Although the idea was a long time coming, that day will arrive soon, say organizers of a new awards campaign to honor Black excellence in Chatham-Kent.
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The Black excellence awards and gala launched Dec. 15 at Sons of Kent Brewing Co., as the committee provided a rundown of the upcoming event slated for Feb. 10 at Retro Suites.
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Co-chaired by Shannon Prince, Michelle Robbins and Doug Robbins, it will feature a half-dozen award categories for which the public will be able to vote, starting Dec. 18.
Doug Robbins said given the area’s rich Black history, it was only fitting this was the next step, especially in the month of February.
“It’s an opportunity to stop and pause and celebrate,” he said.
Categories will include the following:
– Female of the year
– Male of the year
– Youth of the year
– Entrepreneur of the year
– Agriculturalist of the year
– Citizen of the year
Nominations open online Dec. 18 and run until Jan. 10, with further details to come on the event’s social media channels.
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Some of the attributes the ideal nominee will have include leadership, setting an example and giving back to the community.
“We’re looking for the cream of the crop,” Robbins said.
Scotiabank will serve as a third-party nominee and vote tabulator. Once the nominees are announced, voting itself will run from Jan. 16 to Feb. 1.
The trailblazer award, which isn’t picked by the public, also will be presented, with the criteria being the recipient must have a Chatham-Kent connection.
“When we look back, we have a lot of trailblazers,” Robbins said. “We’ve had a lot of people who have made significant differences in Chatham-Kent.”
The awards committee made the announcement alongside Buxton’s Next Generation and Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.
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Robbins said the black tie event will pull out all the stops.
“By gala, I mean gala. Like no other,” he said. “It will be something to see.”
Tickets are $100 and go on sale Jan. 1.
Robbins thanked lead sponsor, Enbridge, as well as Sons of Kent, Teksavvy, Scotiabank, Maple Insurance, Impact Graphics Chatham-Kent Economic Development and Tourism Services, Winmar and With This Ring.
Jim Redford, Enbridge’s vice president of energy services, said the company’s core values are inclusion, integrity and respect.
“Our belief is that nothing drives inclusion more than recognition,” he said.
Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew, who was representing mayor and council, credited committee members for their work in making the gala a reality.
“(It will) recognize our history, our Black history and the diversity in our community,” she said. “We’re making history by continuing this recognition.”
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