Bright Lights
Celebrating Louisiana Luminaries
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Bright Lights Awards Dinner! The annual event recognizes the recipients of the LEH’s Bright Lights Awards, honoring individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the study and understanding of the humanities.
The LEH and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will host the 2027 Bright Lights Awards Dinner in spring 2027. If you are interested in supporting the event, and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanties, by becoming a sponsor, please reach out to Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jenni Daniel at (504) 356-0517 or daniel@leh.org.
The 2026 Bright Lights Awards Dinner was presented by 
ARTISTIC SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
| Haynie Family Foundation |  |
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TABLE SPONSORS
| Adams & Reese Abry Brothers, Inc. Accelerated Growth Partners and Halphen Forensic Accounting Bonvenu Bank |
CAPTRUST Gilsbar The Historic New Orleans Collection Linda and Joe Holyfield LSU Press LSU Shreveport |
Melinda and Morris Mintz Moyse Family Foundation Stine Union Pacific Railroad and Louisiana Lobbying Solutions |
PREMIUM PATRON
| Becky and Wyatt Collins Rosemary and Randy Ewing |
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Willie Landry Mount |
Dr. and Mrs. Fayez Shamieh Sharonda Williams |
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PRODUCTION SPONSORS John W. Deming and
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PROGRAM SPONSOR
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ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR
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VENUE SPONSOR |
LIBATIONS SPONSOR |
Event History
Since 1985, the LEH has honored leading humanities scholars, authors, poets, literacy advocates, photographers, humanities patrons, and documentary filmmakers in Louisiana through the Humanities Awards.
The annual Bright Lights Awards Gala brings together local officials, community leaders, and humanities advocates alike to celebrate the year’s awardees and all that the humanities can achieve.
See the full list of Humanities Awards winners from 1985 to now here.
Want to stay updated on the latest involving the Bright Lights Awards Dinner and the Humanities Awards? Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter here.
