Estelle Mannion, Stellar Productions Nominations are now being accepted for the Spirit of Excellence 7th Annual Black Business Awards until September 25, 2009. Recipients will be announced at the Awards Banquet on October 17, 2009 at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront.

The categories and criteria for this year's nominees are:

Emerging Business - A business that has been in existence for 1-3 years exhibiting evidence of growth;

Rising Star Award - A person between the ages of 18 to 29 who has shown great promise in business or a profession; Entrepreneur of the Year - A person who has succeeded through and innovation and risk taking to successfully launch and maintain a business for 2 years;

Corporate Leader- A person who has excelled to a position of leadership, or was position of leadership with any company for 2 plus years with notable achievements;

Business of the Year - A business of more than 3 years with a record of good businesses practices, sustainability, accomplishments and success; Artist of the Year- A person in any form of the arts arena with a notable record of exceptional accomplishments; Male Extraordinaire - a male in a business or profes- sion, who exemplifies leadership, professionalism, integrity, and character and who makes positive impacts in the community.

Unstoppable Woman- A woman of inspiration with a record of substance, character and achievements who displays courage and determination to excel in spite of obstacles.

For the first time, The Unsung Hero/Heroine

Award will be presented to a person who serves the need of others without pay.

A nomination form or additional information on The Spirit of Excellence BlackBusiness Award may be obtained online at www.thespiritofexcel- lence.net or by calling (912) 441-6813. Capitol City Bank and Trust Company (as of date) continues the tradition of being a Corporate Sponsor for The Spirit of Excellence Black Business Awards. Media Sponsors include, The Savannah Tribune, WTOC-TV and Cumulus Broadcasting that include radio stations WEAS- E- 93 FM and WTYB-103.9 FM. Cumulus Broadcasting has signed on as a new Media Sponsor and will sponsor The Unsung Hero/ Heroine Award.