Odyssey International to Honor 2019 Business Excellence Award Winners
Odyssey International Productions, Rahway, a 501(c)(3) organization that recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of small-business owners, individuals, and organizations throughout New Jersey who have contributed significantly to the development of their communities, has announced the winners of its 20th annual Awards of Excellence. The award ceremony will take place November 22, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., in the Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, Newark, N.J.
M. Persia Oliver, founder of Odyssey International Productions, now celebrating its 20th year, said, “This event is designed to bring influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, and politicians together to create opportunities for business growth and development. Through this event, Odyssey recognizes companies and individuals who have made substantial, outstanding contributions to their community that would not ordinarily receive recognition.”
The 2019 honorees include Carlos Medina, President and CEO, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Alan K. Sparn, Senior VP, Plaza Construction LLC, who will receive the Green Diamond Special Recognition Award; the Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Norma Rae, Medical Director of Women’s Services at Saint Michael’s Medical Center; and Zoma Terrell, 96 years old, will receive the Legendary Award.
Community Service awards will be presented to Nickie Alston, Founder, A Sun Star; Jim Wood, Publisher, Minority Commerce Weekly; Jessica Brown, President, The CollegeGurl Foundation; Jodi Grinwald and Melissa Grinwald, President and CEO, Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation Inc.; and Cristina Tone, Assistant Director, Neighborhood Help Center, New Jersey Community Development Corporation.
Fareeda Harmon Stokes, Harkes Realty & Associates; Chrystal Anderson, Franchise Owner/Travel Designer, Cruise Planners; Valeria Aloe, Founder and President, AlphaQuest Consulting; and D’Ann Ricketts, Principal Owner, Barden Contracting Services; will be recognized as Entrepreneurs of the Year. Brielle Lewis, Associate Manager of Insights and Analytics, Prudential’s International Insurance Operation (PII) will receive the Trail Blazer Award.
Business Excellence awards will be presented to Thomas E Armstrong, President, ATA Consulting LLC; Karina Jimenez Belen, Manager, Blue to You Consumer Markets, Horizon BCBSNJ; Paula Y. London, Certification Analyst, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; Socorro Vallejo, VP and Controller, NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council) Business Consortium Fund, Inc.; and Georgiana P. Williams, Associate Director, Corporate Services, New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council.
In honor of the late Rita L. Owens, an Odyssey guest host and recipient of the Odyssey 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, the board of Odyssey has established the Rita L. Owens Humanitarian Achievement Award.
M. Persia Oliver said, “As the part of our historic 20th year this November, we will be paying tribute in remembrance of the mark Rita left in the hearts and minds of Odyssey.”
For more information, tickets, sponsorships, or ads, visit www.odysseyip.com or contact M. Persia Oliver, 732-381-3003. Visit http://www.odysseyip.com/events for sponsorships and to view past winners.
About Odyssey International Productions: Odyssey International Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by M. Persia Oliver, has been recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of phenomenal individuals and organizations for their outstanding business and community service contributions for 20 years. Among other ideals, the mission of Odyssey is to provide recipients with a sense of appreciation and provide a platform for small businesses to network with corporations to gain additional exposure. Oliver was named one of the Top 25 Leading Woman Entrepreneurs of New Jersey by the organization Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners and was identified as one of the Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity by Diversity Plus Magazine.
Odyssey International Productions focuses on communities, neighborhoods and economies through informative and empowering events, seminars and fundraisers. Odyssey has also hosted several events to raise community awareness, such as a Season of Giving holiday party for underprivileged families that includes a home-cooked meal, books, toys, bikes, clothing and photos with Santa; a Tie-A-Tie Drive to not only teach young men how to tie a tie, but to teach them about professionalism; and a Back-to-School Backpack drive. For more information, visit www.odysseyip.com. Odyssey International Productions, 103 West Main Street, Rahway, NJ 07065. Phone: (732) 381-3003; Fax: (732) 388-7078; www.OdysseyIP.com