MALE_1: The following program is a West Tennessee PBS special presentation made possible through the generous financial support of viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org and make a donation today so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible.

Thank you.

Peter Noll: Hello, it's Peter Noll, West Tennessee PBS General Manager and CEO.

Welcome to the Carl Perkins Civic Center from Downtown Jackson.

West Tennessee PBS is very excited to be here for a night that is filled with excitement, awards, and there is a buzz in the air here tonight.

Here to tell us what is going on is Don McCorry, the Executive Director of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber.

Don, what's going on?

Don McCorry: Good evening, Peter.

Thank you so much for being here this evening.

What we are doing here tonight is a showcase and celebration of minority businesses in West Tennessee.

This is our 23rd anniversary for this event and we are going to have an evening filled with entertaining music, food, and dancing.

So we are really excited to have you here this evening.

Peter Noll: It's very exciting and this is the first time it's being brought to television across West Tennessee, Channel 11 WLJT, is very excited to be here, to bring this to everyone that couldn't be here tonight for themselves.

So without further ado, on with the show.

Kelsea Merriweather: O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight.

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave.

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of Liberty; let our rejoicing rise high as the list'ning skies.

Let it resound loud as rolling sea.

Let us sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun.

Let us match on till victory.

We got to match on till victory.

We got to match on till victory.

Victory is won.

Sharon Mays Nelson: Let's give her another round of applause.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 23rd Annual Jewel Awards.

It's a great pleasure for me to introduce our emcees for tonight.

Dedicated to being a public servant, Darryl Samuels, Sr., has a 48-year career in public safety.

He retired from the Jackson Fire Department in 2002.

He then was rehired in 2008 as a consultant for the fire department and central dispatch.

In 2018, he was asked by then Mayor Jerry Gist to serve as Interim Fire Chief.

On November the second, 2019, the current Mayor, Scott Conger, convinced him to continue his service and remove interim from his title.

He served as Fire Chief for the City of Jackson until March of 2023.

He currently serves as a consultant for the Jackson Central Dispatch.

He holds certifications in Public Safety Communications Officer and Instructor, and memberships in the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Tennessee Association of Fire Chiefs, and the West Tennessee Association of Fire Chiefs.

He is the past Board Chair of the Madison County Emergency Communications District, and served in the capacity of Assistant to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office.

Now, for this audience and a few insider things you may not know, born in Chicago and reared in Jackson, Tennessee.

He played professional basketball in Thailand and Boston while in the Air Force.

He worked in physical therapy at the former regional Hospital of Jackson, and has been employed with Mercer Brothers Funeral Home for the past 20 years.

His wife, Darlette Carver Samuels, has close to 30 years of experience in higher education leadership.

She has the pleasure of serving as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief of Staff at Lane College.

Prior to her service at Lane, she enjoyed a five year stint as a reporter with The Jackson Sun Newspaper.

Her work as crime reporter, earned her recognition as an award-winning journalist by the Gannett Company, which publishes the USA Today and The Jackson Sun.

Darlette is actively engaged in the community where she is currently serving on the Jackson Sympathy Board, Community Foundation of West Tennessee Board, Greater Jackson Chamber Board, and Jackson Arts Council, where she serves as president of the Board of Directors.

In 2017, she received a Sterling Award and was named one of West Tennessee's 20 Most Influential Women.

She has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated for 36 years.

Now, just for this audience, a few insider things you may not know.

She was born and reared in Gary, Indiana and likes to travel so much, she almost made a career as a flight attendant.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the emcees for tonight, Chief Samuels and Chief Samuels, Darryl and Darlette.

Darryl Samuels: Thank you, Sharon.

You said it just like I asked you to.

I'll pay you later.

Good evening, Chief Samuels.

Darlette Samuels: Good evening, Chief Samuels.

Good evening to everyone here.

We are just delighted to serve as the emcees.

We just welcome you to the 23rd Annual Jewel Awards Banquet.

Thank you, Sharon, for that beautiful introduction.

Sharon is an interpreter for the West Tennessee School for the Deaf, and she has been in that capacity for 36 years.

So Sharon, we love you.

So before we get started, we got to do one thing.

While Darryl and I were headed here to the Civic Center, our two daughters called.

One is in Austin, Texas and the other one is in Birmingham, Alabama, and they could not be here tonight.

They were too excited that we were going to serve as your emcees tonight.

They said, well, you got to take a photo.

I thought, okay, so I need your help.

We're going to take a group photo.

Now, I know Don and Clarissa are looking at me like, oh, they are off script.

But that's fine.

We're going to take a group photo.

So Darryl, I need your phone and we're going to take this, you all can continue to get your food.

Why is it so small?

Darryl Samuels: Why your phone so big?

Darlette Samuels: Let me get.

Darryl Samuels: This is a brand new iPhone SE from 2016.

Darlette Samuels: Now, we have what, the 13 Pro and 15?

This phone, it has no numbers.

It's just SE.

Give me my phone.

Darryl Samuels: Well, let me turn it off before my battery go down.

Darlette Samuels: We're going to take this group photo real quick.

I need you all to actively participate in this group photo.

I need you to smile.

We're going to get in this photo.

Latrell, are just smiling?

Okay.

Here we go.

Wait, perfect.

Thank you all.

Now, I can show them that we were here and you all were smiling and laughing at us.

Now, we can get started.

Tonight's event showcases minority owned businesses in Jackson and West Tennessee, and celebrates them for their founding dreams, for their perseverance, and for their commitment to serving our community.

This event is the brainchild of the founding members of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber for Commerce.

Darryl Samuels: When this organization was founded nearly 25 years ago, no one recognized minority businesses in this area for their tenacity and for their service.

This vision has recognized and celebrated nearly 100 businesses in this area.

The Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce is proud to continue to be a formidable beacon of light, of recognition for these businesses, including tonight's honorees.

To extend our welcome to you for tonight's event, I am pleased to introduce you to you, the President of the Chambers Board of Directors, Ms. Clarissa Halton-Williams.

Which will be followed by remarks from the Madison County Commissioner, Ms. Juanita Jones, on behalf of Madison County Mayor AJ Massey.

Clarissa Halton-Williams: Good evening.

Again, it's our pleasure to welcome you all to the 23rd Annual Jewel Awards.

As they stated, my name is Clarissa Williams and I am the President of the African American Chamber.

To start off, let's discuss what does the word Jewel mean?

Jewel is an acronym that was created by our founders.

That means joining entrepreneurs with enterprising leadership.

Tonight, that is what we're going to do, celebrate those Black business owners that demonstrate that enterprising leadership every single day.

Our Black business owners are in our community, they represent our community very well because of the excellence, resilience, commitment, and dedication that they give to every one of their clients and their customers here, not only here in Jackson, Tennessee, but all over West Tennessee and Tennessee in general.

Did you guys know, I want to give you guys a little fact, there's 20 percent of Black Americans that start a business each and every year.

Out of that 20 percent, only four percent of those businesses survive the start up stage of a business.

That's interesting, isn't it?

So I am proud to say, it's wonderful that we have so many Black businesses here in this area and we can celebrate with them.

The reason that sometimes a business fold is because of funding, resources, branding, marketing, and not having enough sufficient business plans or some sort of market in place that they need to follow.

We, at the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, that is why we're here.

We are here to support you all.

It is our mission to continue to support you by providing any resources that you need, any workshops, certifications in order to promote your economic, development and growth.

We stand with you and beside you, just like an actual gemstone or jewel, our Black businesses are valuable and precious to our community because they create not only community but heritage and history.

Tonight, I want to give a special thanks to all of your businesses and particularly those members and Black businesses that assisted us with getting all of this together.

I'd like to thank, first of all, Stephanie Wilbourn of SexesByStephanie Custom Brand.

Not only did she outfit your wonderful president, but she's also responsible for all of the decorations here at your tables.

We want to thank Tim Mosby and Chelsea Jones of Mosby's Restaurant because they provided your food.

Very good food, I must add.

Juanita Jones have created hands and event planning for helping with all the other items to decorate your room, and Latasha Walker because as I said, your President looks amazing tonight.

She is responsible for hair as well as makeup for me.

We support our Black businesses and we show that by utilizing our business owners.

Thank you so much.

Enjoy your evening.

Tony Black: No, I'm not Commissioner Juanita Jones, she's not here this evening, but on behalf of the Madison County Board of Commissioners, as well as the County Mayor and also on behalf of the City of Jackson, which I mean board with, I want to say welcome and give you greetings from both of those bodies.

The Jackson Madison County African American Chamber is vital to this community and it needs all of our support.

We're very appreciative of what they do and we're very appreciative of your support.

We encourage you to continue to stick with us and help us fulfill our mission.

For this time, I'd like to acknowledge or recognize any elected officials that are here, would you please stand?

Any elected officials that are present, please stand.

School board member, how are you doing?

Let's support our school board.

We've got some serious issues in the community related to our school system.

We have a great superintendent who's doing a wonderful job, but there are forces that are working to see that public education is not successful.

Let us continue to support them.

Again, on behalf of the county and the city, we welcome you to this grand occasion and have a blessed evening.

Don McCorry: Events like these are possible because of people like you.

I want to take a moment and acknowledge all of our table sponsors for this evening.

We thank you for your ongoing and encouraging support.

We could not do this without you.

6K Energy, Tony J. Alexander, Howard Bond, State Farm Agent, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cadence Bank, Client Comprehensive Services, CWA Development, Delta Faucet, Destiny Church, Eagles Nest Family Services, Forever Communications, Golden Circle Insurance Agency, Golden Years Adult Day Care, The Great 28, Jackson Energy Authority, Jackson Housing Authority, Jackson Recreation and Parks, Jonah Affordable Housing, Lane College, Leaders Credit Union, Macedonia Baptist Church, Mission Convalescent Home, Jackson Chapter of the NAACP, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Tennessee, and West Tennessee Health Care.

Let's give them all a round of applause.

Take a quick shout out to a couple of people, Camille Shavon from WOJG Radio in beautiful downtown, Bolivar.

I hope she's here.

Maybe she was not able to make it this evening.

Thank you to Peter Noll and to Darrell Conner with West Tennessee PBS, we are honored to have them with us this evening and broadcast this event.

Anice Bradley, our new partner, a persevere.

We're excited to know about all the wonderful things that we are going to do together for our community.

To The Great 28, my amazing new friends, their leadership, Jackson, I'm so happy to have you here.

To Lori, Marty, Paula, and Renee, thank you for coming tonight.

I'm excited to share this night with you.

Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow advocates of progress, what defines a visionary?

It's more than just seeing what's ahead, it's about possessing the foresight and imagination that eludes most.

It requires not just skill, but also heart, dedication, commitment, and an unwavering belief in one stream.

Over 25 years ago, a group of local community leaders and business owners shared a common frustration, the absence of a local institution providing essential services to nurture their budding enterprises.

They reached out to existing organization, only to discover that the resources they sought were conspicuously absent, especially in West Tennessee, outside the confines of Shelby County.

Undeterred by this challenge, these leaders didn't just see a problem, they envisioned a solution.

They formulated a mission, that to this day, stands as a testament to their profound impact in our community.

Their determination and ingenuity have given rise to an organization that continues to contribute and uplift and empower those it serves.

In December of last year, two of these remarkable founding visionaries made the decision to step back, allowing a new generation of leaders to carry forward their life's work.

Tonight, it is my distinct honor to extend an invitation to Ms. Katie Brantley and to Mr. Clarence Boone to join me on stage.

Their contributions have been nothing short of transformative, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Please join me in celebrating these extraordinary individuals and the indelible mark that they have left in our community.

For a lifetime of service to our community and to the City of Jackson, we thank you and honor you this evening.

Katie Brantley: Rock away from me.

But I'm delighted to be here.

First, I thank God for all that he has done for me.

Eighty-eight years now, and I'm still marching on.

I want you to remember me, as I say this, I'm going to dance all the way up to heaven.

I love it, I enjoy it, and I love people.

I just love you from the bottom of my heart.

I did try to serve to do my best that I could do.

Love you and you take care.

We're all going to make it up there where we're headed.

Thank you.

Beautiful.

Don McCorry: Mr. Clarence Boone, it is my pleasure and my pride to be able to present this to you tonight for service beyond measure and a lifetime of achievements.

Clarence Boone: Thank you, African American Chamber.

Twenty-five years ago, I could come up those steps by myself and come across that stage.

I told my grandson tonight, get behind me now.

Don't let me go up behind, push me on upstairs.

I was walking a lot faster 25 years ago.

A lot faster.

But because God had been good to me, and most of all, this community has been good to me.

I wanted to give back whatever I could give, and this happens to be what we envisioned 25 years ago.

Thank you for coming, thank you for supporting us.

May somebody carry it on 25 more years.

I don't know who's going to do it, but I'll be looking down on you.

Good night to you all.

Have a great night.

Darryl Samuels: Thank you, Board President, Ms. Clarissa Halton-Williams and Commissioner Tony Black.

On the 20th anniversary of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, in 2019, a supporting chamber member, and now a member of the board, Ayisha Fryer, recommended celebrating up and coming businesses as we look to our future.

Ms. Fryer proposed recognizing up to three outstanding representatives of the business community for their current contributions, in our hope and expectations for their future.

These gems of the future have contributed to the community through effective leadership and guidance.

Darlette Samuels: To present the awards for tonight's Gems of the Future for 2024 will be Ms. Tierra Thaxton and Dr. Ladonna Braswell.

Come on.

Followed by Dr. Keith Harrison Taylor, who will represent the Historical Pioneer recipients.

Will you please again welcome Ms. Tierra Thaxton and Dr. Ladonna Braswell.

Dr. Ladonna Braswell: We are honored to stand before you on this evening to celebrate three wonderful African American ladies.

The first one that we will be celebrating on this evening will be Ms.

Crystal Brown.

Crystal Brown is a multifaceted artist.

She explores her professional passion through painting commissions, murals, portrait art, and plan acoustic instruments.

Crystal's Zen and Juice is a vegan juice bar, an art lounge located at the South end of Royal Street here in Jackson, Tennessee.

You can enjoy cold pressed juices, teas, and other plant-based foods as well as a created unique art in the art lounge.

Please join me on this evening in welcoming Ms.

Crystal Brown to the stage.

Crystal Brown: Hello, everyone.

Thank you to God.

Thank you to all of you who are here honoring us.

Thank you to Ms. Fryer for recommending us for this award.

It is my highest honor thus far for the work that I do, and I am truly grateful.

I'm just a conduit.

I was called to do a work for God and I'm showing here doing it.

It's not me alone.

The work that I do is because of my family, their gifts that I've inherited from them because of my ancestors and because of your prayers.

Someone out there prayed for a business like the one I run and so thank you again.

Dr. Ladonna Braswell: The next gem that we will be celebrating on this evening will be Ms. Lucy Renee Anderson.

Lucy Renee Anderson is a licensed practitioner nurse and a professional photographer.

She was born in Chattanooga.

She started her nursing career as a candy striper in the nursing home.

You all, I knew I was going to do that and I practice not to do that and I did it anyway.

She started using photography to make extra money on the side.

She is the owner of Lasting Impressions by Lucy.

Ms. Fisher is full of energy with a creative approach to photography.

She is passionate about finding out about the latest tech in the industry and the best digital techniques for retouching and finessing those final images.

Again, please join me in welcoming Ms. Lucy Fisher to the stage.

Lucy Renee Anderson Fisher: Good evening, everyone.

I didn't know I was a stripper.

That's a new one to add to my list.

But all jokes aside, I'm thankful to be here on tonight, first, given on to God.

I thank God for just this opportunity.

I'm thankful for being recognized.

I'm thankful for being seen.

I'm thankful for this being my passion in photography.

I hope that I can make an example to follow your dreams, to not give up on what you believe in.

I'm thankful to my husband, Troy Fisher, who is a great part of Lasting Impressions by Lucy.

We've only been married a year but I'm telling you, when you have support behind you, he's my support.

I'm thankful for my sister and my niece, and them being here supporting me.

My nephew, my church family, I mean, they have really pushed me through the word to follow your dreams, to go for what you know.

Don't give up.

Don't look on anyone else.

Don't worry about what the next person is doing.

You worry about yourself as far as achieving what you want because when you start watching other people or thinking, well, I'm not like them or I want to be like them.

Be like you.

Be who God has made you to be.

I'm just thankful and I appreciate everyone.

Tierra Thaxton: Good evening.

Cyntressia "CeeCee" Spears, a West Tennessee native is a devoted wife and mother of two.

She is a financial counselor with the Financial Empowerment Center.

In 2020, Cyntressia became an entrepreneur and embarked on a new business venture, the cosmetic brand Velvet Ant Beauty.

Velvet Ant Beauty was birthed out of Cyntressia's passion to show women of color their beauty in different shades of red lipstick.

Cyntressia believes that there is a boldness hidden inside of every woman that is waiting to be discovered.

Let's celebrate Cyntressia "CeeCee" Spears tonight.

Come on, put your hands together and let's welcome her.

Cyntressia Spears: Good evening, everyone.

I would like to start off by saying thank you to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my husband and my children.

Thank you to the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, the Soul Collective, and the CO, and all of my family and friends that have supported me this far and to all my future supporters.

I have many inspirations for the creation of Velvet Ant Beauty.

One of them being my love for red lipstick and being told not to wear it.

When I was coming up as a child, I can remember hearing that red lipstick was for a certain type of woman, and that it didn't look good on women of color.

That never set right with me.

So when I reached a certain age, I became rebellious of that idea and I thought others should too.

I would often talk to a good friend of mine about how black women have those beautiful full lips and were afraid to show them and others wanted to emulate it and they wanted to pay good money for it but God gave them to us for free.

Velvet Ant Beauty transitioned from an idea into fruition during the pandemic.

It seemed as if the world around us was crumbling and I needed something positive to pour my intentions into.

The uncertainty during those times encouraged me to always present my best version daily.

God kept me, and I promised Him that if He kept allowing me to see another day, I would show up and show out for Him because many were called home during that time.

Fortunately, I have been blessed with friends and family that encouraged me to start my own beauty line with red lipstick leading the way.

I want women to feel the same way that I do when I wear it: confident, bold, and unapologetically me.

With that being said, I'm here to encourage you and remind you to show up and give the world the best version of yourself, as I've been reminded lately that ministry isn't always from the pool pit that it can even be from a tube of lipstick.

Thank you and you all have a great evening.

Dr. Keith Taylor: Good evening, everyone.

My name is Dr. Keith Taylor.

I'm an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon here in town, an overeducated dentist.

It's my distinct honor to be able to discuss some historical pioneers in the field of dentistry for our City of Jackson, some that I know and some that I didn't know.

The first recipient tonight is Dr. William R. Bell.

Dr. Bell was a graduate of Morehouse College and Meharry Medical College.

Dr. Bell went on to practice dentistry in Jackson from 1940-1967.

As a president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Dr. Bell was also on the board of trustees for Bahrain Baptist Church, the former president of the Penn Tennessee Dental Society, a past Parliamentarian of the National Dental Association, a past president of Theta Iota Chapter Omega Psi Phi, a member of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Jackson Community Relations Council.

That is Dr. William R. Bell, one of our pioneers.

Accepting his award tonight will be one of the administrators.

The next recipient is Dr. Ernest L. Carter, Sr. Dr. Carter was in 1939 graduate of Merry High School.

In 1943, he graduated from Lane College with a degree in science.

He attended Meharry Medical College and earned a degree in dentistry in 1946.

He also completed his postgraduate work in public health at the University of North Carolina.

Dr. Carter later returned to Meharry Medical College to serve on faculty, retiring as an Assistant Professor of Operative Dentistry in 1988.

Dr. Carter was a former captain in the United States Army Dental Corps as well during the Korean Conflict.

He was a member of St. Paul's CME Church serving as a steward and president of the senior choir.

He was also District Chairman of the West Tennessee Division of the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Shelby County Dental Society, the Penn Tennessee Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the Tennessee Public Health Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Please help me give a round of applause to Dr. Ernest Carter, Sr.

The next recipient is Dr. William E.A.

McKissack, Jr., and I do remember Dr. McKissack.

Dr. McKissack started his formal education earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Tennessee State University, his master's degree in public health from the University of Michigan, and his doctorate of dental surgery degree from Meharry Medical College.

In 1947, Dr. McKissack was led to complete his internship for the State of Tennessee which had begun opening outlets in black public schools for dental health, examinations of the black students.

Dr. McKissack became the first black dentist to hold the position of dental health officer at the Chattanooga Health Department.

In 1959, Dr. McKissack started his practice in Jackson and a second office in Chicago, Illinois, which closed in 1996.

He was a member of St. Paul's CME Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in the local chapter of the NAACP.

He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge Number 72, Royal Mason's Lane Chapter Number 6, and Shriners Zarah Temple Number 151.

Please help me give a round of applause to Dr. William E.A.

McKissack, Jr.

I think his grandson is here tonight to accept on his behalf.

The plaque reads Historical Pioneer Award presented to Dr. William E.A.

McKissack, Jr., in honor and recognition of your contributions to the Art, Culture, and Community, February 17th, 2024.

Your grandfather was a great man.

Our next recipient is Dr. Donald Nelson, another one of my favorites.

Dr. Donald Nelson was born October 31st, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois and was the son of the late Lilian Walker Coleman Bell, and Mr. Bryce Nelson.

Dr. Nelson was a graduate of Merry High School and Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.

He graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in Bloomington, Indiana in 1974.

Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Nelson began his dentistry career in Richmond, Virginia.

He returned to Jackson in 1974 and went in to private practice where he remained in practice until 2013.

He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged.

Dr. Nelson was a member of the Tennessee Dental Association and the National Dental Association.

Dr. Nelson was described as a sports fanatic.

He loved the Indiana Hoosiers, San Francisco Giants, and the Green Bay Packers, and that's what we disagreed on the Green Bay Packers, I'm a 49er fan.

Dr. Nelson is the father of three children, Tracy Nelson, Angela Nelson Parks, and Roger Nelson.

At the time of his death, he was married to Regetta Quince Nelson, of whom he shared a special bond with his little fellow and best friend, Max.

Please help me give a round of applause to Dr. Donald Nelson, the great pioneer in dentistry.

This reads, Historical Pioneer Award presented to Dr. Donald Nelson in honor and recognition of your contributions to the arts, culture, and community of Jackson, February 17th, 2024.

Dr. Melvin Wright, Sr. What can I say?

Originally from Tempton County.

Dr. Melvin Wright graduated from Fraser Covington High School in 1954, growing up on a farm, he originally wanted to be a farmer like his father.

He enrolled at Tennessee State University to study agriculture.

However, at the suggestion of one of his professors, he changed to biochemistry.

He graduated from TSU in 1958.

Knowing he wanted to become a dental assistant, he joined the military and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

He was encouraged to go to dental school and applied to both Temple University and Meharry Medical College.

He received his letter of acceptance from Meharry Medical College in 1961, graduating in 1965.

He came to Jackson and went into private practice at 212 Tanyard Street for nine years, before moving to the former Kyle Maker Fraternity house located at 340 North Hayes Street, where he practiced for 40 years.

Dr. Wright also has worked for Helping Hands of West Tennessee and Dub Dental before retiring in 2020.

He has been honored for his work including Man of the Year by the Exchange Club in 2018.

This list of accomplishments includes Mason of the Year, Lane College Meritorious Award, Tennessee Dental Association Distinguished Fellowship Award, State of Tennessee Distinguished Service Award, and service award for his Alma mater Tennessee State.

Please let's give a round of applause.

This is great dental pioneer Dr. Melvin Wright.

Where are you, Dr. Wright, just wave your hand.

I would like to personally thank all these dental giants for paving the way for me because without these great men, there would not have been a Keith Taylor.

I'm a little boy from Indianapolis, Indiana, Inner city that was expected not to become anything, inner city kid and I'm standing on the backs of these giants.

I now serve as the Chief of Staff of West Tennessee Healthcare Hospital.

I'm there and I also serve as the Vice President of the Lane College Board of Trustees here in town.

I could not have done this without these gentlemen.

Dr. Wright and Dr. Nelson always gave me encouragement.

They fussed dead me when I need to be fussed dead, even when I didn't want to hear it.

But Dr. Wright, I listened, and I heard it.

Thank you all for everything you've done.

God bless you.

Darryl Samuels: You look stunning.

Who dressed you?

Darlette Samuels: Thank you, Chief Samuels.

Well, I'm thankful for Lauren and Jenna, and my best friend Jenna and Jackson.

Yes, they outfit me tonight, and look at you, you looking very dapper.

Who dressed you tonight?

Darryl Samuels: My best friend, Darlette.

Darlette Samuels: Our awards are presented in four categories.

The first category is the Ruby Award, which celebrates entrepreneurs who have been in business for 1-5 years.

The second award is the Diamond Award for 6-10 years in business.

The Emerald Award for 11-20 years in business, and the Jewel Award for more than 20 years in business.

We ask the following persons to please make their way to the stage while Darryl is pushing me out to the side.

Darryl Samuels: To present tonight's Ruby Award recipient, please welcome the 2023 Ruby Award recipient.

Terry Spearman, owner of Above and Beyond Flowers and More.

Terry Spearman: Good evening.

The nominees in the Ruby Award category for businesses with less than five years of service to the community are; CWA Development, LLC, Mr. Charles Adams, Picture Perfect Event Venue, Ms. Debra Witherspoon-Jones and Sunshine Medical Urgent Center Plus, Dr. Allyson Anyanwu.

The Ruby goes to, no drum roll?

Sunshine Medical Urgent Center Plus, Dr. Allyson Anyanwu.

Dr. Allyson Anyanwu: Thank you so much for this award.

It is my pleasure dream to serve the community, and I've always dreamed of having an urgent care center from 20 years back.

Bought the building some 10 years ago, and just hesitated, but did not allow it to go beyond.

Now I'm living in serving, and it is so beautiful to just change the lives of the community.

I go beyond and beyond.

That's what the patient says, "You're going beyond the beyond," and just because we make the difference.

We experience the difference because I'm changing lives and I want people to help change the lives of others with the blood pressures, with the colonoscopies, prevention, and I want you guys to do the same, and I appreciate all your business.

If you need anything, I'm there at 504 North Highland for now, for later.

Thank you so much for all your support.

I thank God and all of you, thank my husband and my family, and everyone who helped make me as great as I am as I make everyone else their greatest.

Thanks.

Darlette Samuels: Congratulations to you, Dr. Allyson Anyanwu.

To present tonight's Diamond Award recipient, please welcome Ramona Lyons, owner of DCL-7 Properties.

Ms. Lyons was the Diamond Award recipient in 2022.

MALE_2: The nominees in the Diamond Award category for businesses with 6-10 years of service to the community are Ramona Lyons: Doxicom Global, Mr. Sidney Wilson, JKNS and Company, Mr. Cliff Martin.

MALE_2: Ms. Jackson, JKSN, Ramona Lyons: And Company, Mr. Cliff Martin.

MALE_2: And the Diamond Award goes to, Doxicom Global, Mr. Sydney Wilson.

Mr. Wilson could not be with us tonight.

Accepting this award on his behalf is our Board President, Ms. Clarissa Williams.

Darryl Samuels: To present tonight's Emerald Award recipient, please welcome Lakesha Smith, owner of Comfortably Clean, and recent new member to the Board of Directors.

Ms. Smith was the Ruby Award recipient in 2022.

Lakesha Smith: Good evening.

The single nominee in the Emerald Award category for businesses with 11-20 years of service to the community, and the recipient of the 2024 Emerald Award goes to the Beauty Cage, Ms. Marandia Holland.

Marandia Holland: Good evening, everyone.

I would like to say this is an honor as well as a privilege.

I believe Ms. Bernice Cunningham that's looking down from heaven will be so proud of this award for the Beauty Cage and I thank each and every one of you.

I also thank my family for being here with me on tonight.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Darlette Samuels: To present tonight's Jewel Award recipient, please welcome Amee Parker Green, owner of Amee's Salon and last year's Jewel Award recipient.

Amee.

Amee Parker Green: Good evening.

The single nominee in the Jewel Award category for businesses with more than 20 years of service to the community, and the recipient of the 2024 Jewel Award goes to Family Healthcare Jackson, Dr. Earl Stewart.

Dr. Earl Stewart: My sincere gratitude to everyone.

I want to thank God, all my favorite patients, and my hardworking staff.

God bless you all, and thanks again.

Darryl Samuels: Congratulations to each of tonight's recipients.

Darlette and I thank all of you for your attendance this evening.

We certainly hope you will enjoy the entertainment and the rest of your evening as much as we have enjoyed hosting tonight's event.

All of you are precious jewels in our eyesight.

Darlette Samuels: Yes.

Thank you, Don, Clarissa, and to the board for thinking of us.

Also, we want to recognize the young people who greeted you, helped you to your seats, and assisted you today.

Those are the young people from the Jackson Mason County Schools, and they're waving.

We celebrate you today.

Please welcome Ms. Christiana Gallagher, a member of the Board of Directors of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, and employed by the City of Jackson.

Christiana.

Christiana Gallagher: Good evening.

On this special occasion, I stand before you on behalf of the esteemed Board of Directors and dedicated staff of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce to express our gratitude and thank you all for joining us this evening.

Have you all enjoyed yourselves?

Congratulations again to tonight's award recipients, and indeed to all who are nominated this evening.

We appreciate you all for being such shining examples of entrepreneurship for our community and hope you will not hesitate to call on the Chamber if we can ever assist you.

Organizing an event of this magnitude is no small feat.

It requires meticulous planning and dedication.

However, the unwavering support from generous donors and participants like yourselves truly eases that endeavor.

Therefore, it is my honor to represent our Board and staff to extend our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to tonight's sponsors.

Our namesake Jewel Award sponsors this evening is 6K Energy and BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee.

Can we give them a hand?

Our Emerald Award sponsors this evening are Delta Faucet and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

Our Diamond Award sponsors, Cadence Bank, Jackson Energy Authority, Leaders Credit Union, and West Tennessee Healthcare.

Our Ruby Award sponsor for this evening is Lane College.

Our Crystal Award sponsors are Jonah Affordable Housing and Gary A. Taylor Investments.

Thank you all again to everyone who's joined us and purchased a table or a ticket to help support the African American Chamber of Commerce here in Jackson-Madison County.

We appreciate you.

MALE_1: This program you've been watching was made possible through the generous financial support of West Tennessee PBS viewers like you.

Please visit westtnpbs.org, and make a donation today so that we can continue to make local programs like this possible.

Thank you.

FEMALE_1: It's all about home.