​This week’s Member Spotlight is on Classic Harbor Line Key West:  Schooner America 2.0.  See what they told us about their business and the Chamber by clicking on the title above.  

​The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce presented the William “Billy” Appelrouth Award and the Athena Award at the inaugural “Roaring 22s” Installation & Awards Dinner on February 25, 2022.
 
The William “Billy” Appelrouth Award is given to an individual who has provided extraordinary service to the Key West Chamber of Commerce. It recognizes a pinnacle of service that goes well above and beyond traditional volunteerism. Billy Appelrouth was a Key West business owner who was dedicated to giving back to his island community.
 
Patricia Neyra received this honor for her service to the Board of Directors, leadership positions within the committees of the chamber, and for exceeding all expectations beyond the call of duty, no matter what task is on hand. Patty strives to honor and represent all ideals of the Chamber.
 
The Athena Award was founded in 1982 and is designed to recognize the achievements of outstanding business and professional women in communities across the country and around the world. By honoring exceptional leaders, the Athena Award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives. The award sculpture depicts Athena, the dynamic goddess of Greek mythology.
 
The 2022 Athena Award was sponsored by Jack Niles of Niles Sales and Service and was accepted by Mona Clark. Mona is a Key West native who had a dedicated teaching career and continues to have an unwavering commitment to the children of the community through 22 years of Take Stock in Children mentorship, as well as constantly uplifts and empowers the Black community and fellow women through volunteer work and leadership roles.
 
 

This week's Black History Month Spotlight is on Shane and Amy La Beet.  Owners of Pepper Pot Island Cafe.
Here are some questions we asked them.

​In the late 1700’s, African Americans experienced racism and discrimination attending Christian church services at primarily white congregations. In 1794, the African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in Philadelphia by Richard Allen, a former slave from Delaware, who sought a safe space for African Methodists to worship. During the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, clergy of the AME recruited many newly freed slaves into the church. As a result, AME spread across the United States.
 
The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Key West has been a staple of the African American community in the Bahama Village neighborhood since 1887. Originally built on Duval Street, the location was moved in 1923 to its present location on Truman Avenue after damages from the Hurricane of 1909, and a fire that some speculate were possibly the actions of the Ku Klux Klan in 1922. 

​In 1860, three American owned ships were intercepted by the United States Navy as they were bound for Cuba with the intent of selling the 1,432 Africans on board into slave labor. The Navy brought the Africans to the safe-haven of Key West, where a barracks and hospital were built within a confined compound.

​This week's Black History Month Spotlight is on Commissioner Clayton Lopez with the City of Key West, District VI.
Here are some questions we ask Commissioner Lopez: