Houston’s Rothko Chapel has announced the 2026 recipients of its prestigious Óscar Romero Awards, honoring five Texas-based organizations and leaders advancing health justice 45 years after the martyrdom of Saint Óscar Romero. The awards recognize grassroots human rights work that builds physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing amid economic and political challenges.
The 2026 honorees are:
- Kevin Anderson & The T.R.U.T.H. Project (Houston)
- FAJR Global (Houston)
- Pastor Dianne Garcia & Nuevos Vecinos (San Antonio)
- Ruben Garcia & Annunciation House (El Paso)
- Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) (Houston)
Rothko Chapel President Abdullah Antepli stated the awardees have committed their lives to uplifting human dignity and community wellbeing inside and outside traditional healthcare settings.
The public ceremony takes place April 11, 2026, at 3 p.m. CT at the Chapel (3900 Yupon Street), with in-person and livestream options. Registration details are at rothkochapel.org.
Awardees Spotlight
Kevin Anderson & The T.R.U.T.H. Project (Houston)
Founder Kevin D. Anderson leads this healing-justice nonprofit, centering mental, emotional, and sexual health for queer communities of color through art and storytelling. Launched in 2009 with heART&SOUL open mics, the organization now offers workshops, performances, and films like the award-winning "And We Rest on Giants." Anderson’s forthcoming documentaries explore HIV, aging, and Black queer life in the South.
FAJR Global (Houston)
Founded in 2022 by surgeons Dr. Khaled Saleh and Dr. Mosab Nasser, FAJR delivers surgical care and emergency relief in crisis zones like Gaza and refugee communities. In 2023, they completed Palestine’s largest orthopedic mission, performing hundreds of surgeries in five days. The group also provides long-term medical, psychosocial, and educational support.
Pastor Dianne Garcia & Nuevos Vecinos (San Antonio)
Pastor Garcia planted Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio in 2023 and launched Nuevos Vecinos in 2024 to support immigrant families from crisis to stability. Her work emphasizes Christian hospitality, humility, and empowerment for oppressed communities.
Ruben Garcia & Annunciation House (El Paso)
Executive Director Ruben Garcia has led this Catholic nonprofit since the late 1970s, assisting over 500,000 migrants with shelter, food, and legal aid at the U.S.-Mexico border. The organization advocates for humane immigration policies.
Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) (Houston)
TENT, Texas’ largest trans-led policy group, empowers trans Texans through education and advocacy. Founded a decade ago, it now serves diverse communities statewide, creating inclusive spaces and pushing for thriving futures.
Romero Awards Legacy
Since 1986, the Rothko Chapel has awarded 24 activists advancing human rights under risk. Named for Archbishop Óscar Romero—assassinated in 1980 for opposing violence against El Salvador’s poor and canonized in 2018—the prize includes a cash stipend to amplify recipients’ work.
The 2026 Nomination Committee included Chapel Program Committee members: Abdullah Antepli, Omar El-Halwagi, Holly Hudley, Kelly Johnson, Rev. Laura Mayo, Troy Porter, Kate Rothko Prizel, Aziz Shaibani, and Nicola Springer.
