Dr. Joel Hunter to be honored at the 2026 Emerald Awards

Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc., in partnership with Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine, is proud to announce a special award to be presented at the third annual EMERALD AWARDS, A Salute to Black Excellence in Seminole County. Dr. Joel Hunter, Pastor of Community Benefit at Action Church, Chairman of the Central Florida Pledge, former Chairman of Central Florida’s Commission on Homelessness, and spiritual advisor to President Barack Obama, will be the first recipient of the Champion of Humanity Award. 

The 2026 Emerald Awards, a televised event, will take place on Saturday, November 7, at The Rink at Northland Church. It will be a grand salute Dr. Hunter and to inspiring and high-achieving African Americans who live, work, or serve in Seminole County.

“We are extremely excited for the opportunity to honor Dr. Hunter, who is known throughout the United States as a person who epitomizes the teachings of Christianity. 

At a time when our country is deeply divided, we decided to initiate an annual award to recognize someone who promotes good will toward his fellow man. Dr. Joel Hunter was our obvious first choice.” said James Benjamin, Chair of the Board of Directors of Breaking Bread Beyond, Inc. “The primary objective of the Emerald Awards is to celebrate and uplift members of our community who exhibit excellence on a daily basis, often without the recognition they so richly deserve. But we can no longer operate in social silos and achieve the best of what this country has to offer. We must work together. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Honorary Chairs who have been unwavering in their support of The Emerald Awards: Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart; Dr. Michael L. Howell, former Southeast Regional Medical Executive for Cigna Healthcare; Dr. Ethan Johnson, Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Seminole County; Mark McEwen, National TV/Radio Host; and Rev. Andy Searles, Pastor of Church Together in Casselberry.”

Emerald Awards will be presented in fourteen categories, with the following nominees:

Artist of the Year: Danni Adams, Edward Debose, Brandon Gaines, Sr., Parrish Monk, James Postell

Author of the Year: Shavonya Jones, Tekeya Jones, Dr. Rebekah McCloud, Dr. King McCray, Monekia Wilson, Anna L. Woods

Beauty Professional of the Year: Lenelle Howell, Andrea Joseph, Nickolas Kelly, Faye Bailey Lucas, Arisleydi Reyes, Syretta Scott

Church of the Year: Allen Chapel AME Church, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Bread of Life Christian Church, First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, New Life Word Center, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church

Civic Organization or Community Group of the Year: Altamonte Springs (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Corey Donaldson Foundation, Chi Phi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pearlie Mae Ford Club, Sanford Bokey Beauties, Tau Sigma Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.Page 2 Dr. Joel hunter to be honored at the 2026 Emerald awards Community Advocate of the Year: Danni Adams, Kemedontae Brown, Julia Brunson, Adeemir Dacenay, Barbara Coleman Foster, Dr. Barbara Kirby-Bentley, Maya Murphy, Nicole Osburn, Selena Peterson, Judith Dolores Smith, Lauren Thelwell, Dr. Velma Williams Corporate Achiever of the Year: Leon Clark, Ronald Crear, Tanya Dillard, Santoria Ruffin, Melvin Philpot

Educator of the Year: Serita Beamon, Jeremy Boyd, Bernard Knight, Laurie Michelle Lee, Marcella Smith, Rena Thomas, Dr. Jaime Washington

Engineering & Technology Professional of the Year: Dr. Henry Glaspie, Reginald Moses, Timothy Merrick, Jr., Shalom Strickland

Healthcare Professional of the Year: Cherlette McCullough, Dr. Karenna Senors, Yolonda Tyler

Public Safety Professional of the Year: Sergeant Lakeisha Anderson, Battalion Chief Christopher Baker, Deputy Chief of Police Trekelle Perkins, Sergeant Ebony Perry

Small Business of the Year: AJR Photography & Anthony's Center, Delta Omega Travel, EliteVisionzGraphics - Marketing & Media and Team Eddy Bose Music, Foxtail Coffee Oviedo, It Suits Me, Kimberly’s Klazet, LLC, Reeta's Organics, SAO Entertainment, Sophisticated Tips, The House of Dove Boutique & Salon LLC., Top Kids Christian Academy, Trinity Memorial Chapel, VestWyze. LLC.

Youth Achiever of the Year: Jaylan Brown, Ja'Neriah DeBose, Reagan Edwards, Shaylyn Garcia-Hailekal, James Green, Noah Raines, Maliyah Slater, Joseph Watson IV 

Commissioner Amy Lockhart adds “One of our area’s most pressing social concerns is caring for our homeless residents, which is also one of Seminole County’s highest priorities. Breaking Bread Beyond uses the proceeds from the Emerald Awards to address that issue with a specific focus on Seminole County. We encourage businesses and organizations in Seminole County, and those that serve Seminole County, to financially support this wonderful celebration of those who serve our community.”

Breaking Bread Beyond (BBB) was established in 2017, as a 501C3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope to the hopeless and a source of support for unsheltered individuals, under-sheltered families, economically disadvantaged families, students, and elderly in Seminole and Orange Counties. www.breakingbreadbeyond.com.

Radiantly Black Lifestyle Magazine is devoted to Celebrating, Uplifting, and Informing the African American people and communities of Central Florida. This FREE magazine is distributed quarterly in print and digital formats.