On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15, will be recognized as a 2025 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine.
Founder and Executive Director of ScholarCHIPS Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15, will be recognized as a 2025 Washingtonian of the Year during a lunch and awards presentation in the Ballroom of The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Arrington Brooks will join eight other regional recipients who were nominated for their impact, first by the public, before being selected by the Washingtonian. Her profile will also be featured in the January issue of the magazine.
This recognition is just one of many received by Arrington Brooks this year. This December, she was named one of L’Oréal Paris’ Women of Worth during the initiative’s 20th year. With a focus on the L’Oréal Paris tagline, “Because You’re Worth It,” the honor awards 10 nonprofit leaders with $25,000 to support their causes, mentorship from the L’Oréal Paris network, as well as a national platform to share their impact. In attendance at the Dec. 2 event at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ Dolby Family Terrace in Los Angeles were actor Sophia Bush, who interviewed Arrington Brooks on the 20th anniversary red carpet, model and “Project Runway” host Heidi Klum who met with her, and actor Andie McDowell who introduced her and Sloane Davidson at the event.
Earlier this year, Arrington Brooks was named one of Elon University’s Top 10 Under 10 recipients during Alumni Awards Weekend on May 3, recognizing her founding and continued work with the nonprofit, ScholarCHIPS. ScholarCHIPS provides college scholarships, mentoring, mental health support, and a network to children of incarcerated parents, inspiring them to complete their college education. The initiative has gained traction through the Elon Alumni Chapter in Washington, D.C., and several national broadcasts including CNN Heroes and the Drew Barrymore Show.