**Prince George's Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Alexander Austin**

Nearly 600 Attend The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Excellence In Business Awards Gala

By Raoul Dennis // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR STOUDAMIRE

It was more than a stellar night Oct. 5 at Gaylord At National Harbor’s Riverview Ballroom.

It was recognition of 100 years of business in the county and a reinvigoration of a regional business platform well positioned for the next century.

It nodded to past heroes who got us here such as David Harrington and Mirinda Jackson and spotlighted present leaders destined to take the county to greater heights including County Executive and U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks and Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Alex Austin.

NAI Michael Companies Founder and Chairman Ken Michael stands with Prince George's Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Alexander Austin (center) and surrounded by county business leaders, executives and stakeholders.

**Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks**

“We honor the legacy of those who came before us- their resilience in facing challenges and their commitment. We also recognize the present,” Austin said from the podium. “We gather together in this room with businesses representing strength, diversity, and ingenuity. The next century is ours to share. And with the partnerships, creativity and commitments that this chamber fosters, I know we are ready to take on challenges and opportunities that await us.”

The leaders of the event announced the recipients of eight distinguished awards, honoring outstanding leadership and success in the business community. The Excellence in Business Awards Gala will bring together community leaders, business executives, elected officials, corporate/nonprofit professionals, and esteemed guests to honor Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce’s century of dedication and achievement.

Well known actor, educator, activist, and entrepreneur Lamman Rucker emceed the evening.

For the nearly 600 VIP guests, business leaders, political and artistic giants in attendance, the event was a very special recognition of the greatness of Prince George’s past, present and future from the time it was drawn up by the planning committee.

“We wanted to create an experience for the recipients and the guests,” says Gala Committee Chair Tom Graham. “It was about leadership and legacy.”

Graham, a former PEPCO senior executive, says that his own career had always been predicated upon those two things. “I would say that it was about service. That leads to leadership and then legacy comes from it.”

This year's awards committee recognized businesses and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to their communities. Recipients include:

●Business Leader of the Year: Steve Proctor Jr., President & CEO/G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc.

●Small Business of the Year: Prince George's Suite Magazine

●Community Impact Business of the Year: Housing Initiative Partnerships, Inc. (HIP)

●Mirinda Jackson Minority Business of the Year: Eronica Dew, Founder & CEO/BES Solutions

●Emerging Business of the Year: Blink Charging

●Corporate Citizenship Award: Truist Foundation

●Economic Transformation Team of the Year: Distinguished Members of the Maryland Delegation

In addition to these prestigious awards, The Prince George's Chamber of Commerce presented the David C. Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award to Kenneth Michael, Chairman, NAI Michael. This honor recognizes an individual whose remarkable contributions and unwavering dedication have significantly impacted the business landscape, inspired future generations of leaders, and embodied the spirit of David C. Harrington (1954-2022), former longtime President and CEO of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce.

USE THE MOMENTUM

Hosting one of the most successful and well attended events of the year, reaching the event’s financial goals and symbolically crowning the chamber’s centennial goes only as far as the parking lot exit, if the next steps aren’t taken.

“The night was a great experience: the plan was executed; the speeches were great, and the goals were met. But we have to make it count beyond this,” Graham says.

“We have to use this momentum to grow to the next level.”

Austin eyes the future:

“I envision the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce continuing its legacy as a champion of wealth creation,” Austin says. “Our mission is to provide opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses and large corporations in Prince George's County and the surrounding region to achieve growth and sustainability. We are dedicated to focusing on procurement, digital equity, and advancing the leading industries that significantly impact Prince George's County and the region.”

ABOUT THE AWARDS NAMED FOR MIRINDA JACKSON AND DAVID HARRINGTON

“Harrington was a great leader when the chamber needed it,” Graham says of the former president and CEO. Harrigton’s political history and business experience were his strongest traits in taking the struggling chamber to new heights during his term (2012-2022). He died suddenly in 2022.

Mirinda Jackson, the county’s MBE compliance manager, was a beloved county leader who dedicated her life to aiding small and minority businesses well beyond her daily 9 to 5 hours for over 20 years. Beyond the regulatory role, Jackson was a principled professional who believed in her work.

“She was well respected,” Graham says. “If you wanted to do business in the county, you had to go through her. The recipient of the [Mirinda Jackson] award has to mirror the things she stood for.”