In its 14th celebratory year, the nationally syndicated Café Mocha radio show’s Salute HER Awards shined a light on Black women who have made history and have excelled beyond odds in honor of Women’s History Month. The sold-out event took place at the historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, NY on Thursday, March 7th.
Hosted by Café Mocha co-hosts Angelique Perrin and hip-hop icon Yo-Yo with pop culture icon Jawn Murray, the evening was treated to an exceptional musical performance by Grammy-Award winning duo Louis York.
The esteemed group of seven honorees includes: Ann Tripp, news icon and news director at WBLS-FM and the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, who was the recipient of the Broadcast Legacy Award; DeDe McGuire, national media personality, philanthropist, and host of the nationally-syndicated “DeDe In The Morning Show”, was the recipient of the Media Innovator Award; Melba Moore, Legendary singer, and award-winning actress, was the recipient of the Legend Award; Flo Anthony, famed celebrity journalist, was the recipient of the Media Legend Award;
Alicia Reece, Hamilton County Commission President and founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, was the recipient of the Creating the Legacy Award; Jotaka Eaddy, widely-respected social impact activist, was the recipient of the Champion for Change Award; Melba Wilson, well-known Harlem restauranteur and founder of Melba’s, was the recipient of the Business Legacy Award.
Evening dinner opened with a prayer led by Cheryl Polote-Williamson, 2019 Salute Her Award honoree and CEO of Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC. Each honorees gave touching and inspirational acceptance speeches that captured the true essence of the mission of the Salute HER Awards to inspire others and make a difference in their respective fields.
There were various notables in the room such as the former legendary NAACP National President and current President of the NAACP New York State chapter. Hazel Nell Dukes, 91, who was given her flowers as several honorees expressed their gratitude for her long-time commitment, fighting for equality and combating injustice.
“The purpose of the Salute HER Awards is to bring together women to collaborate and inspire one another by the journey of our honorees. The evening was already so memorable but having Hazel Dukes present made it historic” says Sheila Eldridge, CEO & Founder Miles Ahead Entertainment & Broadcasting.
The Salute HER Awards supports the Mocha Cares Foundation whose mission is to provide families in lters with transitional housing support to support visit www.mochacaresfoundation.org.