06/18/2025
“To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust Him in the dark, that is faith”. This is a quote I read by Charles Spurgeon that immediately reminded me of how we had to persevere to have our 3rd Annual Making Mississippi Entrepreneur, Entertainment and Elite Gala. This was the hardest one to produce yet, from the venue change, date change, budget change and everything in between, we had to truly lean into our faith and continue to produce it in spite of how everything looked at the time.
You see many beautiful people in this recap video, but I want to remind you that like us, they have beautiful testimonies of perseverance. They had to overcome many obstacles to get to where they are today. They didn’t do it to be celebrated, but they did it to be obedient to God! God placed the vision in our hearts to celebrate the people who would still do the work regardless of if they ever receive recognition for it. Those people matter and for the state of Mississippi, they are Making Mississippi Matter!
My husband and I would like to publicly thank everyone who accepted their recognition and took the time to celebrate the work done so far. Like Michael Collins said, “We are the change we want to see.” No one can make our community, state or the world in general a better place besides us, so let’s do the WORK THAT MATTERS!🙌🏾
The Class of 2025 Elite Honorees are:
Demario Davis - Making Mississippi Impact
Chief Pap Henderson - Making Mississippi History
Dr. Stephanie Henderson - Making Mississippi Intellectual
Coach Tonya Johns - Making Mississippi Win
Dr. Tomekia Luckett - Making Mississippi Heal & Feel Beautiful
Kayla Thompson - Making Mississippi News
Jarvis Wilbert - Making Mississippi Care
The Class of 2025 Entrepreneur Honorees are:
Antecho Salon - Founder Vernell Ho**er - Making Mississippi Beautiful physically and intellectually
Bank of Brookhaven - Founder Bill Sones - Making Mississippi Grow Financially
Collins Photography - Founders Michael & LaTonya Collins - Making Mississippi Moments One Frame at a Time
Dirty Divas Cleaning Services - Founder Tarja Thomas - Making Mississippi Cleaner
Gibbs Professional Grooming Lounge - Founder Javis Gibson - Making Mississippi Beaty/Barber Innovation
Higher Purpose Hub - Founder Dr. Tim Lampkin - Making Mississippi Black Leaders
Janies’s Pastry - Founder Janie Stogner - Making Mississippi Sweet
The Class of 2025 Entertainment Honorees are:
TaShe Allen - Making Mississippi Enjoyable
David Banner - Making Mississippi Show Business
Alvin Giddens Jr. - Making Mississippi Important
Dr. Mark Henderson - Making Mississippi Difference
Charence Higgins - Making Mississippi Talent
Aspen Kennedy - Making Mississippi Perform
Maximus Wright - Making Mississippi Stories
The 2025 Grant Recipient is Finding Your Way Out Of Poverty (FYWOOP) led by founder Shaunta McDowell.
Thank you Kiaira Quinn for being an amazing host!
Thank you Whiskey Magnolia for making the awards, foam board and our step and repeat banner!
Thank you Shunda Manning for decorating the venue so beautifully!
Thank you A2Z Printing for our posters and flyers!
We truly enjoyed the entertainment provided by:
JB Saxx
Mookie U-nik
Bertrand McKinney
KOMPLETE.
We would like to publicly thank our Gold Sponsor:
The Brookhaven Tourism Council. They’ve supported our gala since the beginning!🙌🏾
We’d like to publicly thank our Silver Sponsors:
Bank of Brookhaven
Red Squared Communication Design
We’d like to publicly thank our Bronze Sponsors:
Bank Plus
Magee Spinal Rehab Center
Bridges Professional Counseling and Consulting
JK Jordan Financial Services
Gregg Office Supply
The Assembly Brookhaven
Pike National Bank
Because of them, the community support and faith in the one above, we had another successful gala! Make sure you contact them for all of your business needs!
The 3rd Annual was presented by Stori Studios and WeAll1 Records. We look forward to continuing to serve our community because in spite of how “hard” or “dark” it may get, God has already won the battle and will come through for us EVERY👏🏽 SINGLE👏🏽 TIME!👏🏽
We’ll see you all again for another momentous event next year!
Enjoy our 2025 recap video by clicking the link below:
https://youtu.be/2VceKDkgjjE
With love, Founders Kris & Orionna Coleman
“To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust Him in the dark, that is faith”. This is a quote I read by Charles Spurgeon that immediately reminded me of ...
