To Be Announced

Hyundai Veloster - Urban Car of The Year

According to Lyndon Conrad Bell, Decisive Auto's editor in chief: "Veloster's combination of a hip and edgy image, along with exceptional value to price and outstanding fuel economy perfectly suit it for urban drivers. That Hyundai chose to make its halo car an entry-level model excites us even more. With Veloster, Hyundai proves definitively that high style and reasonable pricing absolutely can go together."

Range Rover Evoque - Urban Truck of The Year

According to Lyndon Conrad Bell, Decisive Auto's editor in chief: "Evoque's compelling blend of a long and deeply respected heritage; sinfully indulgent luxury; outstanding capability both on the road and off; all married to pure, unadulterated sex appeal made this award a slam-dunk for Land Rover. Then, on top of all of that, Evoque's small size and exceptional fuel efficiency make it a superlative match for urban environments. In other words, the Range Rover Evoque embraces all of our sensibilities. It's as if Land Rover specifically set out to build the Urban Truck of The Year."

Toyota Prius Plug-in - Urban Green Vehicle of The Year

According to Lyndon Conrad Bell, Decisive Auto's editor in chief: "This is the Prius everyone has been waiting for. Endowing the world's favorite hybrid with the ability to run purely on electric power for significant distances and recharge itself from an AC outlet remade an exceptional urban green car into the ideal urban green car. Thanks to the extended range afforded the Prius Plug-in, in many cases the car will consume no gasoline at all in city driving. Yet, when called upon to travel long distances, it will do so without the dreaded range anxiety that still plagues so many pure electrics. Thus, the perfect urban green vehicle is a reliable long distance tourer too."

African-American Supplier of the Year
Steven Phillips - Chairman, President and CEO, Detroit Technologies, Inc.

Phillips is Chairman, President, and CEO of Detroit Technologies, Inc. (DTI) a Tier 1 supplier in the automotive industry. An accomplished executive and respected leader, Steve's "hands-on" style inspires the DTI organization and several strategic alliances and joint venture partnerships, together to achieve higher levels of quality, sales and customer satisfaction. With over 30 years in the automotive industry, his background in design and engineering has been instrumental in DTI's success to date - including being recognized as a GM Supplier of the Year for the past four years, and a three time recipient of Toyota's certificate of Achievement award.

Asian Supplier of the Year
Wallace Tsuha - Chairman and CEO, Saturn Engineering & Electronics

Wally Tshua founded Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc. in 1985. He started with an idea and a business plan, and tenaciously pursued financial resources until he was able to get started with just six employees. Since then, Tsuha, Chairman & CEO, has significantly grown the company to a highly recognized global supplier to OEM manufacturers and their suppliers. Saturn's highly innovative products are designed, engineered, and manufactured for the automotive, appliance and communications industries. In 2010, Saturn Electronics & Engineering was one of forty-seven global suppliers who received Ford's World Excellence for achieving the highest level of excellence in quality, cost and delivery. Saturn operates manufacturing, engineering and sales support facilities in the U.S., Mexico, the U.K., China, Japan and the Philippines

Hispanic Supplier of the Year
David H. Segura - CEO, VisionIT

David Segura serves as Chief Executive Officer and is the founder of VisionIT.

15 years ago, with a strong technology background within a Fortune 10 corporation, Segura combined his zeal for IT with a bold vision to create VisionIT, an IT Managed Services, IT Staffing, and Vendor Management firm. Since that time, Segura has successfully led the company from a startup to a global enterprise working with some of the largest corporations in the U.S. and Latin America.

Segura leads the overall VisionIT corporate strategy and develops executive level relationships with its customers and corporate partners. Under his savvy leadership, VisionIT has become one of the largest and most recognized minority-owned businesses in the United States, operating in 20 U.S. offices, and global operations in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and India.

Throughout his career, Segura has developed strong business partnerships with notable Fortune 500 corporations and State and Local government. Segura also maintains strong relationships with many diversity organizations, such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, while also doing business with many minority-owned firms around the nation.

African-American Dealer of the Year
Thomas Moorehead - President : BMW Mini of Sterling

Thomas Allen Moorehead is the Chairman and CEO of BMW of Sterling and MINI of Sterling. Moorehead opened the 39,000 square foot, state of the art, BMW of Sterling facility nine years ago (2001) with separate showrooms for the BMW and the MINI Cooper brands. Located in Sterling, Virginia the facility sits on a seven acre site in Loudoun County, a prosperous area that many refer to as the Silicon Valley of the East.

The Moorehead store was among the first 70 BMW dealerships in the United States selected to sell the revitalized Mini Cooper brand. The combined franchise currently have gross sales of $130 Million (2009) and employs 135 associates.

BMW of Sterling is among a select group of BMW Centers that has earned the coveted Quality Management Systems Award and Center of Excellence Award. BMW of Sterling sales production ranks it among the top five dealerships in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and among the top 10% of all BMW Centers in the nation; besides becoming the largest BMW Center in the state of Virginia.

Moorehead's mantra is simple; 1) figure out who you are, 2) determine what's important to you, 3) set goals and develop a plan for how you're to get there (education, focus, determination, hard work, some luck) and finally, 4) always look to help others.

Asian Dealer of the Year
Dzung Nguyen - President : Goshen Buick GMC Hyundai

Dzung Nguyen, a native of Saigon, South Vietnam, arrived in the United States in 1975. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1981.

Following graduation, Dzung launched a sales career with IBM, earning national recognition as IBM's top salesperson. In 1988, Dzung was promoted to Marketing Manager for IBM's Rocky Mountain Region in Denver. In 1991, Dzung joined Lexmark International as District Manager for the company's Western District, where he assumed responsibility for sales and operations throughout eleven states.

In September, 1996, Dzung was accepted into the General Motors Minority Development Program and also enrolled in the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy. He graduated from the Academy in August, 1997, and purchased Showalter Buick GMC in Goshen, Indiana in October of 1999.

Dzung has received numerous awards for his business success. In 2002, his accomplishments were honored by the Lieutenant Governor of the state of Indiana. Readers of The Goshen News also acknowledged Goshen Buick GMC as the "Best Auto Sales" provider in Goshen.

Hispanic Dealer of the Year
Bob Zamora - President : Zamora Automotive Group

As President and CEO, Bob heads up the Zamora Automotive Group. Beginning his career on the sales floor in 1973, Bob brings a realistic grassroots approach to the business, understanding and balancing the needs of all employees. Starting at the ground floor, Bob has a unique empathy for the many challenges employees face today. The Zamora Automotive Group has grown from a small Honda dealership in 1981 to one of the largest and fastest growing privately owned automotive dealer groups in Northern California.

Bob has successfully undertaken dealership formations from the ground up as well as purchased underperforming dealerships and turned them into successful operations. Bob is experienced in land acquisitions, rezoning issues, plan development and facility construction. The success of the Zamora Automotive Group is rooted in the core values that Bob brings from his hard working Mexican American roots. His consistency, steadfast commitment and dedication to excellence continue to drive the organization. Bob believes strongly that the success in the Zamora Automotive Group is a direct result of the efforts of its team members. The Zamora Automotive Group continues to grow because of its long-term quality employees and now has dealerships in Nevada and Arizona.

Executive of the Year
Fletcher V. Davidson - Group VP & General Manager

Group Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Customer Services Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Fletcher Davidson is group vice president and general manager of Toyota Motor Customer Services (TCS) Division, which includes the five after-sale departments of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. Davidson is responsible for service parts, accessories, product quality, dealer operations and customer relations. In this capacity, he leads a team of 2400 associates who support $3.5 billion in sales.

After joining Toyota in 1973 as parts planning administrator, Davidson served as parts systems development manager, national parts supply manager, national parts logistics planning manager, corporate manager and vice president of distribution and logistics operations for NAPO. Most recently, Davidson was vice president and general manager for NAPO.

Davidson earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from California State University, Long Beach and a master's degree in management science from the University of Southern California.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Warren Brown - Automotive Expert

Warren Brown, long considered the "dean" of African-American automotive journalists, has been covering the automobile industry for The Washington Post since 1982.

Interestingly, Brown started covering cars at The Post primarily as a way to ensure his longevity at the newspaper. Advised early on to find something to do that wasn't already being done; and further, to live it and love it, Brown settled on cars.

Today, while he pens detailed accounts of a car's good and bad points, just as all auto reviewers do, Brown also digs deeper. In a Warren Brown review, in addition to learning how a car drives, you'll learn how that car will integrate into your life. In Brown's world, cars are integral components to modern existence rather than mere accessories to what we do. In his reviews, Brown consistently ponders those generally overlooked aspects of automobiles that, when you think about them, actually bear considerable contemplation.

Over the course of his thirty-plus years in automotive journalism, Brown's passion, enthusiasm and overarching intellect have garnered him the respect and admiration of the entire automotive industry. A pioneer in every sense of the word, Brown's accomplishments have blazed a trail many other African-American journalists, both mainstream and automotive, continue to follow to find success.

Pioneer Award
William Perkins - President : Bill Perkins Automotive Group

Bill Perkins' appointment as Chair of the 2012 North American International Auto Show, makes history as the first African American entrusted with the responsibility of helming one of the most significant auto shows in the world. Bill graduated from the GM Dealer Development Academy in 1987. Since then, he has owned and operated five dealerships in Southeastern Michigan. Today, his company, The Bill Perkins Automotive Group, employs nearly 150 people and manages the operations of Merollis Chevrolet in Eastpointe, Michigan and Taylor Chevrolet in Taylor, Michigan. Bill has also served as president of the Greater Detroit Chevrolet Dealers Association, president of the General Motors Minority Dealers Association, a member of the Board of the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers, and chairman of the Auto Dealers Political Action Committee for the State of Michigan.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Gina Hiraizumi

2012 is the year of Japanese-American bombshell, Gina Hiraizumi. With the release of her 2012 Calendar under the photography team behind the KIM KARDASHIAN empire, Slickforce Studios - she is also releasing her first, English album, in the Pop/Hawaiian genre. Adding to an already packed schedule between movies, appearances and global travel, Gina is the star of her own reality show, "Gina & Terrence: Hollywood meets Hardwood" - an exciting new series following the rising careers of herself and fiance, 6'9" basketball star, TERRENCE TOWNSEND - with an exciting NBA future.

Along with an overseas fanbase that's garnered an upward of 800,000+ hits to her youtube, Gina's celebrity endorsement deals include KILAUEA FIRE (Hawaiian Hot Sauce) as seen in the HAWAIIAN AIRLINES MAGAZINE, and NYLA SHOES through dept store, NORDSTROM. Gina is recognized on a global level - she is named as one of the most promising Japanese stars, as seen in THE PENINSULA - a 5 star hotel conglomerate in Tokyo Japan.

Always a crowd favorite, the seasoned performer has sang the National Anthem for the NBA ad MLB of audiences of 50,000+, venues including the STAPLES CENTER, DODGER STADIUM, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN and the ESPN/NCAA DIAMONDHEAD CLASSIC, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is the first Asian-American singer to perform on the gospel show, PRAISE THE LORD on TBN - the only Christian talk show, consisting of a billion viewers worldwide. It is no surprise, since her vocal training was nurtured at THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL in New York City.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Roop Raj

Raj began his TV career at 14 when he created, produced and hosted his own public-affairs talk show on the Troy, Michigan government access station. One year later, he was deemed one of the nation's youngest TV personalities when he appeared on The Phil Donahue Show.

While attending Michigan State University, where he majored in journalism, Raj worked at the Lansing, Michigan CBS and ABC affiliates, where he shot and edited his own reports. Raj, received national attention on MSNBC for his coverage of shooting at a Michigan elementary school. Shortly after, Raj worked as a reporter, anchor and weatherman at the NBC station in Flint, Michigan for four years.

Raj spent the last seven years in New Orleans as morning news anchor and reporter at WDSU, covering the before and after math of Hurricane Katrina.

There is truly no place like home, Raj made his way back to his home town Michigan, where he currently works as a news anchor during FOX 2 News Weekend and a general assignment reporter.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Lauren Fix

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, is an automotive and lifestyle expert, she has appeared numerous times on Oprah, TODAY, 20/20, Regis & Kelly, The View, CNBC, CNN, FOX News, Headlines News and MSNBC to name a few. Lauren is seen and heard everywhere. Author of her third book: Lauren Fix's Guide To Loving Your Car;

Lauren is the National Automotive Correspondent for Time Warner Cable hosting the Car Coach segments airing twice a week and hosted of Talk 2 DIY Automotive.

She is a nationally recognized automotive expert in car care, repair, safety issues, buying and selling autos, and driving skills. A member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and an ASE certified technician.

Lauren writes a regular weekly column for the Buffalo News, Sunday Edition called Car Fix.

Lauren Fix is a 2008 Automotive Woman Of The Year, 2010 Woman of Distinction - Entrepreneur winner and inducted into the National Women and Transportation Hall of Fame in 2009.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Shelby Fix

Shelby Fix, the Teen Car Coach, is the daughter of Lauren Fix-The Car Coach, a nationally recognized automotive expert in car care, repair, safety issues, buying and selling new and used cars and trucks, and driving skills.

Shelby is the spokesperson for Midas Automotive and past spokesperson for the Skip Barber Driving School-New Driver Program, she is co-writing a book with her mother for new drivers. As a new driver who has been involved in go-karting and professional racing with her family her whole life, Shelby is the perfect "go-to" girl for teens to get their information and knowledge. She has contributed her talents about cars to CNN International, Fox News, YNN, Channel One News, radio, television and web content.

She inherited her love of all things automotive from her mother and father, who own a manufacturing business as well as restoring and racing cars. Shelby has been involved with the process since she was a child. She has been advising other teen drivers for almost all her life. Shelby Fix has an amazing "trust" and "credibility" connection with teen viewers everywhere.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Justin Durant

Detroit Lions starting linebacker, Justin Durant, is all about substance. No matter what he's doing, it's the tangible, measurable matter that counts most in his book. For example, at 6'1" and weighing 240 pounds, the Hampton University alum's stature isn't that of the typical player in his position. That didn't stop the the five year NFL veteran from playing in fifty career games with forty two starts, 292 solo tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and twenty two tackles-for-loss.

In addition, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), like Hampton University, aren't the first places professional scouts look for new talent. Still, after helping his team win three championships in a row, being the first player to earn MEAC defensive player of the year honors three years in a row and being selected as Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College All-American three times (an honor he shares with Hall of Famer, Shannon Sharpe), the former sports management major was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 draft.

His commitment to Detroit and its citizens doesn't end when he takes his helmet off, though. With community issues close to his heart, he looks forward to working with initiatives around the city, especially those that aid children. During the 2009 off season he established a program with his fellow Jacksonville Jaguar linebackers to make bi-weekly visits to Wolfson Children's Hospital. He plans to engage in similar activities in his new city.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Damian Gregory

Damian Gregory is a Michigan native, and was born in Ann Arbor Michigan. He spent his youth in Lansing Michigan where he attended Sexton High School. He received a scholarship to Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana and graduated in the class of 2000. At Indiana University he was a three-year starter, voted "All-Big Ten", appeared in 31 games with 22 starts and registered 125 tackles. He spent his last year of his college career with Illinois State University, where he was voted team MVP, 1st Team All-American and served as Team Captain voted by players and staff.

In May of 2000 Damian signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins where he played Nose Guard and Tackle. After two years with the Dolphins in 2002, Damian signed with the Cleveland Browns where he played Defensive Tackle and Nose Guard. In 2003 Damian moved to Oakland where he played with the Oakland Raiders as Nose Guard. In 2004 Damian played a year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Defensive Tackle. He also played in the NFL Europe League with the Scottish Claymores in 2004, where he was voted Team MVP, "All Europe First Team" and "Lineman Of The Year". In 2006 Damian spent his last playing year with the with Michigan's own Detroit Lions, where he played Nose Guard and Defensive Tackle.

After a six-year career in the NFL, Damian founded Gridiron Marketing Group LLC in April 2005. Gridiron Marketing Group specializes in investment property, foreclosures, short sales, buying and selling commercial and residential property, and remodeling. Gridiron Marketing Group also provides commercial and residential development planning, marketing and funding of housing initiatives, which include rental housing projects allowing low-income families with quality affordable housing.

Damian has spent every year since the end of his college career serving as a coach to several youth football camps, and various weekly football clinics in the United States and Scotland, such as the Jay Fiedler Volunteer Camp, the NFL Youth Activities and Team camps and several others.

Celebrity Award Presenter
"Wives of Favor"

The Wives of Favor Reality show will visit women around the world on a quest for finding other wives of favor and hearing their stories. They will share their despairs, triumphs and challenges on various subjects. Wives of Favor is a reality show designed to inspire those going through a rough time, share ways to cope with various real life issues and enlighten women of all ages, while invoking more confidence than they thought possible. The Wives of Favor will be the "Oprah meets Extreme Home Makeover" of reality TV. We will hear from women of all ages as they share their lives with us and we share how they can use Favor as a tool. There will be seven permanent cast members, all with life experiences that will enlighten and inspire yours. Guests will join us from around the world as we make a difference one woman at a time. We won't throw glasses or punches but we will throw out some self-help, and be an open book for you, providing possible solutions to everyday drama.

Each wife has a story to tell filled with pearls of wisdom, heartache and triumph. We'll talk it out, until we work it out. We have chosen "Favor" as a tool to be better, live better and share how we did it. From domestic abuse to child abuse, our lives will be an open book for you to read and connect with. Some call it fate, good fortune, luck, the Universe, karma or even a blessing. The wives call it favor and want to share with you how it has changed their lives and can change yours too. By knowing how to tap into that power you can get through just about anything. Tune in and hold on tight. It's going to be a fun ride!

Celebrity Award Presenter
Debbi Morgan

Born in Dunn, N.C., Debbi Morgan was raised in the South Bronx of New York City. Her early love of performing found an outlet in High School where she landed the role of "Puck" in a musical version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Encouraged by off-Broadway producer Jim Mendenhall, Morgan appeared in several commercials before joining the New Federal Theatre Company. Her theatrical career includes roles in the Broadway hit "What the Wine Sellers Buy", and in the off-Broadway production of "Does the Tiger Wear a Necktie?" and in the Los Angeles productions of "My Sister, My Sister" and "Once in a Wifetime".

Ms. Morgan's career over the past twenty years has shown how diverse her body of work has been by the numerous colorful and deeply captivating roles she's portrayed. In the controversial film, "Color of The Cross" Morgan portrayed "Mary", the Mother of Jesus. She co-starred in the provoking film, "Woman Thou Art Loosed" along with Kimberly Elise, Loretta Divine, and the Reverend TD Jakes. She appeared opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the feature film "Coach Carter", and "Back in the Day" alongside Ving Rhames and Ja Rule. Debbi's other film work includes the popular New Line Cinema basketball drama "Love and Basketball", where she played "Nona McCall" opposite Omar Epps and Dennis Haysbert. Morgan also starred opposite Denzel Washington in Norman Jewison's "The Hurricane", which won her an NAACP Image Award Best Actress nomination.

Morgan has worked extensively in primetime with appearances in the CBS movie of the week "The Runaway" and the classic "Roots: The Next Generation". Fans were delighted to find Ms. Morgan back as a weekly staple when she starred with Lea Thompson in the Lifetime series "For the People". Following that Morgan worked with famed directors Albert and Allen Hughes on the USA pilot "Touching Evil".

Celebrity Award Presenter
Al Pina

Al Pina is considered a national minority community leader in the field of community economic development of minority communities across the United States. His For-Profit model has been adopted by over 110 minority non-profit organizations throughout the United States. Born and raised in Phoenix Arizona and graduate of Arizona State University School of Business. After graduation with business honors, he was an executive for two fortune 25 companies and received four Corporate Presidents Awards and a prestigious Chairman's Award. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he has received several medals and citations including the prestigious congressional Air Force Achievement Medal.

Al Pina has worked with minority communities around the United States advocating the For-Profit Community Economic Development Model that primary focus is job creation in low-moderate income communities. Al Pina has worked with over 180 minority community development organizations throughout the United States to assist in developing and expanding their asset base that would allow them to increase their capacity and ability to be self-sufficient. Al Pina, formally Vice President of Development for the country's largest Community Development Corporation has served on over 35 minority community organizational boards. He was also part of the development team of three national minority investment funds, including the first national Hispanic CDFI Bank and a minority focused Small Business Investment Company with a combined investment capital of over $310 million. In addition, Mr. Pina was the key principal in the development of the Wachovia $500 million Minority Automotive Financing Initiative.

Al Pina has been responsible for the development and launching of over 72 minority organizations/initiatives across the United States, including an historic "Florida War on Poverty" in partnership with Brandeis University, National Latino Automotive Council and the Ricardo Montalban Performing Arts Foundation.

Celebrity Award Presenter
David Lizãrraga

Dr. David C. Lizãrraga is President and CEO of TELACU/Millennium. Under the leadership of Lizãrraga for more than 35 years, TELACU grew to become the largest Community Development Corporation (CDC) in the nation, focusing its more than $600 million in assets on improving the lives of individuals and families in the communities it serves. For five years, Lizãrraga served as the National Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which represents the interests of our nation's more than three-million Hispanic-owned businesses.

Lizãrraga created the innovative model on which TELACU is structured. The parent non-profit CDC delivers programs that serve the needs of communities-services for young people, veterans, families and senior citizens. However, TELACU differs from other CDCs in that its non-profit programs are primarily self-sustained by TELACU Industries, a family of businesses owned by TELACU. Utilizing Lizãrraga's business philosophy of generating a double bottom line-profitability that is inseparable from social impact-these 13 for-profit businesses provide valuable products and services to the community, such as jobs, affordable homes, small business loans, and the creation of community assets. And TELACU utilizes a significant portion of the earnings from these businesses to fund its non-profit programs. This cycle of community investment is the engine that sustains TELACU.

Special Musical Performer
Lisa Deveaux

Lisa Deveaux combines amazing beauty with blissful talent. Lisa Deveaux’s “Language of Love” cd is an impressive artistic statement of an astonishing vocal talent. Sultry, soulful and seductive, Lisa Deveaux has won praise from both critics and audiences worldwide for her powerful ability to truly touch and inspire people with her beautiful voice and stunning presence. She has released two international TOP selling jazz/soul CDs within the past seven years and has toured nationally. This lady inhabits a song with innocence and sensitivity and it’s with that same sensitivity that Lisa Deveaux mesmerizes audiences wherever she goes. Uplifting and captivating, her voice embraces jazz, pop and soulful nuances. www.lisadeveaux.com

Celebrity Award Presenter
Elizabeth Gallagher

Elizabeth Gallagher leads a global business marketing and public relations firm. As an advocate her passion has been to develop, advance and promote minority owned businesses. GGI initiated the Power of Diversity Series, which honors Fortune 500 corporations, minority owned enterprises and premier leaders that champion diversity in the global economy. In order for business to evolve and fulfill its primary mission, total inclusion must be at the forefront. Previously, she was President & CEO of SAVI Construction and Condor Training and Aviation where she worked with clients such as Donald Trump, Richard Branson, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment among others. Gallagher is the immediate past Vice Chair of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where she represented 3.1 million Hispanic owned businesses.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Frankie Darcell

Frankie Darcell started her career as an undergraduate at Morgan State University’s WEAA FM station in Baltimore, where she was a station engineer for then talk show host Kweisi Mfume. After working her way up through the ranks, she moved on to become Music Director and Assistant Program Director in Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, before moving to Detroit in 1993. Frankie is currently the host of the award winning show, the Afternoon Mix and the public Affairs show “Sunday Talk of the Town”. Frankie is an author of two successful books, a lecturer and a business woman. She has appeared on four magazine covers, been featured in more than five hundred articles and publications, and can be found frequently appearing on both local and national television and radio programs discussing topics that matter to the community; especially issues that relate to the quality of life for women and children.

Currently, Frankie’s responsibilities include the Clear Channel Premium Choice Radio Broadcasting Network syndicated weekend radio show in 22 markets. Those markets include Miami, New Orleans, Chicago, Memphis and Norfolk Virginia. Frankie Darcells Executive Producer accomplishments include Eve Enslers’ Vagina Monologues, an off Broadway production. As well as Miss Metro Teen Pageant which gifted $25,000 in scholarships to young women. Frankie is a proud graduate of Morgan State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Telecommunications. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Additionally she is a recipient of several major industry awards and recognitions from such dignitaries as the Governor, Mayor, City Council, United States Congress and the community.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Alfredo Estrada

Alfredo José Estrada was born in Havana, Cuba and graduated with honors from Harvard University. After practicing law, he founded HISPANIC, an award-winning magazine for U.S. Hispanics. Estrada later moved to Paris and wrote a novel, Welcome to Havana, Señor Hemingway, and the nonfiction Havana: Autobiography of a City. He now lives in Austin and is the Editor and Publisher of LATINO Magazine. It focuses on issues, politics, and culture and reaches a select audience of Latino opinion makers, influencers, and community leaders. Estrada is a nationally recognized expert on Hispanic media has served on the boards of KRLU-TV, the Harvard Hispanic Policy Journal, and other organizations.

Special Musical Performer
Beth Griffith

Beth Griffith is the daughter of Grammy Winning Motown "Funk Brother", Johnny Griffith, who played keyboards on hit songs by Aretha Franklin, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Four Tops and the Temptations. Music is in her DNA.

For the past 6 years, Beth has been a tour singer for the great Anita Baker and has performed in 10 countries with her – at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall in London, Radio City Music Hall and the Greek Theatre.

Also a part-time actress, Beth was recently selected to play the stand-in for Whitney Houston in the movie "Sparkle" which was filmed right here in Detroit. How appropriate since she clearly "sparkles" as the voice of the new "Light Up Detroit" theme song that has been performed at major events all across Metro Detroit. Her goal is to use her voice and this song to inspire the people of this great city to work together to help "Make Detroit Shine." Like her father before her, she is, indeed, a bright and shining musical treasure for the Motor City.

Special Musical Performer
Larry Lee and Back in the Day Band

Larry Lee and Back In The Day was founded in August of 2002 by former NFL player, NFL Executive, and Professional Musician Larry Lee. Larry played 9 years in total with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos. While with the Broncos he played in Super Bowl XXII. After his playing days he became Vice-President of the Detroit Lions during some pretty good years the 90's with players such as Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, Chris Spielman, and Lomas Brown. After spending 18 years total in the NFL he retired and decided to return to his original childhood passion, music. Larry has been a professional bass player for more than 30 years. Having shared the bill with Chaka Khan, Temptations, Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Little Richard, O'Jays, Cameo, George Clinton, Average White Band, Whispers, Ohio Players, Dramatics, Morris Day and the Time, KEM, En Vogue, Gap Band, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, War, Brian McKnight, Rick Springfield, Isaac Hayes, and others Larry Lee and Back In The Day is no stranger to the big stage nor high end Corporate events.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson is the Sunday Business editor at The Washington Post, where she has edited financial and foreign stories. She's previously worked at The Oregonian in Portland. For several years, she drove a much-loved sea foam green Mini Cooper. Despite Warren Brown's warnings, she often drove too fast. She no longer has a car, but still thrills in reading Brown's column each week.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Hansen Clarke

Congressman Hansen Clarke was elected to represent the 13th Congressional District of the United States House of Representatives in November 2010. The district covers the East Side of Detroit, Harper Woods, all the Grosse Pointes, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, and Wyandotte. Congressman Clarke serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and as the Vice-President of the Democratic Freshman Class. He also is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Mr. Clarke was elected three times to the Michigan House of Representatives and twice to the Michigan Senate.

Born and raised in the 13th Congressional District, Congressman Hansen Clarke spent most of his life on the lower eastside of Detroit. As the son of an African-American mother and Indian father, he was exposed to diverse experiences and ways of thinking. His mother, Thelma Clarke, was a school crossing guard, and his father, Mozaffar Ali Hashim, was an UAW member who worked in the Ford foundry. Hansen’s mother raised him as a single parent after his father died when Hansen was only eight years old.

After passing the Michigan Bar, Mr. Clarke returned to Detroit and dedicated his career to public service. He has worked on the staff of Wayne County Executive Edward H. McNamara and U.S. Representative John Conyers.

Congressman Clarke is married to Choi Palms-Cohen.

Celebrity Award Presenter
Debbie Stabenow

Born in Gladwin and raised in Clare, Debbie Stabenow knows what matters to Michigan. Elected to the United States Senate in 2000, she is respected for her ability to build coalitions to get things done for Michigan and our nation.

As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and a member of the Senate Energy, Finance, and Budget Committees, she has a powerful and unique role to play in shaping our nation's manufacturing, health care, and agriculture policies, which are so critical to our future.

Among her many accomplishments, she has cut taxes for small businesses and passed initiatives to revitalize our manufacturing sector. In 2009, she authored the successful "Cash for Clunkers" program that gave a critical boost to the auto industry and manufacturers, and she authored the retooling loan program for advanced manufacturers that is bringing jobs back to Michigan from Mexico.

She serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus, and was appointed to the President's Export Council by both President Bush and President Obama, where she helps Michigan companies export their products overseas.

She is a true friend and fighter for Michigan.

Celebrity Award Presenter
John Dingell

DINGELL, John David, Jr., (son of John David Dingell), a Representative from Michigan; born in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colo., July 8, 1926; attended Capitol Page School, Washington, D.C., and Georgetown Preparatory School, Garrett Park, Md.; Page, United States House of Representatives, 1938-1943; B.S., Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 1949; J.D., Georgetown University Law School, Washington, D.C., 1952; United States Army, 1944-1946; lawyer, private practice; research assistant, United States Circuit Judge Theodore Levin, 1952-1953; assistant prosecuting attorney of Wayne County, Mich., 1954-1955; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1956, 1960, 1968, 1980 and 1984; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-fourth Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, United States Representative John D. Dingell, Sr., reelected to the twenty-seven succeeding Congresses (December 13, 1955-present); chair, Committee on Energy and Commerce (Ninety-seventh through One Hundred Third Congresses and One Hundred Tenth Congress).