JM Family names 2017 African-American heroes
The 2017 African-American Achievers, announced Monday, include a Broward County entrepreneur, a Palm Beach County educator, a Miami historian and a Miami actor and playwright who inspired the movie “Moonlight” — named “Best Picture of the Year” at the Academy Awards on Sunday.
The awards have been an annual event for 25 years and are underwritten by Deerfield Beach-based JM Family Enterprises and its dealerships, including Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus.
“Through the African-American Achievers awards, we say thank you to unsung heroes for their accomplishments and contributions to South Florida,” said Colin Brown, president and CEO of JM Family. The 2017 winners are: Shaun M. Davis, founder and managing partner of S. Davis& Associates in Hollywood, one of the largest African-American- owned certified public accounting firms in the region. Davis won in the entrepreneur category. He also recently was elected board chair of the Urban League of Broward County.
Anthony Lockhart, an educator whose leadership raised low-ranked Belle Glade’s Lake Shore Middle School to a “C” in 2016, was named winner in the education category. Lockhart was also named principal of the year in Palm Beach County last year.
Enid Curtis Pinkney, a historian who was instrumental in saving the historic Lemon City Cemetery and the Native American burial grounds downtown known as Miami Circle, was the winner in the community service category.
Tarell Alvin McCraney, actor, playwright and professor, wrote a script from his work with Liberty City youth that became the basis of “Moonlight.” McCraney, who won in the arts and culture category, uses play writing and a performing arts curriculum at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, as well as a youth summer arts program he designed to help empower young female artists.
JM Family said it will make a contribution of $10,000 in each achiever’s name to their South Florida charities of choice.
Winners will be honored at a public event on April 26 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/ County Convention Center. To attend, visit african americanachievers.com or call 866-516-2497.