- Annual Event to Benefit Local Charities -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--(Orlando, FL)--The LBS Foundation and Onyx Magazine are excited to announce the ninth annual Onyx Ovation Week, which will take place from September 20-24, 2011, ending with the grand finale: The Annual Onyx Awards Gala at the Rosen Centre Hotel. This annual event is the premiere social gathering for Florida’s African-American professionals and aims to increase awareness and raise donations for sickle cell awareness and various educational initiatives throughout the state.

This year’s theme is The Art of it All, and will feature a tribute to The Florida Highwaymen, a group of 26 African-American artists who captured Florida’s beautiful untouched landscape with vivid colors and accurate brush strokes, adding to the legacy of Florida’s Black trailblazers. Also being honored will be international theatrical star Normal Lewis, who grew up in Eatonville and has graced stages across the globe with his renditions of timeless classical pieces.

The awards show will honor nominees in five competitive categories and seven non-competitive categories. The nominees are viewed by their peers as innovators and outstanding contributors throughout the state of Florida. The 2011 gala also will feature a salute to the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, AAHCP (African-American Heritage Club of the Plantation); Willie Williams, VP of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP; Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson; and former FAMU president Dr. Frederick Humphries.

“Each year, this event is able to touch more lives and shed light on Florida’s best and brightest,” said Lillian Seays, LBS Foundations Co-Founder. “We also like to use this event as a reminder of the many residents that are in need in this state of Florida and that’s why we focus on our selected charities.” Local organizations Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida (Title Sponsor) and Visit Orlando (The Florida Highwaymen Sponsor), the University of Central Florida, as well as a host of other corporate donors, will again help lead the way in raising money for local and state-wide foundations.

Since its inception, the LBS Foundation has been able to donate over $100,000 to charitable causes throughout Florida and plans to double that number over the next two years. “Giving back is the only way we are able to advance our community. This award show’s total focus is about sharing that spirit and harnessing the synergy that comes from having so many outstanding individuals in one setting.”

For more information about the Onyx Ovation Week, please visit: www.onyxawards.com or call (407) 625-3024/(407) 797-1938.

About the Awards:
Onyx Magazine, on behalf of LBS Foundation Incorporated, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, celebrates its ninth annual Onyx Awards. We invite you to serve on the Planning Committee of what has become Florida's signature African American awards celebration of "Black Trailblazers" and corporations that promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

This signature event serves as a funding engine to support health and education initiatives of the foundation, which currently focuses on sickle cell disease, early literacy and scholarships. In 2009, through a generous donation provided by the LBS Foundation Incorporated, the Tri-County Sickle Cell Disease Association, Inc. continued services at its new outreach resource center. This office serves clients in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Funding was also provided to the Jacksonville - Sickle Cell Disease Association, Inc. to assist in its mission to serve the clients of Duval County. Through your support, we can continue to make a difference.