2015 Annual Pillars Awards Ceremony June 20
(MIAMI, FL) – The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee will host its annual “Community Pillars” awards and scholarship presentation on Saturday, June 20 at the Miami Shores Country Club, 10000 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami Shores. The recognition and scholarships will be given during a brunch/reception which begins at 11:45 a.m., along with a silent auction to support fundraising efforts for selected Young Pillars. Tickets are $45 per person.
This year’s Community Pillars are:
Wayman Bannerman – Chief of Staff for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis Moss
Brandon Bartley – Community Advocate
Teddy Harrell – American Performing Arts Community Theatre
Keith Harrell – TV’s “The Casting Couch”
Bea Hines –The Miami Herald
Shannon Ighodaro – Community Service
Eric Knowles – Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
Wayne Rawlins – Walking One Stop
These honorees were selected for their support of programs or businesses which positively impact the community and for their deep commitment to public service. Most often, these honorees have toiled tirelessly without fanfare for years in their chosen passion.
The Black Heritage Planning Committee is also awarding scholarships to several “Young Pillars” – students who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution and were involved in various civic activities throughout high school. The Young Pillar Scholarship recipients and their chosen academic institutions are Kendia Ellison (Florida A&M University), Jasmine Hodge (Miami Dade College), Terry Jefferson (Florida A&M University), Larry Pye, Jr. (Florida A&M University), Taressa Straughter (University of Miami), Reginald Turner, Jr. (University of West Florida), and Aleah Wright (Kent State University).
“We are proud to recognize our ‘Community Pillars’ as well as our ‘Young Pillars’ as a part of our effort to highlight those who work usually behind the scenes,” said Edgar Wright, chair of the BAAB’s Heritage Planning Committee. “Most of our ‘Young Pillars’ have usually overcome hardships in their young lives, but still found time to serve their community. They have either been accepted or are already attending institutions of higher learning and can benefit greatly from this assistance. Since its inception eight years ago, several of our earlier recipients have graduated to become responsible citizens and are on their way to becoming future community leaders.”
Miami City Commissioner Keon Hardemon is among the notable prior recipients of the award.
About the Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB)
The Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB) is under the Office of the Chair and was created to serve in an advisory capacity to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. Each BAAB member was selected by and represents a Commissioner from each district and serves at the will of that commissioner. The BAAB exists to advocate for the social, economic, political and educational needs of the diverse Black World Community in Miami-Dade County, while advancing the quality of life for these residents in a dedicated and responsive manner.