This year’s Community Pillars are:  Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime; Gene Tinnie, President of the Kuumba Artists Collective; Carole Ann Taylor, CEO of Miami To Go, Inc.; Gordon Murray, Esq., Law Offices of Gordon Murray, P.A.; Reverend Ralph Ross, Pastor of Historic Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; Andrew Osolase, president of the Edo Association of Florida, Inc.; Dr. Barbara Broussard, Senior Pastor-Church of the Rock, Inc. and Rev. Dr. Jimmy Ray Burke, Outreach Ministry-St. Mathews M.B.C. and the Miami Job Corps.  These honorees were selected for their support of programs which positively impact the community and their commitment to public service. 

The BHPC is also awarding scholarships to “Young Pillars,” students who are enrolled in a post secondary institution and involved in various civic oriented activities.  This year’s recipients are:  Reginald Mizell (Florida Memorial University); Yvonne Ducatel (Florida A&M University); Eric D. Jackson (Miami-Dade College) and Stephanie Latimore (Florida Memorial University). “We are determined to provide recognition to our Community Pillars and scholarships to support our ‘Future Pillars”,” said Heritage Planning Committee chair and member of the Black Affairs Advisory Board, Edgar Wright.     

The Black Heritage Planning Committee is a subcommittee of the Black Affairs Advisory Board.  It is comprised of volunteer Miami-Dade County employees who plan and implement activities throughout the year aimed at increasing visibility and recognition for the contributions of members and descendents of the African Diaspora.

The annual Pillars Awards recognizes people from the community who often work behind the scenes, often without intentionally seeking recognition.   Young Pillars are selected based on their academic goals and community service.

This year’s sponsors include media sponsor, Comcast;  Macy’s Department Store’s downtown branch;  McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc.; Urban Strategies, Inc.; of Florida; Lighthouse Garden Center; Rozalyn H. Paschal M. D. P.A. & Associates; VITAS, the Diaspora Arts Coalition (DAC); Miami-Dade County’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade,  Royalty Cookies  and ICMA Retirement Corporation.

About the Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB):

The BAAB meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. (except August and December).    The Black Affairs Advisory Board serves in an advocacy and advisory capacity to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners as part of the Office of Community Advocacy.  The Black Affairs Advisory Board believes that the Black World Community should be proactively involved in the process by which they are governed and receive services and further stands on the principle that all citizens should be educated, involved and served by its local county government.

For further details on the Black Affairs Advisory Board or the Annual Pillars Awards, call (305) 375-4606 or visit www.miamidade.gov/baab.