Nominees Announced For The 2025 Emerald Awards

Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine, in partnership with Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc., is proud to announce the nominees for the second annual EMERALD AWARDS, A Salute to Black Excellence in Seminole County.  The 2025 Emerald Awards, a televised event, will take place on Saturday, November 1, at The Rink at Northland Church. It will be a grand salute to inspiring and high-achieving African Americans who live, work, or serve in Seminole County.  On June 15, 2025, a Call for Nominations was announced to the public, with an August 15, 2025, deadline, and more than seventy nominations were received in twelve categories.  The public was invited to vote for their favorites between September 1 and September 15.  The winners, as determined by popular vote, will be announced at the event on November 1.

“I am so excited about the 2025 Emerald Awards, with the twelve new categories representing so many careers. The Emerald Awards program is still the only televised awards show honoring Africa Americans in Central Florida and we in Seminole County should be quite proud,” said James Benjamin, Chair of the Board of Directors of Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc.  For those who didn’t attend last year, you missed a real treat. Here is the link to a short video recap of the 2024 event https://vimeo.com/1059183914, and the full program, without commercials, can also be accessed at www.radiantlyblack.com/emerald.  But none of this would be possible without the unselfish and unwavering support of our Honorary Chairs: Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart; Dr. Michael L. Howell, Southeast Regional Medical Executive for Cigna Healthcare; Dr. Ethan Johnson, Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Seminole County; and Mark McEwen, National TV/Radio Host and Seminole County resident.”

The Nominees by Category

Author of the Year: Anna Woods, Latisha Howard, Dr. Rebekah McCloud

Beauty Professional of the Year: Faye Bailey, Nickolas Kelly, Syreeta Scott, Tiffany Green

Church of the Year: Allen Chapel AME Church, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Bread of Life Christian Church, Calvary Temple of Praise, First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, New Life Word Center, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church

Civic Organization or Community Group of the Year: Altamonte Springs (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Corey Donaldson Foundation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Steering Committee, Pearlie Mae Ford Club

Educator of the Year: Natasha Abraham, Barbara Coleman-Foster, Dr. Briyanna Jenkins, Dr. Baboucar Jobe, Dr. Darryl Gordon, Demetria Faison, George Gordon, Jr., Ingrid Burton Nathan, Dr. Janie Lacy, Serita Beamon, Sylvester Wynn, Yuvay Ferguson

Fraternity of the Year: Omega Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Tau Sigma Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Patient Care Professional of the Year: Bianca Carroll, Dr. Damion Williams, Dr. Janie Lacy, LaQuanda Byrd, Patricia Whites, Dr. Ronald Fulmore Sr., Venise White, Yolonda Tyler

Performing Artist of the Year: Adrian Tristan, Arkeshia Graham, Brandon Gaines, Jonathan Parker (a.k.a. Jai' Eagle)

Public Safety Professional of the Year: Deputy Ebony Perry, Latisha Howard, Deputy Trekelle Perkins, Valeria Penny

Restaurant of the Year: Bayou Kitchen and Lounge - Sanford, Angel's Soul Food and Barbeque, Roni’s Restaurant

Small Business of the Year: Bright Light Consulting LLC, Clark & Clark Laboratory Consulting, Delta Omega Travel, EG Enterprise Group LLC, Evolve Hydration & Wellness, Grace Notary LLC, It Suits Me, No Limit Consulting, Off the Chain Towing, Simply Homemade 1913, The View at Lake Monroe, Vibrant Families, Warren Heating & Air Conditioning, Winners Choice Auto Outlet, X'spreshun Hair Studio, Yani B Collection

Sorority of the Year: Chi Phi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sanford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Visual Artist of the Year: Aniyah Ross, Joseph Watson, III, Parrish Monk, Toya Flewellyn

Commissioner Amy Lockhart adds “The 2024 Emerald Awards were so exciting and well executed.  I can’t wait to celebrate the 2025 honorees.  Breaking Bread Beyond uses the proceeds from this event to address one of our area’s most pressing social concerns.  Caring for our homeless residents is one of the of the County’s highest priorities.  Kudos and many thanks to AdventHealth for being the first committed sponsor at the highest level of sponsorship.  We encourage other businesses and organizations in Seminole County, and those that serve Seminole County, to financially support this wonderful effort.”

Breaking Bread Beyond (BBB) was established in 2017, as a 501C3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope to the hopeless and a source of support for unsheltered individuals, under-sheltered families, economically disadvantaged families, students, and elderly in Seminole and Orange Counties.