WS Chronicle

Reginald McCaskill and Miranda Jones joined the ranks of local legends such as Larry Leon Hamlin and Dr. Virginia Newell last Saturday night when they were named Man and Woman of the Year during The Chronicle’s Community Service Awards.

A native of Jacksonville Florida, McCaskill is the president and CEO of Maximum Enterprises Inc., the host of the Triad Minority & Women’s Business Expo. Since starting the Expo in 2013, McCaskill has helped hundreds of small business owners gain exposure and helped countless inspiring business owners put their plans in motion. The event, held annually at the Benton Convention Center, features more than 150 vendors, live entertainment, celebrity guests, and several workshops. McCaskill also serves as the assistant secretary of the Minsters’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity. He is a member of the Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Other nominees for the Man of the Year were: Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough; president of the Winston-Salem NAACP Rev. Alvin Carlisle; and Assistant City Manager Evan Raleigh.

While speaking with The Chronicle backstage after accepting his award, McCaskill said he was thankful to be honored for the work that he does for the community. He said God put it in his heart to start the Expo and he hasn’t looked back since.

“I’m excited and elated and very thankful to be honored for the work that I do for the community and in the community, but it’s not about me, it’s about the people that I serve,” said McCaskill. “I’ve always been passionate about serving people that don’t have the outlet that major Fortune 500 companies have. God placed it in my heart to start the Triad Minority & Women’s Business Expo six years ago and it has grown tremendously and we’re even looking for bigger and better things this year. It’s all about just being of service to people.”

For her willingness to stand up for social equity in our community, Jones was named 2019 Woman of the Year. A local educator, Jones may be best known for her push with Hate Out of Winston, a local activist group, to keep the heat on city officials to have the Confederate statue removed from the corner Fourth and Liberty Streets downtown. And even when faced with adversity, Jones has vowed to stand up for what she believes is right. In April Jones received a subpoena to appear in court from the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the owners of the Confederate monument.

When host Busta Brown announced her as Woman of the Year, Jones said she was shocked beyond belief. She said, “I didn’t think I stood a chance because those are very formidable black women.

“I’m really honored. I was glad to just be nominated. I’m still in awe and I think I’ll be in awe for a while,” said Jones. “What I see happening to black and brown children in our school system propels me. I want them to have a better world, a better Winston-Salem, than we have now. So that keeps me going.”