Twelve local community leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers will be recognized at the Annual Business & Community Awards & Recognition Ceremony. Click on the names below to read more about awardees.
Dr. Adria Dunn-Harris is an accomplished educator, musician, and minister whose life and career exemplify dedication and transformative service. Holding a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Dr. Dunn-Harris has dedicated 31 years to public education, with 27 of those spent directly in the classroom. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and fierce advocacy for fine arts education have inspired generations of students, many of whom have gone on to become educators and performers, often sharing the stage with their beloved mentor.
Believing in the transformative power of music, she has established summer music camps and consistently sought ways to make fine arts accessible to all students. As a fine arts music administrator, Dr. Dunn-Harris now impacts countless lives through her leadership and vision, uplifting students, educators, and communities alike.
As a professional violinist, Dr. Dunn-Harris has been a dedicated member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for 35 years and has also performed with the El Paso Opera, Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, Juárez Symphony Orchestra, and Roswell Symphony Orchestra. She has also had the honor of conducting multiple regional orchestras across Texas and New Mexico. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, the American Federation of Musicians, and the Texas Music Educators Association, where she currently serves as Region 22 Secretary.
Beyond education and music, she has ministered throughout the United States through both word and song, demonstrating her deep faith and heart for service. She has volunteered for years helping churches and music departments, including helping distribute truckloads of food to families in need during the COVID-19 shutdown. At the church level, Dr. Dunn-Harris has held various leadership offices for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Regionally, she served as the Director for Christian Education, the Music Department, and the Young People’s Department, where she also held the role of Assistant Secretary.
Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous honors, including Teacher of the Year (Campus Level), Elite 8 Educator (District Level), and Black El Paso Voice Fine Arts Professional of the Year. Her life’s work stands as a testament to blending a love for music, education, and faith into a meaningful legacy of service and joy.
On a free Saturday, Regina Evelyn Daniel would rather work through a 2,000-piece puzzle with a good show playing in the background than do almost anything else. It is a small detail, but it says something true about her: she is patient, deliberate, and willing to sit with a hard problem until it comes together, whether that problem is on a table in her living room or in a physics notebook.
Regina is a senior at Transmountain Early College High School in El Paso, Texas. She was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and moved to El Paso at age two, after her father retired from the Army. She has four siblings, Craig Anderson, Rodney Daniel, Reggie James, and Reggie Jr., and her family is known, in her own words, for being big and always getting bigger. Every Christmas, she and her parents drive to Chihuahua, Mexico, to spend the holiday with her mother’s family, filling her grandmother’s house with music and food. Her father, Reginald Daniel, is a retired Command Sergeant Major with a master’s degree in business, and the man she calls her hero for his courage and his steady involvement in the community. Her mother, Mayra Daniel, was born and raised in Mexico, is bilingual, and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; she is the person who has shaped Regina the most, teaching her patience, how to be kind without losing honesty, and how to think creatively.
At school, math is where Regina feels most at home, drawn to the logic and the challenge of working through a hard problem to a clean answer. She fills the rest of her schedule with a Science program, Student Council, Yearbook, Theater, the Historical Society, and a role as student ambassador, alongside JROTC, where she also took part in Raiders, an intensive physical program that pits teams against each other in competition. A Physics class with her teacher, Mrs. Hohnholt, changed how she thinks about learning altogether, not as a checklist to get through, but as something worth understanding fully. That mix of curiosity and discipline has earned her recognition across nearly every corner of her school life, a full record of which is listed separately below, and it points toward a degree in Biomedical Sciences and a career as a research scientist in immunology, ideally at a research university such as the University of Texas at Austin or Rice University. She is chasing the same question in the lab that drives her outside it: what else is there to discover.
Outside of school, Regina keeps her hands busy. She crochets, scrapbooks, paints, and reads, and she has spent the past year teaching herself guitar. Fewer people would guess that she also loves the gym, drawn to the challenge of pushing her body the same way she pushes her mind. Her taste runs toward mystery and adventure books and the show Malcolm in the Middle, and on a truly free day, she would rather put on a good episode and lose herself in a puzzle than do anything else.
Regina is part of Destiny Church and a member of the NAACP, and her volunteer record runs long: food and toy drives with Operation Hope, community and highway cleanups, cleanup work at the Old Glory Memorial Site through Flags Across America, setting up school events, giving tours to incoming students, serving food and writing notes for the VAB Annual Cookout, working with local food banks, assisting kids at Summer Diabetes Camp, marching in parades with JROTC, and taking down the U.S. and Texas flags after school on her assigned days. She currently mentors students through a science summer internship program at El Paso Community College, and in 2025 she was selected for HOBY, the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership program, an honor that came with a $2,000 scholarship to attend that year’s HOBY World Leadership Congress. She cares about keeping her local area clean and pushing for road maintenance, and this year she is planning to take on a bigger role organizing events and volunteer opportunities at her school, rather than simply taking part in them.
Behind the record is a harder lesson Regina learned the hard way. After a stretch of severe migraines brought on by the pressure she put on herself to be perfect, and a trip to the doctor that finally got her attention, she learned to step back, and to understand that doing her best did not mean doing everything. It is a lesson she carries into how she treats other people, including a second grader she once tutored in math and reading who has since become a high-achieving student in his own right. Friends describe her in three words: smart, funny, kind. Somewhere along the way, she also changed her mind about what success looks like, deciding that it has less to do with money or title and more to do with doing the things she loves before it is too late.
Regina thinks often about her generation and how it is perceived, and she pushes back on the idea that young people are lazy or unready. She has met peers from across the country and the world who, in her view, are ready to shift a negative narrative and step into leadership. To her, being a young leader simply means being kind and lifting up the people around her. Ten years from now, she pictures herself traveling for her work; if she could fix one problem in the world, she says it would be corrupt leadership, replaced by people who actually guide well. The legacy she wants to leave, even now, is simple: to speak positivity into others and be known for building people up rather than tearing them down.
She lives by a line she keeps close, one often shared without a clear author: “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” (Author unknown.) What she wants people to know about her, beyond the record and the resume, is that she tries to see the best in people and stays kind to them even when they are not kind back. She credits her parents first for all of it, for guiding her and teaching her to be knowledgeable about the world around her, and for shaping her into the person she is today.
HONORS & AWARDS
- TMECHS Citizenship Award (2024)
- President’s Volunteer Service Award (2023)
- Distinguished Honor Roll (2024)
- Military Excellence in JROTC Medal (2024)
- Superior Cadet in JROTC Medal (2025)
- 1st Place, Group UIL Social Studies (2025)
- 2nd Place, Individual UIL Social Studies (2025)
- Sweeps, District Science Fair (2026)
- 2nd Place, Regional Science Fair (2026)
- Qualifying Score, UIL Guitar Ensemble, State Competition (2026)
- Competitor, State Science Fair, TXSEF (2026)
- Up and Coming Teen Award, El Paso Black Democrats
- Selected Delegate, HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) Program (2025)
- $2,000 Scholarship, HOBY World Leadership Congress (2025)
Kiwii Berry is a junior in high school who has distinguished herself through academic excellence, leadership, and a heart for serving others. She currently maintains a 4.0 GPA, ranks 13th in her class, is enrolled in her school’s Early College Program, and is a proud member of the National Honor Society. Her achievements reflect her dedication, integrity, and exceptional work ethic.
A dedicated student-athlete, Kiwii has been a member of her varsity volleyball team since her freshman year, where she serves as the team’s setter. She has also played competitive club volleyball in the El Paso area since the age of 11, demonstrating years of commitment to the sport. In addition, she has competed in high school golf and hopes to continue pursuing the game in the future.
Beyond the classroom and athletics, Kiwii is actively involved in her faith community, where she volunteers her time and is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever she is needed. She is known for her kindness, loyalty, and genuine care for others, making her a trusted friend, respected teammate, and natural leader among her peers.
Family is at the center of Kiwii’s life, and she cherishes the close relationships she shares with those she loves. Looking ahead, she hopes to attend college outside of El Paso and pursue a career in orthodontics, combining her passion for learning with her desire to make a positive impact on others.
Whether in the classroom, on the volleyball court, on the golf course, in service to her community, or with her family, Kiwii strives to lead with integrity, compassion, and determination. Her future is undoubtedly bright, and this recognition is a celebration of both her accomplishments and the remarkable young woman she continues to become.
Dr. Jackeline Biddle Richard is an accomplished professional with a diverse
background. Her journey began as a teen mom and evolved into a remarkable career spanning
nursing, law, and education. She holds an associate in applied sciences in nursing from
Brookdale Community College, a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) from Monmouth University, a
juris doctor (JD) from Rutgers, the New Jersey State University- Newark, and a doctor in nursing
practice (DNP) from UMDNJ / Rutgers Biomedical Sciences Center.
She embarked on her career in the surgical intensive care unit first at a small community hospital
and later continued at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, specializing in neuro-
trauma intensive care. Following her legal studies, she practiced law for over a decade, focusing
on criminal defense, personal injury, business, and nursing disciplinary defense. Her transition
into higher education came after earning her DNP, leading to over a decade of teaching in
nursing associates, baccalaureate, graduate, and DNP programs as well as associate dean, dean of nursing, and sr. director of student affairs leadership roles in nursing schools.
Throughout her professional journey, Dr. Richard has been dedicated to advocating for social
justice and combating racism in law, healthcare, and nursing education. Recently, she founded
JBR Immigration, a law practice committed to advocating for the rights of immigrants and
immigration policy reform.
Additionally, she co-founded the Society of Latinx Nurses (SOLN) and sits on its board of
directors. SOLN is a national nursing organization with a mission to increase diversity in the
nursing workforce, while providing a safe space free away from bullying and racism within the
nursing profession. She represents SOLN as a commissioner on the renowned American Nurses
Association’s National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing where she is charged to bring
their work to healthcare organizations in her community.
Dr. Richard is the founder of the Soy Maravillosa Afro Latinx Initiative and Podcast.
Additionally, she is the past president of the Texas Nurses Association District 1 Chapter here in
El Paso, the former president of the NAACP El Paso Branch, and was recognized as the 2023
Emerging Civil Rights Leader in El Paso.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Richard is a proud mother of an amazing adult son
and enjoys spending time with her fur babies, dancing, live music, the performing arts, and reading.
Shelton Kelley has served as a disciple of Jesus Christ since 2009, guided by a personal testimony that reflects the heart of his ministry: “If God can save a sinner like me, He can save anybody.”
He currently serves as Pastor of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church, where he is committed to preaching God’s Word, serving his congregation, and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ. An Army Veteran, Shelton is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education, which he hopes to complete by the end of August.
Shelton has been married to his wife, Nikela Kelley, for 12 years, and together they are proud parents to Ethan and Psalm Kelley. His life and ministry remain grounded in faith, family, and service to his community.
Sherita Martin is a dedicated educator and instructional technology professional with more than 30 years of experience serving students, teachers, and school communities. She began her career as a high school mathematics teacher and spent 15 years teaching at Burges High School in the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD). Throughout her career, she has also served as a Mathematics Department Chair, Mathematics Staff Developer, and instructional technology leader.
Currently, Sherita serves as a Digital Technologist with EPISD, where she supports teachers, administrators, and district staff in effectively integrating technology into teaching and learning.
She designs and facilitates professional learning, coaches educators, develops instructional resources, and promotes student-centered learning experiences that help students succeed.
Sherita holds a Master of Education from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Wiley University. She is an Apple Learning Academy Specialist, Microsoft Innovative Educator, and ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Certified Educator who is passionate about continuous learning and helping others grow through the thoughtful use of technology.
Above all, Sherita believes that every child deserves excellent educational opportunities and that supporting educators is one of the most meaningful ways to positively impact student success.
Sundra Jill Strickland was born into a loving military family, gaining a global education from living abroad and across the Continental United States during her formative years. When the family settled in El Paso, her parents purchased a home in the Historical Heights neighborhood, where Jill and her siblings grew up.
Service and community work run deep in her family’s history; Jill watched her parents give and work hard to impact the lives of others in a positive way, and that example shaped the foundation of who she is today. Now honored with the Lighthouse Beacon Award for Volunteer of the Year, Jill carries that same spirit forward, driven by a passion for family and for loving on others through service.
Shonique S. Tornes is a native El Pasoan, proud single parent, daughter, sister, friend, military veteran, entrepreneur, community volunteer, WoVeN Peer Leader, former Parent and Family Engagement Liaison, and former substitute educator.
In 2001, she earned her B.S. in Family/Consumer Science with a concentration in Family and Child Science from New Mexico State University, followed by her MSW in 2006 from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. She was selected from a pool of 100 applicants to serve as a Juvenile Court Case Manager at Municipal Court, where she worked for six years, including temporary assignments to Truancy, Community, Teen Court, and a grant-funded program addressing infant morbidity, among other initiatives.
Shonique returned home to El Paso in 2015, and by 2016, volunteerism had become second nature to her, driven by a desire to bring love and passion to others. She began at Socorro Independent School District (SISD), holding several roles including Parent Volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator, Parent and Family Engagement Liaison, and Substitute Educator. In 2018, she launched her entrepreneurial journey as a travel business owner, planning and booking travel for individuals, families, getaways, and groups.
In 2019, she was offered the opportunity to become a WoVeN Peer Leader through The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors in El Paso, giving back to fellow women veterans. The Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) helps women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces connect with one another, building camaraderie and sisterhood both in person and online, a role she considers one of the best decisions she’s made. From this platform, another project has since taken shape, with more to come.
Shonique currently spends her free time with her mother and her daughter, a 2026 graduate of Texas A&M, and stays engaged with her WoVeN sisters through social outings, guest speakers, and community projects. When time permits, she conducts interviews and supports Black El Paso Voice and Amplify El Paso Magazine.
In 2024, Shonique received the Black El Paso Voice Vanguard Award for Champion of the Year (Individual), recognizing her outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to advocating for and supporting the community, tirelessly working to uplift others, promote equity, and encourage unity and empowerment.
She has also collaborated with EPCC as a member of the Black History Month Committee and currently serves as a sub-committee member of the MLK Committee, remaining committed to staying actively involved in her community.
Brandy Wyche, the esteemed founder of FLY Events Promotions, brings forth an illustrious 25-year career in customer service, underscored by a versatile skill set. In her current role, Brandy actively engages in planning, production, casting, and networking, showcasing a career marked by adaptability and continuous growth, complemented by certifications in business, accounting, esthetics, paralegal studies, and quality control.
Brandy’s professional impact extends beyond achievements, influencing projects such as “Plant A Seed and It Will Grow” and collaborative initiatives with various organizations, law enforcement, and youth programs. Grounded in core values, she is fervently committed to supporting women, encouraging confidence, collaborating with diverse groups, and finding joy in connecting with industry peers.
As a dedicated mother and wife, Brandy’s experiences have refined her into a proficient problem solver with heightened empathy and a nuanced understanding of diverse perspectives. Despite the inherent challenges of balancing professional and personal life, Brandy strategically allocates Sundays for family and friend time, meticulously organizing her commitments.
Key messages emphasizing the significance of self-worth and recognizing individual strengths are central to Brandy’s ethos. FLY Events Promotions is now in its eighth year. Evidenced by her collaborations with over 150 models and others within the entertainment and fashion industries in El Paso, Brandy’s experience is a testament to her steadfast dedication. Featured in CIE Fashion Magazine, Brandy aspires to enhance local company participation in events and expand committee service.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Brandy indulges in reading, community outreach, and exploring new culinary experiences. Her passion lies in event planning and collaborating with local music, photography, and art talents. Actively engaged with causes like Plant A Seed and the Juneteenth Committee, Brandy envisions involving more local companies in FLY Events Promotions events and amplifying community service.
A native El Pasoan who is bilingual and comes from a multicultural family background, Brandy stands as a dynamic force contributing to the success of FLY Events Promotions and leaving a lasting positive impact on her community. She currently serves as the manager for 6ixx Lounge and remains active as a community volunteer.
Diane E. Williams, CSM (Ret) | CIVIL RIGHTS & CIVIC DUTY Leader of the Year – Diane E. Williams, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, is a distinguished military leader, educator, civil rights advocate, and dedicated community servant. She holds a Master of Education from North Central University, a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership with honors from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Ms. Williams honorably served 30 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major. She is a military trailblazer, becoming the first female Aviation Command Sergeant Major and the first female Aviation Brigade Command Sergeant Major. Following her military career, she served for 15 years as an Associate Professor at the United States Sergeants Major Academy, where she mentored senior enlisted leaders and led the successful transition of instructors from contract to government service.
A lifelong advocate for civil rights and civic engagement, Ms. Williams serves as Vice President of the NAACP El Paso Branch and Freedom Fund Chair, where she helps lead initiatives that promote equality, justice, and community empowerment. Through a partnership with the League of Women Voters, she has organized and supported numerous voter registration drives that have successfully registered more than 2,000 new voters, strengthening civic participation throughout the El Paso community. She is also a charter member and former President of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., El Paso Chapter, and actively serves with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, Veterans at Breakfast, the Eastside Coalition, League of Women Voters, and the El Paso Police Disciplinary Review Board.
Her leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Hall of Honor as its first African American female honoree, the Yellow Rose of Texas Award, and induction into the El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame in 2024.
Ms. Williams’ unwavering commitment to civil rights, voter engagement, public accountability, education, veterans, youth, and undeserved communities embodies the highest ideals of civic duty and continues to make a lasting impact on the citizens of El Paso.D
Founded on January 5, 1911, at Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is built upon the principles of achievement, leadership, scholarship, and service. The El Paso–Las Cruces Alumni Chapter has proudly carried that legacy since receiving its charter on October 13, 1962, by making a lasting impact throughout the El Paso and Las Cruces metropolitan area. Through more than $8,500 in scholarships, the Guide Right (Kappa League) youth mentoring program, a Thanksgiving food drive serving over 20 families, and a partnership with El Paso Children’s Hospital that provided nearly $2,000 in toys to children in need each year, the chapter remains steadfast in its commitment to uplifting the community. Guided by the Fraternity’s motto of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor, the brothers of the El Paso–Las Cruces Alumni Chapter continue to invest in education, mentorship, and service while striving to create opportunities and inspire future generations.
El Paso Holy Royal Arch #90 is a nonprofit organization that embodies an attractive system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Founded upon Christian principles established in the Holy Bible, the fraternity strives to teach a man the duty he owes to God, his neighbor, and himself, while interfering with neither religion nor politics, as it prescribes the practice of virtue in the conduct of its business.
Its foundation is Character. Its purpose is Service. Its measure is Giving. Perpetuating that foundation means making “good men better,” with service rendered to the people of Texas to improve their social, cultural, and economic conditions, and giving carried out as an act of unselfish sacrifice for the benefit of others.