Eight local charities benefit from 26th Annual African American Achievers Awards
Local community and business leaders honored, Stranahan High School senior presented with scholarship to Florida State University
By Lauren Fyke
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL —The 26th annual African-American Achievers awards ceremony gifted a total of $40,000 to eight charitable organizations while honoring five remarkable individuals for their contributions to the South Florida community. Nearly 1,000 guests attended the event, sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus.
“When Jim Moran created this program 26 years ago, there weren’t opportunities to show appreciation for the unsung heroes, particularly in the African American community, who were doing incredible things and becoming role models for future generations,” said Colin Brown, chairman and CEO of JM Family. “Saying ‘thank you’ was so important to him and continues to be the driving force behind this annual event, which is one of our favorite JM Family traditions.”
In recognition of this year’s honorees and their efforts to improve the quality of life in our community, JM Family contributed $10,000 in each Achiever’s name to the South Florida charity(ies) of their choice. This year’s contributions bring the total donation made to more than $600,000 on behalf of 156 individual African American Achievers.
The 2018 African American Achievers are:
Arts & Culture:
Cornelia ‘Corky‘ Dozier – Supporting The Miami Foundation
Business & Entrepreneurism:
Traci Lynn – Supporting American Cancer Society
Community Service
Germaine Smith-Baugh, Ed.D. – Supporting Urban League of Broward County, First Church of the Open Bible and SISTUHS
Education
Jacquelyn Haywood – Supporting Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter, Women In Distress and the Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
“The African American Achievers Awards is an amazing and inspiring event – to learn about the accomplishments of the honorees each year – and how they serve as role models and to enrich our communities. Women In Distress is especially proud to be among the organizations selected by Jacquelyn Haywood to receive support from JM Family Enterprises this year. It is a privilege to be part of this program that recognizes outstanding leaders and achievers,” said Mary Riedel, president and CEO, Women In Distress.
In addition, Stranahan High School’s Adrian V. Francis was the recipient of the 2018 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award, which includes a four-year, needs-based scholarship to Florida State University. The Youth Achiever award named in memory of 1995 African American Achiever Jerome Edmund Gray, Esq., recognizes a South Florida high school senior who qualifies for financial aid and has applied and received admission to FSU.
