JHRC Recognizes Volunteers, Diversity at Annual Harold White Breakfast

Brenda Hughes of Jackson Michigan Giving Back to the Community, was awarded the Most Outstanding Volunteer Award winner by City of Jackson Human Relations Commission Vice Chair James Johnson during the annual awards on Wednesday.

By Jeff Steers
JTV News

(October 13, 2021 10:24 AM) Brenda Hughes said she grew up in poverty and watched her mother struggle with working two jobs to put food on the table or pay her bills.

Fortunately for Hughes, she always put her children first.

Hughes started the Jackson Michigan Giving Back to the Community – a non-profit to help those in need.

Her efforts were noted as the Most Outstanding Volunteer Award at the Harold White Diversity, Inclusion, and Volunteer Awards Breakfast on Wednesday.

The awards breakfast was a City of Jackson Human Relations Commission event held at Cascades Manor House. The 20th annual Harold White Memorial Awards Breakfast honors the local leader who was involved in several boards including the Catholic Social Services, NAACP,  A. Phillip Randolph Foundation, Boy Scouts, and many others. 

The program for the awards breakfast noted the award winners “walk the talk” as Harold White Sr. did for many years in the Jackson Community. 

Brenda Hughes was one of six individuals who were named as Harold White Sr. Award winners.

“It means a lot to me to be recognized for something that I love doing,” Hughes said after the awards ceremony. “It is such a blessing.”

The non-profit’s goal is to make sure that no family or individual goes hungry or lives without basic needs.

“I am out doing something for basic needs (for individuals or families) so no one goes without because I was once in that situation,” Hughes said. 

Her organization is located at 1003 Clinton Road in Jackson and can be reached at www.JacksonMichiganGivingBack.org. 

Other awards winners were Ken Toll, CEO and President of the United Way of Jackson County, who was the keynote speaker and winner of the Diversity Achievement Award winner; Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies who earned the Inclusion Achievement Award winner; Angelo Williams, founder of Men or God Ministries, who was awarded an Outstanding Volunteer Award; and Cheryl George and Carl Robinson of St. John’s United Church of Christ Food Pantry who earned Outstanding Volunteer Work Awards.