FedEx Express, a finalist for Corporation of Year, was well represented at the MMBC Robert R. Church Sr. Achievement Awards Luncheon and Annual Meeting. Pictured: (front) Weltha Hitchcock, Bonita Davis (Advocate of the Year), Mary McDaniel, and Doc Hughes; (back row) Darvin Sanders, Jim Vines, Plas Upshaw III, Laura Bullion and De Angella Dennis. (Photo by Earl Stanback)

The Mid-South Minority Business Council doled out scholarships and business honors during the Robert R. Church Sr. Achievement Awards Luncheon and Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn University last week.

This year’s achievement award recipients are: Zycron Technology Services and Solutions, Minority Business of the Year; Bonita S. Davis, Advocate of the Year; Memphis City Schools, Corporation of the Year; and the University of Memphis, Creative Visionary Supplier of the Year:

Ten Students were named 2008 – Robert R. Church Scholarship Award winners. They are: Ciara Arrington, University of Memphis; Darrica Bass, Tennessee State University; Jeremiah Blackwell, Southwest Tennessee Community College; Cecilia Columbie, Lambuth University; Leanna C. Davis, Middle Tennessee State University; Audrey DeBerry, Tennessee State University; Brian Hawkins, Tennessee State University; Jasmine Hunt, Middle Tennessee State University, Tilmon Keaton, Middle Tennessee State University; and Brittany Simone Taylor, Middle Tennessee State University.

NOTES:

•Robert R. Church Sr. was the first African-American millionaire in Memphis. He was a founder of the first bank organized by African Americans in the city and well-known philanthropist.

•The event’s keynote speaker was Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, president of Philander Smith College, and author of “Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. He made a pitch for more creativity.