Black Excellence
Founder of Unheard Voices Receives Man of Distinction Award!
What a great day to commemorate Father’s Day by recognizing the founder of Unheard Voices Magazine who received the 2018 Man of Distinction Award.
On June 9th, 2018 at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ, founder of Unheard Voices Magazine Keith Covin received the 2018 Man of Distinction Award given by the Men Make a Difference Organization.
About Men Make a Difference
Founded by John Blanton, the Men Make of Difference Organization (M2AD) of New Jersey focuses on celebrating and honoring men who exemplify strong values and respect while serving their community.
This year, the event recognized 10 men, with one receiving the man of the year award.
Founder of Unheard Voices receives Man of Distinction Award
Keith Covin is a proud graduate of Long Branch High School. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Africana Studies at Rutgers University.
After finding his passion for computers, he completed a certificate at Bryman Computer School, an Associate of Arts in computer science from Brookdale Community College, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science at Farleigh Dickinson Univ. Keith also took courses towards a PhD at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Computer Scientist
Keith started his career as a computer scientist over 30 years ago for the Federal Government. He was one of the few African Americans working in his department at the time.
While facing challenges as a person of color and beating the odds, he was able to shine during his time with the government, contributing to projects in Common Ground Station (CGS), Guardrail, IMETS (Meteorology program), and Artificial Intelligence.
Keith Covin & John Blanton, M2AD Event
Unheard Voices
After retiring from the government, Keith embarked in the communications and journalism field by founding Unheard Voices newsletter in 2004 which has now blossomed into an online newsmagazine.
Mr. Covin says his ultimate goal was for his magazine to be a beacon for the voiceless and to talk about the social ills plaguing our society.
Through his projects and writings, Keith has fostered conversations on race relations, policing and social issues by putting them on the forefront within his community.
He loves speaking to the youth and encouraging more African Americans to embark in the STEM field.
Mr. Covin has also implemented workshops and created an internship program within his community to give students hands on experience in the communications field.
Founder of Unheard Voices on life
Mr. Covin says his greatest accomplishment isn’t creating the platform Unheard Voices, but being a “single father and raising his children” which has kept him grounded.
What a great way to commemorate Father’s Day by recognizing the founder of Unheard Voices Magazine.
Congratulations Mr. Covin on your recognition on your many contributions to our community. Happy Father’s Day!
Black Excellence
Inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards
Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
Get a look inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.
Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.
Honorees
This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.
Check out some photo highlights inside the 17th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Shavone Charles attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Loni Love attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Halle Bailey attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Nkechi Okoro Carroll attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Danielle Brooks attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Danielle Brooks, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and Kathryn Busby attend the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Host Method Man speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Joey Badass, Gail Bean, Patina Miller, Kathryn Busby, Brandee Evans, Da’Vinchi and Shannon Thornton onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Patina Miller attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Tamera Mowry attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Boris Kodjoe attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
For more, please visit http://www.essence.com/bwih2024
Black Excellence
14th Annual Salute HER Awards Celebrates ‘Women Creating a Legacy’
The sold-out event took place at the historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, NY on Thursday, March 7th.
The 14th Annual Salute HER Awards celebrated Black women who have made history and have excelled beyond odds in honor of Women’s History Month.
14th Annual Salute HER Awards Hosts
Hosted by Café Mocha co-hosts Angelique Perrin and hip-hop icon Yo-Yo with pop culture icon Jawn Murray, the sold-out event took place at the historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, NY on Thursday, March 7th.
14th Annual Salute HER Awards Honorees
The esteemed group of seven honorees includes:
Ann Tripp, news icon and news director at WBLS-FM and the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, who was the recipient of the Broadcast Legacy Award.
DeDe McGuire, national media personality, philanthropist, and host of the nationally-syndicated “DeDe In The Morning Show”, was the recipient of the Media Innovator Award.
Melba Moore, Legendary singer, and award-winning actress, was the recipient of the Legend Award.
Flo Anthony, famed celebrity journalist, was the recipient of the Media Legend Award.
Alicia Reece, Hamilton County Commission President and founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, was the recipient of the Creating the Legacy Award.
Jotaka Eaddy, widely-respected social impact activist, was the recipient of the Champion for Change Award.
Melba Wilson, well-known Harlem restauranteur and founder of Melba’s, was the recipient of the Business Legacy Award.
Purpose
“The purpose of the Salute HER Awards is to bring together women to collaborate and inspire one another by the journey of our honorees. The evening was already so memorable but having Hazel Dukes present made it historic” says Sheila Eldridge, CEO & Founder Miles Ahead Entertainment & Broadcasting.
The Salute HER Awards supports the Mocha Cares Foundation whose mission is to provide families in shelters with transitional housing support to support visit www.mochacaresfoundation.org.
Black Excellence
ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards To Air March 15 On OWN
The highly anticipated event, which takes places on Thursday, March 7th at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, will be hosted by Cliff “Method Man” Smith.
The 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards is set to premiere March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
The premiere awards honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.
The highly anticipated event, which takes places on Thursday, March 7th at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, will be hosted by Cliff “Method Man” Smith.
Honorees
This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.
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- Halle Bailey
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- Danielle Brooks
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- Kathryn Busby
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- Nkechi Okoro Carroll
How to watch the awards and participate
The 17th Annual awards will premiere on Friday, March 15 at 9pm ET/PT on OWN.
Fans can visit www.essence.com/bwih2024, to see an exclusive gallery of photos of this year’s honorees.
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