AHBAI Celebrates 20th Anniversary.

* The American Health and Beauty Aids Institute (AHBAI) celebrated its 20th anniversary during the mid-year conference, which was held Aug. 3 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort, Indian Wells, CA. During the meeting, founding AHBAI executive director Lafayette Jones received a Founders Award, as did all of AHBAI's 11 founders and 11 past and present chairmen.

Many other industry leaders were recognized during the conference. Michael W. Joshua, president, J.M. Products, Inc. received the special industry award and Clyde Hammond, president, Summit Laboratories, received the industry pioneer award. These awards were presented to recognize their numerous contributions to the ethnic hair care industry over the years.

Additionally, Bronner Bros. and Luster Products, Inc. were recognized as the only two founding companies which are still AHBAI members. Founding board member Cornell McBride Sr., president of McBride Research Laboratories, Inc., was also honored by AHBAI as the only founding board member who is still actively serving on the board of directors, 20 years later.

Here's a list of all the award winners at the AHBAI conference:

* Associate member of the year: International Fragrance & Technology;

* Communicator of the year: Sophisticate's Black Hair Styles & Guide;

* Distributor of the year: Standard Distributing, Inc.;

* OTC beauty & barber of the year: Ben's Beauty Supply Distributing Company;

* Retailer of the year (drug store): The Walgreen Company;

* Retailer of the year (food store): The Kroger Company;

* Retailer of the year (mass merchandise): Wal Mart Stores, Inc.;

* Up & Coming award: SalonSense Magazine.