our honorees.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

J. Alexander Martin is a prominent entrepreneur and fashion visionary, best known as the co-founder of FUBU (For Us, By Us) and the ForUsByUs Network. With his keen business acumen and passion for empowering the urban community, Martin has made a significant impact in the fashion industry and beyond.

As one of the masterminds behind FUBU, Martin played a pivotal role in establishing the iconic streetwear brand that resonated with urban youth in the 1990s. FUBU's success stemmed from Martin's commitment to creating authentic and culturally relevant fashion for people of color. Under his leadership, FUBU revolutionized the industry and became a global phenomenon, inspiring a new wave of urban fashion.

Driven by his desire to empower and uplift communities of color, Martin expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors with the creation of the ForUsByUs Network. This platform aims to provide opportunities for content providers. Through the ForUsByUs Network, Martin advocates for economic empowerment, creativity, and community-building.

With his innovative mindset and dedication to fostering inclusivity, J. Alexander Martin continues to leave an indelible mark on the fashion and entrepreneurial landscape. His entrepreneurial journey is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and social impact.

COURAGE TO CARE AWARD

Sergeant Carter started her Law Enforcement career in May 2009 with the New York State Office of Mental Health where she served as a Special Police Officer.  She started her career as a Police Officer with the City of Peekskill Police Department in July of 2012 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in November 2019. Sgt. Carter is currently the Commanding Officer of the Community Policing Unit.  She focuses heavily on community affairs and special initiatives with the goal of fostering a transparent relationship between the members of the Police Department and the members of the Peekskill community, building strong ties, and developing community-based programs that will provide community members with well-needed resources.

Sergeant Carter’s duties are currently split between supervising the Community Policing Unit and the Administrative Division.  She is the agency’s Grants Administrator responsible for coordinating the administration of all grant-funded activities in order to ensure that there is a seamless interface between grant-funded programs and the general operations of the Police Department.  She also works closely with the Chief of Police to coordinate fiscal and operation activities related to grant research funding for special initiatives and projects.  Sergeant Carter has coordinated major projects such as the deployment of the Peekskill Police Department K9 Unit, the Police Protective Equipment Program, the Domestic Violence Initiative, the NYS STOP DWI Detail, NYS Vehicle and Traffic Detail, the Child Passenger Safety Program, and Records Management Data Research and Deployment.  She also has served as a Field Training Officer, General Topics Instructor, Bicycle Patrol Officer, and the co-coordinator of the Peekskill Auxiliary Police Officer Division. 

Sergeant Carter holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from the City University of New York at John Jay College, where she was selected and inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society.  She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Monroe College graduating with Summa Cum Laude Honors, and she holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree from the State University of New York, Rockland Community College. She is also a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Women in Leadership Institute.

CONQUEST AWARD

I am a serial entrepreneur, Mom, Author, OVERCOMER, and an e-commerce coach. I've been in the entrepreneurial space for over a decade. I started out in the beauty industry and then took my talents to different areas. I now share my knowledge of the business world with queens all over the world.

I teach them about having a healthy mindset and How important personal development is in order to win in life and business. 

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

Who is Shontel Greene 49?

The unforgiving urban environment of Baltimore City has produced many prolific individuals. From Elite athletes and actors to legendary entertainers and musicians, Baltimore's unique street culture and demographic structure churn out individuals who seem impervious to the volatile ebb and flow of inner-city life.

Many have overcome insurmountable challenges and have succeeded as a result, but no one has a story quite like Shontel Greene's. The product of a pair of drug-addicted parents, Shontel made the decision to become a drug dealer at the impressionable age of 14. Though her environment repeatedly affirmed that her life expectancy may not stretch beyond her late teenage years, she consciously decided that she would defy the odds and secure a future beyond the dilapidated streets she hustled on.

After realizing jail wasn't for her, she began setting clear goals. Through her determination, she would go on to follow her dreams and become a registered nurse, like her mother, before her fall to heroin. Shontel's accomplishments hardly ended after her entry into the Nursing world. She currently holds a master's degree in nursing and is in graduate school at LaSalle University, one year away from her (DNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She is set to receive her degree in June 2024.

Academic pursuits aside, Shontel currently owns two businesses. The first, More Than Just Friends Adult Medical Day Center, serves as a wholesome space to host patients throughout the day with medication therapy, as well as activities and events meant to keep them mentally and physically strong. The second, Nursez R Us, is a residential service agency providing adult dependent care to qualifying citizens in the state of Maryland. 95% of clients come from the underserved population of those receiving state Medicaid and federal Medicare assistance. Grossing $11.9 million dollars annually, Nurse R Us ranked #96 in Black Enterprise two years in a row for one of the largest growing African American companies in the nation. Shontel's documentary was featured on American Gangster Trap Queens Season 3 episode 4.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD

At the age of 16, Antwoin “Chef Fresh” Gutierrez exhibited the first signs of an emerging, but misguided, entrepreneurial spirit when he began to sell illegal narcotics in his hometown, Peekskill NY. After a stint in prison, a more mature Antwoin recognized that the business skills he developed on the streets could be applied to more legitimate ventures and he has transformed his life since his release in 2011.

He discovered his natural talent for baking as a trainee in The Doe Fund at the age of 25. After two years of exploring New York City’s demanding pastry/culinary industry, he was hired as a full-time employee by The Doe Fund and became the organization’s youngest Culinary Instructor by age 27.

Since finding his passion, Chef Fresh has groomed his talents in establishments such as The Gramercy Park Hotel, Upland, Bouchon Bakery, Pain D’Avignon, and Zaro's Bake Shop. In 2017 he launched his own “Online Bakery” called Fresh Taste Bakery and since then, he has made a name for himself in NYC being featured by outlets like The NY Post, GMA, and Black Enterprise for his Carrot Cake Cookies and Alcohol Infused Desserts. #KeepinItFresh,(as he likes to say) with the likes of DJ Khaled, Larenez Tate, Fivio Foreign, The Real Housewives of NJ, as well as companies like Viacom, Spotify, Time, Complex, Black Enterprise, and more!

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Farzana is a passionate and accomplished veteran of the Healthcare Service Industry who, for the first fifteen years of her career, worked as a senior registered nurse at some of the most prestigious hospitals in the city of Hamburg, Germany, where her family settled after fleeing the ravages of war in her birth country of Afghanistan. Her initial experiences with complex surgery, focusing on managing the internal wellness of an individual, provided an invaluable foundation for her to then focus on the external wellness of the individual through attention to Skincare.   

Farzana came to the U.S. from Hamburg in 2011, where she shifted her focus from medicine to becoming a full-time Skincare Specialist (NY licensed aesthetician) and celebrity makeup artist.

Additionally, as a consequence of her own experience with domestic violence, she has become an advocate for women's empowerment, which reinforced her existing sensitivity to the plight of women in Afghanistan. She has been an outspoken public speaker on this topic with the goal of providing women with a greater sense of unification and cohesiveness. This has included presentations to The Miss Immigrant Contest, Unlabelled Award, and The United Nations an organization dedicated to the furtherance of Women’s Empowerment.

As an adjunct to this activity of providing care for people, Farzana became impassioned with the recent unfortunate events for those in her native country of Afghanistan. An entire lifetime of providing care and wellness to people naturally translated into her desire to aid those who have become victims of these circumstances. She is determined to ensure that the proud people of Afghanistan receive the proper treatment and basic necessities that we are all entitled to.

CAPTURE THE MOMENT AWARD

Ronnie Wright, otherwise known as "Photographer to the Stars" has proven himself as one of Hollywood's best-kept secrets. With over 40 years of documenting key moments and tastemakers in Hip Hop, Ronnie Wright's portfolio exceeds many of his predecessors. Born to a musical family, Ronnie grew up with a deep-rooted love and appreciation for entertainment. Ronnie had his own music group called The Seduction Band throughout the early 80s, where they played club dates throughout New York City. It was during this time that Ronnie began photographing musical acts that his band opened for. His passion for

documenting musicians that he liked then turned into Ronnie doing photography for tours and larger artists. After turning his hobby into a side gig, Ronnie made the leap into becoming a celebrity photographer full-time in 1985. During the course of his career, Ronnie has documented big names like Usher, Beyonce, Nelly, and Michael Jackson just to name a few. As a notable photographer, Ronnie landed a gig that lasted 14 years, working with BET Networks as the head photographer on popular shows like Rap City, 106 & Park, and BET Special events.

He has archives of some of the pinnacle moments to the most minuscule times of these artists’ careers. His inspiration for photography comes from his role models James Van Der Zee and Gordon Parks. The two paved the way for black photographers to work and shoot for well-established publications such as Vogue and Life Magazine. Wright had the pleasure to work alongside Parks for the 40th celebration of Art Kane's "Great Day in Harlem" capturing 57 jazz music legends. He continued to assist Parks in shoots for large publications which eventually led to Wright being recognized for his celebrity work. Ronnie found his niche in event photography, capturing intimate moments of the celebrities which he knew really well. Ronnie had the privilege of being around at the beginning of the careers of many of the iconic artists we know. He refers to Brandy and Ashanti as "his nieces in the business" Ronnie's likeness to people has always been what set him apart from other photographers aspiring to be in his position. His dedication to documentation has allowed for authenticity in his work. Ronnie plans to further his career in photography through book releases, galleries, and mentorship.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

One of my major goals is to become a division 1 football coach. Coaching is my way of giving back to my community! Football is more than a game! It’s a tool for teaching the youth life skills through the game of football!

I’ve been married for 15 years to my lovely wife Julissa Jacobs. We have 5 beautiful children, Xavier, Craig the 3rd, Alani, Payton, and Sofia. My family is my greatest accomplishment. Nothing greater than becoming a father and raising a family!

I’m also the vice president of the youth football program in my community. Peekskill Red Devils Youth football team, we recently fell hard hard times due to Covid but we’re working hard to keep the program afloat. I’m also the head coach of our 13 and under team.

I’m an assistant coach for our Peekskill High School Varsity Football team. Often I see former players who have graduated and they appreciate having me as a coach. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve left a good impression.

I enjoy serving my community! I’ve worked the garbage truck, I also maintain the parks. Whatever my hands find to do, I do it to glorify and serve the Lord.

FASHION DESIGNER AWARD

A fashion designer from Lebanon-Syria, Elie Balleh was born in December 1970 in a Syrian Jewish Home. Elie is the eldest among the four children of the Balleh Family. Elie married the love of his life Mari Mineh in January 2004 and a year later had their child his family has grown so fast as of today Elie and Mari have a beautiful big family, His fabulous boys are always in photoshoots and runways shows and rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, Since his childhood, he has been stitching and is a self-trained professional. At age 6 he played around with sawing machines. At age 12 he was able to fully finish garments from pattern making to ready-to-wear pieces.

The head office of his brand is in the New York Fashion District and added offices are in Milan and China. Over the journey of his career, Elie’s name has become prominent among well-known celebrities; Elie launched his new fashion black label followed by the white urban label a year later in NYC. At that time, his focus and skills were specialized in designing couture and ready-to-wear Appeared on many television channels and was featured in many Fashion Week runway shows.

Elie Balleh is a well-recognized household brand in the fashion industry for its quality, distinctive design, and comfort. His sportswear collections have been built through his long-standing commitment to distinctive quality and sophisticated styling. Elie Balleh delivers tailored apparel and sportswear designed to reflect the enduring quality and fit for which the brand is known. All the unique details are carefully crafted to complement and enhance every fabric, color, and garment style, providing the definitive sophistication and quality that his customers expect!

Elie Balleh Brand is one of the leading trendsetters in the fashion industry. All his design, fabrication, and styling come from the home of fashion (Milan Italy). Elie Balleh is influential, innovative, and progressive He is reinventing a whole modern approach to fashion. Since the Brand's inception, Elie Balleh has redefined luxury for the 21st-century lifestyle brand. Elie Balleh is one of the original designers who started the DADDY & ME trend and many luxury designer Brands followed. His products represent the pinnacle of Italian craftsmanship and are outstanding for their quality and attention to detail. It’s currently selling in many luxury department stores ranging from Macy’s, Bloomingdale etc..… and more than 30 countries as well

PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARD

Gen Johnson is the Owner and CEO of SL Next Level Entertainment and Management Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Johnson founded the first accredited public relations school located in Atlanta, GA that helps individuals learn and get first-hand experience in the entertainment industry. While running a successful Entertainment and Management company, Gen is a wife and a mother of two amazing children.

As a Native of Grand Rapids, Michigan at age 17, Gen started at Macy’s Shoe Department as a store manager to become a double degree college graduate. Johnson took her hard work ethic into property management. After becoming the regional property manager, Johnson said “It’s time for a change because there is no more challenge left here”. Starting off as a personal publicist, she then transitioned into a celebrity talent manager. Gen Johnson has played integral roles in all of her clients, having them appear on top hit television shows, music award shows, and Oscar-worthy films.

Johnson started SL Next Level over 10 years ago in Public Relations and now has grown the business into a multifaceted company ranging from public relations, management, brand awareness, activations, and more! Johnson is no stranger to the industry and has taken talent from being moderately known to trending hot topics, red carpets, and some of the hottest magazine covers.

As a seven-time award-winning publicist, Gen has planned and executed over 200 events from Atlanta, New York, Miami, and other major cities. Johnson’s client list has grown over the years and is still growing from Bravo & VH1 Celebrity TV personalities, World Renowned Doctors, Top Billboard Arts, and major Corporations.

Gen Johnson has been seen on Netflix, WE TV, OWN Network, and Bravo, and has been recognized in over 30 media outlets, publications, news outlets, and more. Some of her accolades include Publicist of the Year, Women of the Year, Trailblazer Award, and more.