressed in business casual attire. The background includes other attendees mingling.
  • A large group of people posing on a stage with a banner in the background reading "Lipman Family Prize." Several individuals are seated in front, with others standing around them. A podium with a Wharton School banner is visible to the right.

“Today, Barbershop Books has about 30 barbershops here in Philadelphia with child-friendly reading spaces with books recommended by Black boys. There’s absolutely space and room to at least 2x that here in Philadelphia through collaboration with local community partners, some who are here today.”

-Alvin Irby, Barbershop Books’ Founder & Executive Director

Barbershop Books’ Meetings

Alvin Irby of Barbershop Books met with faculty, students, and staff from the Office of School and Community Engagement at the Graduate School of Education (GSE), Catalyst @ Penn GSE, the School of Social Policy & Practice, and the Wharton School. During these discussions, they learned more about each other’s work and shared insights around educational technology, strategic marketing and branding, and partnership opportunities for scaling up Barbershop Books in Philadelphia.

A group of people are engaged in a meeting in a conference room with red chairs around a white table. A large window and whiteboard are visible.

“Through being a Lipman Prize winner, we would love to get insights, networking and shared learning with Penn experts and researchers—opening doors and strengthening our impact. This is an incredible honor and a powerful signal to our community in Cameroon that their work is being seen on a global stage.”

-Juveline Ngum Ngwa, BleagLee’s Founder & CEO

A group of five people standing in a room, smiling in front of a large screen displaying a computer desktop. They are dressed in various professional attire.

BleagLee’s Meetings

Juveline Ngum Ngwa of BleagLee met with scholars and practitioners from the Environmental Innovations Initiative, the School of Social Policy and Practice, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design, and the Wharton School who all share a commitment to environmental sustainability and social impact. These in-person conversations sparked a dynamic flow of ideas filled with energy, insight, and the potential for future collaboration.

“These meetings have all sparked so many ideas and connections with amazing human beings here in this network of Lipman Family Prize folks and that has been really cool. We have some great ideas. One thing we have a goal of is that we do not have a local presence here in Philadelphia… maybe someday a local leader will want to champion Technovation and bring it here.”

-Rebecca Anderson, Technovation’s Senior Director of Programs

Technovation’s Meetings

Senior leaders from Technovation—Rebecca Anderson, Sonya Park, and Deb Boyer—spent an energizing day connecting with experts from across the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, diving into conversations on STEM education, generative AI, school partnerships, and social innovation. They also toured Tangen Hall, home to the Integrated Product Design Program studio where they witnessed Penn students transforming bold ideas into real-world solutions. The visit opened the door to new synergies that could deepen a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of STEM leaders.

A small group of people in a casual discussion in an indoor space. Shelves with boxes, a fridge, and bean bags are visible in the background.

Highlights from the day’s meetings

  • A diverse group of people poses together against a red-striped background, with some standing and others crouching, all smiling.
  • Three people are sitting and smiling in an office setting with bookshelves filled with books in the background. They appear to be having a casual meeting.
  • Two people are engaged in conversation in an office setting. One is holding a plate with food, and the other appears to be gesturing. A table with drinks is in the background.
  • A group of five people standing in a row indoors, smiling at the camera. They are dressed in smart casual and professional attire, in front of a whiteboard.
  • A group of four people standing indoors, dressed in smart-casual attire, smiling at the camera. Behind them is a large blue screen.
  • A group of people smiling and posing together in an office environment. Various colorful decorations and workstations are visible in the background.
  • A group of people standing in front of a red-striped wall. They are wearing a variety of formal and casual outfits, smiling and posing for a group photo.