2026 Black Achievers Awards to honor five community leaders and a standout student
Darius V. Daughtry of Art Prevails Project for Arts & Culture; Kirk Brown of Handy Inc. for Community Service; Dr. Tameka Bradley of the African American Research Library & Cultural Center for Education. Gordon Eric Knowles of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce for Business & Entrepreneurship; and Samuel Touze as the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever.
South Florida will gather Tuesday, October 13, for the 2026 Black Achievers Awards, an annual celebration recognizing outstanding contributions to the region’s Black community.
The 2026 honorees are Darius V. Daughtry of Art Prevails Project for Arts & Culture; Gordon Eric Knowles of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce for Business & Entrepreneurship; Kirk Brown of Handy Inc. for Community Service; and Dr. Tameka Bradley of the African American Research Library & Cultural Center for Education.
The evening will also honor Samuel Touze as the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. Presented in partnership with Florida State University, the award recognizes an exceptional South Florida high school senior who has excelled academically. The recipient receives a four-year, need-based scholarship to FSU.
Established in 1992 as the African American Achievers Awards, the program was the vision of automotive legend and JM Family founder Jim Moran. More than 200 individuals have been recognized since the program’s inception, and more than $800,000 has been donated to nonprofit organizations on behalf of honorees.
Join the Celebration
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
5:30–6:30 p.m. — Welcome reception
6:15 p.m. — Theater doors open
6:30–8 p.m. — Program
The Parker
707 Northeast 8th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Register Now https://events.blackachieversawards.com/event/96bba1a4-5089-4504-ab28-b47ceb205081/register?i=JH8w_1beqEe5-0LWtcQUXA8locale=en-US
The Black Achievers Awards continues its tradition of celebrating achievement, leadership and service while investing in the next generation of South Florida leaders.