About Us
We Honor Projects and People
Our
Story
The BEAM Awards were created to recognize the people and projects proving that trust is built through action. Born out of B Local NYC’s commitment to business as a force for good, BEAM exists to spotlight work that moves beyond intention and delivers measurable, meaningful impact.
In a world shaped by overlapping crises—climate, equity, economic instability—we saw a need for a different kind of recognition. One that centers systems change, community-rooted leadership, and accountability to people and planet. BEAM is our response: a global stage for initiatives that are rebuilding trust by doing the work.
Each year, during Climate Week NYC, we gather to celebrate those who are not waiting for permission to lead—but are actively shaping more just, regenerative, and resilient futures.
What Motivates Us
We believe trust is not claimed—it is earned.
And the fastest way to lose it is to confuse words with action.
BEAM is motivated by the builders, organizers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and collaborators who understand that real change requires shared power, long-term thinking, and systems-level accountability. We are inspired by work that centers communities, measures outcomes, and challenges extractive models in favor of regenerative ones.
Our motivation is simple: to elevate examples of what’s possible when values are translated into practice—and when business is held to a higher standard of responsibility and care.
Whether You’re Transforming One Block or Reshaping an Entire System, Your work belongs on this stage.
The BEAM Awards honor projects and people redefining what it means to use business as a force for good—across neighborhoods, industries, and borders. From hyper-local initiatives to global collaborations, we celebrate efforts that bridge divides, restore trust, and deliver tangible outcomes for people and the planet.
This is not about perfection.
It’s about progress, accountability, and courage.
Our
Partners
BEAM is made possible through collaboration. We work alongside organizations, networks, and leaders who share a commitment to equity, sustainability, and systemic change.
Our partners help us extend the reach of the Awards, deepen their credibility, and ensure that recognition translates into connection, learning, and collective momentum. Together, we are building an ecosystem that supports those doing the hard work of transforming systems—not just talking about it.
We Work
for the Future
Everything about the BEAM Awards is designed with the long view in mind.
We align our criteria with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the B Corp Certification Standards, and our own 8 Trust Drivers—because the future demands coherence between values, strategy, and impact. We believe recognition should do more than reward the past; it should help shape what comes next.
By lifting up models that work, we contribute to a future where trust is rebuilt, systems are reimagined, and collective wellbeing is the measure of success.
It Is an Honor to Be Able to Recognize Kindness
and Goodness Within the Business World
At its core, BEAM is about recognition—with intention.
We are honored to celebrate those who choose responsibility over convenience, collaboration over control, and impact over optics. In recognizing their work, we hope to inspire others to act boldly, build trust intentionally, and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.