Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Onyx Magazine to Host the Second Annual Onyx Black Tie Awards Banquet to Benefit Sickle Cell Disease and Literacy

Onyx Awards announces the 2nd Annual Onyx Awards Black Tie Banquet, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding African-Americans through out the state of Florida. All profits from our Awards Banquet go to Sickle Cell Disease and Onyx Literacy Programs for children throughout the state of Florida. This year's event will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, Florida on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

Orlando April 1, 2004 -- Onyx Awards announces the 2nd Annual Onyx Awards Black Tie Banquet, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding African-Americans through out the state of Florida. All profits from our Awards Banquet go to Sickle Cell Disease and Onyx Literacy Programs for children throughout the state of Florida. Our event will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando, Florida on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

The Onyx Award, sponsored by Onyx Magazine, will present each year to African-American individuals in 12 different categories, awards for their accomplishments, and community involvement in their chosen career path. The nominees have assumed a leadership role in his/her professional role, and/or education, health, community services, (we know that success is the result of preparation, planning, and performance) to improve and expand African-Americans in a positive way through out our great state of Florida, and our 13th category the Diversity Awards which goes to corporations that have developed and achieved diversity with-in their company.

Guests can expect a wide range of superb entertainment provided by talented local artistsMatt Shenk, Robert Harris, and Hype; visiting artists, Teddy Washington - Jacksonville and Unyson - Gainesville; and also celebrity guest, Marina Harrison (Miss Maryland 2003.) In keeping with her platform, Public Education, Miss Harrisons itinerary includes a visit to Jones High School.

Ms. Jo Jo Dancer, radio personality from 94.5 in Orlando and Marc Little of Marc Little Public Relations in Jacksonville will serve as Mistress and Master of Ceremony.

This year, forty-nine nominees in 12 categories will be honored for their achievement. From this number, one from each of 10 categories will emerge as winner of the Onyx Award. In addition, the originators of this event have included a 13th category, the Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity Award. This award is given to corporations that have achieved a higher level of Diversity in there business and in community outreach.

What is Diversity? Diversity is as a concept focuses on a broader set of qualities than race and gender. In the context of the workplace, valuing diversity means creating a workplace that respects and includes differences, recognizing the unique contributions that individuals with many types of differences can make, and creating a work environment that maximizes the potential of all employees. Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to: age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, work experience, and job classification.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is the signature sponsor for this annual event. Other sponsors include Harris Rosen Hotels and Resorts, Orlando; PSAV Presentation Services, Florida; Progress Energy, Central Florida; SHANDS of Jacksonville; JCB Construction, Inc., Orlando (www.jcbcon.net); BCN Associates, Inc., Gainesville; and Ever After Formal Wear, Inc., Orlando.

This years nominees are as follows:

Spiritual Leadership: Rev. Alvin White, Orlando; Rev. Earl Mason, Sr., Temple Terrace; Rev. Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Tallahassee; and Rev. Rudolph McKissick, Sr., Jacksonville

Healthy Living: Elizabeth Means, Jacksonville; Dr. James Brookins, Tampa; Dr. Phillip St. Louis, Orlando; and Jasmine Shirley, Ft. Lauderdale

Education: Dr. Patrick C. Coogins, Deland; James Wilson, Orlando; Dr. Barbara Ann Darby, Jacksonville; and Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Daytona Beach

Communication: Marsha & Rudy Reese, Orlando; Dr. Charles Cherry, Daytona Beach; Rachel Reeves, Miami; and Rachel Bishop-Cook, Gainesville

Community Service: Rev. Nelson Pinder, Orlando; Jacobi Pittman, Jacksonville; Dr. Robert Brown, Jacksonville; and Chole Coney, Tampa

Business: Carlton Jones, Jacksonville; Cecil Allen, Eatonville; Sterling Blake, Kissimmee; and Oscar Horton, Tampa

Political Involvement: Rufus Brooks, Orlando; Adora Obie Nweze, Miami Shores; Carrie P. Meek, Miami; and Frank Washington, Ocala

Performing Arts: Rhodesia Butler, Jacksonville; Canara Price, Orlando; Maurice Jackson, Tampa; and Patricia Whatley, Sanford/Jacksonville

Music/Entertainment: Jacqueline Jones, Orlando; Rev. Arthur Jones, Tampa; Deborah McDuffie, Jacksonville; and Eddie Robinson, Ft. Lauderdale

Sports: Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Daunte Culpepper, Ocala/ Minnesota Vikings; Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars; and Alvin Wyatt, Coach BCC, Daytona Beach

Humanitarianism: Mrs. Mildred Wilkerson, Orlando; Marvin Zanders, Apopka; Robert J. Samuels, Tampa; and Sylvia Poiter, Deerfield

Lifetime Achievement: Rev. Thomas A. Wright, Gainesville

Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity Award: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Jacksonville; Brighthouse Networks, Central Florida; Turner Construction, Orlando; and United Parcel Service, Central Florida

All proceeds from the Onyx Awards will go directly to LBS Foundation to benefit the Foundations health and education initiatives. The Foundations primary focus is Sickle Cell Disease and the recently appointed Onyx Literacy Programs, which will be implemented through existing programs in various Florida locations.

In these times of unprecedented economic growth there is an urgent need among the African-American communities to expand our traditional humanitarian efforts in supporting the above charities. LBS Foundation is therefore, assuming a leadership role in promoting educational improvement for our children through our Literacy Program and promoting good health through giving to the Sickle Cell Foundation. We are calling on the strength of our Black humanitarians in all walks of life to have a practical obligation and the strength to pledge and to give.

Information regarding reservations for the Awards may be obtained by calling (407) 443-6237 or (407) 579-9894. Reservations may also be made by logging on to our web site www.onyxmagazine.com.

Our inaugural event last year was beyond my wildest dreams. This year, my husband and I are expecting an even bigger blessing. We created the LBS Foundation so that we could reach out and do more for the community, not only in Orlando, but also in other parts of the state. With the help of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Presentation Services, Progress Energy, Rosen Hotels and Resorts, and all the warm and loving people who serve on the Onyx Awards Committee, we are well on our way to another successful year, says Lillian Seays, co-owner of Onyx Magazine.

This years Onyx Awards guests will get more entertainment for their $75 for individual setting or $1,000 to $5,000 per table sponsorship. More information on the sponsorship packages can be obtained by logging on to www.onyxmagazine.com and clicking on the Onyx Awards Logo. The general reception will give you opportunities to network, have photo opportunity with Miss Maryland, the nominees and other VIPs, art exhibit, a wonderful meal, fantastic entertainment and suspense.

For hotel accommodations, please call The Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive at 407-996-9700 (800-627-8258) or the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive at 407-996-9840 (800-800-9840).

The Onyx Awards was created to give thanks to our Floridians that have work hard in their professional chosen fields of work. The LBS Foundation was created to assist in the fight of Sickle Cell Disease and Onyx Literacy Programs. As with the staff of the Onyx Awards all our staffs with these two projects are volunteers from all walks of life dedicating their time to both causes to make a difference.

Note to the press:
Accommodations will be made for the press. Please RSVP your intent to attend and present your credentials upon arrival. (Thank you)

SOURCE Onyx Magazine
Web Site: http://www.onyxmagazine.com

Contact:
Carolyn Bybel: e-mail protected from spam bots Public Relations: (407) 599-4204                                       
Lester Seays: (407) 579-9894 or (407) 443-6237
e-mail protected from spam bots, web site: www.onyxmagazine.com