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2020 Ascension Awards

The Ascension Awards Program is designed to recognize the best in Black business.
The program honors businesses, business leaders, and individuals who have ascended to the highest
level of excellence in their chosen profession within Palm Beach County.

Congratulations to our 2020

Ascension Awards Winners

Emerging Black Business of the Year

BDS Catering & Productions

Boris Seymore, Owner

Nonprofit/Public Sector Organization  of the Year

Office of Diversity in Business Practices

School District of Palm Beach County

Young Professional of the Year

Courtney McKenzie Newel

Crowned Marketing & Communications

Community Advocate of the Year

Laurel Dalton

T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society

Corporation of the Year

Trustbridge Hospice

Chairman’s Award

Bruce Lewis

Ascension Awards

CATEGORY

  • Nonprofit/Public Sector

    Presented to a nonprofit, or public organization, that does an outstanding job of utilizing available resources to advocate, educate, provide resources, and otherwise help grow and support Black-own businesses and Black communities in PBC.

  • Emerging Black Business

    (5 years or less of business operations)
    Emerging Black Business of the Year Award (5 years or less of business operations) Presented to a business that exemplifies excellence in business operations, growth, and community involvement within Palm Beach County. The business may not be a franchised business. The business must have less than five years of operation.

  • Distinguished Black Business

    (over 5 years of business operations)
    Presented to a business that exemplified excellence in business operations, growth, and community involvement and has made a significant impact on the community and economic development base in Palm Beach County. The nominee may be a franchised business. The nominee must have more than 5 years of business operation.

  • Young Professional

    (under 40 years)
    YP – Presented to a businessperson under the age of 40 who has demonstrated leadership and professionalism in their field of work and has contributed to the success of the organization. The nominee should have a high level of integrity and values, show exceptional dedication to their profession, and have a zeal for enhancing the lives of others. The nominee need not be the business owner.

  • Social Justice Advocate

    Presented to an individual who actively works to promote fairness and equity across many aspects within the Black and minority communities of Palm Beach County. This individual actively works to empower these communities through one or more of the four principles of social justice:
    • Equity – advocating for policies that address systemic barriers
    • Access – advocating for unobstructed access to resources
    • Participation – advocating for opportunities for citizens to participate in policymaking that affects their well-being
    • Rights – advocating for basic human rights that grant freedom of speech, voting rights, or criminal justice protections

  • Dicky Sykes Luminary Award

  • President’s Award

2018 Ascension Award Winners

Corporation of the Year

Comcast

Community Advocate of the Year

Dan Calloway
Community Leader

Young Professional of the Year

Aquannette Thomas
Seacoast Bank

Nonprofit of the Year

GBDC Entrepreneurship Institute
Annette Gray, Founder

Distinguished Black Business of the Year

Cityside Suites
Darren Studstill, Director of Operations

Chairman’s Award

Tiffany Faublas

Chairman’s Award

Leddyon Weathersbee

Chairman’s Award

Allana Stroop

2017 Ascension Award Winners

Emerging Black Business of the Year

Andre Gourmet Sauce Company
Andre Lewis, Founder

Distinguished Black Business of the Year

D. Stephenson Construction
Joseph Sanches, President

Nonprofit of the Year

The Glades Initiative
Karis Engle, President / CEO

Young Professional of the Year

Dr. Adam Ramsey
Iconic Eye Care

Corporation of the Year

Florida Power & Light

Chairman’s Award

S. Bruce McDonald

2016 Ascension Award Winners

Small Business of the Year

Trindy Gourmet Café’
Trinnette Morrison, Owner

Large Business of the Year

Chandler Campbelle & Daschle, LLC
Darrell Searcy, Founder/President

Nonprofit of the Year

Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County & Treasure Coast
Shalonda Warren, Chief Executive Officer

Business Legend

DeNeal Cunningham
Dee’s Florist & Design

Zenith

Wayne Barton, Founder
The Wayne Barton Study Center

Chairman’s Award

West Palm Beach PD Crisis Hostage Negotiation Unit

2015 Ascension Award Winners

Small Business of the Year

Jackson’s Daycare Center
Mary Jackson, Owner

Nonprofit of the Year

National Coalition of 100 Black Women
West Palm Beach Chapter

Business Legend

Michael D. Brown, Esq.
Brown & Associates, P.A.

Zenith

Anthony Brown
Brown & Phillips, Inc.

Chairman’s Award

Verdenia Baker

2013 Ascension Award Winners

Small Business of the Year

Law Office of Bryan Boysaw & Associates, P.A.
Bryan Boysaw, Managing Partner

Large Business of the Year

Best Protective Services
Robert Best, Founder

Nonprofit of the Year

Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee
Edith C. Bush, Executive Director

Emerging Leader

James Taylor
Taylored Athletes, Inc.

Zenith

Derrick Berry
Buccaneer Mortgage-The Good Pirates

2011 Ascension Award Winners

Executive of the Year

Dr. Dennis Gallon
Palm Beach State College

Small Business of the Year

State Farm Insurance, Lake Park
Juan Williams, Agent

Large Business of the Year

Shuler’s Memorial Chapel
Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler, CEO

Nonprofit of the Year

Hospice of Palm Beach County
David Fielding, CEO

Business Legend

F. Malcolm Cunningham
Cunningham Law Firm

Zenith

Tarra Pressey
Tarra Enterprises, Inc.

2010 Ascension Award Winners

Executive of the Year

John Howard
PBC Black Business Investment Corp.

Small Business of the Year

Emerge Consulting
Tammy Thomas-Anthony, President

Nonprofit of the Year

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum Daisy Fulton, Executive Director
(Executive Director at time of award)

Zenith

Bevins Bennett
Bentron Photography

2009 Ascension Award Winners

Executive of the Year

Tony Newbold
KCK Consulting Group (FPL at time of award)

Small Business of the Year

Richard Ryles Law Firm

Large Business of the Year

McDonald’s Restaurant
Ricky Wade, Franchisee

Nonprofit of the Year

Paragon Foundation of Palm Beach County
Pam Morrison, President

Executive of the Year

Catherine Lowe, MD
Ophthalmology

Zenith

John Elliott
All Phase, Inc.