JACKSON, Tenn. Gloria Sweet-Love, president of the Tennessee NAACP, and State Rep. Johnny Shaw, owner of Bolivars WOJG-FM Radio, will emcee the 17th Annual JEWEL Awards Banquet. Hosted by the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce (JMCAACC), the annual Black business awards event will take place Friday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. at Oman Arena, 179 Lane Ave. in Jackson.
This years fundraiser will feature two American Idols as the special guest entertainment. In addition, the event will recognized those arrested in the Nov. 8, 1960 Election Day March in Jackson.
The awards program includes presentations as well as live entertainment and a concert featuring American Idol contestants from Memphis Keia Johnson of Season 9 and Lil Rounds of Season 8. They will be backed by the Soulink Band, which features Jawaskia Lake as lead singer.
Tickets are $75 for dinner seating and $15 for arena seats (dinner not included). Tickets are available at Nell Huntspon Flower Box, the Carl Perkins Civic Center Box Office in Jackson, or online at Eventbrite.com. More details are available at http://jmcaacc.org/awards.html or by calling 731-424-2030.
During the awards ceremony, the African American Chamber will announce the winners of outstanding business awards in four categories: the Ruby Award for a new business of one to five years, Diamond Award for a business of six to 10 years, Emerald Award for a business of 11 to 20 years, and the Jewel Award for a business 20-plus years. Winners from 2017 have been invited to serve as presenters, including Ruby Award winner Loving Arms LLC, Diamond Award winner Futurlistic Beauty and Barber Shop, Emerald Award winner Sears Hometown Store in Milan owned by Garey and Lisa Jenkins, and Jewel Award winner John Forrest of F&B Auto Sales.
For more information on tickets, tables, booklet ads and sponsorships, contact the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber at 731.424-2030 or email fhoward@jmcaacc.org. The office is located at 351-C North Royal St., Jackson, TN 38301.
