Two black-owned companies from St. Louis – Showroom Shine Detailing and Ropers Ribs – were final nominees at the 5th annual Steve Harvey Hoodie Awards, held recently at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Showroom Shine Detailing (located at 6114 Bermuda Rd.) was a finalist in Best Carwash/Detailing Category, and Ropers Ribs (located at 6929 W. Florissant) was a finalist for Best Bar BBQ Place.
More than 8,000 people attended the sold-out event, hosted by national radio personality Steve Harvey and conceived by Harvey and television/radio producer Rushion McDonald.
“This event was a huge achievement in my life and has impacted my business already, ” said Carl Roper, who owns Ropers Ribs along with Denise Roper.
“Steve Harvey created an award show for small businesses, and with my business being a nominee it created more value and validated my business to the community.”
“This was an amazing experience, to have the chance to network with so many other black-owned businesses that had the same energy and passion about their companies as we do,” said Arthur Shivers, co-owner of Showroom Shine Detailing.
“We made some amazing connections.”
The Steve Harvey Hoodie Awards – self-styled as “Oscars with an urban beat” – recognizes black-owned businesses and community leaders for their belief, courage and commitment to their respective communities. The top four businesses in each category from around the country were in attendance at the awards, and individual winners were selected from each of 12 categories.
The other award categories were Best Nail Salon, Best Soul Food Place, Best Church, Best High School, Best Barbershop, Best Community Leader, Best Church Choir, Best Fried Chicken, Best High School Teacher and Best Beauty Salon.
Steve Harvey Morning Show personalities, such as Shirley Strawberry, Nephew Tommy and Harvey himself, hosted live events throughout the October 20 weekend. There were live performances by Robin Thicke, Tank, Marvin Sapp & The Godfather of Go Go, Chuck Brown.
Other celebrity hosts included The O’Jays, Yolanda Adams, Mo’Nique, Musiq, Steven A. Smith, George Wallace, Montel, Salli Richardson, Cupid, St. Louis native Niecy Nash and Anthony Hamilton.
“It was really an awesome sight to see the businesses from across the country networking and having a great time,” said Lawanda Gibson-Bowen of St. Louis, who attended in support of her nephews Sylvester Chisom and Arthur Shivers, owners of Showroom Shine Detailing.
Steve Harvey’s 5th Annual Hoodie Awards will make its nationwide television broadcast debut Thanksgiving Day on the BET J network, with rebroadcasts to take place over that weekend.
For further information, visit www.steveharvey.com.
