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Steve Harvey Hosts 10th Anniversary of the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards

Las Vegas was the glittering stage for a 10th anniversary blowout with the sounds of laughter, legendary musical entertainment and more when the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards set the stage for an unforgettable jam-packed weekend of events (Picture: Stevie Wonder and Shirley Strawberry). 

On August 4, 2012, Steve Harvey – comedian, radio host, best-selling author, philanthropist and television host of Family Feud and new daytime show Steve Harvey – hosted another sizzling year of entertainment with the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Celebrities and nominees turned out in glam fashion for this seminal event, including presenters Romany Malco, J.R. Martinez, Terrence J, Selita Ebanks, Morris Chestnut, Anthony Anderson, Carla Ferrell (Steve Harvey Morning Show), Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Nephew Tommy (Steve Harvey Morning Show), Shirley Strawberry (Steve Harvey Morning Show), Tamara Tunie, Tichina Arnold, headlining performer Stevie Wonder, performer New Edition and others, joining Harvey and presenting sponsor, Ford, to entertain and honor the everyday men and women who impact and uplift their neighborhoods with service and excellence.

Nominees at the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards were recognized for their achievements in the categories of Best High School, Best School Teacher, Best High School Coach, Best Church, Best Church Choir, Best Soul Food, Best Barbecue, Best Car Wash/Detail Shop, Best Beauty Salon, Best Nail Salon, Best Barbershop and Best Community Leader, at this one-of-a-kind awards show conceived by Harvey and producing partner Rushion McDonald in 2001.

Headliner Stevie Wonder closed the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards with a legendary performance, enthralling the happy audience in a rousing musical celebration of award-winning hits, while R&B supergroup New Edition got the party started for the night, opening the show with beloved hits that had the crowd on its feet. Other highlights of this year’s Ford Hoodie Awards included special song selections during the show performed by the soulful Stephanie Mills, and gospel stars Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin.

After months of high anticipation and fervent voting from men and women nationwide, cities coast to coast emerged as first-time and repeat winners, with the night including lots of laughs, entertainment and teary surprises, as well as the surprise presentation from Ford of an all-new 2013 Ford Fusion to Best Community Leader award winner Pastor Corey Brooks, and a check presentation from SoftSheen-Carson Magic Shave and Terrence J benefiting The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation.

In addition to the invaluable support of Ford, presenting sponsor of the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards, the awards and other weekend activities were made possible by gracious assistance from numerous supporters. Treating guests and nominees to award-winning entertainment and impactful festivities, the weekend of entertainment kicked off with Steve Harvey’s Grand Stand-Up Finale, his special farewell stand-up comedy show from Las Vegas live on Pay-Per-View, marking the end of 27 years in stand-up comedy, The Steve Harvey Morning Show live broadcast sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, the Hoodie Awards Interactive Expo sponsored by Obama for America, the State Farm All White Freedom Friday Party, the Hoodie Awards Nominee Luncheon sponsored by Obama for America, the Ford VIP After-Party, The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation Charity Golf Tournament, Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse Beach Party, and sampling with transportation sponsor 5-hour Energy.

Marking the 10th anniversary of this one-of-a-kind show, Steve Harvey and television/radio producer Rushion McDonald created the ever-growing Hoodie Awards in 2001, which has become the crowning honor for urban communities. Since its start in Los Angeles in 2001, the awards show has exploded in popularity nationwide, and this special 10th anniversary also marked another seminal moment for the awards show, with Harvey announcing a new name for the show, as the “Neighborhood Awards” starting in 2013.

2012 FORD HOODIE AWARDS WINNERS LIST
Best BBQ Restaurant sponsored by The Home Depot
Bludso’s Barbeque (KJLH 102.3 Los Angeles, CA)

Best High School Coach sponsored by U.S. Marines
LaTrisha Perkins, Oxon Hill High School – Cheerleading (WHUR 96.3 Washington, DC)

Best Nail Salon
Salon Couture (WHUR 96.3 Washington, DC)

Best School Teacher sponsored by Nielsen
Yolanda Whitehead Driskell, Hillsborough High School (WBTP 95.7 Tampa, FL)

Best Church Choir sponsored by K&G Fashion Superstore
Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church Choir (WBTP 95.7 Tampa, FL)

Best Soul Food Place
The Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill (WHUR 96.3 Washington, DC)

Best Barbershop
Moon’s Barbershop (WHUR 96.3 Washington, DC)

Best Beauty Salon sponsored by Aaron’s
John T. Elliott Pro Hair Design (WWDM 101.3 Columbia, SC)

Best High School sponsored by State Farm
Crenshaw High School (KJLH 102.3 Los Angeles, CA)

Best Car Wash / Detail Shop
Waterline Auto Spa (WDAS 105.3 Philadelphia, PA)

Best Church sponsored by Box Tops for Education
First Baptist Church of Glenarden (WHUR 96.3 Washington, DC)

Best Community Leader sponsored by Ford
Pastor Corey Brooks (WVAZ 102.7 Chicago, IL)

“This 10th year was full of amazing surprises and inspiration, and it was truly a special celebration to see the endless support and empowerment among the nominees and audience in celebrating their neighborhoods. The educators, churches, and business owners who serve as the backbone of their neighborhoods deserve to be celebrated beyond their communities, on a national platform for all their tireless hard work, and I am grateful for the supporters, celebrities and performers who helped make this year another very special weekend in recognition of everyone’s neighborhood accomplishments,” said Steve Harvey of the Ford Hoodie Awards.

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