The Pulse Awards, a new national awards platform created by the African American Marketing Association (AAMA), officially opens submissions for its inaugural award show, celebrating the marketers, creatives, and campaigns driving culture forward through bold and influential work.
From breakthrough brand storytelling to community-centered campaigns, to in-person or digital experiences, the Pulse Awards is designed to recognize campaigns at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and impact.
The competition has 15 categories:
• Best B2C Campaign
• Best B2B Campaign
• Best Financial Services Campaign
• Best Non-Profit / Cause Campaign
• Best Campaign — Small Business
• Best Campaign — Enterprise
• Creative Excellence — Branding
• Creative Excellence — Content
• Digital Experience Award
• Brand Experience & Strategy Award
• Strategic Excellence Award
• Agency of the Year
• Brand of the Year
• HBCU of the Year
• People's Choice: Creator of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award
The Pulse Awards submissions are open to agencies, in-house marketing teams, startups, media companies, nonprofits, financial institutions, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies that worked on campaigns that were published between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Submissions are now open until June 28, 2026.
“The Pulse Awards is an extension of our mission as we remain committed to celebrating Black marketers and creatives in the industry,” Michelle Ngome, founder and President of the African American Marketing Association. “Our community has consistently remained at the forefront of trends, innovation, and influence, all while keeping its finger on the pulse and serving as the heartbeat of culture.”
The Pulse Awards serve as the signature finale to the fifth annual Marketing For The Culture Summit, an experience that brings together marketers, creatives, founders, and executives discussing strategy, tech, and the future of marketing. Winners and finalists will be honored during the Pulse Awards on Friday, August 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Key Dates:
• Regular Entry Deadline: June 14, 2026
• Late Entry Deadline: June 28, 2026
• Finalist Announced: July 21, 2026
• Pulse Awards Ceremony: Friday, August 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas
For categories, submission details, and sponsorship opportunities, visit ThePulseAwards.org
About AAMA
The African American Marketing Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2019 to educate, empower, and elevate marketers, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Learn more at aa-ma.org
For press inquiries, contact Michelle Ngome at michelle@aa-ma.org