HHOMA to honor 2022 Trailblazer Award winners in virtual ceremony tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.

CHARLESTON, WV – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) today announced the winners of the 2022 Trailblazer Awards and will honor them with a virtual ceremony tomorrow, Thursday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. The public can tune in on the HHOMA Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The virtual event will include the presentation of annual awards, including Groundbreaker, Pioneer, Trendsetter, and Trailblazer, to West Virginians in the state’s minority communities who have exhibited lives of excellence in service. It will also feature performances by jazz singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., sixth season winner of NBC’s reality show, America's Got Talent, and comedian Cyrus Steele.

The Trailblazer Award was established in 2019 by HHOMA Executive Director Jill Upson.

“I want to extend my biggest congratulations to the winners of this year’s Trailblazer Awards,” Upson said. “This is an opportunity to elevate and celebrate West Virginians who are serving as leaders and giving back to their communities in various ways. We look forward to celebrating them in a virtual format, with hopes of getting back to an in-person venue in 2023.”

The HHOMA awards and honorees are:

GROUNDBREAKER AWARD Darell Jones, Charles Town, WV Groundbreakers have demonstrated, in their youth, that they have already begun to have a positive impact on their community.

PIONEER AWARD Jamilia Jones-Fleet, Charles Town, WV Pioneers are identified by their peers as emerging leaders. The honorees have a record of service in underserved communities.

TRENDSETTER AWARD Manuell Washington, Martinsburg, WV Trendsetters have at least five years of documented service to marginalized communities, exhibit superior leadership abilities, have impacted numerous lives, and are highly respected by their peers.

TRAILBLAZER AWARD Charlotte Meade, Fairmont, WV HHOMA’s highest honor, Trailblazers have risen far above the call of duty, either in their chosen careers or in volunteer service. Their contributions are significant and their accomplishments are numerous. Their commitment to excellence is evident in various aspects of their lives and their community impact is deep.