Entertainment Mogul | Philanthropist

This award is given to an individual that has achieved enormous success and accomplishment in their given field.  They are leaders that have dealt effectively with changing business environments and usually have overcome the odds. They have not only garnered significant power and influence through this process, but they use that power and influence to positively impact others.

Kevin Liles’ ability to create, build and lead some of the biggest and culturally relevant brands over the past 30 years cements his place in cultural history. With titles such as Chairman & CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment, Co-Founder & CEO of 300 Entertainment, and Head of 300 Studios, the company’s content and film division, Kevin has cultivated one of the world’s most culturally influential entertainment companies and positioned it at the forefront of streaming. Liles also architected Def Jam’s expansion into video games and television in the late nineties and introduced Artist Services to Warner Music Group during the aughts.

Whether heading the preeminent entertainment company, running his own KWL Management Company, or overseeing charities such as Kevin Liles For a Better Baltimore and The Make It Happen Foundation, he always remains on the cutting edge. In 2020, Kevin was named Billboard’s Executive of the Year. He also holds a place on Variety’s ‘37 New Yorkers Making an Impact in Entertainment’, Billboard’s annual “Power 100,” received France’s highest honor, the “Médaille de la Ville de Paris Award,” and authored the New York Times best-seller Make It Happen: The Hip Generation Guide to Success. With Kevin at the helm, 300 Entertainment’s roster acts have garnered a total of 4 GRAMMY® Awards, 13 GRAMMY® Award nominations, over 75B streams, 200 RIAA gold, platinum, multi-platinum, and diamond-certified singles, multiple Shorty Awards, NAACP Image Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, as well as prestigious honors by Fast Company and Inc. Magazine.

Speaker of the House of Delegate Maryland General Assembly

This award is given to individuals that have or are carving out a niche in an industry and may serve as a “first.” They are pioneers in many ways. They incorporate innovation, persistence, and tenacity in their approach to their chosen field. They continually look to “refine the model” and once established, serve as the model for others to follow.

Speaker Adrienne A. Jones shattered two glass ceilings when she was unanimously elected by the full House of Delegates to serve as the first African-American and the first woman Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates in history.

Prior to being Speaker, Speaker Jones also held the distinction of being the first African American woman to serve as Speaker Pro Tem in the Maryland House of Delegates, serving in that capacity under Speaker Mike Busch for 16 years. Speaker Jones served on the House Appropriations Committee, and was Chair of the Capital Budget and Education, and Economic Development Subcommittees. She has been a delegate since 1997.

Speaker Jones has long been known by her colleagues for her steadfast leadership and no-nonsense approach to legislating. She has focused on education policy and funding issues, most notably school construction, during her tenure in the legislature. She has also made significant advances in ensuring diversity and fair treatment of State employees.

In February, 2019, Speaker Jones received the Casper R. Taylor, Jr. Founder’s Award, the highest award given to a member of the House of Delegates, recognizing her steadfast service. She has three times been named to the “Top 100 Women in Maryland” by the Daily Record, and was inducted into the Circle of Excellence for Sustained Achievement. Most recently she was selected along with 25 female legislators for Governing Magazine’s Women in Government Leadership Program Class of 2016. As the first Executive Director of the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs, she faithfully served the citizens of the County for over 37 years. She served as Deputy Director of the Baltimore County Office of Human Resources until her retirement from service in Baltimore County Government on June 30, 2014. During her civil service career, she worked with diverse populations of the County with dedication and sensitivity, providing a listening “ear” to individual citizens, business owners, religious leaders, and elected officials. She is the Founder of the Annual Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, now in its 21st year.

Speaker Jones was born in Cowdensville, Maryland, a historic African-American community located near Arbutus in Southwest Baltimore County. She attended Baltimore County Public Schools, graduating from Lansdowne High School and is a proud alumna of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She attended The National Security Seminar, U.S. Army War College in 2007. In 2008, she received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. She is the mother of two adult sons and proud grandmother of two wonderful grandchildren, Jalen and Janelle Jones.

Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church

This award is given to individuals that have or are carving out a niche in an industry and may serve as a “first.” They are pioneers in many ways. They incorporate innovation, persistence, and tenacity in their approach to their chosen field. They continually look to “refine the model” and once established, serve as the model for others to follow.

Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. has served as the pastor of the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland since 1975. Under his leadership, the church body has grown to over 8,000 active members. On October 16, 2010, a vision was fulfilled, and a testimony of God’s faithfulness when the New Psalmist family moved into their new edifice, a 4,000-seat state of the art facility, designed to minister to the needs of individuals in the 21st century. Bishop Thomas also serves as the presiding prelate of Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors, a fellowship that endeavors to encourage, assist, edify, and celebrate Pastors in kingdom work. He is a highly regarded executive and personal coach with over 30 years of experience in working with church leaders, pastors, church staffs, and building effective ministry teams. Bishop Thomas is a Myers Briggs Practitioner certified in MBTI assessments and interpretations. He leads workshops and seminars across the county on preparing leaders for their next level.

Bishop Thomas is the past president of the Hampton University Minister’s Conference for 1999 to 2002. He is also author of the books Spiritual Navigation for the 21st Century, Good Meat Makes its Own Gravy, and Hanging on by a Thread and is an editor of Outstanding Black Sermons Volume 4 in which he is featured as one of the contributors.

Bishop Thomas received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in Economics. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Religion in Washington, D.C. and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland and honorary degrees Virginia Seminary and Bethune Cookman College. Bishop Thomas and his committed partner in ministry, Patricia, have three lovely children, Joi, Walter Jr., and Joshua.

This award is given to those in the business community that exemplifies commitment to improving their community through innovative and active engagement (volunteerism), philanthropy, and encouraging others to get involved by serving as an ambassador for improving the livability of all communities.

Revival is located in the heart of Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, an epicenter for history, art and culture. The 14-story boutique hotel – with 107 guest rooms and event spaces totaling approximately 4,000 square feet – offers a vibrant stay, thoughtful design and a signature food and beverage experience. Yet Revival is more than four walls that people pass through; it embodies a unique style of hospitality that supports the people and businesses around us – Impact Hospitality. Revival’s creative and conscious programming and local partnerships enliven our guests’ visits and exemplify the best of everything Baltimore has to offer. At Revival, our mission is to make lives better.

Revival is committed to being a space that is inclusive and welcoming to all. The hotel’s social impact efforts include curated programming and events such as educational workshops, thought-provoking conversations, art pop-ups, and spirit-free cocktails. These efforts elevate BIPOC-led businesses and nurture relationships with local organizations to make an impact on the local community and beyond. To advance its social impact efforts, the hotel hired Jason Bass as its first-ever Director of Culture & Impact who has spearheaded numerous efforts on behalf of the hotel. In recent years, the hotel has announced partnerships with local and BIPOC-owned businesses.