2018 Villager Awards

Reminder: Doors Open @ 10 am for registration, networking, amazing photo ops, Exhibits. Lunch Served at 12noon. Program/Awards 12:30p -2:30p

This year's event is filled with even more excitement as we continue to honor exemplars of “Lifting as we Climb!" The audience will stand with a renewed sense of pride and unity as the Buffalo Soldiers Post The Colors at the opening of this gala event. You must witness this inspiring opening and see the amazing exhibits.

Robert “Bobby" McDonald, will serve as the 2018 Villager Awards Distinguished MC. Bobby is well-known throughout Southern California and nationally. He is a descendent of a Buffalo Soldier and is a member of the historic 9th and 10th (Horse Calvary Association-Buffalo Soldier. Additionally he is President - Orange County Black Chamber and Black Chamber Education Fund; Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Member PBS Board of Directors, and Executive Producer MLK Jr. Memorial Documentary Film “Building The Dream: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument."

Bobby, who served in the US Navy during the Viet Nam War, was selected as the 2016 Veteran Small Business Champion of the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He is a former member of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors; and a former member- California Cultural Historical Endowment Board among others. He has been recognized as one of California State University's Statewide Outstanding African American Alumni. He is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at LA Harbor College. Robert “Bobby" Mcdonald received a 2015 Villager Award in recognition of his consistent community advocacy and support in the spirit of “Lifting as we Climb!"

We will be presenting the first Villager Group Awards this year honoring the following groups:

A). The Buffalo Soldiers - Underlying History of Blacks in The Military. Special Award to: CSM Melvin Gravett, Colonel Franklin Henderson, Trooper Ron Jones, Trooper William Byers, Trooper Jay Collins. ( )

B). Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. in recognition of their successful decades long campaign to raise funding and support to establish the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.

C). 100 Black Men of Long Beach - In recognition of their strategies and outcomes for “building Strong relationships between adult men, young male adults, male teens and boys...". (See: www.100blackmenlbc.com )

D). Love My Neighbor Foundation - founded by Athena Haley, a young woman enlightened about the plight of the homeless after having experienced being homeless firsthand. Haley became determined to provide food and necessities to homeless persons on their way up., and she garnered support to make that dream a reality. (See http://lovemyneighborfoundation.com)

E). Literacy Queens - This group of Long Beach young African-American women noted the need to increase the interests in reading among our girls. Working together they formed an organization and turned that dream into a reality.

F).* African Focus - This internationally focused group is being recognized for their ground-breaking work in uniting African and African-American, and others of African Ancestry with African cultures in shared experiences. Special recognition to Long Beach resident: Paul Babatunde for his advocacy of this group in the local community. (See www,AfricanFocus.Org)

And.... individual awards:

1. Annual Villager Legacy Award - Ms. Winifred “Winnie" Carter - Retired Long Beach Resident who continues to serve as an active community volunteer and advocate into her ninth decade of life.

2. Dr. Eric Williams President, National Black Nurses Association (www.NBNA.Org)

3. Colonel Stephanie Dawson, US Army Retired. President - National Association Black Military Women (See: http://www.nabmw.org Colonel-Stephanie-Dawson )

4. Gregory Johnson- Renowned Marketing Director- KJLH Radio: Connecting communities through educational interactive empowerment projects and programs.to include local health fairs, community forums designed to create bridges to understanding of African cultures and accomplishments.

5. Gregory Dulan - Esteemed owner Dulan's Soul Food in recognition of his unwavering community outreach/community empowerment activities, scholarship programs, and business role modeling/mentoring.

6. Kim Ogletree - Acclaimed Producer/Director, and Chair Diversity And Inclusion GREENLIGHT Women. Mentor to young African-American Film Students. (See: http://www.greenlightwomen.org/?page_id=918 ) (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0644756/ )

*International Legacy Award

Suggested Attire: African/Afro-Centric or Semi-Formal

NOTE: PREFER TO PAY BY CHECK? You may do so! Make check payable to “Afram Global Organization Inc., and write Villager Awards on the memo line.

Mail check(s) to Attn: Villager Awards, Afram Global Organization Inc., 16809 Bellflower Blvd, #64; Bellflower, Ca. 90706. We need the correct spelling of the names of persons ticketed. Be sure to include a return address on your envelope

TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE