African-American Achievers


South Florida is fortunate to have caring and capable leaders in our communities who serve as role models and help shape the future.  That is why Jim Moran, founder of JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, and JM Lexus, established the African-American Achievers awards ceremony in 1992.  This special event honors outstanding African Americans who consistently and unselfishly invest their time and talents to help change and improve the lives of others.  The individual stories of their significant accomplishments are always inspirational.

This honored tradition began as a way to highlight all the good things that were happening throughout our communities in South Florida.  It has done exactly that.   Through the years, the program has become well known and respected, giving distinguished honorees the recognition they so well deserve.  An independent panel of community leaders from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, including some former Achievers, select the honorees each year.

Awards are given in four categories:
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Entrepreneurism
  • Community Service
  • Education
    • In honor of the Achievers, JM Family, Southeast Toyota, and JM Lexus donate $20,000 to various South Florida charities — $5,000 in each Achiever’s name to the charity(ies) of his/her choice.   The companies donate $500 to the charity(ies) of choice of those whose nominee is selected as an African-American Achiever.  This total donation of $2,000 to nonprofits help positively impact more lives.  Additionally, each person whose nominee is chosen, along with a guest, receives an invitation to the evening’s private reception.

    Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever
    Each year, The Jim Moran Foundation, in partnership with Florida State University (FSU), seeks out an African-American high school student for the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award who has been identified with a financial need and has applied and received admission to FSU.  Named in memory of 1995 African-American Achiever Jerome Edmund Gray, Esq., the selected student is awarded a four-year, needs-based scholarship to FSU.