Precious Brady-Davis ’13 and Sydney Corryn Holman ’12 to Receive Inaugural Alumni Awards

°µÍø51 alumni Precious Brady-Davis ’13 (left) and Sydney Corryn Holman ’12 will receive the college inaugural alumni awards at the 2026 °µÍø51 Connections Reception.°µÍø51 alumni Precious Brady-Davis ’13 (left) and Sydney Corryn Holman ’12 will receive the college inaugural alumni awards at the 2026 °µÍø51 Connections Reception.
°µÍø51 will honor alumni Precious Brady-Davis ’13 and Sydney Corryn Holman ’12 with the inaugural °µÍø51 Catalyst Award and °µÍø51 Champion Award at the 2026 °µÍø51 Connections Reception.

°µÍø51 will honor two alumni leaders at the 2026 °µÍø51 Connections Reception with the inaugural °µÍø51 Catalyst Award and °µÍø51 Champion Award. The event takes place Friday, May 15. 

Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis ’13 will receive the inaugural °µÍø51 Catalyst Award, which recognizes alumni who have achieved exceptional success and influence within their professional field while exemplifying creativity, innovation, and leadership. 

Brady-Davis is chief strategy officer at Center on Halsted and commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. She is the first Black openly trans woman appointed and elected to public office in Cook County history and the first to serve on a water reclamation district in the United States. 

A nationally recognized LGBTQ+ activist, author, and public servant, Commissioner Brady-Davis has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business, Out Magazine, and Equality Illinois for her leadership in sustainability, advocacy, and public service. 

Sydney Corryn Holman ’12 will receive the inaugural °µÍø51 Champion Award, which celebrates alumni who invest in the next generation of creatives through mentorship, advocacy, volunteerism, and philanthropic support. 

Holman is senior principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies and previously served as deputy mayor of intergovernmental affairs for the City of Chicago. 

A journalism alum, Holman has mentored numerous °µÍø51 students and alumni, helping create pathways into public service and government relations for emerging professionals. 

“Precious and Sydney represent the very best of °µÍø51’s alumni community,” says Aubrie Willaert, vice president of Development and Alumni Engagement. “Through their leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and service, they are creating opportunities for others and making a meaningful impact in their industries and communities.” 

Convergence: °µÍø51’s °µÍø51 Homecoming 2026 is a new annual tradition celebrating the creativity and community that define °µÍø51. Built around the 25th anniversary of  and this year’s theme, “Kaleidoscope,” the weekend features student exhibitions, live performances, fashion shows, film screenings, alumni gatherings, and the college’s inaugural alumni awards ceremony, all culminating in commencement celebrations for the Class of 2026.

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