This year, Dallas Weekly proudly honors Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson with the Tony Davis Media Mogul Award, a distinction reserved for trailblazers who amplify Black voices and transform how our stories are told. <\/p>\n
Through award-winning films, bestselling books, and hands-on mentorship, Dr. Williamson has built a national platform rooted in purpose. As founder of the nonprofit Soul Reborn, she creates spaces for women \u2014 especially Black women \u2014 to heal, grow, and step into leadership through coaching, training, and community support. <\/p>\n
Her work not only elevates representation in media, but also opens real pathways to opportunity, visibility, and generational advancement. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-06-at-5.09.14-AM.png\")
\u201cWhen Black women rise, communities rise with us.\u201d- Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson<\/p>\n
This award carries the name of Tony Davis, who founded The Dallas Weekly in 1954 with the mission to champion truth-centered journalism, celebrate Black culture, and empower community voices. Dr. Williamson stands in direct alignment with that legacy. Each year during Women\u2019s History Month in March, she hosts her signature Women of Influence Awards, honoring women who lead with courage, creativity, and service. <\/p>\n
Through Soul Reborn and her media platforms, she doesn\u2019t just tell stories, she builds stages for others to be seen, heard, and valued. Through her artistry, philanthropy, and unwavering commitment to uplifting Black communities, Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson continues to shape the narrative of who we are and who we can become. Her legacy is already undeniable \u2014 and it is still being written.<\/p>\n
Akwete Tyehimba: The Cultural Heartbeat Behind Pan African Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n For more than three decades, Sister Akwete Tyehimba has been a steady cultural presence in Dallas through her work at Pan African Connection Bookstore, Art Gallery and Resource Center. The space has grown into one of the city\u2019s most recognized hubs for African and African diaspora history, and its reach reflects the consistency of the woman who leads it. As the community prepares to celebrate her with the Juanita Craft Humanitarian Award at the 6th Annual Best of Black Dallas Awards, Dallas Weekly is taking a closer look at the work that has shaped her impact.<\/p>\n Pan African Connection opened in 1989 under the direction of Akwete and her late husband, Bandele Tyehimba. <\/p>\n Their goal was clear. They wanted to create a place where people could access books, artwork, and cultural information that was often missing from mainstream institutions. What began as a small store developed into a community space where children attend classes, local artists exhibit their work, and families come to learn and participate in cultural programming.<\/p>\n After Bandele passed away in 2012, Akwete continued the work the two started. She retired from her career with Delta Air Lines and stepped fully into the daily operations of the store. Under her leadership, Pan African Connection has remained active through changing times and shifting neighborhoods. The space continues to host educational programs, workshops, film screenings, and vendor events that draw visitors from across the city and beyond.<\/p>\n The award Akwete will receive this year carries the name of Juanita Craft, a civil rights leader whose influence remains deeply connected to Dallas. Craft helped expand the NAACP in Texas, challenged segregation in schools and public venues, and shaped youth leadership through her mentorship and community engagement. The humanitarian award that honors her legacy is given to individuals whose work strengthens the city through service and education.<\/p>\n Akwete\u2019s work aligns with that tradition. Pan African Connection has become a place where history is accessible, where community members feel welcome, and where local artists and educators have space to share their work. The store functions as a resource center as much as a business, and it continues to serve as a point of connection for people seeking cultural knowledge and community support.<\/p>\n As she prepares to be recognized at the Best of Black Dallas Awards, Akwete remains focused on the same mission that has guided her from the beginning. The store continues to grow, the programming continues to evolve, and the community continues to rely on the space she has maintained. Her work is steady, visible, and rooted in a long standing commitment to cultural education in Dallas.<\/p>\n The Juanita Craft Humanitarian Award acknowledges that contribution. It highlights the influence Akwete has had on the city and recognizes the role Pan African Connection plays in the cultural landscape of Dallas.<\/p>\n Charles O\u2019Neal, A Champion for Black Enterprise<\/strong><\/p>\n Named for A. Maceo Smith\u2014one of Dallas\u2019s most influential civic and economic leaders\u2014this award honors individuals whose service, mentorship, and advocacy create lasting pathways for others. This year, Dallas Weekly is proud to recognize Charles O\u2019Neal, a distinguished champion for Black enterprise and community development whose leadership continues to shape economic opportunity across Texas and beyond.<\/p>\n As President of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC), O\u2019Neal heads a statewide network of 25 Black chambers committed to strengthening the business landscape for Black entrepreneurs. <\/p>\n His decades-long career as an advocate includes 17 years of transformative work at the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, where he served both as Vice President and President, and played a central role in building partnerships, improving business conditions, and supporting the growth of local enterprise. His tenure included serving as Main Street Manager, where he helped create the MLK Boulevard Merchants Association and spearheaded initiatives that brought new financial institutions into the heart of South Dallas.<\/p>\n O\u2019Neal\u2019s influence extends nationally. As Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), he has helped guide the organization through pivotal moments. USBC President Ron Busby praised his leadership, noting that few organizations are as fortunate to have such steady, collaborative guidance: \u201cCharles and Aubry have worked closely since our first board meeting and have both been instrumental in shaping our approach to the important work of USBC.\u201d Fellow chamber leader Mr. Stone of the California Black Chamber of Commerce also credits O\u2019Neal\u2019s leadership for ensuring a seamless transition in national stewardship.<\/p>\n Long before his work in business advocacy, O\u2019Neal helped lay the foundation for Black journalism in Dallas as the first editor of The Dallas Examiner upon its 1986 launch. His editorial vision and deep understanding of storytelling helped shape the publication\u2019s earliest voice and informed the community-centered journalism that followed. Reflecting on his journey, O\u2019Neal often credits these beginnings as pivotal: \u201cWhatever else I\u2019ve managed to accomplish in life, it started with a great conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n Across his career\u2014as a journalist, chamber leader, mentor, and advocate\u2014Charles O\u2019Neal has embodied the spirit of service and empowerment that defined A. Maceo Smith. His work continues to open doors for Black businesses, strengthen community institutions, and elevate voices across Texas.<\/p>\n Dallas Weekly congratulates Charles O\u2019Neal on receiving the A. Maceo Smith Service Award, honoring a lifetime dedicated to progress, partnership, and purposeful leadership.<\/p>\n Barry Brewer\u2019s Legacy of Community and Class<\/strong><\/p>\n Honoring Comer Cottrell, the pioneering businessman behind the Pro-Line Corporation and one of Dallas\u2019s most successful Black entrepreneurs, this award celebrates innovation, perseverance and the creation of lasting economic impact- the very basis of Brewer\u2019s foundation in the community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Barry Brewer stands at the intersection of Black excellence, community legacy, and unwavering faith. He\u2019s an entrepreneur whose success story continues to inspire Dallas and beyond. <\/p>\n A proud graduate of South Oak Cliff High School, Brewer has spent his career proving that greatness rooted in the community can grow into something both majestic and meaningful. As a three-time honoree at the Best of Black Dallas Awards, his recognition is not simply for building a thriving business, it\u2019s for building a vision that uplifts the very people and places that shaped him.<\/p>\n Brewer is best known as the owner and founder of The Hamptons Event Venue in Red Oak, an exquisite, contemporary space that has quickly become one of the most sought-after venues in the Dallas area. Visitors describe the estate-like structure, its gray-and-white exterior, its polished design, and its unmistakable Rolls Royce at the entrance as nothing short of \u201cmajestic.\u201d Yet behind its elegance lies a deeper story: Brewer\u2019s commitment to bringing world-class luxury to the southern sector of Dallas.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe in helping others and sharing without fear,\u201d he says. \u201cTreat others as you would like to be treated\u2026 keep up the good work and do what you can for others.\u201d This guiding philosophy fueled his determination when early plans to build The Hamptons within Dallas city limits fell through. Rather than abandon the dream, he transformed the setback into opportunity, finding new ground in Red Oak and turning it into a triumph.<\/p>\n Opening in late 2019, just months before the pandemic, The Hamptons could have been another casualty of uncertainty. Instead, supported by loyal friends, clients, and community members, Brewer persevered. Today the venue maintains a months-long waiting list, celebrated not only for its beauty but for what it represents: a symbol of pride, perseverance, and possibility for Southern Dallas.<\/p>\n Barry Brewer\u2019s story is a reminder that when Black vision meets community devotion, excellence is not just achieved, it\u2019s shared. This is what makes him the ideal recipient of the Comer Cottrell Entrepreneur award at the 6th Annual Best of Black Dallas Awards.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 6th Annual Best of Black Dallas Awards would not be possible without the exceptional talent and dedication of our event partners. We extend our deepest thanks to Swan7 Productions for leading this year\u2019s planning, production, and design with seamless precision. Our stunning atmosphere was brought to life by Label Me Exclusive, whose design and d\u00e9cor transformed the venue into an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n A special thank you to DJ King Shakur for curating the soundtrack of the night and to Nina the Emcee, whose energy and presence guided the evening with grace. We are grateful to Geaux Gal Catering for providing the incredible cuisine that kept guests delighted throughout the celebration.<\/p>\n We also acknowledge The Hamptons Event Venue for hosting this year\u2019s awards, offering a beautiful space to honor Black excellence across Dallas. Our visual storytellers, ESNTL Aesthetics capturing video and Kieone Young Photos capturing photography, ensured that every powerful moment from the night will live on.<\/p>\n Thank you to each of these partners for helping make the 2025 Best of Black Dallas Awards a standout celebration of community, culture, and achievement.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Overview: The 6th Annual Best of Black Dallas Awards recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to Black…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":433707,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5135],"tags":[201128,5229,201129,201130,8021,8022,8023,201131,1596,8024,201132,201133,201134,425,50,201135,201136,358,201137,148268,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-433706","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-akwete-tyehimba","9":"tag-america","10":"tag-bandele-tyehimba","11":"tag-barry-brewer","12":"tag-black-media","13":"tag-black-news","14":"tag-black-press","15":"tag-charles-oneal","16":"tag-dallas","17":"tag-dallas-weekly","18":"tag-dr-cheryl-polote-williamson","19":"tag-ikymi","20":"tag-juanita-craft","21":"tag-local","22":"tag-news","23":"tag-soul-reborn","24":"tag-swan7-productions","25":"tag-texas","26":"tag-the-dallas-examiner","27":"tag-the-weekend","28":"tag-tx","29":"tag-united-states","30":"tag-united-states-of-america","31":"tag-unitedstates","32":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","33":"tag-us","34":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115685109091556416","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=433706"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433706\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/433707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=433706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=433706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=433706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1516791951295.jpeg\")
Akwete Tyehimba pictured with her late husband and business partner, Bandele Tyehimba. Photo Courtesy Akwete Tyehimba via LinkedIn<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1741546564649.jpeg\")
\u201cWhatever else I\u2019ve managed to accomplish in life, it started with a great conversation.\u201d \u2013 Charles O\u2019Neal | Photo Courtesy of Charles O\u2019Neal via Linkedin<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-06-at-5.21.23-AM.png\")
\u201cTreat others as you would like to be treated\u2026 keep up the good work and do what you can for others.\u201d \u2013 Barry Brewer. Photo Courtesy of Southern Dallas Magazine<\/p>\n