The 6th annual Maine Black Excellence Awards took place on August 9 at Caswell Farm and Wedding Barn, a Black-owned venue in Gray, Maine. Organized by The Third Place, the awards celebrate Black leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, community builders, and allies who have made meaningful contributions to Maine’s Black communities and are helping shape the state’s future. This year, two white community members were also recognized for their contributions to Black communities in Maine.
Adilah Muhammad, founder of The Third Place, said the awards are about more than titles or recognizing individual achievements. “There’s a lot of collective criticism, but there’s not a lot of collective celebration,” Muhammad said, emphasizing the importance of celebrating those who are building lasting infrastructure for Maine’s Black communities.
This year’s ceremony recognized nine honorees across nine award categories. The Active Ally Awards went to Dr. Meadow Dibble, founder of Atlantic Black Box, and Ben Conniff, founder and executive director of Lift All Boats. Other honorees included Mana Abdi, Maine House of Representatives–District 95, who received the Wayfinder Award; Muhidin Libah, founder and executive director of the Somali Bantu Community Association, who received The Third Place Award; and Dajuan Eubanks, president of the Maine Celtics, who received the Compass Career Award.
Winston Antoine, founder of Black Outdoor Omnivore, received the Nicole Mokeme Place Maker Award. Shy Stewart-Bouley, owner of Black Girl Maine Media, received the Trailblazer Award. Dr. Leslie Hill, founder and organizer of Maine BIPOC Elders, received the Community Navigator Award, while Flo Shapiro, owner of Heal Wellness & Consulting, received the Business Builder Award.
The awards were designed by Ebenezer Akakpo, an award-winning artist, and the evening’s festivities featured a live performance by Kouchera and catering by Barn & Table.
Celebrating Black and BIPOC Contributions
“I’m very excited and I feel really honored to be recognized by the Third Place,” said Dr. Hill. She highlighted a major challenge facing BIPOC communities, particularly entrepreneurs and elders, being overlooked or made invisible. Hill emphasized that people of color are actively contributing to Maine through business, education, philanthropy and the arts.
“We’re here. We’re innovative. We’re creative, we do things, and not only as young people and middle-aged people, but also as elders.”
Dr. Dibble spoke about her journey of uncovering the deep historical connections between New England, West Africa, slavery and colonialism, and her commitment to helping communities recover overlooked histories and stories of resistance.
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“The way that I see immigrants here in Maine is as incredibly enriching as our communities. Our work truly means nothing if it doesn’t affect real lasting change for them.”
She also emphasized the importance of recognizing historical responsibility and creating a more equitable future for communities of color and immigrants in Maine. “We have a debt. We have a responsibility to redistribute resources and make equitable places today based on that history.”
Abdi said she felt honored to receive the recognition, emphasizing that community leaders often do their work without expecting recognition. She also highlighted the importance of events like the Maine Black Excellence Awards in creating spaces where Black and brown communities can celebrate their identities and accomplishments without feeling out of place. “You don’t have to translate your life. You can just exist and enjoy the folks around you.”
She said the event was also an important reminder that Black and brown people are not only living in Maine but “thriving” across different sectors, including business, politics, education, and other professions. Abdi acknowledged that many marginalized communities are currently experiencing pressure and being targeted, including criticism and attacks online. She said gatherings like the awards provide an opportunity to reconnect.
“We’re not alone in this work. It’s our collective responsibility to show up for each other, to show up for democracy and to ensure that nobody’s voice gets silenced.”
Stewart-Bouley spoke about challenges facing immigrant and BIPOC communities, including tightening immigration policies, and emphasized the importance of community support and solidarity.
“There’s a lot of pressure on the immigrant community. And that’s another reason why coming together in community when we can is so important.”
Honoring Legacy and Community Work
Antoine said he was deeply honored to receive an award carrying the name and legacy of Nicole Mokeme. He reflected on their connection and said he hopes to continue the work she inspired, particularly by helping others connect with the outdoors and their communities.
“I’m glad that, like, a little guy like me has been able to affect enough positive change and inspire and encourage people often enough on a small scale to even be considered for an honor as great as this.”
Eubanks reflected on the importance of storytelling in preserving history and legacy. He said community work is often done without expecting recognition, but its value lies in the lasting impact it creates. “We’re all workers. We get thankless, but we don’t do it for the thanks; we do it for the impact. It’s not about the applause, it’s about recognition in order to spread the word and continue to build.”
Attendees Celebrate Community
Attendees highlighted the power of creating spaces where people from all over Maine can connect and celebrate one another. Corinna Dibble noted that events like this play a vital role in this process by strengthening relationships and amplifying Black and brown voices across the state.
“It’s really bringing together people for the purpose of cheering [these communities] and spreading the word,” Dibble said.
Eisha Khan highlighted The Third Place as an important community space where people from different backgrounds, particularly BIPOC communities, can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Speaking about immigrant communities, Khan urged allies to move beyond public advocacy and build genuine relationships with immigrants and immigrant-led organizations.
“We shouldn’t just stand up for people. We should get to know those people and raise the concerns that they’re most interested in.”
Another attendee, Miriam U., emphasized the importance of participating in community events and celebrating collective growth.
Through the stories of honorees and attendees, the Maine Black Excellence Awards underscored the importance of creating spaces where communities can recognize their achievements, preserve their histories, and continue building a more connected and inclusive state.
