Jacksonville, FL: Graham Media Group Jacksonville (WJXT/WCWJ) will partner with The Porter Firm, for the fifth year in a row, to recognize outstanding achievements in the local African American community.
The Jacksonville Image Awards is a one-of-a-kind community recognition program hosted by News4JAX anchors Tarik Minor and Melanie Lawson.
“At WJXT/WCWJ, we believe in the power of celebrating success and inspiring our community. The Jacksonville Image Awards stand as a testament to our commitment to honor individuals and organizations in the African American community. Through recognizing achievements and positive impact, we aim to inspire, educate, and enlighten everyone we reach. Success is not just a personal milestone; it's a beacon that guides and uplifts us all. Join us in celebrating those who exemplify excellence, consistency, and a dedication to supporting the success of others, for they are the true architects of a thriving community,” said Terri Cope Walton, WJXT/WCWJ Vice President and General Manager.
In its fifth year, the Jacksonville Image Awards once again helps commemorate Black History Month. Once the nomination round was complete, an internal committee of WJXT/WCWJ employees and community members voted on both the category finalists and winners.
The Jacksonville Image Awards were created to herald the accomplishments of Black humanitarians who have succeeded against immense odds. Special recognition is given to the few, representing the many who have overcome adversity.
Awards will be given out to one of three finalists in the following categories: Trailblazer, One to Watch, Rising Star, Be the Change, Be Yourself, Music Excellence, Innovator, Education Excellence and the Pinnacle Award.
This year’s list of finalists:
| Trailblazer: | Terrie Cooper |
| | Shanna Carter |
| | Suzanne Picket |
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| One to Watch: | Erin Anthony |
| | Tajonda Bradley |
| | Rodney Wells |
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| Rising Star: | Karlie King |
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| Be the Change: | Erica Rose Carnegie |
| | Henry Green |
| | Shontae Jackson |
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| Music Excellence: | Sherrod Brown |
| | Tracy Morris |
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| Innovator: | Chief Greg Burton |
| | Haraka Carswell |
| | John Noel Sr. |
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| Education Excellence: | Cierra Barker |
| | Dr. Tracy Oliver |
| | Angela Seabrook |
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| Pinnacle: | Janice V. Ancrum |
| | Lorrie Sarver |
| | Michele Godfrey Watson |
The 2024 Jacksonville Image Awards will be held on Saturday, February 3, at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. at the Wilson Center for the Arts on the Florida State College at Jacksonville’s South Campus, located at 11901 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32246. It will feature a gold-carpet arrival and photo shoot, a cocktail hour with delicious hors d’oeuvres created by local restaurants and businesses, the awards gala featuring musical performances from Meachum L. Clarke & Company.
Tickets are $95 and can be purchased at the FSCJ Artist Series website.
About WCWJ Channel 17
WCWJ Channel 17 provides entertainment, local sports and programming to the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia region. The station is owned by The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) and is one of seven Graham Media Group stations along with WJXT Jacksonville, WSLS Roanoke, KPRC Houston, WKMG Orlando, KSAT San Antonio and WDIV Detroit.
About Graham Media Group
Graham Media Group is comprised of seven local media powerhouses, plus Graham Digital, Omne and Social News Desk – all delivering local news, programming, advertising solutions and digital media tools for television, online, mobile, streaming, podcasts and audio devices. We are dynamic, local brands that extend well beyond traditional broadcast television. Our work helps inform, celebrate and knit together the communities we serve.
Headquartered in Detroit, GMG operates in four states: KPRC–Houston, WDIV–Detroit and WSLS–Roanoke (NBC); KSAT–San Antonio (ABC); WKMG–Orlando (CBS); WJXT–Jacksonville (fully local), and WCWJ–Jacksonville (CW). Graham Digital is a digital media and technology development group widely recognized as a top industry innovator. Omne is a leader in results-driven marketing solutions. Social News Desk provides its 2500+ worldwide newsroom-customers with a single dashboard to publish, measure, curate and monetize local news content on social platforms. Website: https://www.grahammedia.com/
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