Awards presented at annual JDC Chamber of Commerce banquet
Published 10:00 am Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The Jefferson Davis County Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet May 13 at the Rosenwald Building on the Prentiss Institute campus.
The welcome was provided by Chamber President Dr. Su’Brina Mason followed by prayer, and the introduction of guest speaker, Tony Reimonenq Jr.
Reimonenq spoke on the power of ownership and six things important to financial success. Those include having life insurance, home ownership, small business/side hustle, financial education, professional development and a stable family. “What stabilizes societies is stable families,” he said.
Reimonenq serves as Executive Director of LinkedUp Inc., an Economic Empowerment organization dedicated to closing the wealth gap by providing financial education, affordable housing, business suites and access to mainstream banking for underserved communities.
“Business is God’s way of rewarding us for taking care of his other children,” said Reimonenq. “No way we can make money without serving others; God will reward you for taking care of his people,” he said.
The first award of the night was the STAR Student and Teacher awards. The STAR Student must be a senior and have an ACT score of at least 25 with an overall average of 93 or above in selected subjects.
The STAR Student selects a STAR Teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement.
STAR Student for Jefferson Davis County High School was Kyle Marin. He made a 28 on his ACT and chose Captain Derek Hall as his STAR Teacher.
J. T. Reid was STAR Student for Prentiss Christian School. He chose Dr. Josh Bowen as his STAR Teacher.
Chamber member Dedra Johnson announced the names of those receiving awards for the evening.
The Community Impact Award presented to Jefferson Davis County Veteran Service Officer Joe Bridges for his positive impact and support for Veterans.
Corporations of the Year awards were presented to Saulters Moore Funeral Home and Stacy Clark State Farm Insurance.
New Business of the Year was Harley Trucking LLC.
Business of the Year was The Way There LLC and the Small Business Award was presented to Dorothy’s Snowballs.
The Leadership Excellence Award G. W. Carver Principal Vanessa Brown.
At the conclusion of the evening, a token of appreciation was presented to Jefferson Davis County Miss Hospitality Mariah Evans and guest speaker Tony Reimonenq Jr.
Entertainment was provided by Gary Bass with dinner provided by Dampeer Family Restaurant.
