MIAMI – The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee hosted its annual “Community Pillars” awards and scholarship presentation on June 4 at the Miami Marriott’s Bay Hotel. More than 150 people attended this year’s in-person annual ceremony. You can view pictures and videos of the ceremony on the Facebook page of the @BlackAffairsAB and @AdvocacyMDC.

This year’s Community Pillars are:

• Ms. Sarah Amofah - President of the United Ghanaians Association of South Florida
• Dr. Lumana Joseph - President & CEO of Lumana Physical Therapy & Wellness Center
• Dr. Joann Jeffrey McCants (posthumously)
• Dr. John McAdory - Family Physician-South Miami Dade
• Dr. Stephanie Russell - Pastor & Community Activists Miami Gardens
• Dr. Graylyn Swilley-Woods - Executive Director Overtown Children & Youth Coalition
• Mr. William Berry - Able Business Services

This year’s Corporate Pillar Award is being presented to Mr. Jason Jenkins, Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President, Communications and Community Affairs.

The Black Heritage Planning Committee also awarded scholarships to seven Young Pillars:

• Camrin Thompson - Florida A&M University
• Kevin Cooper - Florida Memorial University
• Rochelle M. Michel - Miami Dade College
• Esosa Izevbigie - Florida International University
• Jibril Ali Rashid - University of Central Florida 
• Yasmin Watson - Clark Atlanta University
• Lorenzo Nelson - Florida A&M University

Additionally, the Greater Miami’s Convention & Visitor Bureau’s Black Hospitality Initiative (BHI), and the BAAB recognized three students as part of our annual collaboration. The BHI scholarships went to the following students: Bryant Church, Hotel/Lodging Management (Florida International University); Zaire Golden, Culinary Arts (Miami Dade College); and Alden Cross, Restaurant Management (Miami-Dade College). The Black Hospitality Initiative is a not-for-profit organization working to encourage equitable economic and increased workforce participation of African Americans and Blacks of African Descent in the Greater Miami Visitor Industry

“These honorees have been selected for their support of programs or businesses which positively impact the African American community and have a deep commitment to public service. Most of them have toiled tirelessly without fanfare for years in their chosen community path,” said Edgar Wright, Black Heritage Planning Committee Chairman.

From L-R: BAAB Program Director Retha Boone Fye, Ingrid Stuart, Santay Thompson, Leonard Stuart, Miami Dolphins Communications and Community Affairs VP Jason Jenkins, Thomas Raynard James, Office of Community Advocacy Executive Director Laura Morilla, Communications and Media Director Griselle Marino, AAAB Program Director Joshua Ho, Sabrina Hurst, and Marketing Coordinator DeAundre Slater

For more information, please contact Black Affairs Advisory Board Director Retha Boone-Fye at [email protected], or Communications and Media Director Griselle Marino at [email protected] and 305-375-1585.