POWER AND BY D. SHENELL REED
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2021 Men of Honor with inaugural members on front row
Commissioner Regina Hill, ONYX Publisher Rich Black, Congresswoman Val Demings, Man of the Year Mayor Jerry Demings, ONYX Events Chair Dee Parker, Congressman Charlie Crist
n a night of esteem and honor, ONYX Magazine recognized 19 of Florida’s leading Black men for their outstanding achievements at its annual ONYX Magazine’s Men of Honor Awards. Along with Founding Partner Orlando Health, ONYX, the 24-year-old publication that celebrates Black achievement throughout Florida, named elected officials, C-suite leaders and market presidents among Florida’s top leaders, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings as Man of the Year. The black-tie, soldout dinner was held Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in the posh Grand Bohemian Orlando Downtown Hotel. “I stand on the shoulders of those African slaves who got us to this point….We are going to work every day to make the world a better place,” said Mayor Jerry Demings when he stepped onto the stage at the end of the night thronged by a standing audience. He thanked the ONYX Magazine team for the effort, especially Chair Dee Parker and Publisher Rich Black for the vision of Men of Honor. He gave credit to his wife, Congresswoman Val Demings, and sons for their continued support. But perhaps his most poignant words were to the aspiring male leaders in the room. “Young men…you know there is an opportunity for all of you to rise to the occasion and be of service and good will to others like all of these honorees here tonight,” he said. The evening opened with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer congratulating the “change agents” who were being recognized. “They have all had impact on our community, our state and on the national level,” he said. Following
Dyer was a chorus of uplifting words by some of America’s most committed leaders. In an explosive keynote address, speaker Vincent Evans, influenced by the theme “Commitment to Mentorship,” challenged honorees to continue positive role modeling for young men. “Who is willing to carry the weight,” Evans asked the honorees. “As you exceed lofty heights, don’t lose your Keynote Speaker Vincent Evans fight! You are the best this community has to offer. Do not grow weary in your well doing. Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, for as long as ever you can.” Evans is the deputy director of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. He also admonished that [as a community responsible for helping the next generation do well, we are not doing enough if we have only one of each honoree]. Then he named them one-by-one. The sentiment brought the audience to its feet with heavy applause. ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black received a gesture from his godson, Treyvon Fair, which highlighted what the entire evening was about: mentorship. The award, selected by Fair, carried the words “To Rich Black, the best father and mentor a young man can have.”
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