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10th Watkins Award

 


10th Annual Watkins Award Finalists - Lorenzo Alexander,  Maurice Hall,  and  J.R. Lemon; Former Winners Marcus Houston (9th), and Deryck Toles (8th); and 10th Watkins Award winner Michael-Jordan Craven.

10th Annual Watkins Award Presentation

The 10th Annual Winner of the Watkins Award was presented this past weekend to Michael-Jordan Robert Craven. The dinner and award presentation were the crowning moment of a great weekend of events in connection with the Annual Carolina Football Classic presented by the 100 Blackmen of Charlotte. Football Hall of  Fame great Willie Lanier was the key note speaker and he delivered a powerful speech that touched and inspired each and every person in the room.

The speeches of each of the finalist ( Michael Craven, Lorenzo Alexander, Maurice Hall, and J. R. Lemon ) left not a dry eye in the room and each of these deserving young men received a standing ovation. 8th winner Deryck Toles came back to talk about the powerful impact that the Watkins Award has had on his life, Deryck now attends Penn State. 9th winner Marcus Houston returned to pass on the torch and delivered such a rousing speech that many were ready to vote for him for president, Marcus is attending the University of Colorado.

Other presenters: Ethan Horton , radio personality and former NFL player did a masterful job as the master of ceremonies. The event was first class, as we have come to expect from the host the 100 Black men of Charlotte and the event coordinators Belnavis and Associate's. Other members presenters on the program included Vollie Dyer-VP Special Events the 100 Blackmen of Charlotte, Rev. Henrico White –AME Zion Church, Kendall Watts-President 100 Blackmen of Charlotte, Melvin Watt-U.S. House of Representatives, Harry Jones-Mecklenburg County Manager, Becky Carnet-Assistant County Commissioner Chair, Joe White– Charlotte City Council member and former football player, Lenny Springs Senior VP 1st Union, past president Charlotte 100 Blackmen, Everett Pearsall the Executive Director – The Alliance, National Alliance of African American Athletes, 1998 and 1999 winners and Alexander Gabbin, the chairman of the Watkins Award selection committee.

 

Carolina Classic Weekend and Winner Announcement Events Photographs



Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image

The Hall family looking sharp at the awards banquet. Mr. and Mrs. Lemon taking a break at the awards banquet. Lenny Springs , past president of the Charlotte 100 Blackmen greeting Lorenzo Alexander and his mother.
Michael Craven with the iron surrounded by the finalists, Lorenzo Alexander, Maurice Hall and J.R. Lemon. Chairwoman of the "Alliance" Andrea Warner with her ticket prior to the game. At the Classic Game - Michael Craven, Marcus Houston J.R. Lemon and Maurice Hall, hanging-out and enjoying the game.
Thomas Warren Retired NFL player, Kansas City Chiefs, with his son and friend. Reggie Grant a member of the Alliance Board of Directors and retired NFL player with the 10th Winner Michael Craven and the 9th Winner Marcus Houston at the Game, living it up Maurice Hall, with a member of the 100 Blackmen of Charlotte and J. R. Lemon at the reception prior to the Banquet.
The Hall family enjoying the Carolina Classic from the press box.

 

 

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