OREGON ASSEMBLY FOR BLACK AFFAIRS AWARDS - 2016

OABA POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD: The OABA Political Development Award is given by the Oregon Assembly For Black Affairs to the Black individual or organization who has contributed greatly to encourage political responsiveness, accountability, and productivity within and to the Black Community.  Also, the individual or organization should be tenacious in the demonstration of the need to communicate, coordinate, and cooperate in the political development of Blacks in Oregon.  It is OABA's highest award.  This award was initiated in 1981 and is given yearly.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the recipient of this award.
 
OABA EDUCATION AWARD: The OABA Education Award is given by the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs to the individual who has demonstrated the use of education as a tool for change in the Black Community, and for outstanding efforts in education to bring responsiveness, accountability, and productivity to and within the Oregon Black Community. It was presented for the first time at the 1986 OABA Recognition Banquet, held April 12, 1986.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the awardee.
 
OABA POTENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS: OABA Potential Leadership Awards are given by the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs to recognize potential leaders within Oregon Black Community who are making or have made outstanding contributions on behalf of Black people in Oregon, in politics, education, society, law and economics; support and promote the development of competitive Black businesses; work for education opportunities for Blacks at all levels; encourage Blacks to understand, participate in and affect the political process at all levels of government; urge public  officials to become more accountable, responsive, and productive to the Black Community; and contribute to building a better Oregon for the Black Community.  These awards were initiated in 1987 and are given yearly.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the recipients for these awards. 
 
OABA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD: This award is given by OABA to honor the Black individuals, businesses or industries who had made substantial contributions to economic development in Oregon; contribute to the increase of the overall income level of the Black Community; conduct activities that promoted better economic decisions by Black people; and support or promote the development of competitive, quality businesses in the State of Oregon.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the awardee.
 
OABA BUSINESS AWARD: This award is given by OABA to honor Oregon Black businesses which have demonstrated success over the years; are Black-owned business and operate within the State of Oregon; show a pattern of growth; demonstrate that they promote the economic independence of Black people; are competitive; and provide quality services or products.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the awardee.
 
OABA INDUSTRY AWARD: This award was given by OABA to honor Oregon Black industries which had demonstrated success over the years.  The industry must be a Black-owned industry and operate within the State of Oregon.  It must show a pattern of growth in gross dollar amount of earnings during the fiscal year. The industry must have demonstrated that it promotes the economic independence of Black people, is competitive, and provides quality services or products.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the awardee.
 
OABA SPECIAL AWARD: This award is given by OABA to a person who: is accountable and responsive in how services of their organization are delivered to the Black Community; openly holds all managers of the organization accountable and responsive in these managers' involvement with Oregon Black Community; does represent and is not afraid to represent the interests of the Black Community; empowers Black individuals of their organization to serve all citizens; encourages Black individuals to be responsive, accountable and productive in their profession as well as within the Black Community; and provides leadership to enhance productivity within and for the Black Community.  Such a person may be political figure who is contributing greatly to Black Community and who has represented the interest of the Black Community without regard to their own agenda.  It was presented for the first time during 1994.  The OABA Board of Directors makes the selection of the awardee.
 
OABA PRESIDENT'S AWARD: The OABA President's Award is given by the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs to the OABA member who demonstrates outstanding efforts to promote and enhance the worth and visibleness of the Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs.  This award was initiated in 1983 and is given yearly to an OABA member who promotes and enhances the organization.  The selection of the recipient of this award is made by OABA President