DEERFIELD BEACH – JM Family Enterprises, Inc. President and CEO Colin Brown announced the 2010 African-American Achievers.
The four distinguished individuals, chosen from more than 114 nominees, will be honored for their contributions to South Florida at the 2010 African-American Achievers awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 14, at 6:15 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center.
This year’s Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever will also be announced and presented that evening by The Jim Moran Foundation.
The 2010 adult African-American Achievers and their respective categories are:
Perry Stokes – Arts and Culture
Leroy Jones – Business and Entrepreneurism
William “DC” Clark – Community Service
Dr. Emma Banks – Education
The 2010 honorees were selected by an independent panel of community leaders from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties that also includes former honorees. The selection committee reviewed nominations submitted after an extensive public outreach campaign.
Automotive legend Jim Moran, founder of JM Family and subsidiaries Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus, established the program in 1992 to recognize community leaders who give back and inspire others in the process.
“This year’s honorees unselfishly invest their time and talents to help make our community a better place to live,” Brown said. “We continue to honor Jim Moran’s legacy by paying tribute to these Achievers and their tireless commitment to strengthen South Florida.”
To further recognize the Achievers, JM Family, Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus annually donate $20,000 to local nonprofits – $5,000 in each adult Achiever’s name to the charity(ies) of his or her choice.
Look for the 2010 Achievers and their inspiring stories in public service announcements by our long-time media partners WPLG-TV Local 10, WEDR-FM 99 JAMZ and WHQT-FM HOT 105, and in print advertisements throughout South Florida.
The Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever will also be presented by The Jim Moran Foundation, Inc. (http://www.jimmoranfoundation.org/) at the ceremony. Each year The Foundation, in partnership with Florida State University (FSU), selects a high school senior who qualifies for financial aid and has applied and received admission to FSU for the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever award. Named in memory of 1995 African-American Achiever Jerome Edmund Gray, Esq., the award is a needs-based, four-year scholarship to FSU with funding provided through the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at FSU.
From left to right, the 2010 African-American Achievers: Leroy Jones, Business and Entrepreneurism; William “DC” Clark, Community Service; Dr. Emma Banks, Education; and Perry Stokes, Arts and Culture. The Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 14 at the Broward County Convention Center.
About the 2010 Honorees:
Arts & Culture: Perry Stokes
Perry Stokes believes there is a light shining in every student, and he intends to ignite it. As a teacher at Carver Middle School, he fosters creative thinking in his “Stokes Stars” that love, respect, hope and discipline can propel them toward a successful future. As a well-known performer and vocal instructor, Perry celebrates his African-American culture through playwriting. He wrote, directed and produced a soulful version of “The Wizard of Oz” for Delray Beach’s ROOTS Cultural Festival, as well as several children’s plays. Perry lives by a simple saying, “Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a beautiful gift to be enjoyed.”
Business & Entrepreneurism: Leroy Jones
When Leroy Jones founded the Neighbors and Neighbors Association, Inc. (NANA) 15 years ago, his vision was a more prosperous and economically sound African-American community. Today, NANA has helped small businesses qualify for more than $16 million in grants, financial assistance and low-interest loans. The generosity of NANA extends beyond financial support as well, helping to provide free office space for young businesses. Leroy also developed the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program. It provides financial and technical assistance to help start-up businesses receive the boost they need for success while fostering beneficial working relationships with Miami-Dade County government officials.
Community Service: William “DC” Clark
William “DC” Clark realizes charity begins at home, and he credits his benevolence to mentors like his mother, father and many other dedicated, like-minded members of the community. Clark shares that passion with others in both his professional and personal service. He is a firefighter and paramedic for the Miami Dade Fire & Rescue and co-founder of I.A.M. Miami, a literary and political organization that elevates the presence of the African-American community by celebrating its history, heritage and culture. Clark currently serves as president of the Miami Central High School Alumni Association, an organization that awards 50 laptops annually to college-bound seniors in financial need.
Education: Emma Banks, Ph.D.
As the founder and principal of Inlet Grove Community Charter High School, Dr. Emma Banks carries out her personal mission every day– to provide youth with the opportunity to achieve a high school education and continue their pursuit of higher learning. Dr. Banks works tirelessly to give at-risk students the tools they need to be successful in classroom and in all areas of their lives, and takes particular pride in helping those who have had less opportunities. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2009, Dr. Banks was named Outstanding Educational Leader of the year by the American Red Cross. An accomplished author, publisher and TV producer, she created Palm Beach County’s first African-American magazine, Vision, and produced the “Future Generation Teen Talk Show,” which aired for five years.
RSVP – The community is encouraged to attend the awards ceremony. To RSVP, log on to www.africanamericanachievers.com or call 866-516-2497.
