ONYX Magazine presents the 12th Annual ONYX Awards

ONYX Magazine presents the 12th Annual ONYX Awards

Celebrating African-American philanthropy and paying tribute to the victims of the Pulse massacre

From Maria Barnes

ORLANDO, FL – The ONYX Awards, recently announced the 2016 honorees for the 12th annual tribute to distinguished African-Americans and those of the African Diaspora. Headlining this year’s celebration is media icon Tom Joyner, whose philanthropy and syndicated broadcasts including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, continue to influence opinion worldwide. Joyner, is credited with raising millions of dollars in scholarships while reminding the nation of the relevance and importance of maintaining America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Florida is home to four such institutions, Florida A& M University, Bethune Cookman University, Florida Memorial College and Edward Waters College.

The Oynx Award will also pay special tribute to the victims of the Pulse Massacre and the memory of Orlando’s youth activist Gino Nicolas.

The Onyx Awards will be held at Orlando’s beautiful Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, on Saturday, June 25, at 7 p.m. Among the other honorees are a host of diverse individuals also impacting our world.

Maurice Starr, renowned producer, and songwriter for the Back Street Boys, New Kids on the Block and New Edition.

Special Guest Host comedian Shawn Banks from BET and Laugh Out Loud brings his larger than life personality to the show. Shawn is a comedian who can connect with and energize an audience the moment he sets foot on the stage.

Live performances include American Idol’s energetic young artist, Tyanna Jones, and the show is topped-off with musical Superstar, Angela Winbush. Angela got her start singing at an early age at Temple Church of Christ; the church was founded by her grandparents in St. Louis, Missouri.

She rose to stardom with a string of musical hits, and continues to dazzle adiences world-wide.

“I am very excited about this year’s awards program. ONYX continues to embrace those who are influencing our world.  We want to celebrate the contributions of these extraordinary African Americans because they shape the future,” said Richard Black, ONYX Publisher.

*Publisher’s Award— Terry Prather, First African-American Theme Park Pres-ident, President of SeaWorld;

*Humanitarian Award– Attorney Mark NeJame, Creator of Runway to Hope, Florida’s largest charity organization supporting cancer research for children; *Performing Arts— Maurice Starr, Producer of Back Street Boys, New Kids on the Block, and New Edition;

*Communications— Gayle Andrews, Broke the color barrier in broadcast journalism, media relations and lobbying and heading the state’s oldest corporate and political media consulting firm;                   *Community Service Award—  The Alachua County Branch of the NAACP;

*Diversity & Inclusion— The University of Central Florida, America’s Second Largest University; *Spot Light— Ribault Girls Basketball Team, Florida’s State Champions and Dick’s Sporting Goods National Champions, first team to hold both titles simultaneously – “ONYX Orlando Magic Mentoring Youth Summit, Mentoring inner-city minority males of Orlando- “Gino Nicolas Mentoring Award.”

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida,- First and only African-American owned Coca-Cola bottler –

*ONYX Awards in Business

The ONYX Awards is proud to be supported by partners and event sponsors: Bright House Network, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando Health, Florida Lottery, A1 Audio Visual LLC, IDT Integrated DNA Technologies, NCF Diagnostics & DNA Tech-nologies, City of Orlando (The City Beautiful), Access Florida Finance Corporation.

For more information contact Maria Barnes (407) 451-2891 or visit Onyx Awards.com