2026Annual Awards
Banquet

Anthony Afriyie

Democrats of the Year

Anthony Afriyie is a public servant from Stratford, Connecticut, committed to advancing civic engagement, economic inclusion, and equitable development. He currently serves as Community Liaison at the Connecticut Port Authority, where he leads stakeholder engagement efforts across Connecticut’s maritime economy, working to elevate local voices in infrastructure investment and transportation planning.

A first-generation Ghanaian-American, Anthony’s pathway into public service began with AmeriCorps NCCC, where he served during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to disaster response, food insecurity, and community development projects across multiple states. This experience deepened his resolve to bridge the gap between underserved communities and government institutions.

Anthony has since held roles in federal and local government, including serving as Press Secretary and Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Outreach Coordinator for Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) and as a Town Councilor in Stratford, where he championed issues around youth opportunity, workforce development, and equitable public investment.

Jill D’Angelo-Powers

Democrats of the Year

Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe

Terry Backer Environmental Champion Award

Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe is the Director of Bird Conservation for Connecticut for the National Audubon Society, Inc. In this position she oversees Audubon’s coastal stewardship and resilience efforts.

Corrie leads the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, which assists the CT Dept. Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division with the management of the Piping Plover and other beach-nesting birds. She also created the WildLife Guards programs which educates, mentors, and employs Bridgeport, West Haven, and Stratford high school students as coastal bird stewards.

In 2022, Corrie oversaw a salt marsh restoration project at the Great Meadows Marsh (a unit of the Stewart B. McKinney NWR, located in Stratford) and is currently working with partners on a project at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Corrie has been with Audubon for 15 years, and over that time has contributed to numerous conservation successes.