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ONYX Salutes Rich Black ONYX Magazine named Advocate of the Year
MaskUp, Stop The Spread Sponsors ONYX Publisher Rich Black and Managing Editor D. Shenell Reed at Vote Fest
Publisher Rich Black and ONYX Magazine received the Community Advocate of the Year Award presented by the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida (AACCCF) in April. The Award “recognizes an individual or a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the improvement of the African American community in Central Florida. Further, the individual or nonprofit organization has demonstrated leadership through charitable or public service work and an unselfish commitment to the African American community,” according to AACCCF.
“On behalf of ONYX Magazine, thank you to (AACCCF President) Tanisha Gary, her management and staff at the African American Chamber and to all who were nominated. We really are very pleased and very proud to receive this award.”
The nominating committee tapped Black and ONYX for its execution of the “MaskUp, Stop the Spread” campaign, which educated Black communities about the dangers of COVID-19. Last year, Black thought of his community first when the coronavirus pandemic struck. He and his team developed the effort which reached tens of thousands of people across Central Florida through a billboard campaign in Orange County’s Black communities; a series of virtual town hall meetings with federal and state medical experts; a Public Service Announcement; social media posts; and virtual talks with community leaders that were viewed nationwide. ONYX Magazine also published a special issue to educate the community on 2020 ballot items and encouraged people to vote at Vote Fest.
Additional awards were presented to: JPMorgan Chase & Co-Corporate Recognition Award; Building Black Daily Founder Russell Drake — Small Business Advocate of the Year; Votum Construction President and CEO Vernice Atkins-Bradley — Legacy Award; and Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings –MLK Humanitarian Award.
ONYX Publisher Rich Black, ONYX Advisory Committee Chair Dee Parker, supporter Marisol Romany, ONYX Co-founder Lester Seays
