An educator, a preacher, a musician and more among 2022′s Connecticut ‘100 Men of Color’

A preacher, a teacher assistant, an award-winning spoken word artist and a career adviser were among those celebrated as inspiring community leaders and among the 100 Men of Color for 2022.

The ninth annual gala honoring the 100 Men of Color was held Aug. 12 at Simsbury Meadows. The honorees are nominated by people in the community. This year’s theme was all about the importance of giving back to others.

During an unscripted moment at the awards ceremony, UConn lecturer, entrepreneur, author and event organizer June Archer, of Eleven28 Entertainment Group, illustrated this concept by bringing past Men of Color honoree Sam Gray, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford, and the young men that he sponsored, to the stage.

When the young men joined those on the stage, Archer encouraged the awardees of 2022 to continue to do the work they are engaged in for the community, along with making sure to mentor the next generation of young Black and brown men looking to them for guidance and support.

“Take a young Black and brown man to Men’s Warehouse, take them to K & G. If you can’t even do that, buy him a wallet or a tie or a bowtie. Teach them how to tie it. And I’ll promise, you will change his life exponentially,” Archer said.

“... We need to put our young Black and brown boys and our Black and brown girls on stage, celebrate them and give them everything they need to grow and flourish. You’re doing the work. You all are doing the work. But we need to do more work. And I hate to tell you the work is just now getting ready to start. Because sometimes what kids need is a little bit more.”

Other highlights of the awards included performances by Tarishi “M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T.” Shuler and Ru-Love Williams, who are also honorees of the 100 Men of Color class of 2022.

Here are some of the evening’s highlighted speakers, awardees and performers:

Apostle Terry L. Holmes - 100 Men of Color 2022 awardee

According to his church website, Holmes is the pastor of Triumph Church in Waterbury. In February 2011, he retired as a sergeant for the New York State Police. He married Mary Kaye Holmes in October 2015 and has five children: Charity, Alissa, Tracey, Joshua and Matthew. Holmes earned a doctorate of Divinity from CICA International Seminary and is completing his bachelor’s degree in International Business at Post University.

Levey Kardulis - 100 Men of Color 2022 awardee

According to his social media page, Kardulis is a community leader. He was the first African American union president of the AFSCME, Local 566, who represented tradesmen, custodians and food service workers for Hartford Public Schools, it says. Other accomplishments include commissioner of the Hartford Public Schools Elementary Basketball League, SAND School basketball coach, youth mentor and more. He is a teacher assistant for the Consolidated School District of New Britain and is taking courses to become a social worker.

Tarishi “M.I.D.N.I.G.H.T.” Shuler - 100 Men of Color 2022 awardee

According to his website, Shuler is an award-winning spoken word artist who has opened for celebrities and dignitaries, such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Grammy nominated neo-soul artist Dwele, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets/Def Jam Comedian Talent, and actor Omari Hardwick. Awards include the Yale Peabody-MLK Jr. slam winner in 2016 and 2017, a Nuyorican Grand Slam finalist in 2017, Brooklyn Jazz Consortium Spoken Word Ambassador in New York in 2019, and the MVP award at The Lizard Lounge in 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ru Love Williams - 100 Men of Color 2022 awardee

According to his website, Williams is a local R&B artist, who has opened for major artists such as Ne-Yo, Slim of 112, Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Bobby V. and others. He is a two-time champion of the B.E.T. network’s 106 & Park’s television show segment Wild-Out-Wednesdays. He hosts RU Wednesdays at The Russell in Hartford every first Wednesday night, where he performs with special guests.

Eric Holley - 100 Men of Color 2017 awardee

According to the 100 Men of Color program, Holley is an experienced insurance leader with more than 19 years of experience. For 14 years, he worked with Aetna on medical products, then switched over to The Hartford where he was a digital process owner in Group Benefits. He is now a senior director at Mass Mutual, overseeing change management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Western Connecticut State University and his master’s in organizational communications from Central Connecticut State University.

Colin Osborn - 100 Men of Color 2022 awardee

According to his LinkedIn profile, Osborn is a career adviser at Post University. He received his bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts in Music Performance from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2005. Other accomplishments include serving as an alderman for New Britain for two years and helping to create and establish Power Muzic Radio, where the station plays “Southern soul, ole’ school, adult contemporary, neo-soul, nu-R&B/ambient, quiet storm and incorporates jazz, house and hip-hop music. As a radio host, he is known as “DJ COLLYWOOD.”

For a full list of awardees, visit: bit.ly/3SRE35U.

Reach Deidre Montague at dmontague@courant.com.