2024 Salute to Hollywood & Excellence Awards Gala
Confirmed Honorees
- Marissa J. Cerar
- Filmmaker
- Special Recognition
for the “Black Cake” Series
Marissa Jo Cerar
Special Recognition for “Black Cake” Series
Marissa Jo Cerar began her career working as a writer and producer on hit series such as Netflix’s 13 REASONS WHY, Freeform’s THE FOSTERS, FOX’s SHOTS FIRED, and Hulu’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE, for which she shares nominations for both the Emmys and Writers Guild Awards for Outstanding Drama Series for season three.
She is a NAACP Image Award and Humanitas Prize winning writer-producer with a passion for socially conscious storytelling. She has spent her career focusing her creative efforts on projects that explore the intersectionality of the human experience through character-driven and female forward stories, such as her series WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT which aired on ABC. In addition to her WOTM script winning the NAACP Image Award and the Humanitas Prize, the series has been honored as the Best Limited Series by the African American Film Critics Association and The Gracie Awards.
Marissa Jo’s new series, BLACK CAKE premiered on November 1, 2023, and is currently streaming on Hulu. The series was honored with the Critics’ Choice Association Seal of Female Empowerment in Entertainment (SOFEE) and was recently nominated for GLAAD Media Awards’ Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category. The NAACP Image Awards nominated BLACK CAKE for the Outstanding Drama Series category, as well as Marissa Jo’s writing for the Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series category. She served as Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer, along with Kapital Entertainment and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films.
- Paul Beckles
- Director of Global
Athlete Marketing, Nike Inc. - Visionary Award
Paul Beckles
Director of Global Athlete Marketing, Nike Inc.
Paul Beckles is an award-winning leader in the sports and entertainment industry. Paul joined Nike in 2019 as the Head of Global Brand Marketing for Converse. In his current role as Director of Global Athlete Marketing, Paul leads marketing strategy development and planning for signature athletes, including NBA sensations Ja Morant and Devin Booker. With more than a decade of leadership experience, Paul’s past roles include Marketing Partnerships Manager for the Philadelphia 76ers, General Manager for Dragon Sports Properties, and Director of Brand Partnerships for Athletes First Partners.
Paul hails from Dash Valley in St. George, Barbados. At the age of 6, Paul and his family moved to the United States, and he was raised in the Philadelphia area. Growing up, Paul volunteered for the Philadelphia Caribbean Festival, where his mother served as a committee member. His mother also co-founded the Barbados Society of Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization dedicated to building community and supporting the advancement of Bajans locally. Paul volunteered for the Society, and his stepfather later served as president.
Paul earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and an executive education certificate from Harvard Business School’s Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports Program. Now, Paul lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife (and college sweetheart) Ebony and their two children: Cameron and Summer.
- Nicole Commissiong
- Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Dynamic Service Solutions
- Robert Nesta Marley Humanitarian Award
Nicole Commissiong
Co-founder & COO Dynamic Services Solutions
Robert Nesta Marley Humanitarian Award
Nicole Commissiong epitomizes the essence of success as both a visionary business entrepreneur and a dedicated community activist. Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago and a devoted mother of four, Nicole currently serves as the Co-founder and COO of Dynamic Service Solutions (DSS), a flourishing multi-million-dollar corporation boasting a staff of over 400 individuals.
At DSS, Nicole leads with distinction, spearheading large-scale, high-impact infrastructure projects spanning engineering, emergency management, and shelter operations. The company’s sterling reputation extends as a trusted advisor to prestigious U.S. agencies such as FEMA, HHS, and the Department of Defense. Guided by its foundational principles of Restoring Dignity, Delivering Excellence, and Ensuring Safety, DSS stands at the forefront of innovation and service.
Nicole’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 29 when she co-founded Secure Communications alongside her husband, marking a significant milestone as the first Tier 1 Black woman vendor for Verizon’s Mid-Atlantic region. The company’s focus on engineering and installation services played a pivotal role in constructing telecommunications and power infrastructure.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Nicole is a passionate advocate for women and community empowerment. She actively supports the Inkwell Society, dedicated to promoting and financing films that illuminate the rich tapestry of the African American experience in the United States.
Nicole’s commitment to social impact extends to Senegal, The Gambia and other West African nations as a dedicated partner at TOSTAN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to igniting transformative change within communities. With an unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and fostering movements that champion dignity for all, Nicole tirelessly advocates for their community-driven development and transformative education.
Through her company, Nicole’s commitment to community engagement shines. She spearheads initiatives to uplift local schools and families, providing mentorship, technology access, and organizing efforts to combat food insecurity. Her dedication to fostering thriving neighborhoods is a testament to her commitment to social impact.
Her unwavering support for her alma mater in Trinidad underscores her dedication to equipping students with the tools for global competitiveness and holistic development, including support for high school athletes.
Drawing from her personal experiences as an international student at Howard University, Nicole established a scholarship exclusively for Caribbean students, providing invaluable support for their academic journey.
Nicole’s dedication to community engagement is further evidenced through her involvement in various programs, including her membership in the Cursillo movement, her support for the Nova Kairos Prison Ministry, and her mentorship of women in business ventures, emphasizing progress over perfection.
Nicole’s pursuit of knowledge is reflected in her academic achievements, having studied Organizational Leadership at Harvard Business School Women’s Leadership Forum, she also attended Howard University School of Business and Strayer University.
Throughout her remarkable journey, Nicole finds unwavering support from her loving husband and family, who stand as pillars of strength in her pursuit of excellence and social impact.
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
– Hon. Shirley Chisholm –
Our 2023 Features
Our team
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