Derwin Webb, '97, wins ACC UNITE Award

Derwin Webb, ’97, has been announced as a University of Louisville recipient with Angel McCoughtry of the 2024 ACC UNITE Award, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced Oct. 16.

The ACC UNITE Award was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice. An initiative of the ACC's Committee for Racial and Social Justice (CORE – Champions of Racial Equity), the award was developed and approved by the ACC's members institutions.

 The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:

• Best exemplify ACC UNITE's mission to promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy. 

• Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes. 

• Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community. 

Each school in the conference selects two recipients based on the above criteria and determines how best to celebrate their respective selections at campus events throughout the academic year.  

"We are incredibly honored to recognize the fourth annual UNITE Award recipients and are thrilled to celebrate these deserving individuals," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "These amazing representatives from our 18-member schools have made significant impacts throughout their careers and continue to be dedicated to making a positive impact in the crucial areas of racial and social justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion."  

Webb earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UofL in 1992 and was on the men's basketball team, 1989-93. He saw three NCAA tournaments—1990, 1992 and 1993—under Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Denny Crum, and two regular-season conference championships in 1990 and 1993. Webb served as a team captain his senior year, playing in 113 games over his career as a Cardinal. 

Webb is currently deputy chief and Circuit Court Judge of Division 10 in Jefferson Family Court for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He was the first African American male Family Court Judge in the history of the state.   

This marks the third honor received by Webb in 2024 alone. Earlier this year, he was awarded the 2024 Eagle Award, presented by the Louisville Metro Council to one of 10 local judges for their success and contributions to the Kentucky Judicial System; and he was honored by Louisville Alumni with the 2024 Diversity Leadership Award.