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Hi, everybody, I'm Julie Cook, and we are just ahead of our broadcast of the 24th Annual Jewel Awards, hosted each year by the African American Chamber of Commerce here in Jackson and Madison County.

Our Executive Director is Don McCorry.

-Hi, Julie.

-Hi.

This is a very special night for businesses of different sizes.

It really is.

Mostly small businesses within West Tennessee.

This is an event where we celebrate the perseverance and the vision that they have been able to fulfill for so many years.

There was a many years ago that minority businesses were looking for some reason to celebrate their rewards for tenacity.

We had some original founders that decided, "Hey, let's do it ourselves.

If nobody's going to do it for us, let's just do it ourselves."

What we do, we create an evening where there is entertainment, a look back on history for people whose shoulders we fell on top of to get us to where we are today.

We have dining, we have dancing, and we just have a really good time, and people get dressed up.

I mean, look around you.

There's a lot of shimmering going on.

A lot to see, a lot of bling.

Yes.

Congratulations.

I know you work very hard on this for a good amount of the year.

-Yes, thanks.

I take about five months.

This is the biggest fundraiser of the year and probably one of the ones that's most well-known.

JEWEL is actually an acronym for Joining Entrepreneurs with Enterprising Leadership.

The awards are named after Jewel like Ruby and-- Yes, we got Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, and the Pinnacle, the Jewel itself.

Wonderful.

Don McCorry is Executive Director of the African American Chamber of Commerce for Jackson and Madison County, just ahead of the 24th Annual Jewel Awards.

-Thank you.

-On with the show.

[music] [applause] Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Welcome to everyone, ladies and gentlemen, our esteemed guests, and most importantly, our small business owners because this is for you, all of our businesses, matter of fact.

We welcome you today to our 24th Jewel Awards.

Sorry, I'm adjusting my glasses.

Can't see without them.

[chuckles] It's a genuine honor to be here with you today to .. the incredible achievements and unwavering dedication of our local entrepreneurs.

You know, small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy.

They embody innovation, resilience, and the spirit of community.

Each of you have taken a leap of faith, investing your time, your energy, and resources into your passions.

Today, we gather to recognize you.

Please, everyone, give another round of applause for our business owners.

[applause] As we look around this room, we see a diverse group of individuals who have not only contributed to their own dreams, but also have positively impacted our communities.

You have created jobs, you've inspired others, and you've brought unique products and services to our neighborhoods.

Your stories of triumph, perseverance, creativity reminds us of the power of determination and vision that you have.

Today, we'd like to honor you and those that have gone above and beyond in their fields, demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation.

Now, each one of the awards that we'll be giving out tonight represents a story of your courage and your success, and I hope that you all feel a sense of pride in what you have accomplished.

Let this ceremony serve as a reminder of the strength that lies in the collaboration and support within our business community.

Together, we can achieve great things, and we hope to give you whatever you need in order to continue in your path of greatness.

Without further ado, we're going to celebrate your achievements and the bright future that lays ahead for you.

Before I turn it over back to Don, I'd like to introduce my board of directors, who has also been instrumental in helping to put all of this together.

If all our board of director members would please stand up, I would appreciate that.

[applause] Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Enjoy your evening.

Good evening.

Good evening.

All right, I like a call and response.

My name is Jake Bynum.

I'm the chief of staff at UT Martin, and I have the distinct honor and privilege to welcome your master and mistress of ceremonies this evening.

Dr. Yancy E. and Rafielle Boone Freeman are the emcees for tonight's program.

Yancy and Rafielle grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Memphis Central High School and Bellevue Middle School together.

They have been married for 28 years and have two children, Yancy Jr. and Camille.

Dr. Yancy Freeman currently serves as the 12th chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

He started his tenure at UTM in August of 2023 after a 27 year professional career working in enrollment management, student success, and student affairs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, his alma mater.

Dr. Freeman currently serves on several boards across West Tennessee, including the Tennessee SCORE Advisory Council, the West Tennessee United Way Board, the University of Tennessee Foundation Board, and the West Tennessee PBS Board of Directors.

He's a member of several honor societies, including Golden Key and the Alpha Society.

Yancy is a seasoned leader and respected educator whose passion for fostering excellence and community engagement has inspired countless individuals.

Rafielle Boone Freeman is a proud alumna of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a master's of science in leadership from Belle Haven University.

Rafielle has had more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, healthcare administration, quality improvement, and provider experience.

She currently serves as the chair of the West Tennessee Healthcare Hope and Healing Foundation Board, a board member of Discovery Park of America in Union City, and the Weakley County United Way Advisory Board.

Rafielle is an accomplished healthcare advocate, mentor to young women, and passionate community leader.

Together, Yancy and Rafielle bring a unique blend of love, experience, charisma, and leadership to every endeavor.

They're devoted to building a stronger, more inclusive community, inspiring others through their shared mission of service and leveraging the legacy of excellence and compassion.

I have the great privilege of working for Dr. Freeman, and so I won't say anything else about him in fear of getting in trouble and him not signing my next time card.

I will tell you, he is a impassioned leader who is committed not only to West Tennessee but the excellence of all of our students at UT Martin.

More importantly, Rafielle Freeman is the most fun first lady UT Martin has ever had.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Yancy Freeman and Rafielle Freeman.

[applause] Good evening, everyone.

I wanted to ask Maja to come out so I could go, "They not like us, they not like us, they not like us, they not like us."

[laughter] I told her not to do.. [laughter] Then I am definitely from Memphis, Tennessee, and I want to say, man, y'all look good tonight.

It is good for me.

I'm back in West Tennessee with my people and I just look around this room and I can just absorb and feel all of the excellence in this room.

It's a privilege for me to be in this room.

I just feel honored to be a part of this group today.

Also, Yancy and I have been married for 28 years.

We typically have one big blowout a year argument.

We're happily married.

On the way, the argument was, "Who's on first?"

I actually have the best jokes, so I tried to convince her to let me go first, but we'll see how this turns out, okay?

[laughter] Again, thank you.

Good evening and welcome to the 24th Annual Jewel Awards Banquet.

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 the community, our community.

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

When this organization was founded 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 Black Chamber of Commerce is proud to continue to be a formidable beacon and light of recognition for these businesses, including tonight's honorees.

Did I do good, honey?

Excellent.

[laughter] We have any Skyhawks in the house tonight?

[cheering] Okay, I stand corrected.

Do we have any Pacers in the house?

[cheering] Okay.

It is wonderful to see all of you.

The women are looking beautiful and the men are just looking.

[laughter] Before I go any further, y'all, look at my wife.

Look, ooh-wee, honey.

[laughter] [applause] We got 28 years in the book.

I'm going for some grandkids.

Okay.

Definitely grandkids.

Ladies and gentlemen, this event is being recorded live for future broadcasts by our local West Tennessee PBS station on Channel 11.

Let's give Peter Noll and the staff of West Tennessee PBS a round of applause.

[applause] Through a partnership with Jackson Energy Authority, JEA, the event will be broadcast on both E-Plus Television, Channel 6, and West Tennessee PBS, Channel 11.

At this time, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge all of our city and county officials of Jackson and Madison County and thank them and their predecessors for their generous support over the years in striving to make Jackson and Madison County one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in the state of Tennessee.

Will all city and county officials please stand and let us recognize you?

[applause] Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

Tonight is a very special night for us, but before I dive into it, I would like to first acknowledge the recent passing of Reginald Hobson of Stylz Menswear.

Our program was printed prior to his untimely passing, and we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and to his friends.

Now, for all of you smartphone users who are really tech savvy, I want you to notice that on your table sign, there's a QR code.

If you were to scan that QR code, you would get an immediate link to the digital version of the program.

Some of you may have noticed that there were only two programs on the table, but there's a digital version there as well to look at for as often as you like.

Again, that QR code is on the table number in front of you.

Let me take a moment to recognize some incredible individuals who have helped make this night possible.

A huge shout out to Ms. Renee Jones and LaTanya Ingram for your hard work tonight, for your red carpet, and for everything else that you do.

I'd also like to thank LaToya Rogers-Mills for the amazing table decorations that you provided us this evening.

Thank you.

Speaking of tables, our table sponsors this evening, 100 Black Men of West Tennessee, Century 21 Action Realty, Coldwell Banker Southern Realty, CWA Development, LLC, Doxicom Global, Eagles Nest Family Services, Golden Circle Insurance, the Jackson Chapter of the NAACP, Jackson Recreation and Parks, Jackson State Community College, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, and Toyota of Tennessee.

Let's give them all a round of applause.

[applause] Tonight isn't just about us.

It's about all of you.

To our members and non members, businesses, and individuals, we are here because we share a common purpose.

If you believe in our mission and the work that we do, I invite you to stand with us each and every day.

Your generosity, whether tonight or in the near future, helps fuel our efforts in service, youth development, and equity within our community.

The Jackson Madison County African American Organization is an inclusive product.

We welcome everyone who believes in making a difference, whether through business leadership or personal commitment.

If you're not yet a member, we invite you to visit our website to find more about what we do and to join us on this journey.

Now I want to share a story.

Recently, I was asked to complete an exercise for a class.

The exercise was, name a song that best describes you.

Does this sound familiar, Jake?

Not your favorite song, but the one that truly represents who you are.

At first, I struggled.

I then picked up the phone and called my friend, Margaret, and without hesitation, she said, "That's easy.

I'm every woman."

I said, "Well, I can't use that."

[laughter] Then I called my friend, Karen, and you'd have to know Karen.

She goes, "Dude, you told me this more than 10 years ago, and I still play it today."

When she said that, I knew the answer immediately.

Many years ago, I lived in Washington, D.C., and while living there, I had the extraordinary pleasure of being .. to some local jazz artists.

One of those extraordinary performers was a woman by the name of Shirley Horn.

In 1992, she recorded an album called Here's to Life, which was unlike any other album she had ever done, which was typically with a quartet and a piano.

Here's to Life was done with a full orchestra, full of lush, deep chords and melodies, which captivated you from the first note.

That title cut today still rings hard and true to me and what I do.

"No complaints and no regrets, I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets.

For all I've learned is all you give is all you get, so give it all you got."

Ladies and gentlemen, that lyric captures the spirit of this e.. Like Shirley Horn, we stand in a moment that reflects both where we have been and where we are going.

We have poured our hearts into this community, and yet we are still hungry for more, more opportunity, more inclusion, more dreams to be realized.

Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I raise a toast to you.

Here's to life and every joy it brings.

Here's to life, to dreamers and their dreams.

May all your storms be weathered and all that's good get better.

Here's to life, here's to love, here's to you.

Thank you.

[applause] Okay, we have the spotlight on us, and so it's really difficult to see, but by a show of hands, where are all of our couples?

All of our couples, raise your hand for me.

Okay.

How many of you .. All right, all right.

How many of you were in bed by eight o'clock last night?

Go ahead and tell the truth.

You can tell the truth.

We were in bed.

It was pitiful.

It was really sad.

It was pitiful.

Yes.

It was pitiful.

Yes.

Getting old hurts, do..

I'm not going to say what I want to say.

Yes.

I was listening.

Of course, my song is, I'm Every Woman too.

Yancy's song is I'm Bad by LL Cool J.

Look up the words.

He does the movements and everything, but he is I'm bad.

She's telling all of my secrets.

-I'm sorry.

He told me to start telling my story and not his, and so I haven't listened to that.

Okay.

In 2019, on the 20th anniversary of the inception of Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, a supporting chamber member and subsequent member of the board of directors recommended celebrating up and coming businesses as we look to our future.

This former board member proposed the recognition of up to three outstanding representatives of the business community for their current contributions and our hope and expectations for their future.

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

To present the awards for tonight's GEMS of the Future 2025, please welcome Dr. LaDonna Braswell and Ms. Denise Tompkins.

[applause] All right.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening and welcome.

I have the privilege of recognizing three outstanding GEMS of the Future.

Our first one we will acknowledge on this evening will be Genevieve Dupree, who is a Jackson native that has been passionate about creating opportunities for her community, for others, and bringing something unconventional to the hub city.

Her vision led to the creation of her small business, Floral Cakes, a bakery that was housed in downtown Jackson.

The bakery specialized in desserts presented as gifts with a floral flair, whether in the shape of the design of a flower or adding fresh flowers to the presentation.

Through her love of small business and connecting others, she began to bridge the gap between business owners, nonprofits, and other leaders through the creation of the SBC, the Small Business Community, in 2022.

The SBC is all about building community and keeping those connections strong with giving a platform for small businesses to share valuable information.

Let's give it up tonight for Ms. Genevieve Dupree.

[applause] [cheering] Thank you so very much to the chamber.

It was truly an honor and a privilege to share my small business with other business owners.

Through us having a business of our own, we wanted to showcase other small businesses.

That's exactly what we did.

We're so proud to be able to contribute to the community.

Thank you.

[applause] Wow.

That is such an amazement.

Next up, we will celebrate and recognize another outstanding GEM, but these come in a trio.

In the spring of 2019, Danielle Parker, Sandra Parker, and Stella Collier, a family trio, decided to start a business together and venture into the real estate business.

They all brought skills to the table that could be an asset to the business.

Danielle, who's an interior designer, Sandra, who's since retired, but had a financial background, and Stella, who's also since retired, but had the mechanical background.

Their first acquisition was long-term rental properties and flipping a house in the Lena area in Jackson, Tennessee.

A year and a half later, they wanted to do something that directly involved working with the community, a business model that filled a void in the market, but at the same time, cultivated the community.

That's how the ideal of bringing a content studio right here to Jackson, Tennessee, began.

They brought a building on Federal Drive, rehabbed it, and then had a grand opening for Louvoy Studios on August 13, 2023.

There are so many content creative photographers, podcasters, entrepreneurs here, but in order to be successful, the key was to market and educate.

Through social media, Free Tour Fridays, partnerships, and collaborations, the word started getting out about Louvoy Studios and what they offered and how, since then, they've progressed ever since.

Let's give it up for the trio on tonight.

[applause] Hello.

We are a daughter, mother, and auntie business, and we just want to say we thoroughly enjoy working in the community.

This has been an amazing journey for us, and we look forward to continuing to do so.

Thank you all for your support.

[applause] Ditto.

[laughter] [applause] Last but certainly not least, we will celebrate another GEM of the future, and this is Ms. Stephanie Wilbourn.

Ms. Stephanie's journey began with a vision to create a global fashion entertainment empire, and she has brought this vision to life through the Daughters of Wilbourn Fashion House.

This innovative enterprise is dedicated to catering to all ages, offering a range of programs that teach long-forgotten basic sewing and pattern-making skills to children and adults of all backgrounds.

At the Daughters House of Wilbourn Fashion House, Stephanie and her team impart a central knowledge in cultural design, freestyle patterns, and the importance of understanding fashion and style.

This organization also focuses on repurposing fashion, and if you all know anything about now, we need to save our resources.

This is what her business is about, repurposing fashion, fabrics, textiles, entrepreneurship, and modeling school, instilling valuable skills and confidence in its students.

Let's give it up tonight for Ms. Stephanie Wilbourn as she comes.

[applause] Good evening.

Honored guests, esteemed colleagues, and fellow visionaries, I stand before you tonight with immense gratitude and heart full of appreciation.

To be recognized as a GEM Award recipient, an honor that acknowledges not just where we are, but where we're going, is both humbling and exhilarating.

The Daughters of Wilbourn Legacy Fashion House and SexesbyStephanie custom brand was born from a vision, one deeply rooted in legacy, from the hard work, dedication, and teachings of my grandmother, Elizabeth Chisholm Wilbourn, and the legendary Wilbourn sisters.

Creativity and unwaveringly belief that fashion is more than just a fabric and thread, it is a story.

It's a statement.

It's a movement.

It is a testament to the power of craftsmanship, heritage, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

This award is not just for me, but for every dreamer who dares to create, every artisan who weaves passion into their work, and every visionary who refuses to confined by the ordinary because we are extraordinary.

It is a confirmation that what we build today will leave an incredible mark for generations to come.

To those who have supported this journey, mentors, friends, families, and our incredible team, we say thank you, thank you, thank you.

On the behalf of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Co.. we also thank you for seeing the brilliance in our vision and the celebrating of businesses poised to shape the future.

This is just the beginning of the Daughters of Wilbourn Legacy Fashion House.

This is where we will make history, and I'm honored to have you all by my side.

Thank you.

[applause] Let's give it up one more time for all three GEMs of our future.

Thank you.

[applause] Good evening.

It is my distinct honor, a real pleasure, to introduce to you our historical pioneers in the performing arts.

Our first recipient is Ms. Laurice Lanier.

Laurice Lanier, considered one of the most versatile voices on the planet, is originally from Jackson, Tennessee.

While a high school student at Southside, her talent was noticed by her piano teacher, Ms. Alicia Dunn, and the chorus teacher, Ms. Jean Hammons.

As a side note, I'd like to think that not only those two, but a village of people probably recognized her talent as well.

I can remember the first time hearing her sing was in the seventh grade at North Parkway.

We had the Black History Program.

This little bitty skinny girl walked out onto the stage, and man, that voice filled up the entire gym.

Then we said to ourselves, some of the faculty members, all it takes is for someone to get with her and develop her, and she could go a long way.

As we see here, Ms. Alicia Dunn, Ms. Jean Hammons, and probably a village of others that helped develop her.

Now, as a classically trained mezzo-soprano, she is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, which is one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, where her strong vocal training came from the incomparable Edith Burris.

Ms. Lanier has over 16 years of teaching music privately and conducting master classes.

She has performed various roles in opera houses, theaters, concert halls, and churches throughout the United States and abroad.

Her performances include Handel's Messiah with the Met.

She is a member of 3 Mo' Divas, whose CD was nominated for a 2010 NAACP Image Award.

Our first recipient is Ms. Laurice Lanier, and her mother, Ms. Emma Lanier, will be accepting her award.

[applause] Can I say something?

Sure.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I'm speaking for Laurice.

Some of you know she has been sick because of a medication allergy, but she insisted that I come.

I usually try to stay with her because she is enduring a great deal right now.

With God's help, she is going to overcome.

She wanted me to express the thanks for this particular award so beautifully.

Can we just thank?

I just read what she said, please.

She said, "I am profoundly grateful for this incredible recognition of my hard work and dedication.

Receiving this award is a true honor and holds great significance to me.

Thank you sincerely for presenting me with such a distinguished accolade.

It is an immense privilege to be chosen as the recipient of this award.

Your acknowledgment of my contributions inspired me to continue pursuing excellence with passion and purpose.

I am sincerely appreciative of the honor.

Once again, thank you for deeming me worthy of this Jewel Award."

I personally also would like to thank you and ask that all of you please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Thank you.

[applause] As Ms. Emma said, please do keep Ms. Lanier in your thoughts and in your prayers.

Our next recipient is Ms. Mona Lisa Lanier.

Mona Lisa Lanier excels in various roles as a choreographer and entrepreneur.

She is the owner of the Mona Lisa Lanier School of Dance.

She calls this place her personal testament to her love of dance.

She previously was a dancer for the group the Jacksonians and later became choreographer for Lanier & Company.

She is a graduate of Lane College and holds a Master's of Education from Trevecca Nazarene University.

She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

For 24 years, Ms. Lanier shared her talents with the Jackson-Madison County school system.

One of her notable recent achievements was the choreographer of the Broadway show, Dream Girls, held here in Jackson at the Ned Theater.

We worked together for that play for about three and a half months.

I see when we talk about excellence in the field, I saw it in almost a slave driver with her dancers.

She expected a lot and she got a lot out of them, a great person.

She was featured in the spring 2023 issue of Our Jackson Home.

Her story is a lesson in resilience, passion, and talent.

She is also a proud breast cancer survivor.

I present to you Ms. Mona Lisa Lanier.

[applause] Hello to everyone.

I would like to thank God for giving me my strength, my mind, my health to work with these young people every day.

I cannot forget my parents, Ferris and Laverne Lanier and my brothers.

My parents did not deprive us from anything.

Whatever they said we can do, we will make it in it.

I cannot forget the African Dolls, Jackson Middle School Dancers, Rose Hill Middle School Dancers, now the Mona Lisa Lanier School of Dance.

When I was reading the book of the last line that I put there, I would like to say this to all the ladies.

Make sure you get your mammogram.

It is very important.

I did not miss one year and I am so thankful that I did not.

I'm going to flip the script just for a second and say everybody wants to say advocate this.

We want to advocate that.

Not anymore, I'm going to say.

I'm going to change that word for me and say, I am a champion for breast cancer.

In saying that, Donny McCorry, thank you so much.

We've been out there a long time.

I am so humbled tonight to receive this award.

Thank you.

Good night.

[applause] Let's give her another round of applause.

Our third recipient is Ms. Gloria Robinson White.

Gloria White is from Jackson, Tennessee, and boasts an impressive history in pageantry and the performing arts.

In 1979, she was crowned Miss Jackson State Community College and went on to compete in the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant.

Two years later, she was crowned the first Miss Mallon Crown and Scepter and was a top-ten finalist in the Miss Tennessee Pageant.

A professionally trained dancer and singer, Ms. White has graced the stages of Liberty Land and performed as a soloist with the MVP Band in Memphis.

Her talents have taken her around the globe where she entertained our military troops.

She has collaborated with such groups as Rufus and Chaka Khan and was a backup vocalist for Al Green.

She is a graduate of Jackson State Community College, the University of Memphis, and Union University.

She is married to Theodore White with three children.

Our third honoree is Ms. Gloria Robinson White.

Let's give her applause.

[applause] She is unable to make it, so I will be receiving her award in her absence.

Our awards are presented in four categories.

The Ruby Award for one to five years of business, the Diamond Award for six to ten years in business, the Emerald Award for 11 to 20 years in business, and The Jewel Award for more than 20 years in business.

Tonight's award recipients were selected by an independent panel of business leaders and community supporters.

Neither the board of directors nor the staff participated in the selection process.

It's been 007 secret because I don't even have any names up here.

To present tonight's Ruby Award recipient, please welcome the 2022 Diamond Award recipient, Lakesha Smith, owner and operator of Comfortably Clean.

Give her a round.

[applause] Good evening.

The nominees for the Ruby Award are Floral Cakes, Genevieve Dupree, Hair Expressions II, Camille Chavonne, Hair Excellence, Latasha Chisholm, Moods Penthouse Studios, Morgan Tucker-Dotson, Roll 'N' Kutz Barbershop, Billy Ligon, and the People's Real Estate Group, Talanda Melton-Mays.

The award goes to Roll 'N' Kutz Barbershop, Billy Ligon.

[applause] Let's give him another round of applause.

[applause] Good evening, everyone.

It's a honor to be in a room with so much excellence.

Me and my team at Roll 'N' Kutz, we are very humbled and thankful to be considered in a category of so many great businesses.

We're so proud to serve this community.

Thank you.

[applause] All right.

To present tonight's Diam.. please welcome Mr. Sidney Wilson, founder of Doxicom Global.

Mr. Wilson was the Diamond Award recipient in 2024.

Good evening.

Good evening.

The nominees for the Diamond Award are Client Comprehensive Resource Services, Clarissa Halton Williams.

The other nominee, Golden Years Adult Day Care, Brenda Triplett.

Again, the two nominees are Client Comprehensive Resource Services and Golden Years Adult Day Care.

The Diamond Award goes to Golden Years Adult Day Care.

[cheering] -Yes, let's hear it for them, please.

[applause] On behalf of the clients, especially, and the staff of Golden Years, thank y'all so much.

[applause] To present tonight's Emerald Award recipient, please welcome Mirandia Holland, managing partner of the Beauty Cage.

Ms. Holland was the Emerald Award recipient in 2024.

Hello, everyone, and good evening.

Our nominees for this Emerald Award are Central 21 Action Realtor, Sandra Carter, and our Talking Heads, Merda McKinney.

Our awards today goes to Central 21 Action Realtor, Sandra Carter.

[cheering] [applause] Let's give her another hand while she's come to the stage, please.

[applause] Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you so much.

I would like to give honor to God for this prestigious ..

I thank everyone so much.

I thank my family, my friends, God, and I also thank everyone that nominated me for this prestigious award.

I am so thankful and so grateful for everyone, my family, my friends, and my community.

Thank you so much.

[cheering] [applause] To present tonight's Jewel Award recipient, please welcome Ms. Johnetta Wilbourn Black, co-owner of the Wilbourn Sisters Sewing and Alterations business and the very first Jewel Award recipient in 2002.

[applause] Good evening, everyone.

I am delighted to be the presenter for this award.

It was an honor for us to be the very first one to receive this award 24 years ago.

The nominees for the Jewel Award are DOC's Landscaping & Lawn Service, Mike "Doc" Herron, Eclipse Hair Salon, Marika Edwards, Stylz Menswear, Reginald Hobson.

The Jewel Award goes to-- Let's see.

If you're as nervous as we were 24 years ago, I applaud you.

The award goes to DOC's Landscaping & Lawn Service, Mike Herron.

[applause] First, I want to give a thanks to God for getting me here where I'm at today, and I want to give a special thanks to all my customers, and I want to give a very, very thanks to all my employees, and thank y'all.

[applause] All right, what a night of excellence.

I just feel the room.

I just want to give everyone in all the awards just a round of applause for all of the Black excellence in this room.

Congratulations to each of tonight's recipients.

Again, let us give them all another big round of applause.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[applause] Okay, to recognize our sponsors for tonight's event, please welcome Christiana Gallagher, member of the Board of Directors.

[applause] Hey, y'all.

Good evening.

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 thank you for joining us this evening.

Congratulations again to tonight's awards recipients, and to all of the nominees as well.

[applause] We appreciate you all being such shining examples of entrepreneurship for our community, and hope you will not hesitate to call on our chamber if we can ever assist you.

Organizing an event of this magnitude is no small feat.

It requires a meticulous planning and dedication.

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

Therefore, it is my honor to again represent our board and staff in offering our appreciation and heartfelt thanks to tonight's gracious sponsors.

Our Jewel Award sponsor for this evening is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee.

[applause] Our Emerald Award sponsor, Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

[applause] Our Diamond Award sponsors, 6K Energy, Delta Faucet, Pathway Lending, the University of Tennessee at Martin, and West Tennessee Healthcare.

[applause] Our Ruby Award sponsors, Cadence Bank, Gerdau, and Leaders Credit Union.

[applause] Our Crystal Award sponsors.

Gary A. Taylor Investments, Jonah Affordable Housing, and Louvoy Studios.

[applause] Now, we would also like to recognize our student volunteers tonight, many of whom have been participants in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM, program, and the Follow Me Into Business programs, both of which are sponsored by the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce.

All of your help tonight has really been bussing.

That's Sigma of y'all.

Skibbity-bop-bop-dop-yes-yes.

[applause] I still speak a little youth.

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