NOAH Executive Director, Thomas Roberts, was honored as one of South Florida's 50 Most Powerful Black Professionals by "Success South Florida" magazine.

Roberts was one of about a dozen movers and shakers from Palm Beach County to be honored – including one other Glades advocate, Clarence Anthony, the longtime mayor of South Bay.

Roberts was listed in "Success South Florida's" Black Power issue, along with University of Miami Head Football Coach Randy Shannon and famed Treasure Coast attorney Willie Gary. The honorees and their guests enjoyed a March 22 black-tie reception at Mercedes-Benz of Pembroke Pines.

Roberts was selected for the honor because, as NOAH's leader, he is a lead proponent of Glades revitalization and has forged relationships with other agencies to help bring financial assets to the area. He sits on the boards of the Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority and the Glades Initiative Corp.

"I'm honored," was all a modest Roberts could say. "It's nice to be recognized for working in a field that you enjoy." He looked among the crowd of powerbrokers -- CEOs, presidents, public officials, attorneys and educators -- and wondered out loud what he was doing among them. He didn’t have to wonder for long as he mingled and was greeted enthusiastically by fellow honorees who wanted to pick the brain of the man who runs one of the largest community development corporations in the country.

According to Community-Wealth.Org, the average staff size of the 4,600 community development centers spread throughout the United States is 10. NOAH, with its multi-layered approach to the development of whole children, families and communities, has about 80 employees who work to provide Glades residents with housing, child care and social services.

Roberts was warmly greeted at the reception by its organizer, "Success South Florida" magazine publisher Dexter A Bridgeman, who congratulated Roberts for his work.

Roberts earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University, both in New Jersey. He has been listed in Who's Who in the World (1999-2007) and Who's Who in Black South Florida.