Since 2021, I have had the privilege of leading the planning and production of two of Anne Arundel County’s most meaningful annual traditions: the “Few of the Many” Awards, held in recognition of Black History Month, and the Michelle Obama Awards, held in recognition of Women’s History Month.
Presented in partnership with the Caucus of African American Leaders, these ceremonies began in a county conference room in 2019 and grew into two of the region’s premier civic celebrations. More importantly, they created a space to recognize the people whose service, leadership, and quiet commitment often strengthen our communities without receiving the attention they deserve.
As the lead for the County Executive’s Office, I served as the connection between the Pittman administration, CAAL, county departments, community partners, elected officials, vendors, performers, and honorees. My role was to make sure all of those pieces came together while preserving the meaning and identity of each celebration.
That work included everything from securing keynote speakers and coordinating entertainment to selecting menus, working with venues, arranging appearances by elected officials, and preparing briefing materials for the County Executive. Alongside my team and our partners, I managed the countless details that allowed each honoree and guest to feel that they were part of something thoughtful, polished, and meaningful.
The ceremonies continued to evolve each year. We moved from a virtual program during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 to the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park in 2022 and 2023, before expanding into full theater productions at Maryland Hall from 2024 through 2026.
Those productions required detailed, minute-by-minute run-of-shows that coordinated lighting, staging, multi-camera production, live music, speakers, presentations, and custom video features. One of the most meaningful was a tribute honoring the late Delorma “Dee” Goodwyn, a respected community leader and valued member of our planning committee whose presence and contributions remained deeply felt.
I also led the modernization of the programs’ digital infrastructure. We created dedicated webpages, online nomination forms, automated RSVP and check-in systems, and digital graphics that allowed honorees and their families to share and celebrate their recognition with a much wider audience.
Each year, we managed the full honoree experience, from the initial selection and outreach to collecting biographies, producing commemorative booklets, and presenting engraved awards. Over time, the ceremonies recognized a growing and diverse group of leaders in education, health, public service, the arts, mentorship, advocacy, and community service, including many everyday people simply doing the work to make life better for others.
Our final ceremony presented one of our greatest challenges. In 2026, severe winter weather forced the postponement of the “Few of the Many” Awards. Rather than cancel or diminish either celebration, I led the effort to combine the Black History Month and Women’s History Month ceremonies into one unified finale at Maryland Hall.
The event honored more than 30 people while preserving the distinct history, spirit, and identity of both awards. It required us to completely rethink the program, including how we welcomed two groups of honorees, transitioned them through the theater, and gave each person the recognition they deserved. It was not easy, but the response from our honorees, partners, and guests confirmed that it was the right way to close this chapter of the Pittman administration.
Looking back, what I will remember most is not the size of the audience, the production elements, or even how much the ceremonies grew. I will remember the people. I will remember watching honorees see their stories on the screen, hearing families cheer from the audience, and meeting residents who never expected their work to be recognized by their county government.
These awards reminded me that recognition is not a small thing. When we take the time to tell people that their leadership, service, and resilience matter, we strengthen their sense of belonging and show others what is possible. I am proud of what we built, but I am even more grateful for the opportunity to help people who had spent years uplifting others finally have a moment when the community stood and uplifted them.
