More than a century after arriving in the United States, Aurora Mardiganian, survivor of the Armenian Genocide and the namesake of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, has been honored on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. Her legacy endures through Aurora’s

“I hope before you leave here tonight, you’ll each ask yourself—what can I do? How can I help?” At the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony, Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and Co-Founder and Chairman of Moderna, reflected on his

“Tonight, we catch a glimpse of the world as it should be. But a glimpse, however powerful, is fleeting. To make it last, Aurora’s next chapter will bring the full power of the Aurora Humanitarian Network to bear.” At the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony, Aurora CEO Armine Afeyan

Watch Bader Media Group’s coverage from Ellis Island, offering an outside perspective on the moments and testimonies that shaped the 10th anniversary #AuroraPrize Ceremony and honored those who risk their lives to help others. youtu.be/g7ewLFR2-FU?si…

“What I see here tonight is resilience of spirit at scale—a community that refuses to accept cruelty, violence, displacement, and despair as inevitable. Aurora was born from that conviction, and being part of this movement has been an incredible honor for me.” At the 2025 Aurora

10th Anniversary Aurora Prize Ceremony on Ellis Island in New York City - Honoring individuals who exemplify "Gratitude in Action" by risking their lives to save others. Founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity

“What I’ve tried to do in some of my philanthropy is to make certain that people remember the past. The theory behind studying history is that we learn from the past, make corrections to what was done wrong in the past, and learn from the things that were done well in the past,

“Andrew Carnegie once said that the man who dies rich dies disgraced. The Aurora Prize carries that same spirit: that our wealth, our wisdom, our experience mean little unless we serve others.” At the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony, Henrietta H. Fore, Gratitude in Action Honoree,

"I have never seen a difference between us and Zambians." He fled when he was 7 and William has spent 60 years growing up alongside Zambians. On this International Day for Tolerance, his story reminds us that tolerance builds true community.

“Each one of us heard the words of our parents that one person can make a difference. We were truly the first generation after World War II given that right and that opportunity.” At the 2025 #AuroraPrize Ceremony, Michael Milken, philanthropist and Co-Founder of the Milken Family Fdn

“Even in our darkest moments, there are people who keep the light of hope burning.” At the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony, Mary Robinson, #AuroraPrize Selection Committee member and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, reflected on Aurora’s enduring spirit and introduced

In America Magazine, 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate Dr. Tom Catena reflects on what it truly means to stand with communities in crisis. americamagazine.org/short-take/202…

Earlier this month, I was honored to attend the 10th Anniversary Aurora Prize Ceremony on Ellis Island — a powerful celebration of courage, compassion, and “Gratitude in Action.” Here’s my coverage and the exclusive interview with CEO Armine Afeyan youtu.be/efVorOfCugs?si…

On #WorldChildrensDay, 8-year-old Nabaa reminds us: Clean water. Healthy food. A safe school. These are not wishes. They are rights. Today and every day, we call for protection, dignity, and the chance for every child in #Sudan to grow up in peace.

On the latest episode of The Nonprofit Lab, Aurora CEO Armine Afeyan spoke with Pooya Pourak from MatchNice about Aurora’s first decade — what we’ve learned, how we support grassroots humanitarians, and why putting the human back in humanitarian matters now more than ever. The

Experience Hrachya Avanesyan’s interpretation of J. S. Bach’s Sarabande from the Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, as performed at the 2025 #AuroraPrize Ceremony on Ellis Island. #GratitudeInAction

“Ruben Vardanyan created opportunities from scarcity, schools where there was no access, and bridges of trust across the fights most had written off as irreconcilable. Aurora was born from that same vision—that gratitude is not a feeling but a responsibility, and that compassion

Grassroots humanitarians are THE story of Sudan, and we need more of them to meet this crucial moment. Among them are the Sudanese of the Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) distributing food and medicine and Aurora Laureates Dr. Jamal Eltaeb (2025) and Tom Catena (2017), keeping

“How does one distinguish between lives defined by such sacrifice? Each one reflects a story of extraordinary conviction — people who chose to act when indifference would have been easier, who risk their own safety so that others might survive.” At the 2025 Aurora Prize