Featured speaker and CNN correspondent Soledad O'Brien presents Director of News Services Carlos Holmes, right, with the 2011 Black Achiever Award.

Carlos Holmes, DSU’s director of News Services, got on the wrong side of the camera Thursday evening. Instead of writing and shooting the news, he was making it -- as a 2011 Black Achiever.

The annual Black Achievers in Business and Industry awards is sponsored by the YMCA of Delaware to honor men and women who succeed in both business and community involvement. The Dec. 8 ceremony, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, paid tribute to 20 such achievers, including Mr. Holmes. National CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien was the featured speaker.

“Carlos is always passionate about his work, about making a difference in people’s lives and about giving back to his University and community," said DSU President Dr. Harry L. Williams, who attended the event. “His honor was most deserved.”

Mr. Holmes was selected earlier this year for a DSU Vice President Choice Award that underscored his contributions to the institution and the state. He has served DSU for 11 years, most of it directing its news media needs. He is a fixture at DSU, volunteering his musical talents for campus events, overseeing the Hornet student newspaper for 10 years, chairing various Homecoming committees, teaching students and employees alike about DSU’s history, and teaching communications classes. He is familiar in the community as well, as a newspaper contributor, and as a church choir and music director, among other service projects.

“His pride for DSU fills a room, and his commitment to students is equally as large,” said Carolyn Curry, vice president for Institutional Advancement, the unit that oversees news relations.

As a Black Achiever, Mr. Holmes will serve as a youth and teen mentor for the YMCA and assist with related workshops and events that promote positive life skills in young people.