IRG Building Bridges Awards Dinner 2026 (25th Anniversary Celebration)

An annual banquet celebrating the educational and relationship-building work of Islamic Resource Group. Also celebrating 25th Anniversary! IRG Building Bridges Awards 2026 What to expect: • A pre-dinner reception at 6 • Dinner • An awards ceremony for community leaders and allies • Keynote Address "A story of belonging, bridging and charting a path for a brighter future" by Soumaya Khalifa Soumaya Khalifa, is the founder and executive director of ISB Atlanta (formerly Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta), one of the most distinguished community-building organizations in the area. Soumaya is a frequently requested speaker, both as a consultant and ISB representative, and has a significant social and traditional media presence. In addition to her work with the ISB, Soumaya is the President & CEO of Khalifa Consulting, is a highly-regarded coach, trainer and consultant, specializing in intercultural communications, diversity, equity and inclusion, and leadership development. In her role with ISB Atlanta, Soumaya connects American Muslim communities with a wide range of civic and faith-based groups, bringing Muslim voices to places where they have not been before. ISB Atlanta sends trained speakers to civic groups, churches and synagogues, law enforcement agencies, and schools, providing opportunities to learn about Islam and Muslims objectively through dialogue, outreach programs, presentations, and panels. Her work has brought her much recognition and many significant honors. Recently, Soumaya was listed in the 2023 Georgia 500: The State's Most Influential Leaders by Georgia Trend magazine and she received the 2021 Honorable Mention Power the Future award from The Forum on Workplace Inclusion. She is a 2019 YWCA Woman of Achievement, was honored in Atlanta Magazine’s 2019 Women Making a Mark, and was presented with the prestigious Phoenix Award by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed in 2017. IRG strives to promote education and understanding through fact-based presentations and nuanced dialogue about Islam and the Muslim community. We serve schools, houses of worship, and professional organizations committed to the idea that our communities are better together not despite our differences, but because of them. We look forward to you joining us for this celebration of people who make this bridge-building work possible every day. Thank you for your support. A special thank you to all of our sponsors. This event is made possible with your support, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with you in the future. Formal attire is standard at IBBA. We also cannot accommodate children during this evening. Thank you for your understanding! We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, November 7.