Don Hutson, the keynote speaker at last Saturday’s 24th Annual BENNY Awards  presented by the Black Business Association, made reference to America’s current economic picture and said it’s time for creative people to push the accelerator down.

Ivory Taylor of Taylor-Brown Apothecary and his wife with the BENNY Award for business of the year. (Courtesy photo)

Hutson, CEO of U.S. Learning, counted himself fortunate to be among an audience of what he deemed creative people at the gala held at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.

Hutson, author of the New York Times bestseller, “The One Minute Entrepreneur,” which he co-authored with Ken Blanchard, often is described as a motivational speaker, and he clearly had the backing of Roby S. Williams, president of the BBA, who introduced him.

For his part, Hutson said he didn’t consider himself so much a motivational speaker as he does one who helps individuals sell better and leaders lead better.

A storyteller extraordinaire, Hutson said he didn’t do well during his first two years in college at the University of Memphis. Then he was confronted by his father.

“He asked me if I was going to be a winner or loser….I gave him my answer and I had had a signifincant emotional event.”

Such events, he said, serve as stimulants to make change. He did, later graduating with close to straight A’s.

Motivation is a great thing, he said. Leaders must be passionate about what they are doing he said. “You are role models for your employees.”

After Hutson finished speaking, Williams shouted out, “I told you,” a reference to his description of Hutson as a stimulating speaker.

Williams said Hutson always leaves behind information that people can use, pointing to a notepad he himself used during Hutson’s talk.

Hutson’s appearance was in line with what Williams has said are two things the BBA wants to more narrowly focus on in 2010:

“Uncovering and sharing opportunities for business success…The second is developing cutting edge skill sets among our members such that they may become champions in the marketplace.”

The 2010 BENNY (Black Entrepreneurship Networking Needs You) Awards winners:

Charles Whitsy, outstanding business professional.

Taylor Brown Apothecary, business of the year.

Hardy Bottling, outstanding woman-owned business.

FedEx, outstanding corporate involvement.

McDonald Plumbing, outstanding service provider.

Memphis Light Gas & Water Division, outstanding business development.

Methodist Healthcare, outstanding business purchasing.

Pete Mitchell and Associates, outstanding professional services.

The New Olivet Baptist Church, outstanding community involvement.

Renaissance Business Center, outstanding business facility.

Total Control Logistics, outstanding new business.