Fusion celebrated diversity, honored achievement and connected passions with Birmingham innovators, entrepreneurs and community leaders at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on May 8. This year’s mission was to Connect, Pitch, Network, Honor and Celebrate.

The day of networking and recognition began with an empowerment panel discussion featuring Lajuana Bradford, senior vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility at Regions Financial Corp., and actress, producer and author Tonya Lewis-Lee, wife of famed producer and director Spike Lee. The two discussed the importance of diversity for women and minorities in the workforce and having the mental capacity and self-worth to dream big and attain goals no matter the obstacles.

“It will get harder before it gets better,” Lewis-Lee advised the audience of future entrepreneurs. “See your dream and keep working towards it. Don’t give up!”

Similar to ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Regions awarded $5,000 to the best startup company after several Birmingham-area businesses submitted written proposals on what they would do with the money. Birmingham’s Shoe Clinic won the pitch competition with a presentation on growing its sneaker repair company.

Fusion Awards (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham Times)

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Minard attend FUSION awards. (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham Times)

Yazmin Cavale, winner of the Game Changer Award. (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham TImes)

Jason Eppenger, Leader Award winner. (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham Times).

Michelle Williams, Grammy-nominated singer also performed at the FUSION awards. (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham Times)

Selena Rodgers Dickerson, winner of The Creator Award. (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham Times)

Tavaris Godbolt (left) and Alvin Miller, owners of the Shoe Clinic and winners of the pitch competition. (Stephonia Taylor McLinn for The Birmingham Times)

Erskin Ramsey “Chuck” Faush, senior vice president of Summit Media and president of Summit Entertainment, introduced Thomas Beavers, pastor of New Rising Star Church and award-winning singer and songwriter, Michelle Williams, one-third of the trio Destiny’s Child, as special guests. Williams graced the crowd with her soul-stirring hit gospel song “Say Yes.”

Darryl Johnson, a long-time radio personality for Birmingham’s 98.7 FM, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Birmingham Summit Media President John Walker, for Johnson’s work in the media and his community service.

Other award recipients:

• Entrepreneur: Dr. Iyisha Jones, owner/designer of ISHI Boutique, an upscale women’s clothing boutique.
• Innovator: Dr. Anthony Hood, professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business.
• Leader: Jason Eppenger, market president of Citizen Trust Bank.
• Game Changer: Yazmin Cavale, CEO/co-founder of GLOW, a beauty consulting business.
• Giver: Myla Calhoun, vice president of Charitable Giving at Alabama Power Company and president of the Alabama Power Foundation.
• Creator: Selena Rodgers Dickerson, president of SARCOR LLC, an engineering design, project management and surveying company.
• Energizer: Tracy Morant-Adams, executive vice president of Small Business and Community Development at Renasant Bank.