WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, February 13, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel hosted the 12th annual RNC Black Republican Trailblazers reception in Washington, D.C., to honor Black Republicans who have made significant contributions to the Black Republican community.
Chairwoman McDaniel presented the Trailblazer Award to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, the Legacy Award to Hon. Kenneth Blackwell, the Emerging Leader Award to Quenton Jordan, and the Frederick Douglass Award to Hon. Frederick Vialet. The event was hosted by Montgomery County Commissioner and RNC Youth Advisory Council Member Autumn Simmons.
“Our annual Trailblazers Reception is about celebrating Black Americans’ contributions to our Republican Party and building on our historic inroads with minority communities,” said Chairwoman McDaniel. “I was excited to thank our winners for all they’ve done to make our Party and our nation stronger. I look forward to working with them to ensure we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring the GOP message to every community across the country.”
The RNC Trailblazer Award is presented to someone who displays an exceptional leadership background in the Republican Party. Whether it be working to advance conservative legislation, helping to get Republicans elected, or committing themselves to growing the Republican Party, Trailblazers have a track record of getting things done.
- Eric Johnson is the 60th Mayor of Dallas, Texas. First elected in June 2019, he was re-elected in May 2023 with 98.7% of the vote, breaking a 114-year-old record for the highest vote percentage garnered by a mayoral candidate facing any opposition in Dallas history. Prior to becoming mayor, Johnson served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented the City of Dallas from April 2010 to June 2019. He attended Harvard College, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in History. Johnson also holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a master's degree in public Affairs from the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He is an alumnus of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
The RNC Legacy Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate a significant and long-term impact for Republican Party principles either locally, statewide, and/or nationally. They demonstrate a long-term commitment to the Republican Party and have an insightful impact on their community, state, or the nation.
- Hon. Kenneth Blackwell is an Ohio native and holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Education degree from Cincinnati's Xavier University. He also holds honorary doctoral degrees from several Ohio colleges. Blackwell served as the mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio from 1979 to 1980 as a member of the Charter Party. He later joined the Republican Party. From 1989 to 1990, Blackwell was a deputy undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush. Blackwell was appointed to be a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, where he served from 1992 to 1993. In 1993, Blackwell was appointed by then-governor George Voinovich to be Ohio's Treasurer. He was elected to the position in 1994 and served as treasurer until he was elected to serve as Ohio Secretary of State in 1998. Blackwell worked as the Secretary of State until 2007. Blackwell ran for Governor of Ohio in 2006 and was the first African American to represent a major political party as an Ohio gubernatorial candidate.
The RNC Emerging Leader Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate attributes in promoting Republican Party principles through being a leader in their organization, community, or state. This may include either running for office or running Republican campaigns, organizations, and issues.
- Quenton Jordan serves as the Vice President of the Black Conservative Federation, has served BCF in many capacities - including as the previous Chief of Staff. He has a range of experiences across various industries that have equipped him with a unique set of technical and leadership capabilities. A native of Chicago’s South Side, Quenton received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Hampton University. He has also completed executive education programs at Harvard University and Northwestern - Kellogg. Recognized as a Rising Leader by both the Heritage Foundation and the Republican National Committee (RNC) for his commitment to bettering underrepresented communities, Quenton is responsible for ensuring that BCF delivers on its strategic goals. Quenton continues to develop his leadership capabilities through his work as a management consultant, working closely with the nation’s largest financial institutions and government agencies.
The RNC Frederick Douglass Award is presented to individuals who exemplify the remarkable qualities of resilience and determination embodied by Frederick Douglass himself. The recipient stands firm in their convictions, confronts adversity with unwavering resolve, and advocates for the betterment of the Republican Party.
- Hon. Fred Vialet is a former vice chairman of the Republican Party in the Virgin Islands State Committee, a former president of the St. Thomas-St. John District Republican Committee, and member of the Virgin Islands Real Estate Commission. He was an adviser to Republican Governor Melvin Evans, the first elected governor of the territory and later member of Congress and U.S. ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago under President Ronald Reagan. Vialet, 77, is a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas, Howard University (B.A.) and the Howard University School of Law (J.D.). Baptized an Episcopalian, he is a member of St. Thomas Reformed Church, which was founded in 1660 as the Dutch Reformed Church. Vialet is also a member Harmonic Lodge, part of the United Grand Lodge of England. Vialet is a lifelong Republican. His uncle, David Vialet, was a founder of the Republican Party in 1948, which was four years before its chartering by the Republican National Committee as a state party.
