Submitted by Style News Wire on Tuesday, 6 October 2009
The Houston Citizen’s Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) today announced the finalists for its prestigious African American Business Achievement Pinnacle Awards. Awards will be given in three categories. The finalists that were announced today were selected from a nominees in each category. Winners will be presented at the 15th annual, black on Friday, October 16, 2009, at Houston’s InterContinental Hotel at 7:00 p.m.
Advocate Award:
The Advocate Award was created to honor an organization that has been a true champion for African-American small businesses in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area. These organizations are diligently working to ensure the stability and growth of small businesses through its diversity supplier programs, community outreach and education. The finalists for this year’s Advocate Award are: Metroplitan Transit Authority (Metro), Gilbane and Parsons.
Mack Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award:
This category is named in honor of humanitarian, community and land developer, banker, financier, and diplomat, Mack Hannah, Jr. The criteria states that these businesses must be: 51 percent African American owned, a for-profit business in operation for no more than two years, and located in the Greater Houston Area or surrounding cities.
The Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Business Award recognizes a business on the path to entrepreneurial greatness. The four finalists this year represent a diversity of companies and industries. They are all innovators and are already successful in their own right. The finalists are: Harrland Healthcare Consulting, LLC; Pride Staffing; K Jerrold Enterprises, Inc; and Epiphany Celebrations and Entertaining.
Pinnacle Awards:
Pinnacle Award nominees must also be 51 percent African American owned, a for profit business for a minimum of three years, and located in the Greater Houston Area or surrounding cities. Of the following 10 finalists, four winners will be named 2009 Pinnacle Award winners: Ted Ellis of Ted Ellis, Inc; Karen Hill of Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates; Ka-Ron Wade of Ka-Ron Wade, DDS; Ricky and Lora Mayes of Beacon Home Healthcare; Patrick Johnson of PCJ Consulting, Inc.’ Joy Beasley of GoGo Business Communications; Jennifer Dean of Dean’s Professional Services and Smith and Dean, Inc.; Deiedria Joseph of Topp Knotch Personnel Services, Inc.; Tabatha Ballard of CFBS, and Jonathan Sprinkles of Sprinklims, Inc.
“These companies have met the many challenges facing businesses and found a way to positively impact the communities and industries they serve, “Eric Lyons , president of Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce said. “They are professional, capable, and committed to maintaining a high quality business operation worthy of the Pinnacle Award. Likewise, the Advocate Award finalists are pillars of the Houston business community and are well-respected as good corporate citizens. This is the continuing legacy of the Pinnacle Awards.”
Tickets and Tables for the event are still available for purchase, and can be obtained by visiting www.hcccpinnacleawards.org.
