Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release 
Georgia Department of 
Labor 
Suite 642  148 International Boulevard N.E. 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032 
 
February 24, 2000 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
WARE AND TUFTS RECEIVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH AWARDS 
 
ATLANTA -- A corporate executive and a career state employee were among a group of AfricanAmericans cited today for their contributions to public service and the business community at the labor department's eighth annual Black History Month awards ceremony in Atlanta. 
 
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond presented the awards. The labor department is the only state agency that officially recognizes Black History Month. 
 
Carl Ware, executive vice president of global public affairs and administration for the Coca-Cola 
 
Company in Atlanta, received the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to Coke's domestic and international affairs and philanthropic programs. 
 
David Tufts, an employment services specialist in the department's Macon office, received the Humanitarian award for his commitment to youth and the establishment of a Boys and Girls Club in Jones County near Macon. 
 
Other African-Americans honored for their contributions to the business community include: Robert L. Brown Jr. of Lithonia, CEO of R. L. Brown & Associates; Rudolph Terry of Roanoke, Ala., founder of Terry Manufacturing Co.; Felker W. Ward Jr. of Atlanta, a principal partner with Pinnacle Investment Advisors; and James Barnes, state president of the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association. 
 
Student winners of essay writing and public speaking contests were also honored. Ricaelle Gonzalez of Acworth, a junior at North Cobb High School, was named first-place winner with a speech entitled, "Breaking Through Cultural Stereotypes in the New Millennium." Matthew Hall, 
 
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 Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release 
a senior at South Atlanta High, was named first runner-up, while Stephanie Samuels, a junior at Newnan High, was named second runner-up. The students received $100, $50, and $30 respectively. 
 
Theme of the essay writing contest was "Heritage and Horizons -- The African-American Legacy and Challenges of the 21st Century." Tedrick D. Kelly of Waynesboro, an eighth grader at Burke County Middle School, won in the 6-8 grade category; Jessica Jackson of Atlanta, a sophomore at Douglass High School, won in the 9-10 grade competition; and Brandy A. Sims of College Park, a senior at Banneker High School, won in the 11-12 grade group. Each winner received $50. 
 
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 656-3032. 
 
E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us. 
 
FY-00-373 
 
An Equal Opportunity Employer 
 
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