El Paso, TX – July 19, 2025 | Click here to purchase tickets, sponsorships, or ads https://blackelpasovoice.com/2025awards/
On Saturday, August 16, the Black El Paso Voice Business and Community Awards will spotlight some of El Paso’s trailblazers, innovators, and community champions. The event, set for 6 PM at the EPCC Auditorium (Building A, 9050 Viscount, El Paso, TX 79925), promises an evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
The program will feature a formal dinner, live entertainment, and an awards ceremony hosted by Rick Isaías, Communications Officer for the City of El Paso and a familiar face from the city’s annual Juneteenth Celebration. “We are thrilled to honor the extraordinary achievements of our community’s legends who unapologetically allow us to share in their business and community endeavors,” said Monica Tucker, founder of Black El Paso Voice and the event’s coordinator. “Our more rigorous vetting process ensures that each honoree truly exemplifies the highest level of dedication and impact.”
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Abeni Janae, an acclaimed young leader and arts advocate. A 2019 graduate of Andress High School, 2023 UTEP graduate, and 2025 UTEP master’s graduate in music composition, her journey is evidenced by her trailblazing accomplishments. She was recognized as one of UTEP’s Top Ten Seniors for the 2023-24 academic year, featured on Amazon Prime’s The College Tour in 2024 – Season 12, and is the youngest composer signed to Carl Fischer Music Publishing (NY) for her arrangement of the spiritual Hold on Just a Little While Longer. The UTEP Concert Chorale commissioned her work during the pandemic for the “Sing Hope Love” YouTube series, led by conductor Elisa Fraser Wilson.
Janae is not only a singer, songwriter, and educator but also a passionate mentor who believes El Paso has the potential to become a hub for musical excellence. She is dedicated to bridging cultural gaps through collaboration while leading her own music business, Abeni Janae Music.
The evening’s entertainment includes Tomas Arellano, educator, singer, History advocate, and others.
Tickets and Sponsorships
Tickets are available. Deadline is extended to August 5.
Prices are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. Sponsorships Tiers include Platinum ($1,250, limited to one sponsor) and Gold ($750, two available). Packages include premium seating, advertising opportunities, and brand visibility.
“This event is a testament to the power of community and a chance to invest in El Paso’s grand future,” Tucker added. “From our Juneteenth volunteers to our rising leaders, this celebration honors the people who are shaping our city.”
Proceeds support The Black Roundtable and Black El Paso Voice News, avenues that have served as a crucial platform for initiatives, news, and information impacting Black and multiracial communities in the region since 1998.
For tickets and sponsorship information, visit blackelpasovoice.com/2025awards or contact C’ri Roi at 915.345.1661 or croi@blackelpasovoice.com.
C’ri is a passionate writer with an insatiable appetite for storytelling in all its forms. You’ll likely find her curled up with a good book or immersed in the latest blockbuster at her local cinema when she’s not crafting articles. Jane’s knack for staying on top of current events adds depth to her writing, while her laid-back personality brings a refreshing perspective to even the most complex topics. With a cup of tea and her finger on the pulse of pop culture, C’ri transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary one word at a time.