The Damn Newsletter: The 2012 Damn Awards

Greetings and Salutations,

It's that time of year again. It's time for the 2012 Damn Awards. Let's get started.


C’mon Man Award - We are all human. We all make mistakes. This award is given to…well the person who made the most monumental errors in judgment. Don’t sweat it…you’ll bounce back!!!

Winner: Unfortunately...me! See it for yourself Four Horsemen Burger




No More Drama Award - Who doesn't have any drama in their lives? If you don’t raise your hand…okay that’s what I thought. For the rare few who did raise their hands (And I mean RARE!!!) You have found some way to overcome it and you should be recognized (You are also my hero…lol.)


Nominees: Hannah Brown, Kendra Stephen, Vanessa LeDay, Ylonda Burnhart

Winner: Hannah Brown


Can't Knock the Hustle Award - You all know my feelings for hustling. It is a part of life that separates the victims from the survivors. This includes everything from starting your own business to the sale of CDs just to pay rent. Hustling is an art and it is high time for an award to be presented because of it.


Nominees: Cyani Love, Aaja Butler, Shanerika Bonner, L.T. Byrd

Winner: Cyani Love



I Ain’t One of the Cosbys…I Didn’t go to Hillman Award – Your family may not be as perfect as the Huxtables but as the matriarch/patriarch of your family, you’re just as respected…all you’re missing is your half-hour show.


Nominees: Rhonda Pennywell, Rosa Jimenez, Angie Tademy, Jason Moore

Winner: Rosa Jimenez


Now for a little entertainment and sadly for the last time Skillz "Rap Up" for 2012






The Professional Award - This award, inspired by the DJ Clue mixtape series, is for the good grade getting, 9-5 working, respectable job having individual that does it better than anyone else…


Nominees: Renee Elzy, Kea Austin, Tammy Taylor, Toria Hall Obey

Winner: Kea Austin



Rookie of the Year - For some of you, this year has turned out to be one of the best you've ever had. Why…Because you have met Jarratt "Damn" Butler this year. And if not knowing me is enough, you also have a chance to win this award.

Nominees: Kim Estrich, Nikki Johnson, Sakina Solomon, Joshua Moise

Winner: Joshua Moise



Brrrr...What Happen to that Boy Award - Where have you been? This award is given to a person who is quite frankly the opposite of the Comeback Award. You have been gone a long time...come on back.


Nominees: Katina Pettaway, Angela Stokes, Larry Butler, Vea Teasley

Winner: Larry Butler



Disappointment of the Year - George Zimmerman (Enough said!!!)



Going Viral Award – The video that capture our attention the most and makes us watch it over and over and over again…

You know this had to win!!!!






Social Media Performancer of the Year - This is for the individuals that create videos on Youtube, Tumblr, Twitter, Google +, and Facebook that have made you laugh, made you cry, made you think, and any other or combination of emotion. Here is the best of the best.


Nominees: Kain Carter - hotdamnirock; Issa Rae - Awkward Black Girl; Zack Ryder - Z! True Long Island Story; Iman Crosson - Alphacat

Winner: Issa Rae



I Don’t Think You’re Beautiful…I Think You’re Beyond It Award – No stylist, no make-up artist, no Photoshop, no filter…just the most gifted natural beauty in the game today!!!


Nominees: Aushiana Noel, Brandi Sanders, April Banks, Megan Cottingham

Winner: April Banks



Can't Nobody Hold Me Down Award - Have you faced adversity? No, I am talking about REAL adversity this year? If you have walked through fire of hell and can laugh in Satan’s face then maybe can't nobody hold you down.


Nominees: Angie Hardin, Anthony Pauleon, Alethia Covington, Toni Brown

Winners: Anthony Pauleon & Toni Brown



Comeback of the Year - This year was filled with comebacks. Now for me a comeback constitutes you being off of the "Damn" radar for at least 6 months and have comeback harder than Chinese arithmetic. Now that's a comeback!!!


Nominees: Kim Mazier, April Frazier Ford, Sadie Jordan, Heather See

Winner: Kim Mazier



The Lee Donnie Wright Legacy Award - This is the Lifetime Achievement award of this show. This person has made such an influence on my life that they have become a part of me. Becoming permanent part of people's life is a definition of legacy. This recipient will be mine definition.





G.O.O.D. Award (Formerly Do You Award) - I feel there is nothing worse than having a dream and doing little to nothing in order to accomplish it. This award will go to a person that has made a difference in a charity, cause, or in people, they feel equally as passionate about. However you make a difference this is award appreciates you for helping others "Getting Out Our Dreams".


Nominees: Mercedes Ramcharan, Terri Bratton, Lacy Durham, Shirley Cottingham Davis

Winner: Shirley Cottingham Davis



Impact Player Award - This award is given to the person who has taken their dream and turned it into a goal that can be achieved. The character of the recipient can be described with the same adjective of an Alicia Keys' single...Unbreakable!!! This person may have not made it yet but because of all the hard work, the impact has been already felt.

Nominees: TAJ En’Phiniti, Danielle Richardson, Tiffany Walker, Kristi Woodard

Winner: Tiffany Walker



Backbone Award - So you know how everyone has a backbone. It lends support to the entire body. This award is given to the person that has supported me the most over the past year. Support does not necessarily mean money or time but has been there ready to go to war for me.

Nominees: Winnette Richards, Lisa Scott, Maya Carroll, Zeke Harris

Winner: Winnette Richards



Shout Out of the Year - This award is simply the most coveted award of the year. It is quite frankly the person I have to get the highest form of props for entire year. It's the Grand Daddy of them all...

Nominees: Sabreena Pasquet, Kimberly Godard, TaWanna Bennett Winn, Jordan Washington

Winner: TaWanna Bennett Winn