NATCHEZ —The Natchez Civic Center was packed Friday evening for the 36th annual Natchez Business and Civic League Awards Banquet.

The goal of the NBCL is to promote local businesses, help struggling businesses and support new businesses by sharing important information.

The league honored nine local residents with awards.

The Man of the Year Award went to Willie James Carter.

Presenter Mevlin Demby said the award is given to a male exemplifying outstanding entrepreneurship.

“He is a mentor to numerous young men in the community,” Demby said. “He is a man of high morals and is strictly an all-around business man.”

The Woman of the Year title went to Queen Wilson, who started a business at her house in 2004 selling lunches, and now owns Southern Style Catering.

“She is one of those that just loves to give back to the community,” awards presenter Rosa Demby said.

The Willie S. Scott Civic Award was given to Jacqulyn Williams, for her individual work with non profits and civic affairs in the community.

The first youth award went to Ana Perry, Cathedral senior, who was voted most athletic at her school and also has a G.P.A of 4.26.

The second youth award went to Joseph Perry Jr., a Natchez High School senior, for his work volunteer work throughout the community and his outstanding work in the classroom.

The final youth award was given to Terika Tillman, Natchez High School senior, who recently won Ms. Natchez High School and does a variety volunteer work in the community.

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

Larry Jackson, Michael Winn and Don Washington 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.

Guest speaker and Mayor of Pineville, La., Clarence Fields also spoke to the crowd about how to get residents more involved in the community.

“We have promoted our city to the point where people call and ask us what is going on in Pineville,” he said. “Our own residents are telling people to come here, and that has really helped things out. You have to have an educated community.”