Contra Costa County Humanitarian of the Year Award

Cheryl Sudduth Contra Costa County Supervisors with Adult Humanitarian of the Year Cheryl Sudduth

2023 Humanitarian of The Year

Mamí. Activist. Mentor. Community Leader. Organizer. Disabilities Rights Advocate. Justice Guerrera/Justice Warrior. Cheryl Sudduth. Ms. Sudduth is a Senior Government Contracts & Compliance Professional, International Negotiator, Mediator, and Compliance Officer, with nearly 30 years of business and legal experience, serving in a broad array of senior management roles in the commercial, private & public sectors. 

A University of Illinois alum (Cellular & Molecular Biology and Biochemistry), she is a committed environmental scientist. Serving as an elected Director on the West County Wastewater District Board since 2018, she currently serves as Board President and as (Acting) Chair of the affiliated West County Agency (City of Richmond joint partnership). Ms. Sudduth has written, supported, and advanced legislation that has changed the lives of working-class and impoverished people in our region and throughout the state, traveling regularly to Sacramento & Washington D.C. to advocate passage of bills that promote equity and access to just educational systems, economic dignity, healthcare benefits, a values-based budget, second-chances, and true environmental justice. 

As a member of Climate Leaders, 350 Bay Area & 350 Contra Costa & several other environmental groups, including a community monitoring group for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), she strongly advocated for and helped pass the nation’s most health-protective air regulations & greenhouse gas reduction measures. Additionally, her diligence in seeking solutions to community issues has shown successful direct political and policy advocacy for the unseen, the unheard, the uncounted…by building coalitions, steering committees, and working with advocacy groups. 

Ms. Sudduth has received numerous awards and honors for her community work including her unwavering commitment to environmental justice and empowerment of our communities and volunteers regularly for Women in STEM, Girls in Science, fundraising activities benefiting Sickle Cell Anemia research, and meets regularly with State and Federal Legislators as a community advisor to discuss regional, state and national issues and provide viable frontline solutions from the voices of our community. Ms. Sudduth works to empower our young people through mentoring and coaching 2200+ youth over 25+ years.

Past Recipients of the Humanitarian of the Year Award
Gigi Crowder, 2022
Velma Wilson, 2021
Tamisha Torres-Walker, 2020

Reverend Donnell R. Jones, 2019

Phil Arnold, 2018
James Noe, 2017
Terri Porter, 2016
Bishop Edwina Perez-Santiago, 2015Mary Perez & Neil & Carol Wilson 1998
Sister Ann Welts, 2014Rollie Mullen , 1997
Doug Stewart, 2013Helen Troxel and Rollie Mullen, 1997
Corrie Sain, 2012Charles Wilson, 1996
Laura Johnson, 2011Perfecto Villarreal, 1995
Della Randolph, 2010Lloyd Madden, 1994
Larry Lewis, 2009Bessanderson McNeil, 1993
Charles D. Tinsley, Dr., 2008Lucy Donly, 1992
Veronica Pope, 2007January Fredenburg, 1991
Jerrold L. Hatchett, 2006Yoshiye Togasaki, M.D., 1990
Bishop Curtis Timmons,2005Lonnie R. Bristow, M.D., 1989
Mr. Walter Ruelig, 2004Rev. Malcolm & Jo Lee, 1988
Reverend Phillip Lawson, 2003John "JJ" Johnson, 1987
Robin Poindexter, 2002Charles Spears, 1986
Troy Greer Grove, 2001Donald Fibush, 1985
Eddie Menosse, 2000Guillermo "Bill" Muniz, 1984
Orin Allen, 1999