The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) held its 25th Annual Pinnacle Awards at the Marriott Marquis Houston Hotel, where several of Houston’s best and most promising black-owned businesses received high honors.

The GHBC Pinnacle Award recognizes leading African-American entrepreneurs for their success in business and their positive impact on the communities and industries they serve.

Each year, five Pinnacle Awards and one Upstart Award are handed out to some of the most successful small businesses. This is the second year a Rising Star award was also given. The 2019 winners are:

Upstart Award: Amazon Health, Tolu Opeloye, Sr.

Rising Star Award: The Kyra Company, Kyra Hardwick

Pinnacle Award: AndTech Solutions, LLC, Myoshia Boykin-Anderson

Pinnacle Award: Franklin Institute, Ron Jemison, Jr.

Pinnacle Award: Friendly Faces Senior Care, Quiana James

Pinnacle Award: Healthco Pharmacy, Brenda Richardson

Pinnacle Award: Turkey Leg Hut, Lynn and Nakia Price

In addition to these prestigious honors, the GHBC also honored several other businesses and individuals with community awards including:

Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr., Astronaut and President, The National Math and Science Initiative

Legend’s Award – Rev. William Lawson, Pastor Emeritus, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

Excellence Award – S.H.A.P.E. Community Center

Larry V. Green Advocate of the Year Award – Carlecia Wright, Vice President of Business Development, BiasSync

Mickey Leland Entrepreneur Public Leadership Award – Karen Carter Richards, The Forward Times

Endurance Award – Algenita Scott Davis, Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement

Young Entrepreneur Award – Tyla-Simone Crayton, Sienna Sauce

Mr. and Mrs. John Guess of The Guess Group, Mr. and Mrs. JW Turner of JW Turner Construction and Mr. Carey Yates and Judge Clarease Rankin Yates are honorary chairs of the event.