2022 MEN OF HONOR
ONYX Foundation Executive Director Laura Dorsey, scholars Samuel Washington and Naythaniel Nicolas, Linda Braynen, ONYX Co-founder Lester Seays, Reginald Black, scholars Daniel Banks and Zavier Avera.
ONYX MAGAZINE HONORED 22 OF FLORIDA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL BLACK MEN at MEN OF HONOR THE MAN OF THE YEAR IS DR. GEORGE TINSLEY, A CENTRAL FLORIDA PIONEER IN BLACK BUSINESS OWNERSHIP AND SIX-TIME HALL OF FAMER.
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n its 25th year of celebrating Black achievement, ONYX Magazine hosted the third Men of Honor (MOH), along with Founding Partner Orlando Health and Presenting Sponsor VyStar Credit Union. The internationally recognized event applauded 22 of Florida’s most impactful and influential Black men during an awards celebration on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 5 p.m. at the beautiful Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando. The event paid tribute to the tireless contributions of Black men throughout the state. ONYX Magazine’s honorees have achieved many feats while making a pivotal change in their professions and persevering against many odds. ONYX Magazine was excited to collaborate with its sponsors to present these stalwart leaders at the helm of
businesses known for national and international success. “We felt there was a need to celebrate African-American males, those who do the heavy lifting--they are the unsung heroes,” said ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black. “There are a lot of guys who need to be recognized; they would never be written about and we would never hear the positives without Men of Honor. This event has grown since 2019, and with the help of (Orange County) Mayor Jerry Demings, it has grown to nearly a 500-600-seat event.” This year, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings served as honorary chair. Demings has been a solid backer of MOH since its inception in 2019 and received the distinction of Man of the Year in 2021. During the event, Mayor Demings draped the
International Man of Honor the Honorable Curt Hollingsworth
56 ONYX MAGAZINE
Man of the Year George Tinsley
honorees in their red-sashed medallions that bear the engraving 'ONYX Magazine’s Man of Honor.' "Through the leadership and vision of our honorees, they are actively transforming their communities and professions to benefit future generations," said Demings. "I am honored to be this year's honorary chair and I applaud Mr. Rich Black and ONYX Magazine for recognizing these men." ONYX Magazine’s Men of Honor gave a special Man of the Year salute to George Tinsley, the president and CEO of Tinsley Family Concessions, Inc., a six-time Hall of Famer, and former American Basketball Association (ABA) player. Known for his humility and business prowess, Tinsley also is a sought-after speaker and motivational coach. “My seventh-grade schoolteacher was the one who looked at me and said, ‘You could be some-
Event emcees and Men of Honor Curtis McCloud and Jerry Askin
