Minority owned businesses honored at 2023 Jewel Awards
JACKSON, Tenn. —A local awards ceremony to showcase minority owned businesses happens right here in West Tennessee.
The Jewel Awards were held on Saturday at the Carl Perkins Civic Center here in Jackson.
The ceremony showcases minority owned businesses in West Tennessee and honors their service to the community.
Award categories opened to members of the JMCAACC are based on the number of years they have been in the business. The Ruby award is 1-5 years, Diamond 6-10 years, Emerald 11-20 years, and Jewel award for 20+ years in business.
Don McCorry the Interim Executive Director of the Jackson-Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce, says the inspiration behind the Jewel Awards dates back to Nell Huntspon and the Nell Huntspon’s Flower Box that was in business here for over 50 years.
“She of course being a business owner, worked with a number of individuals in the city, and they decided that it was time for them to step up and have something of their own. To be proud of themselves for the hard work that they have done, and for lasting for as long as they have. They decided to put this event on. It was small at first and tonight we have 320 guests,” McCorry said.
McCorry also expresses what the event means to him.
“I am personally thrilled, because we have not been able to do a live event in three years. It’s going to be good to see some faces that you have not seen in a while, unless you have been watching them on zoom. To be able to have a little entertainment, and to remind ourselves of why we do what we do,” McCorry said.
This event has been going on for over twenty years now making this the 22nd annual awards awards ceremony.
The nomination period was open from November 28, 2022 through January 13th, 2023.
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