The third annual CSRA Small Business Awards (SBA) are gearing up as the New Year approaches.
The event was launched by stylist Jamie Barbie in 2021 to give members of the public an opportunity to honor mostly Black-owned local businesses, “where we can network with each other in just simulation all celebrate one another, and ourselves,” she said. The evening is an elaborate, catered themed gala—last year’s was “the Roaring 20’s”—with live entertainment.
Through social media, Barbie encourages the public to vote for nominees across more than 100 superlative categories honoring local business owners, professionals, entertainers and community leaders.
“I have a website that I purchased, and we can go online and nominate ourselves, and then we can just vote for our peers,” explained Barbie. “And the winner is announced at the award show.”
Voting ended on Saturday, with some of the categories having dozens of nominees.
Pedal Pub Outside Bar and Patio, Dahmann’s Revenge Room and downtown night lounge Miami Vybez are three among 29 nominees for New Business of the Year.
Adriana Council, host of AC’s Annual South Augusta Block Party and Augusta Adult Field Day, Martika Jackson, founder of SheaButter Empowerment and Richmond County School Board Vice President Shawnda Stovall, are among this year’s nominees for Community Activist of the Year.
Tianna Bias, criminal defense lawyer with Hawk Law Group, is nominated for Attorney of the Year.
The reach of the CSRA SBA’s goes as far as Barnwell. Alicia Davis, founder of Barnwell nonprofit Redefined Women’s Empowerment, and the town’s first female city council member is among eight nominees for Community Helper of the Year.
The wide range of categories include that of Band, Dance Team, Comedian, Physician, Dentist and Motivational Speaker of the Year. There are even awards for the year’s best male and female serial entrepreneurs, which have six and 15 nominees, respectively.
Barbie held the previous gala at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown. The 2024 CSRA SBA Gala will be at the Divine Pearl Event Hall at 4083 Singh Lane on Sunday, Jan 28, at 5 p.m.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
