The Black Owned Media Alliance (BOMA) have selected several Jamaicans and individuals of Jamaican descent as the top media people of 2017. The awards, which were created to recognize the businesses, agencies and individuals that have a positive impact on the black community in South Florida, honored the winners at an event held April 26, 2017, in Miami. According to Dexter Bridgman, president of BOMA, the awards confirm the importance of black-owned media in the area and will continue its encourage decision makers in the media industry toward equality in media spending.
On her Facebook page, Carolyn Guniss, executive editor at The Miami Times and the president of the South Florida Black Journalist Association, wrote the following thank you upon receiving the award: “Humbled. You may not always agree with my outlook or assessment but know this, each edition of The Miami Times represents my best effort. And I do it for you. Thank you to all who considered me worthy, and congratulations to all the other honorees and nominees. Your passion and dedication resonate with others.”
The full list of Jamaican winners and winners of Jamaican descent is provided below.
- Best Communicator of the Year Print Award – Carolyn Guniss of The Miami Times and President of the South Florida Black Journalist Association
- Best Communicator of the Year Radio Independent Award – Marlon Hill of Riddims Marketing
- Best Communicator of the Year Digital Award – Tony & Woodie Lesesne of Lesesne Media Group
- Photo/Video Journalist of the Year Award – Tamar “Teekay” McLean
- BOMA Rising Star Award – Shawn Tyrell of In The Black Radio
- AD Campaign of the Year – “One United Bank Black” Circle of One Marketing
Photo by: Gregory Reed