Leveraging the Excellence of Black Businesses
The 3rd Annual Madison Black Chamber of Commerce Black Business Awards Recognition & Exhibition highlighted the significant role that African Americans have made in shaping the economy through entrepreneurship and community investment.
Held Feb. 20 at the Atrium at the Madison College Truax campus, event goers showed up in their best African Chic attire. Soul food was served family style while R&B music was played. State Sen. Lena Taylor was the night’s keynote speaker. The program also included a song by Makahya (Foxxy) Drake and a special appearance by Miss Black USA TaKema Balentine.
“None of this came easy and I’m not here to share all the hardships,” said Myra McNair, owner and founder of Anesis Therapy. “What it looked like for us, may not look the same to others. It took a lot of networking and coming together to create solutions to the problems that we see, and not waiting for someone else to do it.
“So, I would just like to share with Madison, just get used to Black business. Get used to our community loving each other … encouraging one another and endorsing one another. Black businesses are here to stay. We’re not going anywhere,” added McNair, who received a rousing applause.
The award recognition’s dinner, themed “Leveraging the Excellence of Black Businesses,” included networking opportunities with the local business community.
The 2020 Awards Winners are:
- Myra McNair, Anesis Therapy ꟷ President’s Eagle Award
1Motion Outreach Enterprise ꟷ Entertainment Business of the Year Award - Les Delices De Awa LLC ꟷ Caterer of the Year Award
- Dominic Johnson of Northwestern Mutual ꟷ Financial Services of the Year Award
- Kneaded Relief Day Spa & Wellness ꟷ Health & Fitness Business of the Year Award
- N Motion Medical Transportation Inc. ꟷ Healthcare Business of the Year Award
- Adorn Chic Boutique ꟷ Home-Based Business of the Year Award
- Duke and Darling Photo ꟷ Hospitality Business of the Year Award
- The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness ꟷ Milestone Award
- The Sophisticated Lady ꟷ Persistence Business Award
- The Edge of Freshness ꟷ Personal Care Service Business of the Year Award
- Kingdom Restaurant ꟷ Restaurant of the Year Award
- EQT by Design ꟷ Visionary Award
- Alexandrea Cordell ꟷ Young Entrepreneur Award
- Jaia Davis ꟷ Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award
To learn more about Madison Black Chamber of Commerce visit madisonblackchamber.com.