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ASCENSION AWARDS

NOMINATION FORM 2025

Nomination Period August 30 – September 30, 2024

Nomination Period August 30 – September 30, 2024 The Ascension Awards are presented annually to recognize Black businesses, business leaders and individuals who have ascended to greatness in their area of expertise. The business must be located in Palm Beach County, while the business leader or individual must also work in local business. The recipient’s efforts must show a demonstrated impact within the Black business community of Palm Beach County.

Nominees may not self-nominate

Nominees may not be nominated if they have won an Ascension Award within the past five years (2020-2024)

Nominees need only be nominated once. Multiple nominations by more than one nominator DOES NOT influence the selection process

Members of the Black Chamber Board of Directors, Young Professionals Board of Directors or Resource Development Committee or Ascension Awards Committee are not eligible to be nominated

Preference will be given to Black Chamber Members in good standing

Nomination Deadline; September 30, 2024
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Award Categories & Description

Nonprofit/Public Organization of the Year

Nonprofit/Public Organization of the Year

presented to a nonprofit or public organization that does an outstanding job of utilizing its available resources to advocate, educate, provide resources, and otherwise help grow and support Black-owned businesses and/or the Black community in Palm Beach County.
Emerging Black Business of the Year

Emerging Black Business of the Year

presented to a business that exemplifies excellence in business operations, growth, and community involvement within Palm Beach County. The nominee may not be a franchised business. The nominee must have less than five years of business operation.
Distinguished Black Business of the Year

Distinguished Black Business of the Year

presented to a business that exemplifies 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 five or more years of business operation.
Young Business Professional of the Year

Young Business Professional of the Year

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 life of others. The nominee need not be the business owner.
Corporation of the Year

Corporation of the Year

presented to a business that demonstrates outstanding economic support of Black businesses. The corporation substantially contributes to the economic vitality, and overall advancement, of Black business through job creation and expansion of opportunities.
Dicky Sykes Social Justice Advocate Award

Dicky Sykes Social Justice Advocate Award

presented to an individual who works to ensure fairness and equality as the core principle in business practices, The individual’s work empowers and inspires businesses to increase opportunities for minority communities by embracing one, or more, of the four principles of social justice:
  1. Equity – advocating for policies that address systemic barriers 
  2. Access – advocating for unobstructed access to resources
  3. Participation – advocating for opportunities for citizens   to participate in policy making that affects their well-being 
  4. Rights – advocating for basic human rights that grant freedom of speech, voting rights or criminal justice protections