WS Chronicle

For the past 46 years The Chronicle has been the go-to source for community news in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. And for 35 of those years, The Chronicle has held an annual celebration to honor those throughout the community who go above the normal call of duty to serve others.

While the pandemic didn’t allow for a grand event like we saw in 2019 at the Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium on the campus of Winston-Salem State University, last weekend The Chronicle held the annual celebration virtually while hundreds watched online. 

James Taylor, Chronicle co-owner and publisher, said he couldn’t let a year go by without recognizing people in the community who make this a better place to live.

“We would love to be with you in person as we do every single year, but due to COVID-19, we decided to make this event virtual,” Taylor said. “Even though we faced some challenges, we couldn’t let a year go by without recognizing a few people in our community who are working to make it a better place to live, work, and relax.”

After the introduction and acknowledgment of sponsors, it was time to announce the winners. Social distancing was observed as each honoree came to the podium to accept their prestigious award.

The Woman of the Year, sponsored by Reynolds American, Inc., was awarded to Cheryl Harry. Through her work with Triad Cultural Arts Inc., and several other grassroots organizations, Harry has made it her mission to help preserve the rich history of African Americans in Winston-Salem for more than 20 years. Harry is also responsible for the city’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, which celebrates the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Earlier this year, several members of the city council recognized Harry for her efforts before voting to make Juneteenth an official holiday. 

After accepting the award, Harry took a moment to thank The Chronicle and those who have helped her along the way.

“I would really like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Winston-Salem Chronicle for presenting me, along with so many other people, with this award because the support doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the culmination of the work of so many people,” Harry continued. “I’d like to thank so many people who came before me, so many countless volunteers who do this behind the scenes along with me … it is my great honor and again I say thank you.”

The Man of the Year Award, sponsored by the City of Winston-Salem, was presented to Allan Younger. Younger is the director of the Small Business Centers in Forsyth and Stokes Counties, and is most known for his work to help minority-owned businesses reach their full potential. Since 2018, the Small Business Center has partnered with The Chronicle, the local Black Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, and the Urban League to select a Business of the Month and help bring awareness to small businesses in the community.

While helping local entrepreneurs reach their goals, Younger still finds time to volunteer with several grassroots organizations and serve on several boards.

Younger offered his thanks, saying, “Thank you very much to The Chronicle, the City of Winston-Salem, to my wife, my children, to God, and to the many small businesses that I work with every day, as well as various members of the community that work hard to make this community better.”

Others awardees include:

Youth of the Year, sponsored by Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation – Isaac Redfearn

Church of the Year, sponsored by Winston-Salem Transit Authority – Whole Man Ministries

Creator Award, sponsored by HanesBrands Inc. – Alphonso Abbott

For Seniors Only Award, sponsored by Truist Bank – Chuck Vestal

Paulette Lewis-Moore Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Russell’s Funeral Home – Dr. Virginia K. Newell

Carl Russell Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Russell’s Funeral Home – James Blackburn

The 2020 Community Service Awards can be viewed by visiting the “WinstonSalem Chronicle” YouTube channel or by visiting The Chronicle’s Facebook page and clicking the “Videos” tab.