“Whoops of joy, straight forward expressions of appreciation and tears associated with precious memories meshed with myriad other sights and sounds at the 2020 Best In Black Awards presented at the new Central Station Hotel Thursday Night.”
That little time capsule of a paragraph is from a Feb. 7, 2020 story fresh off of The Tri-State Defender’s Best In Black Awards. Only a little over four years at this point, and yet a lifetime ago.
Nationally, Joe Biden was still very much a longshot to win the Democratic nomination, let alone the Presidency. Then-President Donald Trump was embroiled in (insert mind-melting scandal here). George Floyd hadn’t happened yet (or Breonna Taylor, for that matter). We were all still reeling from the shocking and waaaay-too-early death of NBA Icon Kobe Bryant.
Locally, Dr. Joris Ray was still in the honeymoon phase of his tenure as MSCS Superintendent. Eventual NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant was still reeling off multiple highlights per game for the Memphis Grizzlies, and the late 2019 removal of Confederate statues from city parks was still buzzing in the Bluff City.
That was the world and the City of Memphis the last time we hosted the Best In Black Awards.
And then came COVID. And the shutdown of everything.
Suddenly and shockingly, COVID forced everyone into questioning their existence — including the team here at The Tri-State Defender.
You want existential crisis? Try: “Should we keep printing a physical paper, even if everyone is sheltering at home?” Or: “If you DO print, how do you distribute it? Who distributes it? Who picks it up to read it?” Or the much more fundamental one: “Why are we paying rent for office space that no one can go to?”
Needless to say, the TSD — and by extension, The Best In Black Awards — have been through some changes in recent years. Between the high costs of printing and the rise of smartphones as news devices, TSD leadership made the difficult decision to suspend weekly publishing in favor of a once-monthly format, starting earlier this year. A few months later, we suspended print altogether.
Now focused on creating great digital news and info content as only we can, the TSD is looking to the future, even as we celebrate 73 years of community journalism here in Memphis. We’re at the dawn of a new era in the life of Black-owned businesses in Memphis, with a chance to help Memphis be its best.
And if being the best is the goal, then it only made sense to bring The Best In Black Awards back!
Since its inception in 2012, Best In Black Awards has sought to highlight outstanding Black businesses, community organizations, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Mid-South. The mission is to celebrate Black-owned and operated businesses, providing a platform for marketing and recognition of the honorees.
The Best In Black Awards allows citizens to nominate and vote for businesses, organizations, and individuals. It also gives The Tri-State Defender a chance to promote and celebrate the businesses that support our media platforms. If you’re interested in sponsorship, download the sponsorship packet and contact a representative for more information.
This year’s Best In Black Awards will take place on Thursday, November 14, at the Central Station Hotel. More details are coming, but you don’t have to wait to nominate!
The Tri-State Defender is currently seeking sponsorships for the event.
Nominations are now open for all categories! If you know an outstanding Black-owned business and would like to nominate them, head on over to https://tri-statedefender.com/bestinblack and nominate away!
The Best is Back! Best in Black Awards Memphis coming this fall!!
