Oakland County Board of Commissioners presents annual Black Excellence Awards

In honor of Black Historical past Month, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners introduced the fifth annual Black Excellence Awards through the Feb. 19 board assembly.

5 recipients had been honored for his or her notable achievements and contributions in assist of these round them, in keeping with a information launch from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

The board receives publicly nominated entries for the annual award that are judged by a panel of commissioners who choose the recipients. The panel contains Commissioners Angela Powell (D-Pontiac), Yolanda Smith Charles (D-Southfield) and Linnie Taylor (D-Southfield).

“The Black Excellence Awards started as a solution to acknowledge the contributions of Black residents of Oakland County, usually in quiet and modest methods,” Powell stated.

The 2026 Black Excellence Award winners embody:

• DaQuetta Baylor-Boothe, of Pontiac, is the proprietor and operator of Wee Faculty Preschool and is dedicated to offering a secure, nurturing surroundings for infants and kids. She additionally runs a meals program to assist these in want.

• Sanya L. Weston, of Northville, is a journey entrepreneur and based Youth Folks Journey World Edge, the place she designs journey experiences to empower youth. She has additionally been a pacesetter of Lady Scout troops and serves as a mentor to college students.

• Kevandre “Dre” Thompson of Southfield has shared his management and mentorship with Massive Brothers Massive Sisters of Southeast Michigan, the Detroit chapter of the Nationwide Black MBA Affiliation and the Leaders of Tomorrow highschool mentoring program. He’s additionally the lead organizer of the upcoming TEDxPontiac program, to raise native voices and innovation.

• Gregory Glenn of Southfield is a navy veteran with a mixed 21 years of service within the U.S. Military and the Michigan Air Nationwide Guard. He’s at present the proprietor of Minuteman Press in Clawson. He additionally mentors youth and younger professionals and is a member of the Detroit Shriners.

• Justen Daniels of Southfield makes use of his skilled background in public well being to coach younger individuals concerning the significance of well being and bodily exercise. He oversees packages to forestall and educate youth concerning the risks of tobacco use with the Alliance of Coalitions for Wholesome Communities. He has additionally labored with the Oakland County Sheriff Police Athletic League and the Pontiac Faculty District Promise Zone Authority.

The recipients obtained a commemorative memento and their names had been added to a plaque outdoors the board auditorium, which lists all award recipients for the reason that inaugural 2022 Black Excellence Awards.

For extra details about the Supervisory Board, please go to: OakGov.com/BOC or name 248-858-0100.