MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2018
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL
SPECIAL AWARDS
Legacy South Florida Applauds 2018 Special Award Honorees
Corporate Executive of the Year Business of the Year
Tony Coley is the Regional President of
BB&T Bank of the South Florida
Region. Coley was promoted to the
position in 2012. Prior to his new role,
he worked as the City Executive for
BB&T in Broward County where he led
the bank's commercial sector in second
place in commercial loan production.
The former football star is a graduate of
the University of Miami. He has made a
significant difference in the community
by fostering relationships in the Black
community. Iconic Eye Care, located in Palm Beach
Gardens, sells fashionable eyewear and
sunglasses. The Black-owned company
was founded by Dr. Adam Ramsey. A
native of Trinidad and Tobago, he
graduated from the University of Florida.
He says he is especially proud of having a
hand in making a positive impact in the
community. Ramsey is involved in school
career days, health fairs and mentoring
young people of color. He currently has
interns working at his practice who he
enjoys mentoring.
Business Person of the Year Trailblazer of the Year
State Farm insurance agent Beverly
Crawford owns the Beverly Crawford
Insurance Agency. However, her true
passion is the work she does at her
church and when she volunteers for
several local organizations. She is a
member of the South Florida Howard
University Alumni Club. Crawford says
she's humbled by Legacy's award and will
continue to influence and motivate other
business owners to go after their dreams. West Palm Beach City Commissioner
Cory Neering is the vice president of
external affairs for Planned Parenthood.
He founded the non-profit Ties That
Bind that empowers young people of
color. The group recently sponsored a
trip to Washington D.C. for high
schoolers who live in Palm Beach
County. Neering says he feels humbled
to receive this award. He feels motivated
to encourage the next generation of
leaders.
Corporate Citizenship Award Educator of the Year
Gehring Group was founded in 1992
by Kurt Gehring and specializes in
benefits and risk management services.
The Gehring Group with the help of
its employee, Kate Gangard, has
donated their time to the Black
community by working with the
Urban League along with the
Northwest Community Consortium, a
group of Black pastors who help the
homeless with shelter and holistic
health services. After Hurricane Irma,
the company flew their employees who
worked in the U.S. Virgin Islands to
their Palm Beach Gardens location.
They also sent supplies to the U.S.
Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Palm Beach County Superintendent
Donald Fennoy was named the county's
first Black superintendent in March.
He has worked in the school district for
two ye ars and is known to be a
groundbreaker and leader among
students and colleagues. Fennoy
replaced Superintendent Robert Avossa.
Public Official of the Year
Mack Bernard was elected as the first
Haitian-American commissioner in Palm
Beach County in 2016. Bernard is active
in his community and serves as board
chair of the Toussaint L’Ouverture High
School for Arts and Social Justice and as
a board member for the Color of Hope
Foundation and the Marie Louise Cancer
Foundation.
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