The Oakland County Board of Commissioners marked Black History Month by recognizing five residents with its fifth annual Black Excellence Awards during its Feb. 19 meeting in Pontiac.
This year’s recipients share a strong record of mentoring and youth development alongside their professional and civic accomplishments.
The 2026 awardees were DaQuetta Baylor-Boothe of Pontiac, Sanya L. Weston of Northville, and Kevandre Thompson, Gregory Glenn, and Justen Daniels, all of Southfield.
The awards, established in 2022, are based on public nominations and reviewed by a panel of commissioners that includes Angela Powell (D-Pontiac), Yolanda Smith Charles (D-Southfield), and Linnie Taylor (D-Southfield).
“The Black Excellence Awards began as a way to recognize contributions made by Oakland County’s Black residents, often in quiet and unassuming ways,” said Powell.
“There are numerous community champions who work tirelessly throughout the year, and we definitely applaud their efforts. However, this award allows the community to nominate someone who is making a deep and meaningful impact that may not be seen beyond their neighborhoods. We want to lift up those unsung heroes and showcase their commitments.”
According to Smith Charles, this year’s selection process reflected a growing awareness of the award and the depth of service taking place throughout the county.
“This year we received the largest number of nominations, and it was eye-opening to see the work quietly being done across the Oakland County by people who simply want to make their communities better,” Smith Charles said.
Each year, residents across the county submit names of individuals whose work may not command headlines, but leaves a measurable mark on neighborhoods, schools, and families. The three commissioners review the nominations and select five honorees whose contributions reflect sustained service and leadership.
Commissioners presented each recipient with a commemorative keepsake. Their names will also be added to a plaque displayed outside the Board auditorium, joining previous honorees recognized since the inaugural awards ceremony.
“Selecting only five recipients from a list of highly qualified and dedicated community leaders was difficult. However, these individuals stood out as shining examples of leaders, mentors and change makers in their own unique way,” Taylor said.
Baylor-Boothe is the owner and operator of Wee School Preschool, where she has built a program centered on early childhood care and education. Her work focuses on providing a structured and supportive setting for infants and young children. In addition to her role in early learning, Baylor-Boothe leads a food outreach initiative that distributes resources to families facing hardship. Through both efforts, she has established a consistent presence in Pontiac, working directly with parents and children.
Weston founded Youth People Travel Global Edge, a travel enterprise designed to introduce young people to cultural exchange and international experiences. Through curated trips and educational programming, Weston aims to expand students’ understanding of global communities. Her commitment to youth engagement also includes serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and mentoring college students as they navigate academic and career planning.
Thompson has worked across several organizations that focus on mentorship and professional development. His involvement includes Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan and the Detroit chapter of the National Black MBA Association, where he supports its Leaders of Tomorrow high school mentoring program. Thompson is also the lead organizer of the upcoming TEDxPontiac event, an independently organized TEDx program intended to highlight local perspectives and innovation. Through these roles, he has connected students and young professionals to networks and opportunities designed to support long-term growth.
Glenn is a military veteran with a combined 21 years of service in the United States Army and the Michigan Air National Guard. Following his military career, he became the owner of Minuteman Press in Clawson. Glenn continues to mentor youth and emerging professionals while remaining active in civic life as a member of the Detroit Shriners. His work spans entrepreneurship, mentorship, and veteran representation within the community.
Daniels brings a background in public health to his outreach efforts with young people. He works with the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, overseeing programs that educate youth about the risks associated with tobacco use and strategies for prevention. Daniels has also partnered with the Oakland County Sheriff Police Athletic League and the Pontiac School District Promise Zone Authority. Through these collaborations, he supports initiatives that connect health education, physical activity, and academic opportunity.
The Black Excellence Awards highlight a range of professions and service areas – early childhood education, global travel, business leadership, military service and public health – while underscoring a shared commitment to mentoring the next generation. For the commissioners, the annual recognition serves not only as a celebration during Black History Month but also as a public record of residents whose work shapes daily life across Oakland County.
Participation continues to expand, reflecting both increased community engagement and the breadth of service taking place in cities including Pontiac, Southfield, Northville, and Clawson.
With each new class of honorees, the plaque outside the Board auditorium grows, documenting individuals whose impact may begin at the neighborhood level, but resonates throughout the county.
