Special virtual awards extension of 10-year-old Café Mocha Radio’s Salute Her Awards will feature performances from Tamela Mann, Anthony Hamilton, and newcomer Jac Ross
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 4, 2020 – During an unprecedented year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice protests, the first-ever Salute THEM [Together Heroes Emerge Momentous] Awards will recognize women, men, and organizations who have “initiated global change” and will take place during the annual CBC Annual Legislative Conference Week.
Thanks to the support of longstanding partners, Toyota and AARP, the Salute THEM Awards is an extension of 10-year-old Café Mocha’s Salute Her Awards Tour.The event will kick off with Patcasso (fusion of art and entertainment) reception and virtual Awards featuring performances from Tamela Mann, Anthony Hamilton, and phenomenal newcomer Jac Ross. Hosted by Emmy-winner Loni Love, the awards will stream ‘live’ Saturday, September 12th at 7 pm ET via SaluteTHEMAwards.com and following across all the network’s social media platforms @cafemocharadio.
This year’s Salute THEM Awards include: Family Legacy Award- The Clark Sisters, the highest-selling female gospel group of all time, receiving the; Champion for Change Award- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who represents South Los Angeles County and made history as the first woman and African American Chair of the House Financial Services Committee; Creating The Legacy Award- Lamman Rucker, actor, education, activist, entrepreneur and founder of non-profit The Black Gents; Legend Award-Marla Gibbs, legendary actress and singer; Game Changer Award - Rehan Staton, former sanitation worker now accepted to Harvard Law School and the new Toyota Champion Award – Jahmal Cole, My Block My Hood My City organization founder committed to providing underprivileged youth with an awareness of the world and STEM-focused opportunities beyond their neighborhood.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the first Salute Her Awards at the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, formerly the Audubon Ballroom, with 50 attendees, has grown to honor over 200 women from every walk of life. Past honorees have recognized trailblazing actresses Pam Grier, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kim Fields, Lynn Whitfield, Malinda Williams, and Terri J. Vaughn to Vy Higginsen, television personalities Wendy Williams, Iyanla Vanzant, Cynthia Bailey to singers Gloria Gaynor, Stephanie Mills, Fantasia Barrino Taylor, Syleena Johnson, and Tamela Mann to name of few.
The Café Mocha Network, hosted by Emmy-winning talk show host Loni Love, hip hop icon YoYo, and veteran broadcaster Angelique Perrin, is the only female-owned syndicated digital and radio platform created by and for ‘women of color’ now crowned the #1 nationally syndicated radio show for women.
“It’s always been our mission to recognize the great work of our ‘sisters,’ but this year with so much loss and social unrest, we felt compelled to honor those who are not only driving change in their communities but empowering others to come to together, thus inspiring our ‘Stand In Souliditary’ initiative,” says Sheila Eldridge, CEO of Miles Ahead Broadcasting and creator/executive producer of Café Mocha Network.
“At AARP, we share a commitment with Café Mocha to uplift women and families. We’re honored to be a presenting sponsor for the last four years. This year’s theme, Stand in Soulidarity, aligns with our 34-year history of non-partisan voter engagement advocating safety for those 50+ at the polls,” says Shani Hosten, AARP African American/Black Strategy Vice President.
Café Mocha’s ‘Stand In Soulidarity’ initiative has partnered with When We All Vote and Black Voters Matter to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. In addition, a special Toyota Champion Award has been established to support organizations nominated by the public at www.SaluteTHEMAwards.com
With a focus to be a ‘voice’ to empower both women and children in local shelters, proceeds from the Salute THEM Awards will benefit the Mocha Cares Foundation to support housing and services to combat homelessness and domestic violence through mentorship programs.
Those who are the first to RSVP at www.SaluteTHEMAwards.com will receive a special Café Mocha care package, while supplies last.
For more information, contact Alex Hill at 313-655-0111 / Alex@milesaheadentertainment.com or Sheila Eldridge at 301-249-1700 / sheila@milesaheadentertainment.com
CAFE MOCHA™ RADIO SHOW
Two-time Gracie Award winner Café Mocha Radio launched in March 2010. It is known as ‘radio from a woman’s perspective’ and is built on the concept of women helping other women to grow through shared experiences and information. Syndicated by Compass Media Networks in more than 35 markets and on SiriusXM channel 141, the show airs weekends and is hosted by comedienne Loni Love, also Emmy Award-winning host of TV’s “The Real”; broadcast veteran Angelique Perrin; and Grammy-nominated female rap icon Yo-Yo. The two-hour girlfriend’s guide to radio features the latest in urban music, compelling hot topics, and advice from an unabashedly women’s perspective. Café Mocha also includes exclusive interviews with top recording artists, celebrities, politicians, and those making headlines. To learn more about Café Mocha Radio, visit Cafe Mocha Radio. Twitter, Instagram @cafemocharadio; YouTube: Cafemocharadio; and on Facebook www.facebook.com/cafemocharadio.
About the Salute Her AwardsTM:
Café Mocha Radio launched its annual Salute Her Awards events in 2011, with a mission to recognize dynamic women who have made contributions in their communities and breaking down barriers. Since its inception eight years ago, past honorees include activist Sybrina Fulton, broadcast personality Wendy Williams, and Iyanla Vanzant, “Empire” actress Ta’Rhonda Jones, CNN correspondent Fredricka Whitfield, renowned White House journalist and author April Ryan and legendary actress Pam Grier, actress/humanitarian Sheryl Lee Ralph, Cynthia Bailey, Kim Fields, Malinda Williams, Terri J. Vaughn and Vy Higginsen, singers Gloria Gaynor, Stephanie Mills, Fantasia Barrino Taylor, Syleena Johnson, and Tamela Mann, influencers Constance White, Luvvie Ajayi, Lola Ogunnaike, Jamie Foster Brown, Shirley Strawberry, fashion designer Barbara Bates, Dr. Bernice King, Deanna Brown Thomas, Ricki Fairley, NBA mom Wanda Durant and Ilyasah Shabazz to name few.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands. Over the past 60 years, we’ve built more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold nearly 2.8 million cars and trucks (nearly 2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.
About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.
