Philanthropic Impact from Annual Awards Ceremony Totals More Than $560,000

(Black PR Wire) Five South Floridians were recently honored during the 25th anniversary of the African-American Achievers awards ceremony, sponsored by JM Family Enterprises and its subsidiaries Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus. In recognition of this year’s milestone and the continued efforts of all of the African-American Achievers to improve the quality of life in their communities, JM Family made a contribution of $25,000 to the three South Florida-based Urban League chapters.

Click here to download photos and video from the event.

“Through the African-American Achievers awards, we say thank you to unsung heroes for their accomplishments and contributions to South Florida,” said Colin Brown, president and CEO of JM Family. “As we celebrate 25 years of this special program, we are grateful for the dedication of our past and present honorees. Their continued determination and selflessness is an inspiration to our community and the next generation of leaders making a difference.”

Created by the company’s founder and automotive legend Jim Moran in 1992, the African-American Achievers awards has recognized 152 individuals and contributed $564,000 on their behalf to approximately 130 unique non-profit organizations throughout South Florida. This year’s special donation to the Urban League will help the organizations continue their work in the South Florida community.

"We are grateful to have a strong partnership with JM Family Enterprises and thank them for providing such a generous gift to the three Urban League affiliates in South Florida,” said Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of Urban League of Broward County. “Their support will help us continue our collective mission of empowering communities and changing the lives of children and families in South Florida."

Also part of the evening’s festivities, South Florida high school senior Phabie Jean received the 2017 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award. The first Youth Achiever was named during the 1996 African-American Achievers awards. This year the 22nd exceptional student was awarded with this honor, which was named in memory of 1995 African-American Achiever Jerome Edmund Gray, Esq., and includes a four-year, needs-based scholarship to Florida State University.

The 2017 honorees are:

Tarell Alvin McCraney – Arts & Culture
Shaun M. Davis, CPA – Business & Entrepreneurism
Enid Curtis Pinkney – Community Service
Anthony Lockhart, Ed.D. – Education
Phabie Jean – Youth Achiever

For full bios of the honorees and to learn more, visit africanamericanachievers.com or check out the African-American Achievers Facebook page.