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Frequently asked questions

TOP 20 UNDER 40 FAQs

We are looking for:

Someone who stands out among the rest. Nominees should have achieved personal and professional success, have a record of community service and have given back to others through their time, talents and donations. A Top 20 Under 40 Award recipient is someone who deserves recognition in the community. Nominees must be 39 years or younger by April 30th, 2019. Nominees must spend the majority of their time working in South Carolina. Please take this opportunity to nominate an overachiever who deserves this tremendous honor!

South Carolina Black Pages and Black Expo South presents the 2019 Top 20 Under 40 Awards, saluting the best and brightest men and women under the age of 40 in South Carolina. We embarked on this challenge because we understand the impact this hardworking group has on the future of our community. It is important for The South Carolina Black Pages to help in this charge because we identify and work with these future leaders every day. Recipients of the Top 20 under 40 Award will be profiled in the 2019– 2020 South Carolina Black Pages, at the Top 20 under 40 Awards Reception, and throughout the 2018 Black Expo Tour. Nominations are officially open. Nominate an overachiever no later than March 20, 2019 at 5:00pm. Meet our honorees below. How can someone be considered?



What is the nomination criteria?

Nominees must be 39 years or younger as of April 30, 2019. Nominees must spend the majority of their time working in the State of South Carolina.



What are the nominee qualifications?

Current Leadership/ Contributions to the community where you live or work
Noteworthy Achievements/ Professional Career Advancements Current efforts to Advanced the Community
Completed Application
Professional Social Media
(i.e. Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) Employees and Affiliates or family members of Thomas Media Group, LLC are NOT to be nominated or accepted.



When can I nominate someone?

The 2019 nomination period will open January 15th, 2018, and close March 20th, 2019 at 5:00 pm.



How can I nominate someone?

Nominations will only be accepted through our online submission process.



Who can be nominated?

You can nominate yourself, a client, a friend, a peer, your boss; anyone who meets the criteria..



Can I nominate myself?

Yes. Self-nomination is acceptable.



Can I nominate multiple people?

Yes, you can nominate as many people as you like. *Exception: Employees and Affiliates of Thomas Media Group, LLC. must limit their nomination to ONE person.



Can I be nominated if I am in the military?

Absolutely! We encourage the nomination of our military leaders.



Can multiple employees of the same company be nominated?

Yes. However, only one recipient from a company will be chosen.



Can I nominate someone who have already received a Top 20 Under 40 from another organization?

Yes.



Can I co-nominate two or more business partners for one award?

No. Only individuals can receive The South Carolina Black Pages’ Top 20 Under 40 Award. Please enter one name per application.
(If two names appear on an application, it will be disqualified.)



Does it help to have several people nominate the same person?

No. We ask that nominations are true nominations and not an organized campaign. Thomas Media Group judges will make the final decision.



HOW ARE THE TOP 20 CHOSEN?

How many applications do you expect to receive?

We expect to receive more than 300 nominations. But don’t get discouraged! If you do not receive the award this year, we encourage you to apply again.



What is the judging process?

A panel of independent judges scores all nominations individually.



What is the judging criterion?

The South Carolina Black Pages’ Top 20 Under 40 nominees are judged on their business success and their achievements as an active member of our community. A selection panel is put together by Community Leaders, Business Owners, and Corporate Executives to select those who meet the Qualifications and Criteria. The Panel bases their decisions on a scoring sheet designed specifically with the Qualifications and Criteria listed above.



What are the judges looking for under professional expertise?

Judges are looking to assess whether the nominee is outstanding in their field of expertise, educational credentials, awards and distinctions, and community involvement. Judges look for people who actively participate and take leadership roles in the community over those who simply hold membership in various groups. Be sure to include detailed information about the results of the volunteerism.



Are everyone’s references contacted?

No, your references will only be contacted if a judge requires more detailed information on a specific item.



When will I know?

Recipients will be notified via email no than on or before April 30th of their award. The names of The South Carolina Black Pages’ 20 Under 40 Award Recipients will also be announced in the South Carolina Black Pages.



Will everyone be informed, regardless if they are an award recipient?

Only winners are notified.



If someone I nominated was not chosen, can you tell me why, and can I nominate him/her in the future?

We receive many outstanding applications each year. The selection process is quantitative confidential. If your nominee is not selected, we encourage you to nominate them again next year.



WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM SELECTED?

What is required of those who make the cut?

Those that are selected must make themselves available for an interview and photo shoot as a group. Attending the South Carolina Black Pages’ Top 20 Under 40 Reception is not required but highly encouraged.



Can I tell my family and friends that I am in the SC Black Pages’ Top 20 Under 40?

We know that you’re excited and we don’t expect you to keep your selection as a complete secret, but we want the announcement of the list to be a surprise, so please refrain from advertising your selection to The South Carolina Black Pages’ Top 20 Under 40 in any form, including Facebook, Twitter etc until it’s officially announced. Failure to abide by this rule may result in your removal from the list. If selected as a Top 20 Under 40 Recipient please note that in order to keep your reveal a surprise we would like you to refrain from making a public announcement that you have been selected as such. Also please note that all information turned in during the Application process
is keep strictly confidential.



Is my personal information kept confidential?

Please note that the names and company names of the 20 selected recipients will be published in South Carolina Black Pages and online at blackpagessouth.com. Honorees will be required to provide a short biography to be used for publishing. Names and company names of non-recipients will not be published unless notified. No other information provided in the nomination will be published or sold. Contact information will be used to update recipients about the next steps in the awards process.



I still have more questions!

If you have further questions regarding The South Carolina Black Pages’ Top 20 Under 40, please contact Thomas Media Group, LLC at 803-254- 6404 so that we can better assist you.