About the Event

The African-American Achievers awards are celebrating 20 years of our honorees' achievement in 2012. Established in 1992 by Jim Moran, founder of JM Family, Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus, the program recognizes those who unselfishly invest their time and talents toward building a stronger community. At the annual celebration, African-American leaders — including one high school senior — are honored for enriching the quality of life in South Florida. The adult Achievers are selected in the categories of Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurism, Community Service and Education.

Each year, The Jim Moran Foundation (TJMF) in partnership with Florida State University (FSU) selects a high school senior who qualifies for financial aid and has applied and received admission to FSU for the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever award. Named in memory of 1995 African-American Achiever Jerome Edmund Gray, Esq., the award is a needs-based, four-year scholarship to FSU presented by TJMF with funding provided through the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at FSU.

An independent panel of community leaders from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties — including former Achievers — select the adult honorees. The judges review nominations received through an extensive public outreach across the tri-county area.

To further recognize the Achievers, JM Family, Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus annually donate $40,000 to local nonprofits - $10,000 in each adult Achiever's name to the charity(ies) of his or her choice.

The Vision



Jim Moran, founder of JM Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus, always believed in the importance of recognizing those who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others.

He founded African-American Achievers to say thank you to South Florida community leaders who serve as role models and inspire future generations. After 20 years, this event remains the only awards celebration of its kind in the tri-county area.

African-American Achievers continues Jim Moran's vision of raising awareness of the incredible impact one person can have when they reach beyond themselves to make a difference.