Awardees

Nuru Witherspoon was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Historically Black College, Paul Quinn College, (Dallas, TX) before obtaining his law degree from the University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS). Witherspoon is married with six children.

Witherspoon’s accomplishments include some of the largest wrongful death and serious injury recoveries in the country, and his cases have been featured on CNN, Fox News, and The

Wall Street Journal.

The Witherspoon Law Group works with dedication and compassion handling high profile negligent security, sexual assault, and serious injury and wrongful death cases caused by commercial vehicles as the #1 Trusted Law Firm in America.

Kay Harper Williams, Esq. (Partner)

You can reach The Witherspoon Law Group Toll-Free at 1.844. We.Win.44 or visit www. WitherspoonWeWin.com for more information.

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Disclaimer: Nuru Witherspoon is licensed in Texas, Illinois, and Missouri. The Witherspoon Law Group may associate or cocounsel with attorneys licensed in other States and may apply for Pro Hac Admission depending on the case. Any information provided by The Witherspoon Law Group or its members is not intended to solicit business or create an attorney-client relationship.

John Beckwith

Kirk D. Myers-Hill, MPH, is the founder and President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Abounding Prosperity, Inc. The agency’s mission is to address health, social and economic disparities among Black men including gay, bisexual, and transgender (male- to-female) individuals and their identified families living in Dallas County, Texas. In fulfilling this mission, Mr. Myers-Hill has drawn upon his extensive network of Black men and organizations through his leadership in the Texas Black Gay Network where he was a founding member for the Dallas Chapter, as well as the State of Texas Community Planning Group (CPG) where he has served in many positions including Chair of the Interventions Committee. He is also a member the City of Dallas lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Task Force.

A tireless advocate for Black men, Mr. Myers-Hill’ activism and community mobilization efforts have focused attention on the issues of equity and service pertaining to eradicating the disproportionate impacts of HIV/AIDS in Black communities. Through advocacy, he has helped to shape policies and the development of programs that would support Black men as they transition from prison and acclimate back into society, especially those who are in need of housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Mr. Myers-Hill has been involved in both the public and private sector to influence research affecting Black men; with an emphasis HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment biomedical advances. Most noted is Mr. Myers-Hill’ participation at the 2012 Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee (AVDAC) hearings at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. During the meeting, Mr. Myers-Hill provided expert testimony on behalf of Gilead Sciences Inc. for the benefits of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which uses the drug TRUVADA (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection. This partnership resulted in Abounding Prosperity Inc. receiving one of the first community education grants from Gilead Sciences to support increased awareness and utilization of PrEP. The project was overseen by Mr. Myers-Hill and was evaluated by Kimberly Parker, PhD; thus, producing data that allowed Dr. Parker to successfully apply for additional resources to support a subsequent project targeting Black women. The sum of his local, regional, and national efforts to end HIV within the Black community, led to the development of a Texas State-wide plan to increase PrEP awareness, literacy, feasibility, and utilization.

Mr. Myers-Hill has conducted trainings, provided capacity building assistance, and facilitated workshops that helped to disseminate information that informed Black men of their basic human right to good health and well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consulted Mr. Myers-Hill on health issues pertaining to HIV/ AIDS infection among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and young, MSM. In addition to his work at Abounding Prosperity Inc., he serves on nonprofit boards across the United States, holding various roles and positions. For the past several years, Myers-Hill has and continues to inform the national research, advocacy, and service delivery system’s agenda as a PrEP Advisory Board member for Gilead Sciences, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition’s (AVAC) PxROAR Program and Business Advisor for Dallas Southern Pride, Dallas’ Official Black Gay Pride Event. Mr. MyersHill uses his enormous social and political cache to create culturally specific spaces that improve health outcomes among Black and Latino MSM/YMSM through Abounding Prosperity Inc.’s Ball/House and Pageant (B/HAP) Communities Leadership and Health Disparities Conference, Juneteenth Festive, Black Gay Pride Events, educational campaigns, and provider capacity building and technical assistance trainings.

Kirk D. Myers-Hill, MPH, is widely published with numerous abstracts, papers, and commentaries, many related to HIV infection and prevention.

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Awardees

Fayth Jefferson

Elite News Community Encouragement Award

Meet Fayth Jefferson, a former non-profit and small business executive who has a passion for philanthropy, social impact, music, and food. With more than 20 years of experience in small business solutions and nonprofits, she is known for creating scalable company results. As a Dallas County native, Jefferson matriculated through the Lancaster Independent School District. Upon graduating high school, she attended Dallas Baptist University and graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration. Later she decided to pursue a master’s degree from Full Sail University, specializing in entrepreneurship.

In 2015, Jefferson took on the role as Chief of Staff for Urban

Specialist, a social impact nonprofit geared toward senseless violence intervention that supplies youth with educational and social service resources in underserved areas across the county.

A day in the life of Fayth Jefferson could include planning strategic solutions with top government elected officials to meeting with Grammy award winning artist to form social impact campaigns. Jefferson comes from a lineage of Bishops, businessmen, and philanthropist. As the youngest sibling of five, she learned entrepreneurship and non-profit business solutions at an early age.

This led her to work for her late brother Bishop Omar Jahwar, a national businessman and philanthropist who believed intersectionality was the key to reform all communities. In efforts to continue her brother’s legacy, she decided to go after something new, the food industry. Bishop Omar Jahwar always wanted a place where individuals could eat, create, and relax. At The FIVEe Bistro Bar and Grille, Dallas residents can do just that.

Fayth Jefferson is now the CEO of The FIVEe. She has made it her life’s missions to take her executive expertise and bring it to the food industry. She created a business model for the restaurant that includes philanthropy. Every time you eat at The FIVEe , you are creating an opportunity for underresourced communities to thrive. A percentage of each meal goes toward social impact and the individuals serving and plating your food come from CAFÉ Momentum, a culinary training center for at-risk youth.

You may also find her working in the role as the CEO of HSG Solutions. HSG Solutions supplies tax services and business development strategies for non-profits and social impact companies.

Although she has accomplished much, her greatest accomplishments are her three boys Daelan, Draesen, and Deisel.

Distinguished Award

Jeneca Willis currently serves as a Vice President in the Commercial Banking sector at Truist Financial Corporation, formerly BB&T Bank, with 15 years of industry experience. As a formally credit-trained Commercial Banker, Jeneca specializes in crafting complex financial strategies and solutions to assist clients in achieving their projected growth and revenue targets.

Jeneca continuously exceeds profitability, quality, and sales goals while participating as an active and supportive leader and team member. Her effective relationship management, business development, and sales acumen provide the ability to develop collaborative relationships that reinforce company values and financial objectives.

Jeneca takes great pride in cultivating and maintaining meaningful rapport with renowned business leaders and industry partners and has been recognized as a dynamic leader and expert in her field. Jeneca’s enthusiasm for her chosen career path is evident in the manner she expresses her purpose at Truist and her ability to deliver reliable, responsive, and empathetic service to her clients.

Minister of The Year Award

Pastor James Hutchins was born in Carthage, Mississippi and raised in Marion, Indiana. In 1984, he answered the call to ministry while serving in the United States Navy. Throughout the country he has served in various capacities that include Teacher, Counselor, Associate and Assistant Minister. From 1997 to 1999, he pastored St. Luke Church of God in Pensacola, Florida.

Pastor Hutchins holds an undergraduate degree in Business and a Master of Divinity. He retired from the Navy in 2000 with over 20 years in service to his country. He is a community leader and advocate of peace and unity. In addition to these accomplishments, he has authored five books and published two. Pastor Hutchins also serves as a Trustee for Dallas Christian College and is a Board member of the LEISD Education Foundation.

In April 2007, Pastor Hutchins and 25 members established New Life Community Church of Frisco, Texas. New Life consists of over 1000 members and is growing weekly. In

2016, New Life also built a church in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Hutchins has been married to his high school sweetheart, (Tina) for over 40 years. They have three children: Tinesha, Jasmine, and Terrance (Royetta). In addition, they have four grandsons: Jaylen, Aiden, Jaxson, and Aaron, and two granddaughters: Jayda and Abigail.