JACKSON, Tenn. – Lil Rounds and Keia Johnson, two stars of the American Idols TV show, will perform at the The 17th Annual JEWEL Awards Banquet hosted by the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce (JMCAACC). The Annual JEWEL Awards – which recognizes outstanding West Tennessee business owners in rural West Tennessee — will be held Friday, February 23, 2018, 6:30 p.m. at Oman Arena in Jackson. A fundraiser for the JMCAACC Follow Me Into Business® youth development program, this Black History Month observance recognizes outstanding business leaders and this year, in keeping with the MLK50 national commemoration, will honor local and regional icons of the Civil Rights Movement as Historical Pioneers.
Sponsored by Toyota Bodine Aluminum, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, City of Jackson, MIG Steel Fabrication, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, West Tennessee Healthcare, and Lane College along 96KIX, Jammin Jackson 97.7, Lamar Advertising, WOJG-FM Bolivar, Lamar Advertising, WOJG-FM, the CrimeSEEN Examiner and The Jackson Sun, this year’s fundraiser seeks to present nationally known entertainment while celebrating historical and contemporary business leaders.
The program includes the award presentations in two categories, live entertainment and a concert featuring American Idol contestants Keia Johnson of Season 9 and Lil Rounds of Season 8 and singer-songwriter Jawaskia Lake (JL). Tickets are $75 for dinner seating and $15 for arena seats (dinner not included). Tickets are available from JMCAACC board members and committee members as well as Nell Huntspon Flower Box, the Carl Perkins Civic Center Box Office in Jackson, online at Eventbrite.com. More details are available at http://jmcaacc.org/awards.html or by calling 731-424-2030.
Those nominated for this year’s awards include Fundamental Health Solutions, Superior Health and Wellness Clinic, Taylor Medical Group and Watson’s Cleaning Service in the Ruby Award category; All Things Vending, Mamy’s Hair Braiding and Art Boutique in the Diamond Award category; I’ll Do It Improvements and Push 4J Construction Company LLC in the Emerald Award category; and Johnson Electric Service and Cole Construction Company. Those nominated have been notified and asked to submit more information about their business for judging.
On February 23rd, the African American Chamber will announce and honor the winners of outstanding business awards four categories: the Ruby Award for a new business of one to five years, Diamond Award for a business of six to 10 years, Emerald Award for a business of 11 to 20 years, and the Jewel Award for a business 20-plus years. Winners in 2017 were Ruby Award winner Loving Arms LLC, Diamond Award winner Futurlistic Beauty and Barber Shop, Emerald Award winner Sears Hometown Store in Milan owned by Garey and Lisa Jenkins, and Jewel Award winner F&B Auto Sales.
Keia Johnson and Lil Rounds reside in Memphis. Jawaskia Lake of Soulink Music Radio is a native of from Bolivar, Tenn.
For more information on tickets, tables, booklet ads and sponsorships, contact the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber at 731.424-2030 or email [email protected]. The deadline for booklet ads is February 16th. The office is located at 351-C North Royal., Jackson, TN 38301.
