HONORS SOCIETY
February 22, 2022 by agutting@reviewjournal.com
Filed under Feature
Las Vegas Black Image celebrates a roll call of people and organizations that are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in Southern Nevada and beyond.
Las Vegas Black Image Magazine hosted the 22nd Annual Las Vegas Taste & Sounds of Soul & LV Black Image Honors at the Echelon Events Center in Town Square. The sold-out affair — organized by the Las Vegas Black Image executive team, with the award expressed on a custom-made, honorary magazine cover — recognizes people, companies and organizations that make outstanding contributions to diversity, inclusion, and equity in Southern Nevada and beyond.
The premier sponsors were MGM Resort International and Channel 13 KTNV. Other sponsors included Caesars Entertainment, Anthem, and Liberty Dental.
More than 500 guests enjoyed entertainment provided by Ariella Azmarellda Blu and Band, and food served up by vendors that included Chef D’s Gumbo, Simply Pure Vegetarian Soul Food, K’s Soul Food Cuisine, Jeremy’s Desserts, Bryon Keith Jackson’s Smokehouse BBQ, Gritz Café, and John Mull’s Meats.
And now, presenting the 2022 Las Vegas Black Image Magazine honorees:
The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo
Center for Brain Health: Honored
for contributions towards expansion
of brain health trials that are more
inclusive and diverse to include African-Americans for optimal diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative disorders.
Angelique Daniels: Honored
for bringing the world of painting
and art to the diverse community
as CEO of Shoe Chick Art Studio.
She is the former figurine and collectible consultant at Annie Lee & Friends Art Gallery.
Minister Stretch Sanders:
The African-merican studies historian, onetime mayoral candidate, founder of All Shades United, and founder/president of New Era Las Vegas was honored for community activism.
Janet Hurd: Honored for service as president and founder of Parent Citywide, offering tutoring and scholarships for students —
and for coordinating annual food and toy drives for families in need.
Kara Jenkins: The mayoral candidate was honored for service as administrator of the state’s Equal Rights Commission, and for having assisted many in Southern Nevada with access to healthcare and resolving disputes between homeowners and homeowner associations.
William Scott: Honored for service to Southern Nevada for 29 years with the Las Vegas Metropolitan
Police Dept (LVMPD) and retired as captain. He currently serves as Chief of Investigations for the Nevada Attorney General’s Office.
Galaxy Glenn Runnells:
Honored for being a top deejay at
91.5 FM Jazz & More. Community
supporter hosting many events for
nonprofits and organizations in
Southern Nevada. Member of 100
Black Men and works passionately
with “Heroes Helping Heroes” —
an organization with an objective
to help veterans in Southern Nevada.
Curtis Brass (DJ Ice Break): Honored for contributing his deejaying talents to a multitude of community events and organizations and assisting many with promotions while giving back to the community.
Iris Moore: Honored as a community
supporter who volunteers her time and talents for the betterment
of residents in Southern Nevada.
She is the founder and host
of the Annual Las Vegas Christmas
Jubilee, giving many families in need a wonderful holiday.
Dr. Rory Sipp: Honored as a
community leader who served as
vice president of Acelero Learning.
He advanced his own higher education,
received his doctorate, and is
an author, creator, developer and
president of EISTEAM Consulting
Inc.
Ken Young: Honored for his service
with the Clark County School
District Police Department and
going the extra mile to secure the
safety of our children. He also offers
his singing talents to many functions in the community.
Kelvin Watson: Honored for
his commitment to diversity and
inclusion with the Las Vegas-Clark
County Library District — creating
a future for equity, diversity
and inclusion through innovation
and technology as the Library District’s Executive Director.
Serena Henry: Honored for excelling in the entertainment industry and serving as the main entertainment performer for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Home at Last by Nevada Rural Housing: Recognized for diversifying their outreach allowing
Southern Nevada minorities to take full advantage of the down payment assistance homeownership program.
Stephen Munford: Honored for his long-term activism for economic development for minorities. As a corporate broker in property management for Agora Realty, Munford advocates for Blackowned
business owners and is proud of the work he has done in the City of North Las Vegas. He has created over 700 jobs in the North Las Vegas area through redevelopment projects, and helped pass legislation to assist minorities with more employment and business opportunities.
Dr. Linda Woodson: Honored for her consistent support of minority-
owned businesses and for sharing her singing talents with the world. Her community support for minority businesses has assisted with uplifting the positive image of African-Americans in Southern Nevada.
Tory Brown: As a renowned realtor
in Southern Nevada, honored for relentless community advocacy for Black-owned businesses and for serving as a member of the Urban
Chamber of Commerce bringing resources to many.
Dr. Ellen Brown: Honored for her passion to give back through her social organization work, activism,
and monthly “YOU Have the Power” column in Las Vegas Black Image. She is currently a mentor for Hope for Prisoners” and longtime member of many community organizations, such as Girlfriends, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Elks Lodge and more.
Ken Evans: Honored for his consistent support and guidance for minority business owners. He serves as the president of the Urban Chamber of Commerce and is a former civil engineer for the United States Air Force.
Tiffany Mayes Eholor: Honored for bringing African tribal remedies to Southern Nevada to assist in achieving quality of life. Tiffany is a community leader and supporter of many groups and community organizations. She’s also an entrepreneur expanding Black excellence for Nevada.
Michael Elliott: Honored for his innovative and motivational business marketing engagement of his “The Veg Ringtone,” Elliott inspires the entire community to participate and be seen. We salute
his positive approach to giving back to the Historic Westside and all of Nevada with his businesses and community endeavors.
Dr. Joseph Thornton: Honored for being an advocate to inspire more Black doctors and administrators to enter the world of healthcare in Southern Nevada. As one of the leading physicians in Nevada, Dr. Thornton gives his time, knowledge and experience to assist in bringing the best in medicine and practice to Southern Nevada.
Brittany “Soul” Sharp: Honored for sharing her talents with residents in Southern Nevada and beyond. As a singer, writer, producer, author and speaker Brittany has assisted in defining Las Vegas as more than a gambling hub. She has boosted the state’s culture, and brought immeasurable joy through her contributions to community gatherings.
Patti Pennington: Honored for diversifying the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas with her gospel music excellence. She has also established a non-profit organization
to assist residents with their business goals through technical assistance.
Angela Scurry, MBA: Honored for her relentless advocacy for minorities in the healthcare industry. She serves as Intermountain Healthcare’s Senior Director for People Services and brings her experience in diversity, inclusion, and equity to her position and to the community.
Dr. Keith Whitfield: President of UNLV, honored for his vision for economic development initiatives that aim to better integrate the university into the Southern Nevada
community
Ariella Azmarellda Blu: Honored
for being passionate about breaking entertainment barriers in Las Vegas for a more diversified entertainment playing field.
Chris Way: Honored for his leadership in making Channel 13 “The Community Station,” and embracing and promoting the great diversity of Southern Nevada. Way has been consistent with offering minority community organizations,
groups and individuals positive exposure on the leading television station for all people.
Rickey Mickey Ormond: Honored
for taking a personal initiative to give biblical readings and motivational speeches to people in underserved communities — giving them inspiration and hope for a better life.
Latonya and Brady Wells: Owners of Echelon Events Center, honored for providing a wonderful venue for diverse community groups and organizations. The Echelon Events Center has revolutionized event planning and hosting in Nevada — by offering excellent professional
service that is accessible to people
throughout the community.
