Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, LBS Publication & Rosen Hotels to Host The Third Onyx Black Tie Awards Banquet
Onyx Awards announces the 3rd Annual Onyx Awards Black Tie Banquet, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding African-Americans through out the state of Florida. All profits from our Awards Banquet go to Sickle Cell Disease and Onyx Education Initiatives Programs for children throughout the state of Florida. This year's Gala, will be on March 19, 2005, Saturday at 7:00 p.m., at the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819, (407) 996-9840, Toll Free (800) 800-9840.
(PRWEB) March 13, 2005 -- The Onyx Award is presented by LBS Publications a
non-profit foundation, a 501c(3) pending, dba Onyx Magazine was conceived in a
means of giving back to the community. We 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 profession (we know that
success is the result of preparation, planning, and performance) that is willing
to help improve and expand African-Americans in a positive way through out our
great state of Florida. Our 13th category the Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity
Awards which goes to corporations that have developed and achieved diversity
with-in their company and in community outreach services. (What is Diversity?
Diversity is as a concept focuses on a broader set of qualities than race and
gender).
Guests can expect a wide range of superb entertainment provided
by talented celebrity guest, Kai Alyece, Dr. Otto Gomez & Guests Trumpeter,
Capoeira De Brazil (Capoeira/Maculele Dancers), Harvey Williams and Pianist
& Saxophonist Bill Hall & Company.
Ms. Jo Jo Dancer and Jeronimo
Black, radio personality from 94.5 in Orlando will serve as Mistress and Master
of Ceremony.
Our Signature Sponsors are: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Florida, SHANDS of Jacksonville and BCBS; Supporting Sponsors are: Harris Rosen
Hotels & Resorts, Star 94.5 Radio and PSAV Presentation Services, Florida;
Gold Sponsors are: Tupperware Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Bill Heard
Chevrolet; Other Sponsors are: Central Florida Educators; City of Orlando; Keys
News & Gift Shop; Mercedes of Orlando; Ever After Formal Wear, Inc., Central
Florida, 9484 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837; Creative Financial
Group; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Florida Hospital; Friends of Corrine Brown; JCB
Construction; K&G Men’s Clothing Store; Lee Bryan; Net Communications; New
Covenant Baptist Church; Northwest Behavioral Center; OUC; Rosen College of
Hospitality; Sickle Cell Association; South Florida Water Management; SunTrust
Bank; Tri County Sickle Cell Association; WESH-TV; BCN Associates, Inc; and Ad2,
New York, NY.
This year’s nominees are as follows:
Business: George
W. Tinsley, Sr., Auburndale; Julia Johnson, Clermont; Brady Keys, Jr., Orlando;
and Jim McKinley, Ft. Lauderdale. Healthy Living: Hebni Nutrition Consultants,
Inc., Orlando; and Northwest Behavioral Health Service, Jacksonville. Education:
Royce Walden, Orlando; Albert Smith, PhD, Miami and Maude Storr, Ft. Lauderdale.
Communication: Rachel Reeves, Miami; Annetta Wilson, Orlando; Doc Wynter,
Jacksonville; Isiah J. Williams, III and Marilyn J. Wilkerson Williams,
Jacksonville. Community Service: Robert Lewis Brown, Sr., MD, Jacksonville;
Jackie Perkins, Orlando, Joel Buchanan, Gainesville; and Councilman Jonathan
Wilson, Panama City. Political Involvement: Alzo Reddick, PhD, Orlando, Betty
Holzendorf, Andrew DeGraffenreidt, Ft. Lauderdale. Performing Arts: Julie
Coleman, Orlando; Sharon Coons, Jacksonville. Music/Entertainment: Rebecca
Steele, PhD, Holly Hill, Gayle Murphy. Sports: LeRoy Selmon, Temple Terrace;
Otis Smith, Orlando, and Al Denson, Jacksonville. Humanitarianism: Mr. &
Mrs. John Bryan, Orlando; Joe Lee Smith, Curtis Dean, Orlando. Lifetime
Achievement: T. H. Poole, Sr., Eustis. Spiritual Leadership: Rev. Willie C.
Barnes, Eatonville. Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity Award: Darden Restaurants,
Orlando; South Florida Water Management district, West Palm Beach; Tupperware
Corporation, Orlando and Jacksonville Transportation Authority,
Jacksonville.
All Profit for the March 19, 2005 Awards Dinner and
Ceremony for the Onyx Awards, Will Be Contributed to Sickle Cell Disease and
Onyx Education Initiatives, which will be implemented through existing programs
in various Florida locations. Why Sickle Cell Disease? First describe in 1910,
there was no cure but due to someone caring, research has made a positive turn
with a recent breakthrough that is still under study (a cure is underway). In
the United States, about 1,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease each
year and in this country, it affects approximately 72,000 people. The disease
occurs in approximately 1 in every 500 African-American births and 1 in every
900 Hispanic American births. Approximately 2 million Americans, or 1 in 12
African Americans, and 1 in 16 Hispanic carry the sickle cell trait. Why
Education? We chose education because without it, our entire system crumbles.
Onyx Literacy Program partners with existing programs to help raise the level of
academic performance among underprivileged students.
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 community service and good health through giving to the Sickle
Cell Foundation. We are calling on the strength of all 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. You can also make reservations my
logging on to www.onyxmagazine.com.
This year’s Onyx Awards’ guests
will get more entertainment for their $75 for individual setting or $1,000 to
$5,000 per table sponsorship. More information on the sponsorship packages can
be obtained by logging on to www.onyxmagazine.com. The general reception will give you
opportunities to network and to have free photo opportunities.
For hotel
accommodations, please call The Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive,
Orlando, Florida 32819, (407) 996-9840; Toll Free (800) 800-9840.
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 is volunteers
from all walks of life dedicating their time to both causes to make a
difference.
Source: Onyx Magazine Web Site: http://www.onyxmagazine.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb217816.htm