DATE:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
TIME:
5:00 PM - RECEPTION | 6:00 PM - AWARDS DINNER
VENUE:
THE ROSEN CENTRE HOTEL
Presenting... ONYX MAGAZINE’S FOURTH ANNUAL MEN OF HONOR
Being a leader is not without its challenges. It often requires that you beat impossible odds, stand alone, face adversity head-on, make unpopular decisions, and be strong when others are not. ONYX Magazine recognizes the fastidious care each stalwart takes in his quest to improve the world around him. That is why we celebrate Black men who are relentless and successful in their efforts to do so. The fourth annual ONYX Magazine’s Men of Honor presents “The Tallest Trees in the Forest,” Black men who excel in their professions and community work and inspire others to follow their lead. Encouraged by a quote from Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune, “The Tallest Trees” stands for strength, resilience, and humble power. ONYX Magazine, along with Founding Partner Orlando Health, introduce 25 "tall trees" who exceed this notion. Join us as we celebrate them on a night that will motivate you to do more and incline you to stand tall.
2023 GLOBAL IMPACT LEADER OF THE YEAR HONOREE
THE HONORABLE PHILIP DAVIS
PRIME MINISTER THE BAHAMAS
PHILIP EDWARD ‘BRAVE’ DAVIS is perhaps best known now as a politician, serving as Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party and Member of Parliament for CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY AND SAN SALVADOR. What many may not know is that he entered politics late in life. Professionally, he is known both locally and internationally as an acclaimed Corporate and Human Rights lawyer, a highly distinguished legal educator, a passionate sportsperson, a sponsor of many sporting activities, and a Toastmaster.
ENTERTAINMENT
Naposax
Napoleon Holliday, a young musician making waves in the heart of Central Florida's vibrant music scene. His passion for creating music has only intensified as the years go by."
Napoleon's musical style is a harmonious fusion across various genres, including current hits and timeless classics. His skillful sax sound is uniquely his own, captivating audiences and leaving them spellbound at every performance.
Central Florida's music scene provided Napoleon with a fertile ground to refine his skills. From performances in some of the most popular venues in Orlando, his dynamic sound has earned him a devoted following, and his reputation as a must-see live act continues to grow.
Napoleon's dedication to his craft extends beyond the stage. He is a staunch advocate for health & fitness. He regularly dedicates his time to training others in the community. Through his leadership, he aims to inspire the next generation of artists, nurturing their creativity and encouraging them to follow their dreams.
EVENT CHAIRS & SPECIAL GUESTS
HONORARY CHAIR
JERRY L. DEMINGS
MAYOR
ORANGE COUNTY ORLANDO FLORIDA
HONORARY CO-CHAIR
ALVIN COWANS
PRESIDENT
MCCOY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
CHAIR
DEE PARKER
BROKER / OWNER
PARKER REALTY GROUP
CO -CHAIR
NANCY SCHWALB
PRESIDENT
SCHWALB PUBLIC RELATIONS
PRESIDENT & CEO
RICH BLACK
PUBLISHER
ONYX MAGAZINE
EMCEE
CURTIS MCCLOUD
ANCHOR/ INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
SPECTRUM NEWS 13
You can watch Curtis every weekend morning starting at 6, but make sure that you check-in with News 13 during the week. As one of the original Spectrum News 13 Watchdog investigative reporters, Curtis McCloud has made an impact covering major stories like the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trail in Minneapolis, Wisconsin and tackling a number of important issues across our communities including guardianship abuse, and uncovering the racial disparity that exists within Central Florid home lending.
Throughout his career as a seasoned award-winning investigative journalist, Curtis has covered some very memorable stories working in newsrooms all around the country including Virginia, Tennessee, Washington, D.C and Georgia. His favorite is probably a story about saving Cedar Grove, a historic African-American slave cemetery in Tennessee. Through a series of in-depth reports, Curtis help launch a region-wide initiative to clean up the forgotten cemetery.
HONREES PRESENTER
JERRY ASKIN
ANCHOR/ REPORTER
WKMG NEWS 6
Jerry Askin joined the News 6 team in March 2018 as a respected journalist from WMC in Memphis, Tennessee. Jerry came to News 6 as a general assignment reporter and was later promoted to Weekend Morning Anchor. In Memphis, Jerry focused on police affairs and crime activity, making him a valuable asset to the News 6 Getting Results daily commitment. “I enjoy stories where I can interact with people and help them get answers,” Askin said. “I want to be the voice for the impoverished, for the challenged -- people who otherwise wouldn't be able to tell their stories.
Throughout his stops in Tallahassee, Chattanooga and Memphis, he's covered a myriad of big stories, including the 50th anniversary of the march on Selma, the aftermath of the Deepwater Oil Spill, the Casey Anthony trial and exposing a $12 million Ponzi scheme. The Atlanta native attended Georgia State University and he also has a Masters Degree in Communication Leadership from Gonzaga University. Jerry's master’s level published thesis on “Breaking the Code of Silence in African American Communities” frequently applies to his daily work.
distinguished
By celebrating their achievements and acknowledging their intellectual prowess, we pave the way for a future where intelligence is celebrated irrespective of the color of one's skin. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that intelligence is a universal gift.
intelligent
Intelligence knows no bounds, and across every race and ethnicity, there are individuals who exemplify extraordinary intellect and achieve remarkable feats. In this event, we shine a light on the intellectual prowess and accomplishments of our intelligent men.
Confident
The brilliance of intelligent men transcends boundaries and stands as a testament to the extraordinary potential that exists within every individual, regardless of their race or background. These individuals have made immense contributions in various fields.