The Emerald Awards, A Salute To Black Excellence In Seminole County Announces Winners

The Emerald Awards, A Salute to Black Excellence in Seminole County, presented by Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc., and Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine is proud to announce the 2025 Award winners.  Held on Saturday, November 1, at The Rink at Northland Church, the event was a grand affair, filled with pomp and circumstance. This past summer, a Call for Nominations was issued to the public, inviting nominations for inspiring and high achieving African Americans who live, work, or serve in Seminole County. Seventy nominations were received in thirteen categories and 25,447 votes were cast.  Winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony. 

“We could never have imagined the extent to which Black excellence abounds in Seminole County. Reading the bios of our nominees was awe inspiring.” notes James Benjamin, Founder and Board President, Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc. “We are extremely grateful to our honorary chairs who saw the vision and chose to support the Emerald Awards: Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart; Dr. Michael L. Howell, MD, MBA, FACP, Regional Medical Executive Southeast Region, Cigna Healthcare; Dr. Ethan Johnson, Administrator & Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Seminole County; and Mark McEwen, National TV & Radio Host.  All are to be applauded for their commitment to our community.”

Award recipients by category:

Author of the Year: Latisha Howard

Beauty Professional of the Year: Tiffany Tyson Green

Church of the Year: Calvary Temple of Praise

Civic Organization or Community Group: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Steering Committee, Inc.

Educator of the Year: Sylvester Wynn 

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

Patient Care Professional of the Year: Quanda Byrd  

Performing Artist of the Year: Arkeshia Graham

Public Safety Professional of the Year: Captain Latisha Howard, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Restaurant of the Year: Bayou Kitchen & Lounge  

Small Business of the Year: Yani B Collection

Sorority of the Year: Sanford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Visual Artist of the Year: Joseph Watson, III

A special award for Customer Service Excellence was presented to Warren Heating & Air Conditioning, Darius Warren, Owner. History was made as Captain Latisha Howard became the first person to receive two awards in one year. 

Venise White, Statewide Health Equity Training Administrator, Florida Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health was named the Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart Emerald Awards Person of the Year.  Ms. White was in Washington, DC, receiving a national public health award and was not present for the award ceremony.  The award was accepted by her son. 

“While we are congratulating our winners, let us not forget that the Emerald Awards could not have been possible without the financial support received from AdventHealth, Jacobs, Seminole County, BBIF, Florida Blue, Orlando Health, Seminole State College, Central Florida Public Media, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation, Waste Management, Recovery Connections, and Duke Energy. We can only hope that we made them proud; so proud that they will return as sponsors for next year.” adds J. Lajuana Miller, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine, and Executive Producer of the Emerald Awards. 

If you missed the event and want to get a taste of the experience, visit  www.radiantlyblack.com/emerald. TV airing dates for the Emerald Awards will be added to the website in December. 

Questions concerning the Emerald Awards may be sent to Ms. Miller at 407-840-6813 or  lmiller@radiantlyblack.com.

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