Rochester “Black Men Achieve” 2018 Award Winners

Rochester Black Men Achieve Award Winners Honored !

A hugely successful Rochester Black Men Achieve Awards was a sold out event!

Celebrating men of color and organizations whose outstanding work best served the local African-American community, it took place at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The competitive awards were divided into 26 categories recognizing individuals and/or organizations within Business, Education, Government, Entertainment, Public Service, Non-profit, and community service.

One young nominee nominee for “visual artist of the year” had to say about the impressive gathering: “I think the Rochester community is a lot more positive than people may think. Everybody came together looking nice. I just really feel like black excellence is in the room right now. And I’m just proud to be a part of this and what’s going on right now,” said Chris Cardwell from GoodKnews Photography.

President and founder of the Rochester Black Men Achieve Awards Jermayne Meyers said it was all about brotherhood. “Brotherhood. It’s about building brotherhood in the City of Rochester,” he said. “Our Black men and our young boys, they need help. It takes a village to raise a child, so we’re asking the brothers to come together so that they can bring change and help our young men succeed. ” Myers added that it is the

hope that the message will spread and inspire other men to contribute to uplifting local youth. “They need help, and it takes village to raise a child so we’re asking all the brothers to come together so that we can come together and help our young men succeed,” said Myers.

The Following are the winners of this years prestigious awards:

Man of the Year:  Dr. Leonard Brock; Exec. Dir., Rochester Anti-Poverty Initiative

Future Man of the Year: Jeremiah West and Joshua West

Entertainer of the Year: Grand Tone

Musician of the Year: Jimmie Highsmith, Jr.

Visual Artist of the Year: Christopher Cardwell

Outstanding Literary Work: Men’s Daily Affirmations: 21 Days of Affirmation; Kareem Hayes

Sportsman of the Year: Willie Monroe; Jr., Boxer

Outstanding News and Media Programming of the Year: Wake-Up Club; 103.9 WDKX Radio Station

Outstanding Journalist or News/Media Host of the Year:Richard McCollough; President of RABJ and Mirusmedia

Distinguished Public Service Servant of the Year: Adam McFadden; Councilmember, City of Rochester

Charles Price CommunityPoliceman of the Year: Moses Robinson; RPD

Firefighter of the Year: Ernest Flagler-Mitchell, RFD

Distinguished Health Professional of the Year: Lee Davis; EazyWork Fitness

Distinguished Educator of the Year: Cory Johnson; RCSD Leadership Academy

Distinguished School Leader of the Year: Walter Larkin Jr.; Principal, Edison Tech High School

Distinguished Lawyer of the Year: Judge Stephen T. Miller, Rochester City Court The Bishop Gregory L. Parris

Inspirational Leader of the Year: Melvin Cross, Jr.; Pastor, Glory House International Church

Civil & Human Rights Activist of the Year: Demond Meeks; CBTU

Distinguished Brother of the Year: Demond Meeks (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.)

Outstanding Executive and/or Entrepreneur of the Year: James Norman, President Action For A Better Community

Outstanding Men’s Program:Operation Transformation Rochester: City of Rochester

Outstanding Youth Program:Boys and Girls Club of Rochester

Outstanding Community Organization of the Year: Action for a Better Community

Distinguished Fraternal Order Organization of the Year: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Eta Rho

Lambda Chapter

Outstanding Business of the Year: City of Rochester