At 6:30 pm, at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina, the nominees for the Lamplighter Awards await patiently for the announcement of the year’s award winners. December 12, 2009 marks the day of the 8th annual event and the turnout was a success. This semi-formal event, sponsored by the Light 103.9 and McDonald’s was produced to pay tribute to organizations and individuals who go above and beyond to service the community. Amongst the organizations that were recognized, CBEN, otherwise known as Cisco’s Black Employee Network won the award for Business Community Service, for the third year in a row.
Cisco Systems is one of the primary manufacturers of internet network equipment. Within their company, they have Employee Networking which was designed to assist employees with career development as well as promoting fervent, social interactions amongst all diversity groups. This is where CBEN was created. According to cisco.com, CBEN develops an environment for African-American employees to facilitate business excellence, career growth, and positive social action. This outstanding organization serves its mission through higher education by establishments of Cisco Network Academies at Halifax Community College, Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina A&T University. The network academies provide an edifying foundation in information technology, which can be used to enter the field immediately or as a platform for higher education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Categories for the Lamplighter award ceremony also include Life Time Achievement Award, Humanitarian Award, Youth Scholarship Award, Community Outreach Ministry Award, Youth Outreach Award, Senior Citizens Outreach Award, Health Outreach Award and Music Ministry Award. The outstanding winners for these awards are as follows, Dr. Carolyn Grantham Ennis, Rev. Dr. William Barber, Victoria M. Jones, James Stephens III, Pastor Delores Burnette, Paul and Gloria Parker, African-American Alzheimer’s Alliance and Lois Deloatch.
By Janae Leonard
