Countywide : NAACP to Present 9 Distinction Awards

The NAACP and the city of Santa Ana will present the fourth annual African-American Citizen of Distinction Award to nine county organizations and residents Friday for their service to the black community.

“The awards are our way of thanking people who are doing a little more than average for the community and to encourage others to do the same,” said James Colquitt, president of the NAACP’s Orange County chapter.

Nine winners will be selected in a variety of categories.

The finalists for the awards are: the Rev. Samuel Craig, assistant pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana; Thomas Harmon, a star athlete at Century High School in Santa Ana; Aaron Lovejoy, past president of the Black Chamber of Commerce; Karl Gray, a businessman; Judy Sampson, a teacher at McFadden Intermediate School in Santa Ana; Johnny Williams, assistant principal at Valley High School in Santa Ana; Shermekka Starks, a student at Buena Park High School; Tiger Woods, a student and golfer at Western High School in Anaheim, and Josephine Lewis, a late community activist.

Groups nominated for awards are Interested Citizens Group of Orange County; Queen of Santa Ana, Chapter 9, Order of Eastern Stars, a women’s fraternal organization; 100 Black Men of Orange County; Tri-County Bulletin, a weekly newspaper, and Black Parenting Presenters.

The $30 admission to the black-tie event covers the cost of a meal and a fashion show of Afrocentric designs, Colquitt said.

The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. at the Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden A., Santa Ana.

For tickets, call (714) 571-4200 before 5 p.m. or (714) 528-3149 after 5 p.m.