Honorees Kirk Brown, Carol Hylton, Brian C. Johnson and Newton Sanon
Photos courtesy of the honorees
Community-Based Connections, Inc., will recognize four South Florida leaders during its fifth annual Green Blazer Awards Gala & Celebration on Oct. 3. The honorees will receive the organization’s signature green jacket during the event at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in recognition of their service to children, families and underserved communities.
The nonprofit will be feting Kirk Brown, CEO of Handy, Inc.; Carol Hylton, president and CEO of CareerSource Broward; Brian C. Johnson, founder of Community-Based Connections, Inc., and president and CEO of the Minority Builders Coalition, Inc.; and Newton Sanon, president and CEO of OIC of South Florida.
“Community-Based Connections is proud to recognize those who have created a lasting impact on the lives of at-risk families in our community,” Mikelange Olbel, CEO of Community-Based Connections, Inc., said in a statement. “From creating career opportunities and promoting economic stability to empowering youth and guaranteeing healthcare challenges are met, our 2026 honorees serve as advocates and beacons of hope to better our community.”
The Green Blazer Awards Gala & Celebration is an annual fundraiser that supports Community-Based Connections’ family-strengthening, mentoring and youth-development initiatives. Over the past year, the organization has served nearly 4,000 individuals and almost 2,000 families, expanding into Palm Beach County with the opening of an office in Riviera Beach.
The evening will include a cocktail reception, three-course dinner, open bar, live entertainment, dancing and an awards presentation. Proceeds will support Awesome Dads Awesome Men, the Beacon of HOPE-Intact Family Navigation Program and other community initiatives.
For more information, visit communitybasedconnections.com/green-blazer-awards.