2024 Pillar Awards

The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee will host its annual “Community Pillar” awards and “Young Pillar” scholarship presentation on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Miami Biscayne Bay Marriott, 1633 North Bayshore Drive from 11:30 a.m. through 2 p.m.

This year’s Community Pillar Honorees are:

· Dr. Edmund Abaka, Director of Graduate Studies & Associate Director for the Center for Global Black Studies at the University of Miami.

· Dr. Harriette Wilson-Greene, Senior Minister, Omega Power and Praise Ministry, Inc.

· Dr. Mariama Jaiteh, Cultural Anthropologist & founder of Gambian American Foundation, Inc.

· Daniella G. Pierre, President, NAACP, Miami-Dade County Branch

· Dr. Edward G. Robinson, Administrator Dade County Public Schools & Founder of “Readman”

· Toni Gilliam-Harrison, Esq., Attorney & President of Dade County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The “Jason Jenkins Corporate Community Pillar” award will be presented to Derek Fleming, Developer and Managing Partner for the Michelin award-winning Red Rooster Overtown. The board renamed its “Corporate Community Pillar” award in honor of Jason Jenkins, Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for the Miami Dolphins, who received the award in 2022, but tragically passed that same year. The award is given each year to individuals who embody public service in a corporate space.

The Black Affairs Advisory Board is also awarding scholarships to seven Young Pillars who are slated to begin or complete their educational pursuits:

· Kelis Waye, University of Tampa

· Trenel Burks, Florida Memorial University

· Osahenoma Izevbigie, Florida International University

· Esosa Ighodaro, Florida Memorial University

· Idia Ighodaro, Florida Memorial University

· Jamison Brown, Syracuse University

· Jeremiah T. Rowe, St. Thomas University

Additionally, the Greater Miami’s Convention & Visitor Bureau’s Black Hospitality Initiative (BHI) will be acknowledging several students as part of our annual collaboration. The Black Hospitality Initiative is a not-for-profit organization working to increase workforce participation of African Americans and Blacks of African descent in the Greater Miami Visitor Industry.

“These honorees have been selected for their support of programs or businesses which positively impact the African American community and have a deep commitment to public service. Most of them have toiled tirelessly without fanfare for years in their chosen community path,” said Edgar Wright, chair of the Black Heritage Planning Committee.

Miami-Dade County provides equal access and opportunity in its programs, services, employment, and activities and does not discriminate based on disability.

For more information or to request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, CART services, and/or any accommodation to participate in any County-sponsored program or meeting, please email BAAB Program Director Retha Boone-Fye or call 305-375-4606.

Host or Publisher Retha Boone-Fye