The Upstate Mediation Center is proud to announce Ms. Ame Sanders as the recipient of UMC’s 2026 Peacemaker Award, recognizing her outstanding commitment to building understanding, fostering belonging, and strengthening the Upstate community.
The award will be presented during the 2026 Peacemaker Celebration on Tuesday, October 20, at AVENUE in downtown Greenville. The annual event celebrates individuals whose leadership and service promote peace, understanding, and stronger communities.
Ms. Sanders is the founder of The Inclusive Community and host of the State of Inclusion podcast, where she brings together community leaders and changemakers to explore topics related to equity, inclusion, and community. Through thoughtful conversations, she encourages understanding and equips others to create positive change.
She has also dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to organizations including My Neighbor’s Voice and Village Engage. Among her many contributions, Ms. Sanders led the creation of the seven-part podcast series New Roots, New Voices: Listening to Our Immigrant Neighbors, providing immigrant and refugee families in Greenville the opportunity to share their own stories and experiences. She also serves the community through volunteer leadership with organizations and initiatives that promote dialogue, strengthen relationships, and create a more welcoming Upstate.
“Ame’s work reflects the heart of peacemaking,” said Jennifer Olmert, Executive Director of Upstate Mediation Center. “She creates spaces where people feel heard, valued, and connected. Through her leadership and care for others, she helps build bridges across differences and strengthens our community in lasting ways.”
Ms. Sanders will join past Peacemaker Award recipients on the commemorative plaque at UMC’s Peacemaker Bench in Cleveland Park, commissioned by UMC in 2019 and created by Greenville artisan blacksmith Ryan Calloway.