The 2025 Black Achievers Awards Recognizes Local Leaders for their Remarkable Contributions to South Florida

During the October 22 Ceremony at The Parker, a Group of Outstanding
Change-Makers and One Student will be Honored

The Black Achievers Awards, formerly known as the African-American Achievers Awards, has announced its 2025 honorees, each recognized for their impactful contributions to the South Florida community.

The Awards celebrate community trailblazers who are making a positive impact and paving the way for a better future in four categories: Arts & Culture; Business & Entrepreneurism; Community Service; and Education. JM Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus are honored to present the program for the 30th year. They will contribute $15,000 in each Achiever’s name to the South Florida charities of their choice.

In addition, one outstanding high school senior who has applied and received admission to Florida State University (FSU) is named the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever, receiving a four-year, needs-based scholarship to FSU.

Since the program’s inception in 1992, more than 185 individuals have been recognized and over $750,000 has been donated to nonprofit organizations on the honorees’ behalf, in addition to more than 40 scholarships awarded.

The 2025 honorees are –

Arts & Culture: Shirley Richardson & Patricia E. Williams | M Ensemble Company

For more than five decades, Shirley Richardson and Patricia E. Williams have led the M Ensemble Company, South Florida’s longest-running African American theater company. As co-founders, they have dedicated their careers to elevating Black voices and building a legacy of cultural excellence.

Richardson has served as executive director since 1972, overseeing operations, grant management and programming. She studied theater at Florida A&M University, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Miami and holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to directing and performing in numerous productions, she is president of the Diaspora Arts Coalition. Her honors include induction into the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Hall of Fame, the 40th annual Carbonell George Abbott Award and the Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee Community Pillars Award. In 2024, she was inducted into the George Washington Carver High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame. She also retired after 35 years as a substance abuse counselor with Miami-Dade County.

Williams, a Miami native, is the company’s executive producer. She earned bachelor’s degrees in theater and journalism from Northwestern University and began her career with the Theatre of Afro Arts. She spent 25 years as youth program director at the YWCA of Greater Miami and now leads M Ensemble’s technical production and fundraising. Driven by her passion for working with youth in the community, her accolades include the 40th annual Carbonell George Abbott Award, the Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee Community Pillars Award and induction into the Miami-Dade County Arts Hall of Fame.

Business & Entrepreneurism: Herman Allen, DDS | Dentist, mentor and health advocate

Herman Allen, a native of Hallandale, Florida, has proudly served his community for more than five decades as a dentist, mentor and health advocate. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, he attended Morehouse College in Atlanta and later earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Howard University College of Dentistry. After serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, he returned to South Florida and co-founded the 19th Street Medical Center in Lauderhill to provide accessible care to underserved neighborhoods. Allen is also the co-founder of THAC Enterprise Janitorial Service.

His accolades include the Dean’s Award from Howard University, recognition from the Miami-Dade County Dental Society for 52 years of service, and official proclamations such as “Dr. Herman Allen Day” in Lauderhill. He has been honored by the Florida Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association and the National Dental Association for his leadership and community outreach. Allen is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Morehouse College Alumni Association of Broward County. He has been a member of Mt. Hermon A.M.E. Church for nearly 60 years and enjoys golfing, dancing and attending theater performances.

Community Service: Henri W. Crockett | Co-Founder, The Crockett Foundation

Henri W. Crockett has dedicated his life to creating opportunities for underserved youth in South Florida. Since co-founding the Crockett Foundation with his brother Zack in 2002, the former football star has helped thousands of students graduate high school with stronger academics, real-world skills and a renewed sense of purpose through programs such as Digital Explorers and Crockett-Allen Scholars. He also launched the annual Community Health Festival for Broward County families and leads Crockett Foundation Weekend to fund educational programs.

A Pompano Beach native, Crockett was the first former collegiate athlete to serve as president and chairman of the Orange Bowl and chairs its Youth Football Alliance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University, where he was a part of the 1993 national and ACC championship team. Crockett played eight NFL seasons, including a start in Super Bowl XXXIII, and is a member of Leadership Florida, Omega Psi Phi and Sigma Pi Phi, organizations devoted to leadership, service and community advancement.

Education: Annie Ruth Nelson | President, African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc.

Annie Ruth Nelson has spent a lifetime advancing education and civic leadership in West Palm Beach. A proud graduate of Roosevelt High School, one of the county’s first all-Black high schools, she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Temple University and a master’s degree in administration from Florida Atlantic University. She spent 30 years with the School District of Palm Beach County, where she served as a teacher, job placement coordinator and marketing instructor, and helped launch a student-run retail store at North Technical Education Center.

Now retired, Nelson continues her advocacy as president of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc. and as a member of People Engaged in Active Community Efforts (PEACE). She is active with the Martin Luther King Coordinating Committee. Her community impact includes championing civil citations for juvenile first offenders, support for the naming of the Mary V. Wilson Center in Gaines Park and the development of the African American Museum and Research Library of Palm Beach County, Inc.

The 2025 Youth Achiever: Richanna Lyons | Sheridan Technical High School, Hollywood

Graduating with a 4.3 GPA from Sheridan Technical High School in Hollywood, Florida, Richanna Lyons is the 2025 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. Lyons served as president of both the Black Student Union and Drama Club, earning more than 15 awards through the International Thespian Society, including State Top Honors. She has contributed over 300 hours of volunteer service to organizations such as the Brady Hunter Foundation, Feeding South Florida and the YMCA, where she worked closely with children with special needs. Motivated to help others overcome financial barriers, she plans to study finance at Florida State University and pursue a career as a financial advisor, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose mission helps individuals and families build lives of stability and purpose.

The 2025 honorees were selected by an independent panel of community leaders, including former Achievers from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The selection committee reviewed more than 150 nominations following an extensive outreach campaign.

The Black Achievers Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

RSVPs are now open. Visit www.blackachieversawards.com to register or learn more. Interact with us on Facebook and Instagram.

About JM Family Enterprises
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with $22.8 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is in the business of helping other businesses succeed. As a long-term partner, it is invested in its companies, associates and its communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM&A Group, World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance), JM Lexus, Home Franchise Concepts^®, Futura Title & Escrow and Rollease Acmeda. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.