Perry Stokes
Arts & Culture

Perry Stokes believes there is a light shining in every student, and he intends to ignite it. As a teacher at Carver Middle School, he fosters creative thinking and teaches his “Stokes Stars” that love, respect, hope and discipline can carry them to success. As a well-known performer and vocal instructor, Perry celebrates African-American culture through playwriting. He wrote, directed and produced a soulful version of “The Wizard of Oz” for Delray Beach’s ROOTS Cultural Festival, as well as several children’s plays. Perry lives by a simple saying, “Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a beautiful gift to be enjoyed.”

Leroy Jones
Business & Entrepreneurism

When Leroy Jones founded the Neighbors and Neighbors Association, Inc. (NANA) 15 years ago, he envisioned a more prosperous and economically sound African-American community. Today, NANA has helped small businesses qualify for more than $16 million in grants, financial assistance and low-interest loans. The generosity of NANA extends beyond financial support as well, helping to provide free office space for young businesses. Leroy also developed the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program. It provides financial and technical assistance to help start-up businesses receive the boost they need for success and fosters beneficial working relationships with Miami-Dade County government.

William "DC" Clark
Community Service

William “DC” Clark realizes charity begins at home, and he credits his benevolence to mentors like his mother, father and many dedicated, like-minded members of the community. DC shares that passion with others in both his professional and personal service. He is a firefighter and paramedic for the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and co-founder of I.A.M. Miami, a literary and political organization that elevates the presence of the African-American community by celebrating its history, heritage and culture. DC currently serves as president of the Miami Central High School Alumni Association, an organization that awards 50 laptops annually to college-bound seniors in financial need.

Emma Banks, Ph.D.
Education

As the founder and principal of Inlet Grove Community Charter High School, Dr. Emma Banks carries out her personal mission every day: to provide youth with the opportunity to achieve a high school education and continue on to post-secondary institutions. Dr. Banks works tirelessly to teach at-risk students the tools they need to be successful in and outside of the classroom, and takes particular pride in helping those that society said would never succeed. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2009, she was named Outstanding Educational Leader by the American Red Cross. An accomplished author, publisher and TV producer, she created Palm Beach County’s first African-American magazine, Vision, and produced the “Future Generation Teen Talk Show,” which aired for five years.

Jhadrian Lawrence
Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award

As a senior at Miami Northwestern High School, Jhadrian strives for excellence in all that she does. With spirit and perseverance, she juggles her advanced academic classes with community service and marching band activities all while caring for her disabled mother. Jhadrian is interested in attending medical school after college and says her life's passion will always be music. She remains eager and optimistic about the path her life will take as she continues her education at Florida State University.