Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Onyx Magazine to Host the “Second Annual Onyx Awards Benefit Gala”

(PRWEB) March 16, 2004

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Onyx Magazine to Host the “Second Annual Onyx Awards Benefit Gala”

Orlando – Onyx Awards announces the 2nd Annual Onyx Awards Gala, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding African-Americans through out the state of Florida. Our event will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, Florida on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

The Onyx Award, sponsored by Onyx Magazine, will present each year to African-American individuals in 12 different categories, awards for their accomplishments, and community involvement in their chosen career path. The nominees have assumed a leadership role in his/her professional role, and/or education, health, community services, (we know that success is the result of preparation, planning, and performance) to improve and expand African-Americans in a positive way through out our great state of Florida, and our 13th category the Diversity Awards which goes to corporations that have developed and achieved diversity with-in their company.

Guests can expect a wide range of superb entertainment provided by talented local artists–Matt Shenk, Robert Harris, and Hype; visiting artists, Teddy Washington - Jacksonville and Unyson - Gainesville; and also celebrity guest, Marina Harrison (Miss Maryland 2004.) In keeping with her platform, “Public Education,” Miss Harrison’s itinerary includes a visit to Jones High School.

Ms. Jo Jo Dancer, radio personality from 94.5 in Orlando and Marc Little of Marc Little Public Relations in Jacksonville will serve as Mistress and Master of Ceremony.

This year, forty-nine nominees in 12 categories will be honored for their achievement. From this number, one from each of 10 categories will emerge as winner of the Onyx Award. In addition, the originators of this event have included a 13th category, the Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity Award. This award is given to corporations that have achieved a higher level of Diversity in there business and in community outreach.

What is Diversity? Diversity is as a concept focuses on a broader set of qualities than race and gender. In the context of the workplace, valuing diversity means creating a workplace that respects and includes differences, recognizing the unique contributions that individuals with many types of differences can make, and creating a work environment that maximizes the potential of all employees. Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to: age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, work experience, and job classification.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is the signature sponsor for this annual event. Other sponsors include Harris Rosen Hotels and Resorts, PSAV Presentation Services, Progress Energy and SHANDS of Jacksonville.

This year’s nominees are as follows:

Spiritual Leadership

Rev. Alvin White, Orlando

Rev. Earl Mason, Sr., Temple Terrace

Rev. Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Tallahassee

Rev. Rudolph McKissick, Sr., Jacksonville

Healthy Living

Elizabeth Means, Jacksonville

Dr. James Brookins, Tampa

Dr. Phillip St. Louis, Orlando

Jasmine Shirley, Ft. Lauderdale

Education

Dr. Patrick C. Coogins, Deland

James Wilson, Orlando

Dr. Barbara Ann Darby, Jacksonville

Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Daytona Beach

Communication

Marsha & Rudy Reese, Orlando

Dr. Charles Cherry, Daytona Beach

Rachel Reeves, Miami

Rachel Bishop-Cook, Gainesville

Community Service

Rev. Nelson Pinder, Orlando

Jacobi Pittman, Jacksonville,

Dr. Robert Brown, Jacksonville

Chole Coney, Tampa

Business

Carlton Jones, Jacksonville

Cecil Allen, Eatonville

Sterling Blake, Kissimmee

Oscar Horton, Tampa

Political Involvement

Rufus Brooks, Orlando

Adora Obie Nweze, Miami Shores

Carrie P. Meek, Miami

Frank Washington, Ocala

Performing Arts

Rhodesia Butler, Jacksonville

Canara Price, Orlando

Maurice Jackson, Tampa

Patricia Whatley, Sanford/Jacksonville

Music/Entertainment

Jacqueline Jones, Orlando

Rev. Arthur Jones, Tampa

Deborah McDuffie, Jacksonville

Eddie Robinson, Ft. Lauderdale

Sports

Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Daunte Culpepper, Ocala/ Minnesota Vikings

Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars

Alvin Wyatt, Coach BCC, Daytona Beach

Humanitarianism

Mrs. Mildred Wilkerson, Orlando

Marvin Zanders, Apopka

Robert J. Samuels, Tampa

Sylvia Poiter, Deerfield

Lifetime Achievement

Rev. Thomas A. Wright, Gainesville

Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity Award

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Jacksonville

Brighthouse Networks, Central Florida

Turner Construction, Orlando

United Parcel Service, Central Florida

All proceeds from the Onyx Awards will go directly to LBS Foundation to benefit the Foundation’s health and education initiatives. The Foundation’s primary focus is Sickle Cell Disease and the recently appointed Onyx Literacy Programs, which will be implemented through existing programs in various Florida locations.

In these times of unprecedented economic growth there is an urgent need among the African-American communities to expand our traditional humanitarian efforts in supporting the above charities. LBS Foundation is therefore, assuming a leadership role in promoting educational improvement for our children through our Literacy Program and promoting good health through giving to the Sickle Cell Foundation. We are calling on the strength of our Black humanitarians in all walks of life to have a practical obligation and the strength to pledge and to give.

Information regarding reservations for the Awards may be obtained by calling (407) 443-6237 or (407) 579-9894. Reservations may also be made by logging on to http://www.onyxmagazine.com.

“Our inaugural event last year was beyond my wildest dreams. This year, my husband and I are expecting an even bigger blessing. We created the LBS Foundation so that we could reach out and do more for the community, not only in Orlando, but also in other parts of the state. With the help of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Presentation Services, Progress Energy, Rosen Hotels and Resorts, and all the warm and loving people who serve on the Onyx Awards Committee, we are well on our way to another successful year,” says Lillian Seays, co-owner of Onyx Magazine.

This year’s Onyx Awards’ guests will get more entertainment for their $75 for individual or $1,000 per table (other sponsorship packages can be obtained by logging on to http://www.onyxmagazine.com and clicking on the Onyx Awards Logo). The general reception will give you opportunities to network, have photo opportunity with Miss Maryland, the nominees and other VIPs, art exhibit, a wonderful meal, fantastic entertainment and suspense.

For hotel accommodations, please call the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive at 407-996-9840 or the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive at 407-996-9700.

The Onyx Awards was created to give thanks to our Floridians that have work hard in their professional chosen fields of work. The LBS Foundation was created to assist in the fight of Sickle Cell Disease and Onyx Literacy Programs. As with the staff of the Onyx Awards all our staff with these two projects are volunteers from all walks of life dedicating their time to both causes to make a difference.

Note to the press:

Accommodations will be made for the press. Please present your credentials upon arrival.

SOURCE Onyx Magazine

Web Site: http://www.onyxmagazine.com

Contact:

Carolyn Bybel: cbybel@jcbcon.net – P.R.- (407) 599-4204                                

Lester Seays: (407) 579-9894 or (407) 443-6237

lseays@onyxmagazine.com

http://www.onyxmagazine.com