Capital City African-American Chamber hosts awards luncheon
The 3rd Annual Business Awards Luncheon, held at Norris Conference Center, honored several local businesses and leaders for their dedication and contribution to Austin’s economy and civic engagement.
Texas Gas Service, Corporate Partner of the Year - TGS has been a member of the Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce since the 1990’s. The company is the third largest natural gas distribution company in Texas, provides natural gas services to more than 600,000 customers across Texas, and has a Texas Gas Service Program that gave over $1 million in rebates to residential and small-businesses owners to assist in the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. TGS participates in purchasing programs and advocates for policies that support small locally-owned and minority-owned businesses. Texas Gas Service will continue to support CCAACC through future luncheons and membership events.
Juanita Stephens, Volunteer of the Year – A native Austinite, Stephens has selflessly been a volunteer and member of the chamber since 1995. She is a committed 2010 Capital City African-American Chamber of Commerce board member. Some of her community involvement includes serving on the Blackshear Elementary action committee and helping with a charter school in Williamson County. She is passionate about education for adults and youth.
Joyce E. Adejumo, AustinPreneur of the Year – The first African-American female to graduate from the North Carolina Military Academy, Adejumo is now the Executive Director and spokesperson for the Mitchie Mitchell Foundation, which provides academic scholarships to high school students who are survivors and immediate family members of DWI incidents. The Foundation was named after her son who, at age three, was paralyzed below the waist in a DWI accident involving his father. She contributes much support to victims and organizations of drunk driving, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Adejumo is also President and CEO of Mitchie’s Gallery, owner of Butterfly Publishing, author, and winner of the 2010 Viva Diva Award by Austin Woman Magazine, 2010 Community Service Award by Pursuit of Dreams Foundation & Annual Minority mentorship Symposium-UT at Austin, and the “Do the Write Thing Award” by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department.
University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Community Partner of the Year - UT’s historically underutilized business program fosters business development. The department collaborates with partnerers on issues around social justice, equity, improved access to higher education, and community engagement. Their programming sponsored Texas Relay Reception and welcoming reception for Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen.
The guest speaker at the event was author of “How to Play the Game at the Top” and CEO Fenorris Pearson, who spoke on consumer innovation. Pearson is a former Vice President at Dell and Motorola and is the current CEO of Global Consumer Innovation.
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