2022 Ascension Awards

The Ascension Awards Program celebrates excellence in Black business by recognizing outstanding businesses,
visionary leaders, and individuals who have achieved the pinnacle of success in their chosen professions within Palm Beach County.

Congratulations to our 2022

Ascension Awards Winners

Emerging Black Business of the Year

Blue Mountain Coffee House

Allison Boettcher, Founder

Distinguished Black Business of the Year

Camille’s Flowers & Gifts

Nonprofit / Public Sector Organization

Zeta Phil Beta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Epsilon Chapter

Young Professional of the Year

Dr. Shanteria Dixon

St. Mary’s Medical Center

Social Justice Advocate of the Year

Soulan Johnson

Urban League of Palm Beach County

Corporation of the Year

Thais Sullivan

Valley Bank

Chairman’s Award

Keely Gideon-Taylor

2022 Ascension Awards

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Ascension Awards

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

2020 Ascension Award 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

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