Contributed
Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc., in partnership with Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine, is proud to announce the third annual EMERALD AWARDS, A Salute to Black Excellence in Seminole County. The 2026 Emerald Awards will take place on Saturday, November 7, at The Rink at Northland Church. It will be a grand salute to inspiring and high-achieving African Americans who live, work, or serve in Seminole County. Awards will be presented in fourteen categories for this year. Group Awards will include: Church of the Year and Civic Organization of the Year (sororities, fraternities, community groups), along with Individual Awards: Author of the Year (writers of books, articles, reports, etc.), Beauty Professional of the Year (Barber, Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, Nail Tech, etc.), Community Advocate of the Year, Corporate Achiever of the Year, Educator of the Year, Healthcare Professional of the Year (doctors, nurses, therapists, orderlies, home health aide, doulas, etc.), Public Safety Professional of the Year (police, fire, EMT), Small Business of the Year (restaurants, construction, landscapers, mechanics, etc.), Technology Professional of the Year, Engineering Professional of the Year, Youth Achiever of the Year. Most winners will be determined by popular vote. The deadline for nominations is August 15, 2026. The public is invited to nominate deserving Africans Americans at www.radiantlyblack.com/emerald.
“The Emerald Awards program is still the only televised awards show featuring African Americans in central Florida and we in Seminole County should be quite proud,” said James Benjamin, Chair of the Board of Directors of Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc. “For those who didn’t attend last year, you missed a real treat. The full 2025 program can be accessed at https://vimeo.com/1144067923. But none of this would be possible without the unselfish and unwavering support of our Honorary Chairs: Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart; Dr. Michael L. Howell, Southeast Regional Medical Executive for Cigna Healthcare; Dr. Ethan Johnson, Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Seminole County; Mark McEwen, National TV/Radio Host and Rev. Andy Searles, Lead Pastor, Church Together.”
Breaking Bread Beyond (BBB) was established in 2017, as a 501C3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope to the hopeless and a source of support for unsheltered individuals, under-sheltered families, economically disadvantaged families, students, and the elderly in Seminole County. BBB serves two home-cooked meals per week to unsheltered and under-sheltered families and individuals who live off the grid.
J. Lajuana Miller, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine – Central Florida, is the Executive Producer of the Emerald Awards. Questions concerning the Emerald Awards may be sent to [email protected] or 407-840-6813.
