Tom Tait, Whitest Man in Orange County, Gets Black Chamber of Commerce Award Tonight

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The whitest man in Orange County is scooping up an award this evening from the Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce.

Tom Tait, the former Anaheim City Council member who is running in November to re-join the panel, will receive the Michael R. Jones Business Impact Award, which recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations that have helped or assisted minorities and increased opportunities for all businesses in Orange County and the surrounding communities.

Tait is president of Anaheim Hills-based Tait & Associates, an engineering and environmental consulting firm that has offices throughout the western U.S. According to the Black Chamber:

Tait works hard to create a diverse business environment, identify and encourage participation, and create strategic partnerships. Supporting diverse suppliers not only adds value to their clients, but also strengthens local economies and promotes economic growth. It's one reason why Tait actively seeks and promote opportunities with qualified and certified Minority-owned, Women-owned, Veteran, Service-Disabled Veterans, and HUBZone Enterprises. These groups provide a wealth of opportunities in contracting and sub-contracting services, because there's no end to opportunity when you start with diversity.

The business impact award is just one of several honors the Black Chamber doles out at its gala--with the theme "Creating Financial Inclusion--Celebrating the Black Wall Streets"--from 5:30-9:30 tonight in the Magic Kingdom Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel.

OC Black Chamber of Commerce

Earl "Stick" Robinson, a Nego League baseball player, received the Black Chamber's 2001 Community Leadership Award.

​Others scheduled to receive awards are:

• Disneyland Community Relations Director Jill Bolton and Orange County Association of Deputy Sheriffs President Wayne Quint, Community Service Award;
  


• Chancellors Ding Jo Currie and Ned Doffoney of the Coastline and North Orange County community college districts respectively, Aaron/Elijah Lovejoy Award (for contributing to the freeing of African Americans either economically or educationally);
  


• American Honda Vice President of Administration Tony Piazza, Humanitarian Award;
  


• U.S. Army Lt. Col Miguel Howe, who is now serving in Afghanistan, Community Leadership Award.
  

Tickets to the gala at $50 and available online at banquetocblackchamber.com.