Thursday, March 28, 2024

Martin Luther King III and Congresswoman Corinne Brown Salute Amelia Boynton Robinson

Amelia Boynton Robinson, Corrine Brown, Martin King III
Civil Rights Advocate Martin Luther King III kisses Amelia Boynton Robinson as she receives special recognition at the 11th Annual ONYX Awards. Also pictured, Ms. Lateefah Muhammad and Congresswoman Corrine Brown.

*ORLANDO ― At the youthful age of 111, Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson was all smiles as she received a heartfelt standing ovation during the 11th Annual ONYX Awards on Saturday. The matriarch of the Voting Rights Movement was presented with the ONYX Special Recognition Award by Martin Luther King, III and Congresswoman Corrine Brown.

“I know that I would not be in the position that I am today if it were not for the ability to stand on the shoulders of giants like Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson,” said Brown.

Likewise, King saluted the civil rights legend and thanked her for her dedication to the movement that continues to this day. Robinson addressed the audience and shared pearls of wisdom; encouraging parents to instill in their children the importance of their history and taking their place in the world through service to others.

“As mothers and fathers, for God’s sake, don’t think about yourselves. Think about your children. Train up the child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it,” said Robinson. “We’re not perfect, but God gives us the mind, he gives us the heart and the conscience. Take the hate out of your mind and be still in love. These young people who have gone astray, we try to destroy them rather than lift them up.”

Robinson shared that one of her proudest accomplishments was being able to encourage the Department of Agriculture to assist children who could not afford to buy school lunch. Robinson brought a representative to Alabama to witness children sitting in the lunch room crying because they were hungry. Shortly thereafter, the first National School Lunch Program was implemented in public schools beginning in 1946.

Amelia Boynton Robinson
Matriarch of the Voting Rights Movement Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson, escorted by Ms. Lateefah Muhammad, receives special recognition at the 11th Annual ONYX Awards.

The 11th Annual Onyx Awards recognized the achievements of several exemplary leaders making a difference in the African American community. This year’s honorees included:

  • Business Award – Christopher Riley, CEO, Endurance Communications and Electrical, LLC., Orlando, Fla.
  • Business Empowerment Award – Inez Long, President, BBIF(Black Business Investment Fund) Florida, Orlando, Fla.
  • Black Archivist Award – Lizzie Robinson Jenkins, President/Founder, The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc., Archer, Fla.
  • Cultural Diversity Award – Mercedes-Benz Orlando/Maitland, Maitland, Fla.
  • Visionary Award– Sevell Brown, President/Founder, National MLK Parade, St. Petersburg, Fla.
  • Founder’s Award – Coach Luther J. Blackshear, Orange County, Fla.
  • Founder’s Award – Coach Buster Raggs, Sr., Polk County, Fla.
  • Publisher’s Award – John Crossman, President, Crossman & Company, Orlando, Fla.
  • Public Service Award – Commissioner Mable Butler (Retired) – Orlando, Fla.
  • Leadership Award – Dr. Bobby Doctor, Civil Rights Activist, Tallahassee, Fla.
  • Lifetime Achievement in Sports Award – Larry Little, NFL Hall of Famer -Miami Dolphins, Miami, Fla.
  • Lifetime Achievement – The Chestnut Dynasty – Celebrating 100 Years of Family Owned and Operated Business, Gainesville, Fla.

Each honoree embodied the attributes that it takes to achieve greatness and make a difference in society. Christopher Riley has successfully spearheaded two Black-owned businesses, one which wired the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts where the ONYX Awards took place. Lizzie Robinson Jenkins serves as a historian documenting the importance of the Rosewood history which was recognized nationally. Sevell Brown founded the first traditional parade in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1985. John Crossman helps to train students at HBCUs in the skills needed to conquer the real estate industry; and before he became an NFL Hall of Famer and member of the undefeated Miami Dolphins team of 1976, Larry Little faced setbacks that he realized were set ups for his finest hour.

“We are honored to recognize these giants of industry because the world needs to know about the dynamic individuals produced in the great state of Florida,” said ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black.

A special tribute was presented to the presidents of Florida’s four historically black colleges and universities: President Edison O. Jackson of Bethune-Cookman University, President Nathaniel Glover of Edward Waters College, President Elmira Mangum of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and President Roslyn Clark Artis of Florida Memorial University.

The ONYX Awards, presented by title sponsor Bright House Network, has consistently garnered sold out crowds for the past four years.  It proudly serves as a funding engine to support health and education initiatives of the LBS Foundation, Incorporated, a 501c3 organization. This year’s beneficiaries are the Tri-County Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Young Fathers of Central Florida, United Negro College Fund, and the Junior Florida Classic for Literacy.

“The ONYX Awards is Florida’s largest award show to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans and those of the African Diaspora,” said Black. “In the near future, we look forward to televising this event to share with the entire nation.”

For more information, visit www.onyxawards.com.

 

 

 

 

source:
Alonda Thomas Public Relations
[email protected]
www.FAMUAlumniConvention.com
www.OnyxMagazine.com
www.ItsOkayToWait.com

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