The Oakland County Board of Commissioners celebrated its 4th annual Black Excellence Awards during a full Board meeting on February 11 with (left to right) Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles, Jamar Bray, Commissioner Linnie Taylor, Camilla Rice, Commissioner Angela Powell, and Dustin McClellan.
As part of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners celebration of Black History Month, three residents were recognized for their dedication to their communities and were presented as this year’s Black Excellence Award recipients at the February 11 board meeting. The annual award, now in its fourth year, receives public-nominated submissions that are reviewed by a panel of commissioners which include Commissioners Angela Powell (D-Pontiac), Yolanda Smith Charles (D-Southfield) and Linnie Taylor (D-Southfield).
“The Black Excellence Awards are an important way for us to recognize the incredible contributions made by Oakland County’s black residents,” Powell said. “While we present these awards during Black History Month, the recipients are working tirelessly throughout the year to improve our communities in ways both big and small.”
The honorees were chosen for their notable achievements and the strides they have taken to improve their communities.?
“Working with my fellow commissioners to select the award recipients is a great honor, but also very humbling,” Smith Charles said. “The three awardees this year truly demonstrate Black Excellence through their dedication and desire to bring positive change for everyone in Oakland County and beyond.”
Each award recipient was presented with a commemorative keepsake and their names have been added to a plaque outside the Board auditorium which includes all award recipients since the inaugural 2022 Black Excellence Award.
“The award recipients this year are outstanding examples of community leaders,” Taylor said. “Whether through entrepreneurship or service to the residents of Oakland County and the world, these distinguished individuals inspire us all to pursue our dreams and passions for the betterment of all.”
The 2025 Black Excellence Award winners are:
• Camilla Rice – A resident of Troy, Rice has used her life experiences to create a thriving skin care business. When her son developed painful eczema at a young age, Rice’s struggle to find over-the-counter products that solved his condition inspired her to use her engineering knowledge to create a line of skin care products using only natural ingredients. Green Olive Soaps has grown from a single product to a storefront in Troy serving several thousand customers with a full line of vegan, organic and cruelty-free products hand-made by Rice. In a recent partnership with Corewell Health, Rice has expanded and now sells her products at several hospital gift shop locations in Grand Rapids and southeast Michigan.
• Jamar Bray – On a mission to ensure underprivileged youth have warm and comfortable pajamas, especially during the holiday season, Southfield resident Bray founded the nonprofit Jamar’s Jammies in 2018. Bray’s efforts have collected hundreds of pajamas each year and the organization partners with shelters for the unhoused across Michigan. Bray is a small business consultant for Oakland Thrive, working with local businesses to improve their operations and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
• Dustin McClellan – Pontiac native McClellan is dedicated to creating opportunities for and empowering residents of all ages in his community. As the founder and CEO of the Pontiac Community Foundation, he has utilized more than $10 million in investments to benefit the city, and his work with The Power Company Kids Club impacted more than 1,600 children each week through leadership and character development programs. McClellan is also the founder and lead pastor of Pontiac Church and holds leadership roles at several nonprofits. Additionally, he has made an impact by serving on several Pontiac city boards and commissions, including the Pontiac Housing Commission and as chair of Mayor Tim Griemel’s transition team.
For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit OakGov.com/BOC.
“The Black Excellence Awards are an important way for us to recognize the incredible contributions made by Oakland County’s black residents,” Powell said. “While we present these awards during Black History Month, the recipients are working tirelessly throughout the year to improve our communities in ways both big and small.”
The honorees were chosen for their notable achievements and the strides they have taken to improve their communities.?
“Working with my fellow commissioners to select the award recipients is a great honor, but also very humbling,” Smith Charles said. “The three awardees this year truly demonstrate Black Excellence through their dedication and desire to bring positive change for everyone in Oakland County and beyond.”
Each award recipient was presented with a commemorative keepsake and their names have been added to a plaque outside the Board auditorium which includes all award recipients since the inaugural 2022 Black Excellence Award.
“The award recipients this year are outstanding examples of community leaders,” Taylor said. “Whether through entrepreneurship or service to the residents of Oakland County and the world, these distinguished individuals inspire us all to pursue our dreams and passions for the betterment of all.”
The 2025 Black Excellence Award winners are:
• Camilla Rice – A resident of Troy, Rice has used her life experiences to create a thriving skin care business. When her son developed painful eczema at a young age, Rice’s struggle to find over-the-counter products that solved his condition inspired her to use her engineering knowledge to create a line of skin care products using only natural ingredients. Green Olive Soaps has grown from a single product to a storefront in Troy serving several thousand customers with a full line of vegan, organic and cruelty-free products hand-made by Rice. In a recent partnership with Corewell Health, Rice has expanded and now sells her products at several hospital gift shop locations in Grand Rapids and southeast Michigan.
• Jamar Bray – On a mission to ensure underprivileged youth have warm and comfortable pajamas, especially during the holiday season, Southfield resident Bray founded the nonprofit Jamar’s Jammies in 2018. Bray’s efforts have collected hundreds of pajamas each year and the organization partners with shelters for the unhoused across Michigan. Bray is a small business consultant for Oakland Thrive, working with local businesses to improve their operations and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
• Dustin McClellan – Pontiac native McClellan is dedicated to creating opportunities for and empowering residents of all ages in his community. As the founder and CEO of the Pontiac Community Foundation, he has utilized more than $10 million in investments to benefit the city, and his work with The Power Company Kids Club impacted more than 1,600 children each week through leadership and character development programs. McClellan is also the founder and lead pastor of Pontiac Church and holds leadership roles at several nonprofits. Additionally, he has made an impact by serving on several Pontiac city boards and commissions, including the Pontiac Housing Commission and as chair of Mayor Tim Griemel’s transition team.
For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit OakGov.com/BOC.
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