Rules-Disclosures
THEGRIO HEROES AWARDS
OFFICIAL RULES
1. Summary: TheGrio Heroes Awards (the “The Grio Heroes Awards”) will consist of three (3) phases: (a) a nomination period beginning 12:01 AM PT on March 1, 2023 and ending at 11:59 PM PT on May 1, 2023 (“Nomination Period”); a judging period beginning on May 1, 2023 and ending on May 31, 2023 (“Judging Period”); and (c) the announcement of the TheGrio Heroes Awards Finalists on or about July 1, 2023 (“Awards Announcement”). From all eligible Nominations (as defined below) received in connection with the TheGrio Heroes Awards, exactly one (1) winner (the “First Place Winner”) will be selected, as set forth in section 5 below. Participation in the TheGrio Heroes Awards is described, regulated and clarified by, and wholly subject to, the provisions of these official rules (the “Official Rules”).
2. Sponsor: The TheGrio Heroes Awards will be sponsored by Entertainment Studios Digital Media, LLC dba “TheGrio”.
3. Awards Eligibility: Any individual (a) legally residing in the United States or the District of Columbia (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico, and all other U.S. and foreign territories and possessions); (b) who is thirteen (13) years of age or older as of the beginning of the Nomination Period; and (c) whose nominating accomplishment occurred on or after December 1, 2021, is eligible to be the First Place Winner. Only individuals meeting all eligibility requirements set forth in these Official Rules may be nominated to be the First Place Winner (each, an “Awards Nominee”). Groups and organizations are not eligible to be an Awards Nominee or the First Place Winner.
4. Awards Nomination Procedure: To nominate an Awards Nominee, visit http://thegrio.com/heroes at any time prior to the end of the Nomination Period to submit an online application and any photo or video submission detailing the Awards Nominee’s accomplishment and other requested information (collectively, the “Nomination”). All Nominations become the property of Sponsor and will in no event be acknowledged or returned to any person.
5. TheGrio Heroes Awards Finalist Selection: From among the valid Nominations received, finalists and the First Place Winner will be selected as follows:
- Top Forty (40) Finalists (the “Top Forty”) will be selected by theGrio staff based on the judging criteria set forth below (the “Judging Criteria”). Each of the Top Forty will be subject to background check conducted by Sponsor or its designated agent.
- Top Ten (10) Finalists (the “Top Ten”) will be selected based on the Judging Criteria by a panel of seven (7) qualified, high-profile judges. Each of the Top Ten may be required to participate in a photoshoot and/or submit informational video packages in accordance with the instructions provided by Sponsor. Any such photos and/or video packages will be used as promotional content for voting on the TheGrio Heroes Awards website and social platforms.
- The First Place Winner will be selected by public voting in accordance with the Judging Criteria.
Judging Criteria
Community Impact
- Has their work positively transformed the industry they serve or work in?
- Has their approach supported others doing similar work?
- Are there any metrics that support their impact?
Innovation
- Have they created innovative solutions, fresh content or an alternative approach in their nominated category?
- Do they approach their work with compassion, dedication, and determination?
Influence
- Has this changemaker been recognized by other organizations, the media and/ortheir peers?
- Do they have a digital presence? How far is their reach?
- Have they inspired others?
Each submission will be ranked on a scale of 1-4:
1: The award description does not fit the individual or their actions. They should not receive the award. (0 pts)
2: The award description kind of fits the individual that has been nominated. This may be due to lack of information within the nominator’s description, examples that do not reflect the spirit of the award, and/or missing information. (1 pt)
3: The award description fits both the individual that has been nominated and the reason(s) why they have been nominated. The nominated individual’s actions accurately reflect the spirit of the award. The nominee has met the baseline criteria for this award. (2 pts)
4: The nominated individual has gone above and beyond the baseline criteria for this award and is the essence of it. This may be due to being a staple in their community or newly emerging in the space, pushing boundaries within their industry, creating opportunities that would otherwise not exist, etc… any points that stand out to you. (4 pts)
Award Winners will be notified by phone or email on or about July 1, 2023.
6. Description of the Awards Prizes: The First Place Winner will receive theGrio Heroes Award and will be featured on one of TheGrio platforms (collectively, the “Prize”). The Prize has no retail value. Sponsor, or its designated representative, will attempt to notify the potential First Place Winner of his/her selection via the telephone number and/or e-mail address provided in connection with the potential the First Place Winner’s Nomination. Before any Prize is awarded, the potential the First Place Winner must complete, sign, and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, which includes acknowledgement of and agreement to comply with these Official Rules (“Affidavit”) and a Liability/Publicity Release (“Release”) (collectively, “Affidavit and Release”) within thirty (30) days after notification. If the Affidavit and Release are not signed and returned prior to the time deadline indicated in the documents, or if the First Place Winner does not meet eligibility criteria set forth in these Official Rules, or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply with these Official Rules, or cannot be contacted within thirty (30), an alternate First Place Winner will be determined based on the Judging Criteria. Upon receipt and verification of the Affidavit and Release, the First Place Winner will be contacted with further details as to how the First Place Winner may redeem the Prize.
7. General Conditions: If for any reason the TheGrio Heroes Awards is not capable of running as planned by reason of, but not limited to, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other causes which, Sponsor in its sole opinion, deems could corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the TheGrio Heroes Awards, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Awards. No transfer, assignment, cash redemption or substitution of a Prize is permitted without the written consent of Sponsor. No portion of the Prize has any cash value and no portion of the Prize may be sold, offered for sale, assigned, transferred, offered for transfer, photocopied, duplicated or exchanged for cash, merchandise or services, in whole or part, without the advance written consent of Sponsor.
8. General Release and Hold Harmless: By accepting a Prize, each Awards Finalist (for himself or herself and his or her heirs) hereby releases, holds harmless, and forever discharges Sponsor, and each of it parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, and all of their respective directors, officers, governors, employees, shareholders, and agents (collectively, the “Released Entities”) from any and all liability, loss, harm, damage, cost, or expense (collectively, a “Loss”) (i) associated with the Awards Finalist’s participation in the TheGrio Heroes Awards, redemption of any Prize in connection with the TheGrio Heroes Awards, attendance at any events related to the TheGrio Heroes Awards, and/or use or misuse of any Prize, including, but not limited to, all reasonable counsel fees and court costs incurred, property damage, personal injury, and/or death; (ii) related to the production, promotion, or execution of the TheGrio Heroes Awards (or participation therein), or claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy; and (iii) that may occur in connection with acceptance and/or use of the Prize or while participating in or traveling to any TheGrio Heroes Awards related activity.
9. Limitations of Liability: Except where prohibited, each Awards Finalist agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with TheGrio Heroes Awards, or any portion of the Prize, or the determination of the Awards Finalist, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (ii) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the TheGrio Heroes Awards but in no event attorneys’ fees. IN NO EVENT WILL ANY OF THE RELEASED ENTITIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, OR LIABILITY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES RESULTING FROM OR ARISING FROM PARTICIPATION IN, OR THE PRODUCTION, PROMOTION, OR ADMINISTRATION OF, THE THEGRIO HEROES AWARDS, OR ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, MISUSE, OR NONUSE OF A PRIZE THAT MAY BE AWARDED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ALL PRIZES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS. ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE AWARDS IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD ANY SUCH ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
10. Non-Waiver: The failure or delay by Sponsor in enforcing any particular clause, provision, or aspect of these Official Rules shall not impact the validity, enforceability, or effect of any other clause, provision, or aspect of these Official Rules.
11. Miscellaneous: By participating in the TheGrio Heroes Awards, each Awards Finalist agrees to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions or interpretations of Sponsor regarding the Official Rules, which are final and binding in all respects. Non-compliance with these Official Rules shall result in disqualification from the TheGrio Heroes Awards. By participating in the TheGrio Heroes Awards, each Awards Finalist waives any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules.
13. Venue and Applicable Law: The TheGrio Heroes Awards will be administered in the State of California, and by participating, all Awards Finalists agree that: (a) the laws of the State of California will apply exclusively to the TheGrio Heroes Awards, and (b) any dispute with respect to the Awards will be resolved exclusively in either the federal or state courts located in the State of California, County of Los Angeles.