Awards for excellence given out to Utah Black Entrepreneurs in Mardi Gras-themed ball
Feb 24, 2025 01:32PM ● By Jolene Croasmun
The Michael Foster Project band performed at the celebration at the third annual Black Excellence Business awards at Millcreek Common. (John Strater Brown/Millcreek)
Mardi Gras might be in New Orleans, but its style was evident locally in February as the Millcreek Common hosted the third annual Black Excellence in Business Awards.
“This is our annual fundraiser that we started in 2022,” said Dr. Sidni Shorter, president and CEO of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce.
Several awards in multiple categories were given out including the 2025 Black Business of the Year award which went to Parfé' Diem Pudding Parfaits.
The Black Excellence in Business Awards recognizes the talents and contributions of Utah Black businesses and the corporate partners. The event featured award winners sharing stories of their work and impact on the community.
“Every nominee and winner represents the strength and resilience of our community. Together, we are driving change and making a difference,” Shorter said.
One of those businesses is NWPR Consulting, owned by Nikki Walker who noted the awards and parade on ice to invoke the Mardi Gras theme.
After the awards, they celebrated with catering from the Taste of Louisiana and a brass band from the state as well.
“We do our annual business of the year awards and we also award corporate partners,” said Shorter, who is originally from Louisiana. “This is about economics and we are doing a great job of having great collaborative efforts that move the economic needle, so we recognize not just our small businesses but our corporate partners as well.”
