Michigan Chronicle’s 'Best in Black,' best in Detroit

 

Best in Black is best in Detroit
Even with the buzz generated around Detroit’s rise from the municipal dead, the return of commerce and the re-gentrification of neighborhoods, it would be hard pressed to match the excitement and the resilience of recipients at the first annual Best in Black Awards ceremony held at Detroit’s famed Music Hall.
Event sponsors, UAW, Radio One and The Michigan Chronicle established the highly anticipated awards ceremony to highlight the contributions of African Americans in more than 40 categories ranging from attorneys and preachers, to entrepreneurs and entertainers.
Distinguished nominees and their enthusiastic supporters packed the theater in the historic Paradise Valley district, noted for it’s black business and entertainment venues, eager for the announcement of winners. BIB organizers, nominees and their supporters expressed sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the many Detroiters who did more than just hold on during difficult times, they made the commitment to consistently strive for excellence, without much mention having been made of them publicly.
“I love black people,” Michigan Chronicle publisher and Real Times Media CEO Hiram E. Jackson shouted to the energetic crowd as he opened the live awards ceremony.
“These are the individuals and institutions that buoyed up disheartened citizens and discouraged consumers, even when it wasn’t as popular or as fashionable as it is now,” said Jackson.
“We are proud to be presenting sponsors tonight for the inaugural Best in Black Detroit awards,” added Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, UAW-Ford international representative. “We are part of this community and we are very excited to honor these business owners and residents, service providers and schools.”
Over the three month voting period Detroiters cast more than 350,000 votes for their favorite artists, eateries, stylists and politicians.