By Anjanee Ferguson-Smith
This year marks the monumental 10th Anniversary of the Business Innovators and Game-Changers (B.I.G.) Awards Gala, produced and presented by WhereItzAt Magazine. In the nine years since inception, the B.I.G. Awards Gala has hosted more than 2,750 attendees and recognized more than 120 extraordinary honorees – its mission is to present and curate the recipients of this Award, not only for posterity, but as a template of personal achievement and excellence. Last year’s gala was an incredible success with 225 guests attending the sold-out event. Past guests have included thought-leaders, activists, and authorities in industries from shipping and exports, fashion, media, nightlife, hospitality, government relations, technology, health care, finance, design, architecture, STEM, and so much more.
“Our experience in this space has allowed us to observe many of the Peak Performers at their absolute best, in Business, Community Development, Health, Education, and Entertainment – thereby mandating us to create a distinct organization to exhibit the tremendous and historical achievements of such individuals. Hence, the birth of the Business Innovators & Game-Changers Awards – its mission, is to present and curate the recipients of this Award, not only for posterity, but as a template of personal achievement and excellence.” says Christopher Williams, Co-Founder & Associate Publisher of WhereItzAt.
For a decade the B.I.G. Awards Gala has identified, connected, and advanced the work of outstanding business & community leaders in New York City.
The 2024 B.I.G. Awards Honorees Include:
- Phil Andrews – President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Duclas Charles – Founder, Black Health Connect
- Khadija Tudor & Ade Collman – Owners, Life Wellness Center
- Professor Gloria Davis – Author & Retired Lecturer, University of the West Indies
- Horace Davis – Founder, Caribbean American Society of New York (CASONY)
- Sophia Forbes – Owner, Tropical Jerk
- Sunshine Foss – Owner, Happy Cork
- Jyll Hubbard-Salk – Owner, Urban Asanas
- Coleen “Kim” Morrison – Owner, Unique Weddings & Tours
- Michael & Nicole Nicholas – Founders, Aunts et Uncles
- Wayne Peters – President, Eden Home Care
- Jamila & Alfonso “Ali” Wright – Founders, Brooklyn Tea
Each new year of the B.I.G. Awards Gala brings new faces, new insights, and new levels of excellence. In addition to a new location–The Crown Hill Theatre, and a revamped presentation, this year’s ceremony also boasts a new award.
The Inaugural Michelle Williams Community Vanguard Award
This year the B.I.G Awards committee is proud to announce a new award in honor of the late Michelle Williams, Wife of Dr. Clive Williams and Mother of Christopher Williams. The Inaugural Michelle Williams Community Vanguard Award will recognize a family-operated business with a demonstrated commitment to the community. This year’s recipient is none other than Sophia Forbes of Tropical Jerk.
“We are changing the perceptions that award events recognize only popular or affluent people, or only serves to appease or befriend prominent individuals; our motives are driven by a philosophy established by the late Marcus Mosiah Garvey who instructed us to, “canonize our own saints, create our own martyrs and elevate to positions of fame and honor, black men and women who have made their distinct contributions to (our) history.” says Dr. Clive Williams, Founder & Publisher of WhereItzAt.
All are invited to join the festivities on Saturday, October 5, 2024, starting 6 pm at Crown Hill Theatre, 750 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our Eventnoire page.
WhereItzAt is a trusted monthly magazine that celebrates the unique voices, experiences, and perspectives of Caribbean-American, and Urban Culture. The masthead of WhereItzAt states boldly, “We Tell Your Stories”, and it is that statement that serves as the capstone of our editorial mission and the impetus for an event dedicated to honoring outstanding members of the Caribbean and American community.
The Business Innovators and Game-Changers (B.I.G.) Awards Gala was created to honor the achievements of outstanding individuals active in Business and Community life, Civic Leaders and Professionals, as well as Small Business Owners–all who have given back in large measure to the Communities they serve with little or no fanfare. These are the creators, innovators and game-changers that are the engines of our communities that thrive. The B.I.G Awards is also focused on recognizing the young game-changers who are emerging as “Tomorrow’s Leaders.”
