Steve Harvey’s 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards Honors Community Businesses and Heroes Alike!

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BCG hit the desert this weekend for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards hosted by Steve Harvey in celebration of the 10^th anniversary. The event was a grand celebration with thrills, laughs, unpredictable moments, live entertainment from New Edition, Stephanie Mills, Kirk Franklin and the legend Stevie Wonder. If you follow BCG on Twitter, on Saturday night you saw our live tweets from the show; the Hoodies honors the nation’s best neighborhood leaders, educators, churches, and local businesses for their service to communities around the country.

The radio host, best-selling author behind the movie Think Like A Man, and host of Family Feud and new daytime show Steve Harvey, kicked off the weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where Harvey gave his final comedy tour which aired live last Thursday night. Backstage BCG had the chance to interview Harvey on his departure from comedy, he said ” I can’t sell any more seats, I’ve been doing comedy for 27 years, it’s just time.”

Steve Harvey says, “Celebrating this 10^th anniversary is very special. The Hoodie Awards is an awards show for everyday men and women, honoring them as the real stars of their neighborhoods for their beliefs, courage, and commitment pursuing their dream and serving their fellow neighbors and youth!”

Giving star treatment to the everyday men and women who uplift their neighborhoods as independent businesses, churches, educators, and leaders, the Hoodie Awards were given out in twelve categories: Best High School Coach sponsored by The Marines, Best Nail Salon, Best School Teacher sponsored by Nielsen, Best Car Wash/Detail Shop, Best Church Choir sponsored by K&G Fashion Superstore, Best Soul Food, Best Barber Shop, Best High School sponsored by State Farm, Best Barbecue sponsored by The Home Depot, Best Beauty Salon sponsored by Aaron’s, Best Church sponsored by Box Tops for Education, and Best Community Leader sponsored by Ford.  Celebrity presenters  included: Anthony Anderson, Anthony Hamilton, Carla Ferrell, George Wallace, J.R. Martinez, Judge Mathis, Kirk Franklin, Lavell Crawford, Morris Chestnut, Nephew Tommy, Romany Malco, RonReaco Lee, Selita Ebanks, Sheryl Underwood, Salli Richardson, Shirley Strawberry, Tamara Tunie, Tasha Smith, Terrence J and Tichina Arnold.

Of course our favorite winner for the night was the Best Community Leader, Pastor Corey Brooks. A businessman, philanthropist, songwriter, mentor and spiritual coach, Pastor Corey B Brooks Sr. answered his call to the ministry at the age of 19 and received his first pastorship at the age of 23 at Mt. Moriah Church in Richmond, Indiana. At 27, he went on to pastor West Point Church in Chicago, Illinois, demonstrating an electrifying style of preaching and teaching that gave birth to a revolution four years later! Last winter Brooks stayed on the roof of an abandoned motel building in hopes to raise money to turn it in to a community center. Tyler Perry heard about his story and donated $100,000 needed to buy the building. Now Brooks is walking across the country in hopes of raising $15,000,000.00 to build the center. I was no doubt impressed with this man and excited that he won the award.

Actor and 106 and Park host Terrence J, presented a $15,000 check to the Steve and Marjoire Harvey Foundation on behalf of his Shaving with a Purpose campaign. A highlight for BCG was getting the opportunity to ask celebrities and communities leaders why it’s important to give back! We had the chance to speak with Selita Ebanks, Terrence J, Dr. Steven Perry, Morris Chestnut and Ed Gordon to name a few, be sure to check out the exclusive video above. BCG congratulates Steve Harvey on 10 years of honoring the community and of course, Giving Back!