The Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board (AAHAB) is accepting nominations for its annual African American Leader of the Year Award, along with applications for the 2023 Henry Cowherd Scholarship and the inaugural Mr. and Miss Black Aurora Pageant.
African American Leader Of The Year Award:
Nominations are being accepted for the “2023 African-American Leader of the Year Award” that will be presented during AAHAB’s 17th Annual Heritage Dinner on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Belle Salle Banquet.
The annual award is bestowed upon an African American each year who has demonstrated consistent leadership in and committed service to Aurora’s African American community and the city at large.
Previous award recipients are Tom Boatright, Judge Keith Brown, Officer Skyy Calice, Henry Cowherd, Donnell Collins, Chief Keith Cross, Dr. Darrell Echols, alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns, Sherman Jenkins, Cynthia Latimer, Clayton Muhammad, Archie Needham, Lillian Perry, Rev. Dr. Julian Spencer, and Anthony Stanford.
Nominations are due by December 7.
Henry Cowherd Scholarship
Applications are available for current high school seniors to apply for AAHAB’s Henry Cowherd Scholarship. AAHAB provides annual scholarships to college-bound African American students. The AAHAB scholarship is named in honor of trailblazing Auroran Mr. Henry Cowherd, and the scholarship recipients are called Cowherd Scholars.
Eligible applicants for the 2023 scholarship must 1) be a current high school senior, 2) have a minimum 2.5 GPA, 3) be of African American descent, 4) be a resident of Aurora or attend a school in Aurora.
Applications are due by January 16, 2023.
Inaugural Mr. & Miss Black Aurora Pageant
Offering new opportunities for youth, AAHAB presents a cultural and preparatory experience for African American high school students in Aurora.
Reflecting the collegiate pageant experience germane to many HBCUs and other universities, the inaugural Mr. & Miss Black Aurora Pageant provides a platform to highlight emerging leaders as they compete for the premier titles.
The 2023 Mr. & Miss Black Aurora Pageant will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at noon at the Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora.
Applications are due by December 9.
—City of Aurora government