West Palm Beach, Fla. – The Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County celebrated black businesses on Saturday, April 16. The 10th Annual Ascension Awards honored Black businesses in the county, doling out standout individuals and groups honored for their business acumen, leadership, and inspiration to other business owners.

The event was held in grand style at the Indian Springs Country Club in Boynton Beach and sold out four weeks in advance. It was heralded a huge success by Ascension Awards founder and organizer, Keely GideonTaylor and Chamber Board chair Attorney Grasford Smith.

The following businesses and individuals took home top honors:Emerging Black Business: Blue Mountain Coffee House, Allison Boettcher, owner; Distinguished Black Business: Camile’s Flowers and Gifts, Camile Bunche, owner; Young Professional Award (Under 40 years of age): Dr. Shanteria Dixon, St. Mary’s Medical Center; Social Justice Advocate Award: Soulan Johnson, Urban League of Palm Beach County; Corporation: Valley Bank, Thais Sullivan; Nonprofit/Public Sector Award: Delta Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Leila Horton, Chapter President.

Johnson, who was the first ever winner in the new “Social Justice Advocate“ category, said she was humbled to be the first. “I accept this award, not alone, but on behalf of my Urban League family, which fights daily for African-Americans and other minorities to receive social equality. We stand by that, and that is my playbook,” said Johnson, who previously worked for the NFL’s Super Bowl Host Committee in Miami overseeing upwards of 1,000 Super Bowl volunteers.

Gideon-Taylor, who is Chair of the Chamber’s Resource Development and Corporate Partners division, said if not for the Ascension Awards, which she co- founded in 2009, many local businesses would be unknown to the wider community. “We highlight a lot of businesses the community might not be aware of,” she pointed out. Businesses are nominated for the awards and are not necessarily a part of the Chamber’s organization.

Throughout the night, Smith highlighted several of the Chamber’s markee programs in their ongoing efforts to serve its members and remain on the cutting edge for its constituents. He touted their Equity Entrepreneur Center, a 501c3 designed to help prepare Black and brown businesses in preparation for loans, business structure, education and training, Smith recognized it’s founder and interim director Bruce Lewis who took on establishing the center after recognizing a significant need. The Equity Entrepreneur Center is accepting tax- deductible donations by contacting Bruce Lewis at: blewislb@bellsouth.net Smith also hailed newly elected State Representative Jervonte Edmonds for creating the Chamber’s Young Professionals group, which Edmonds says he formulated in order to help young entrepreneurs take their businesses to a higher level of business and service.

Keynote speakers Wayne and Sharon Gill, husband and wife duo who are partners in life, business, and ministry and are lawyers and authors, told the audience they’ll need to shift and reinvent themselves in order to remain effective in changing times. Wayne Gill hailed black businesses for their perseverance through tough times.

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James greeted the crowd while numerous other elected officials and dignitaries were among the audience. Donna Singer, International Jazz Singer, was Mistress of Ceremonies.

At the conclusion of the program, Chamber Board chair Smith, honored Gideon-Taylor with his Chairman’s Award.