About ONYX Magazine
C O N T A C T
Rich Black, Publisher 855-986-6699
www onyxmagazine com P.O. Box 555672
Orlando, FL 32855
ONYX Magazine, is the premier publication that “Celebrates Black Achievement Throughout Florida & Beyond. ” Launched in 1997, the Orlando-based magazine remains committed to empowering its readers by offering entertaining, inspiring, and informative stories and editorials focused primarily on the interests of Black people in America, while promoting seamless, diversified connections with other cultures ONYX Magazine hosts the annual ONYX Magazine's Women on the Move, which honors trailblazing Black women across Florida during Women's History Month; Men of Honor, an event to recognize Florida’s most influential Black men; and the ONYX Business Connect, which brings together corporations and grassroots organization for shared enterprise opportunities. ONYX Magazine also is the parent of the ONYX Awards, which champions the astounding contributions African Americans have made to their local and global communities. In 2017, ONYX established the ONYX Foundation to enhance awareness of literacy, the arts, Black history, and financial well-being
About Rich Black
ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black is a champion and vanguard who continually inspires others to reach for extraordinary outcomes He is an accomplished entrepreneur who works tirelessly in his community and has emerged as one of Florida’s most influential leaders
As the publisher, editor-in-chief, president and CEO of ONYX Magazine a 28-yearold publication ranked among the most critical voices to celebrate Black achievement. As a visionary, he transcended the publication by creating innovative programs that amplify community triumphs
Programs include ONYX Speaks, ONYX Business Connect, the annual Women on the Move luncheon, and the annual Men of Honor black-tie gala, all which reign as exceptional Collectively, they have highlighted the masterwork of more than 200 most impactful and influential professionals from Florida and beyond since 2016. As the architect of the ONYX Foundation, established in 2017, Black and his team illuminate paths to excellence through cultural enrichment, literacy, community enhancement, and financial well-being
The Foundation introduced a scholarship program to assist high school and college students who aspire to attend an institution of higher learning and has awarded gifts to students in Florida and The Bahamas. Community service-oriented, Black is the president of the award-winning Lake Sunset Neighborhood Association, a part of the West Lakes Partnership and the largest HOA in Orlando with more than 60 residents in attendance at every meeting Through his efforts to enhance his neighborhood, he leads community forums and public meetings and heads efforts for community benefit
In February 2024, he rallied his neighbors to attend an Orange County Commission meeting to call for funding for Camping World Stadium Their support proved successful when the Stadium received $400 million for expansion. The growth will ensure more jobs that will likely impact West Lakes residents
Perhaps Black’s most impressive talent is his innate ability to galvanize people and encourage them to stand in the gap for those in need The catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022 encouraged him to gather a group of leaders representing the faith-based community Their charge was to advocate for their communities in the wake of the devastation.
R O G R A M
PRESIDING
WANDA “WANDA P. ” PATTERSON
Music Director, On-Air Personality
Hot 106.5 FM
2024 ONYX Magazine Women on the Move Honoree
WELCOME
D. SHENELL REED, MBA
Managing Editor ONYX Magazine
INVOCATION
ELDER DWIGHT FOLLINS
Alexander Temple Jacksonville, Fla.
“LIFT EV’RY VOICE AND SING”
C’ANA CHAPPELL-BILBRO
8th Grade Violinist
LaVilla School of the Arts
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
PAT MCCOLLOUGH
Advisor to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan Civic Engagement and Youth Participation
ONYX MAGAZINE
RICH BLACK
Publisher & Editor-In-Chief ONYX Magazine
COMMUNITY HERO
JOE JONES
Activist During Bloody Sunday on Edmund Pettus Bridge March 7, 1965 - Selma, Ala.
RECOGNITION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH HONOREES
DAWN LOPEZ
Director, Community Engagement & Special Projects Jacksonville Transportation Authority
95 SOUTH
Rappers, Producers “Whoot, The It Is”
GLENN JONES
Singer, Songwriter, Producer “We’ve Only Just Begun”
DEBORAH J. MCDUFFIE
Producer, Composer, Educator “The Jingle Queen”
JEVON HILL
Producer, Songwriter, Musician
Recent Grammy Award Winner
T H A N K Y O U , S P O N S O R S
COMMUNITY HERO
Student on Edmund Pettus Bridge During Bloody Sunday
Joe Jones
Joe Jones was an 18-year-old student who participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. He was part of a group of 600 people who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, protesting voting restrictions and the recent killing of a young protestor. The photograph taken during the march, particularly on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, captured a moment of brutality during the civil rights movement, with state troopers and KKK members attacking marchers Joe Jones, along with others, ntal in protecting the Matriarch of the
The Greats of Jacksonville
“Whoot, There It Is”
95 South Rappers, Producers
95 South is a pioneering hip-hop group from Jacksonville, Florida, best known for being the originators of their 1993 hit single Whoot, There It Is. Composed of members Michael 'Mike Mike' Phillips and Carlos 'Daddy Black' Spencer, the group played a key role in popularizing the Miami bass sound a high-energy subgenre of hip-hop that dominated clubs and airwaves throughout the 1990s Their breakout hit became a cultural phenomenon, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning widespread recognition as a party anthem, frequently heard at sporting events and celebrations worldwide Beyond their initial success, 95 South continued to shape the Southern hip-hop landscape with subsequent releases, collaborating with major artists eir rap uth han
The Greats of Jacksonville
African American Music Appreciation Month
We’ ve Only Just Begun
Glenn Jones
Singer, Songwriter, Producer
The story of Glenn Jones’ life and musical success is compelling and standouts among the stars due to his God given talents as a most extraordinary vocalist. Glenn is a Grammy Nominated Recording Producer, Artist, and Songwriter You can catch him on stage performing back-to-back dates throughout the USA and around the world from South Africa to London, and other countries abroad Glenn Jones is still one of the most sought after “live” per-formers in the music industry today. His fans want to hear his original chart-topping hits, and his signature songs He has also shared the stage with many industry greats including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and so many others. A native of Jacksonville, Fla , Jones fondly recalls, “Since the age of 4 or 5, I’ve always loved music.” Reared in the Pentecostal church, he often found himself risking punishment just to sneak a listen to the secular sounds of Stevie, Bobby, Marvin and Donny, in particular. Heavily influenced by the sounds of the time, Jones formed his first group, “The Modulations,” at the age of fourteen and was later discovered by the late, great gospel legend, Reverend James Cleveland. No stranger to pen and paper, Jones received a coveted Stellar Award for his crafty lyrics, superior vocals and for lending his production talents to the gospel quartet, Canton Spirituals (Verity Records), garnering favorites, including “Never Let Go” and “They Need to Belong.” In conjunction with his writing, producing, recording and performance schedule, Jones added acting to his repertoire. Although he initially made his mark in the gospel arena, Jones’ voice caught the ear of acclaimed musician, Norman Connors, with whom he toured and ultimately began performing R&B music. Having officially made the transition from Gospel to R&B, Jones joined the roster at RCA Records Four years later, he signed with Jive Records and enjoyed success with his self-titled album, which spawned the hit singles, “We’ve Only Just Be-gun (The Romance Is Not Over)” and “Stay,” respectively. His move to Atlantic Records produced contemporary up-tempo hits “Here I Go Again” , #1 Top Billboard single and “I’ve Been Searching (Nobody Like You)” .
The Greats of Jacksonville
African American Music Appreciation Month
The Jingle Queen Deborah J. McDuffie
Producer, Composer, Educator
Credited with being the first Black female producer/composer in the advertising/record industries, Deb McDuffie is a multi-award-winning pioneer, a “behind the scenes” legend McDuffie has an impressive career including talents in production, live performance, composing, arranging, marketing, special promotions, education, and lecturing. She has composed for, produced, and performed with superstars such as Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Al Green, Patti Labelle, Janet Jackson, Michael Bolton, Roberta Flack, Teddy Riley, Ashford & Simpson, BB King, Bobby Caldwell, Isley Brothers, Peter Allen, Patti Austin, Wynton Marsalis, George Duke, Bill Withers, Deniece Williams, Manhattans, Will Smith, James Ingram, Larry Graham, Jennifer Holliday, Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett, Teddy Pendergrass, Temptations, Grover Washington, Jr., Jose Feliciano, Four Tops, MC Hammer, Spinners, MC Lyte and more. Since relocating to Jacksonville from New York City in 1996 to pursue a second career in education, Ms. McDuffie has been active in the community, as Artistic Director for Ritz Theatre & Museum, which includes Ritz Voices, Puttin’ on the Ritz, as well as many other programs dedicated to providing arts events for the Jacksonville community. She is also active in local television, having served as a judge on WJXT’s “Gimme the Mike” , and most recently, “Oh Say Can You Sing” . McDuffie launched the JQUEEN MUSIC indie record label in 2023, producing a variety of ta;emt local musical artists “a la Quincy Jones” You can hear her projects on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, Amazon Music and Apple Music She appears in the Luther Vandross documentary, “Never Too Much-Luther Vandross” . Her multi-media autobiography, “Reign of the Jingle Queen” , featuring hundreds of music videos, photos and artist’s memories, is available at the Bookbaby Bookshop website, Amazon Books, Apple Books and her website, www thejinglequeen com (for autographed copies)
ONYX Magazine
Jacksonville Relaunch
Planning Committee
Publisher Rich Black
Managing Editor D. Shenell Reed
Executive Assistant Sade Cole
Ricky Anderson
Christie Jones Bird
Penny Dickerson
Marianne Eggleston
Syrita Frinks
The Hon. Anthony “Tony” Hill
Wanda Patterson
Angela Pittman-Leath
ONYX Magazine Advisory Committee
Nancy Port Schwalb, Chair
Deidre Parker, Immediate Past Chair
Dick Batchelor
Dr. Lavon Bracy
Bryon Brooks
Sherri Brown
Marva Brown Johnson
Hon. Mable Butler
Yolanda Cash Jackson
Dr. Cynthia Chestnut
John Crossman
Quibulah Graham
Gary Hartfield
Barbara Hartley
Ann Jenkins
Eugene Jones
Connie Kinnard
Larry Lee, Jr.
Brenda March
Gail Thomas-DeWitt
Hon. Alan Williams
Carla Williams
Samuel Wright, Ed.D.