“Stepping Up!” is the theme for the eighth annual rendition of the Best In Black Awards hosted by the parent company of The New Tri-State Defender and set for Feb. 6 at Central Station Hotel, located at 545 S. Main St.
The Best Media Properties, LLC presentation is set for 7 p.m., with the V.I.P. Reception unfolding at 6 p.m.
“For 2020, we decided to move this event to February to commemorate the excellence in African American achievement,” said Calvin Anderson, president of the Best Media Properties, LLC Board of Directors.
Tickets are on sale now for what has become a much-anticipated event among black-owned businesses in Greater Memphis. Established in 2012 by Bernal E. Smith II, the late president of Best Media Properties, the Best in Black Awards (BIBA) event is a vehicle for hundreds of individuals and businesses to receive recognition for their hard work while advertising their products, services, and talents before thousands.
Smith passed away in October 2017. The Best In Black Awards continue his legacy of fostering growth and development of the African-American community.
The mission of the Best In Black Awards is four-fold:
- To celebrate African-American owned and operated businesses and professionals in the Mid-South,
- To identify those businesses most supported by the African American community,
- To serve as a marketing and recognition platform and
- Encourage aspiring business leaders.
“The term ‘stepping up’ means to increase, augment or advance, especially by one or more steps. It involves stepping up production,” said Karanja A. Ajanaku, associate publisher/executive editor of The New Tri-State Defender.
“There is evidence aplenty that speaks to the need for each us individually and in conjunction with others to step up, move forward and assume more responsibility for what it’s going to take to accelerate the growth and development of wealth in the African-American community.”
Stepping Up also is the theme guiding the TSD’s editorial production team in 2020.
To see the complete list of finalists, view past winners and/or gain more information about the awards ceremony and V.I.P. Reception, visit www.bestinblackawardsmemphis.com.
Now on sale, tickets are $45 and include entrance into the V.I.P. Reception.
As the parent company of The New Tri-State Defender, Best Media Properties, LLC continues the legacy of one of the longest continuously published African-American newspapers in the South. Under the leadership of its Board of Directors, the company has evolved into a progressive multi-media business with a distribution that includes print newspaper, digital publications, website/social media pages and events.
TSD’s mission is to inform, inspire and elevate the quality of life of its growing audience while serving as the primary vehicle for reaching African Americans in the Greater Memphis market. The New Tri-State Defender multi-media platform reaches 85,000 people weekly. Visit us at www.tsdmemphis.com.
