The Young, Gifted & Black Entrepreneurial Awards sends our deepest condolences to Alumni Honoree, Winston "Buzz" Willis, who rose to heaven March 25, 2025. Buzz Willis the first recipient to received in 2011 our Millennium Business Entertainment Management. Award. As noted in our press release that year..."Continuing a tradition of honoring brilliant business leaders, the YGB Entrepreneurial Awards is set to introduce the Millennium Business (M.B.) Awards; a brand new category which will acknowledge individuals that have accumulated over 20 years in business impacting their industry, profession and/or community. Mr. Gray states, “The M.B. Award is inspired by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) annual MDG Awards which I had the pleasure of attending in 2008. I felt that on a business level the YGB program needed to now acknowledge some of our key business leaders who continue to exemplify hard work and perseverance.” A few of those recipients to receive this new acknowledgement includes Buzz Willis, President & CEO of The Paradise Events & Entertainment Group and business partner to Robert “Kool” Bell of the legendary group Kool & The Gang in addition to producing one of the highest grossing events in Radio City Music Hall history “The Divas With Heart” concert which featured Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross & Gladys Knight will receive the M.B. Award in Music & Entertainment." Mr. Willis is acknowledged as a true pioneer and marketing innovator in the music industry. Buzz is a member of the R&B Hall Of Fame. Born and raised in Harlem. Buzz thrived on the creative and cultural energy that surrounded him. Buzz was personally responsible for music industry's first platinum jazz album• "Mr. Magic" by Grover Washington, Jr. Respected by many as a marketing genius, Buzz created the blue prints of success for such artists of the multi-platinum Kool & The Gang, Sister Sledge and Alexander O'Neal. View Biography, Visit: https://linktr.ee/iamygbawards Winston "Buzz" Willis, thank you for your mentorship and friendship. Gone But Not Forgotten...Rest In Power! - Carl Gray (fb)

Our Founder, President-Chairman Carl O. Grey, presented the @hon.oliviagrange, Jamaican Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports, with the 2025 YGB Awards "Global Citizens Awards" at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports office at 4-6 Trafalgar Road, Kingston, Jamaica on April 30, 2025. Due to work circumstances, Minister Grange was unable to attend the 20th Annual Young Gifted and Black Entrepreneurial Awards (YGB), which took place at Terrace on the Park in Brooklyn, New York, on February 26, 2025. Additionally, Minister Grange received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman @repyvetteclarke. (fb)