Awards and Recognitions

Founder – Dr. Tristaca McCray & NERDS RULE INC. Awards and Recognitions

2025 Liz Shear Governance Fellowship Award (USD)

Dr. Tristaca McCray was awarded the January 2025 Liz Shear Governance Fellowship Award (USD) in honor of Liz Shear, who passed in 2024, recognizing her legacy of leadership, advocacy, and governance excellence.

2025 Black Business Leaders of Influence Honoree

The San Diego Business Journal and Central San Diego Black Business Chamber of Commerce, Congratulations on being one of Febuary's 2025 Black Business Leaders of Influence Honorees.

In October 2024, Dr. Tristaca McCray received the Gesomino Giallo International Kindness Award in Palermo, Italy, honoring her dedication to promoting kindness and community empowerment.

2024 Gesomino Giallo International Kindness Award

2024

27 October: Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Member of Congress, 28th District for NERDS RULE INC
27 October: Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Member of Congress, 28th District for Dr. Tristaca McCray
26 October: Certificate of Recognition from California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber.
26 October: Certificate of Mayoral Recognition presented by Mayor Todd Gloria for NERDS RULE INC., City of San Diego.
22 October: American CEO of the Year Nomination at the 7th Edition of The Burj CEO Awards, Istanbul, Türkiye.
20 October: 2024 Gesomino Giallo International Kindness Award, Palermo, Italy.
19 September: Leadership Award Finalist by ABC 10 News and SD LEAD San Diego.
11 September: Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Award Finalist by the San Diego Business Journal (NERDS RULE INC.).
14 May: YPAL (Young Professionals Association of Louisville) Community Impact Award Nomination.
03 May: ABC 10 News and SD LEAD San Diego Leadership Award Recipient for NERDS RULE INC.'s STEM Program.
06 February: CFO of the Year Finalist by the San Diego Business Journal.

2023

13 November: Kindness Champion Award from the World Kindness Movement.
28 October: Exemplary Women Leadership Award from Humanitarian Awards Global (HAG).
09 September: Inclusive Leadership in Action (ILIA) Award Nominee (Tristaca McCray and NERDS RULE INC.), RISE San Diego.
22 July: South Africa Olympus International HERA Award.
16 July: Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
29 June: Britain’s Multicultural Business & Community Champion Award Nomination: Community Unsung Hero.
07 June: Consultative Status with ECOSOC United Nations for NERDS RULE INC.
01 June: Globant Women That Build Rising Star Nomination.

2022

27 February: Founded A BRAVE SPACE Community Outreach Center.
26 February: Empowering Black Families Community Award from the Therapeutic Play Foundation/Black Mental Health Task Force.
31 December: California Mentoring Partnership "Golden Bear Mentoring Award."

2021

16 June: Featured in Forbes Business List Next 1000.
05 September: Best Nonprofit Award by Best of Black SD Magazine.
15 April: LONI Sisterhood Global Award.
26 March: 100 Successful Women in Business Award.

2020

30 September: Advisory Board Member with Rain on Me Organization, United Kingdom.
10 August: Featured in Gap Warriors spotlighting women leaders in nonprofit.
17 April: Launched NERDS RULE INC. Academy for Social Justice and Empowerment.

2019 and Earlier Highlights

10 June 2019: Certificate of Incorporation in Virginia for NERDS RULE INC.
14 March 2017: Proclaimed NERDS RULE INC. Day in San Diego, CA.
16 July 2016: Tristaca McCray Day proclaimed in San Diego, CA for her work in suicide prevention.
14 June 2016: White House Global "Change Maker" Award by First Lady Michelle Obama and President Obama.
18 October 2012: California Senate Certificate of Recognition as Urban Leader Under 40 by the Urban League of San Diego County.