The 2026 Black Achievers Awards Recognizes Local Leaders for their Remarkable Contributions to South Florida

During the October 13 ceremony at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, a group of outstanding change-makers and one student will be honored

Deerfield Beach, Fla. - The Black Achievers Awards, formerly known as the African-American Achievers Awards, has announced its 2026 honorees, each recognized for their inspiring contributions to South Florida's Black community.

The Black Achievers Awards celebrate the change-makers whose contributions are helping pave the way for a better future. Honorees are recognized across four categories: Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurism, Community Service and Education.

Founded in 1992 and the vision of automotive legend Jim Moran, the Black Achievers Awards have been presented by JM Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus for more than three decades. The program contributes $15,000 in each Achiever's name to a charity of their choice, with more than $800,000 contributed to local nonprofit organizations to date.

Honorees were selected by an independent panel of community leaders, including former Achievers. The selection committee reviewed more than 250 nominations.

Announcing the 2026 Black Achievers Honorees -

Darius V. Daughtry, Art Prevails Project | Arts & Culture

A Fort Lauderdale native and lifelong South Floridian, Darius V. Daughtry is the 2026 Black Achievers Honoree for Arts & Culture. A poet, playwright, educator and arts advocate, Daughtry founded Art Prevails Project in 2015 to make the arts more accessible and create opportunities for local artists and audiences to connect through storytelling. What began with theatrical productions and free arts activations in the historic Sistrunk community has grown into an organization that has reached thousands of students, staged nearly 20 original productions and presented countless arts experiences. Guided by the principles of community, creativity and connection, he also founded Our Voices: Festival of Words, an annual celebration of literacy, poetry and self-expression that brings nationally recognized writers and artists to South Florida. A University of Florida graduate, Daughtry is also a published author and TEDx speaker whose commissioned poetry includes a permanent installation at the Broward County Convention Center.

Gordon Eric Knowles, Greater Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce | Business & Entrepreneurship

A visionary leader and advocate for economic opportunity, Gordon Eric Knowles is the 2026 Black Achievers Honoree for Business & Entrepreneurship. As CEO and president of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Florida's oldest historically Black chamber, Knowles has dedicated his career to advancing entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses throughout South Florida. Through strategic advocacy and collaboration with public- and private-sector partners, he has helped transform Miami-Dade's procurement and contracting landscape, expanding access for Black-owned businesses to compete for major development and infrastructure projects. Knowles is an active mentor to emerging leaders and invests his time and resources in programs that inspire future generations of innovators, tech founders and corporate pioneers. A graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree in apparel management and a minor in marketing, he considers his greatest accomplishment helping others recognize their potential, pursue their ambitions and create opportunities for generational impact.

Kirk Brown, Handy Inc. | Community Service

Born in Jamaica and a South Florida resident for more than three decades, Kirk Brown is the 2026 Black Achievers Honoree for Community Service. As Chief Executive Officer of Broward County-based Handy Inc., Brown dedicates his career to improving outcomes for children, youth and families throughout Broward County. He has designed and implemented innovative social programs that have helped young people once considered unreachable become employed and socially conscious citizens while championing approaches rooted in lived experience and community partnership. Brown believes meaningful change occurs when those closest to a challenge help shape the solutions, a philosophy that has guided his work in direct service and organizational leadership. He earned bachelor's degrees in sociology and criminal justice from Florida Atlantic University and a master's degree in social work from Barry University. His honors include the Links Inc. Legacy of Excellence Award, Florida State University School of Social Work Instructor of the Year and Florida Atlantic University's Distinguished Alumni recognition.

Dr. Tameka Bradley, African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Broward County Libraries | Education

Dr. Tameka Bradley is the 2026 Black Achievers Honoree for Education, recognized for her commitment to preserving history and expanding educational opportunities for South Florida's youth. A historian, author and public humanities leader, Bradley serves as regional manager of Broward County Library's African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) in Fort Lauderdale. In 2023, she launched the Black History Saturday School Series, creating educational experiences for learners of all ages. She is the author of the award-winning nonfiction book, Democracy Abroad, Lynching at Home: Racial Violence in Florida. Bradley earned a bachelor's degree in history and anthropology from Florida A&M University and a master's degree and doctorate in U.S. history from Florida State University, with doctoral study focused on African American history, historical administration and public history. She leads the South Florida Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and serves on the South Florida People of Color board.

The Black Achievers Awards also recognizes the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever, an outstanding South Florida student who receives a four-year, needs-based scholarship to Florida State University. More than 40 Florida students have received scholarships since the award's inception.

Samuel Touze, Florida State University | 2026 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever

A graduate of College Academy at Broward College, Samuel Touze is the 2026 Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever. Inspired by his creativity, love of building and interest in designing structures that stand the test of time, Touze plans to study civil engineering and pursue a career creating spaces that serve communities for generations. While completing high school and college coursework simultaneously, he was named to the Honor Roll and Dean's List, earned the College Board African American Recognition Award and received certifications in SolidWorks, Fusion 360 and AutoCAD. He has also mentored younger students by sharing study strategies and volunteered to help clean and maintain a local elementary school, demonstrating a commitment to service and leadership. Proud of overcoming challenges while beginning college at an early age, Touze graduated with both his associate degree and high school diploma before continuing his studies toward a bachelor's degree at Florida State University.

RSVPs are now open!

The Black Achievers Awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Visit us online at events.blackachieversawards.com to register. Interact with the Black Achievers Awards on Facebook and Instagram.

About JM Family Enterprises
JM Family Enterprises was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with $24.7 billion in revenue and more than 5,500 associates. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is invested in its companies, associates and communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM&A Group, World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance), JM Lexus, Home Franchise Concepts^®, Futura Title & Escrow and Rollease Acmeda. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.