NATCHEZ — A winner isn’t somebody who never fails, Barbara Blackmon said, and a winner is somebody who never quits.

The Natchez Business and Civic League honored its own winners during its 35th annual awards ceremony Friday night.

Blackmon, former teacher, former state senator and owner of Natchez Manor, was the key speaker.

“Capital is a seed that can be harvested,” she said. “Those who learn how to plant it will be successful.”

Eight awards were given out to business owners, youth and volunteers.

Man of the Year went to Marlon Richardson, who has operated three businesses in Natchez — Allstate, Sears and R&R Auto Glass.

“It is an honor,” Richardson said. “I have to give credit to all of my workers who make this possible.”

Andrew Calvit, a former president of the Business and Civic League, said Richardson is all about business.

“He is level headed,” Calvit said. “He really knows how to handle a business. I think it is outstanding that he is Man of the Year.”

The Woman of the Year title went to Robbie Cade, a former high school teacher who has recently released an album.

“I am shocked,” she said. “It just shows that hard work really pays off.”

The Willie S. Scott Civic Award went to Katie Ruth Moore, a retired teacher who still substitutes with the Natchez-Adams School District.

The First Youth Award went to Lacey Hall, Cathedral senior, who was crowned Miss Adams County and is a member of Beta Club.

Jazmyn Stewart, Natchez High senior, also took home a youth award. Stewart has a 3.9 GPA and is in the top 10 of her class.

“The Youth Award goes to youth with achievements that uplift the youth community,” presenter Rosa Demby said.

Larry Jackson, Michael Winn and Willie Carter took home President’s Awards.

“President’s Awards go to those persons who have been working closely with the president,” President Bishop Melvin Jackson said. “These are my right hand men.”

Mary Toles, immediate past president, said the Natchez Business and Civic League is something for the generations.

“We inherited it, and its ideals, from our parents, and we know we borrowed it from our children,” she said.

“We are so conscious of the worth of our organizations.”