Esteemed Honorees

Red Apple Group, led by Chairman and CEO John Catsimatidis, is a privately held conglomerate with major investments across energy, real estate, retail, aviation, and media. Its businesses include oil refining, biofuels, petroleum distribution, convenience stores, and supermarket operations, positioning Red Apple as a significant force in the Northeast’s energy and consumer sectors.

The company’s real estate arm, Red Apple Real Estate, has led major residential and commercial developments in downtown Brooklyn, Coney Island, and Florida, contributing to urban revitalization in key markets.

In 2020, Red Apple expanded into broadcasting with the launch of Red Apple Media, acquiring iconic New York station 77 WABC. Catsimatidis reinvigorated the station with major on-air talent and a fresh programming approach, later acquiring WLIR-FM to grow regional reach. Unlike many in the radio industry, Red Apple Media emphasizes live content and weekend entertainment, featuring hosts like Sid Rosenberg, Dominic Carter, Anthony Cumia, Lionel, Rita Cosby, and Cousin Brucie. Flagship programs include CatsRoundtable and Cats & Cosby, known for high-profile guests from politics, science, and media.

Through Red Apple Group and its affiliates, John Catsimatidis continues to shape American industry with a focus on innovation, strategic growth, and community impact.

The Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation (LFHF) was established in 2018 by his wife, Lorna Hawthorne to honor the life and legacy of Lowell F. Hawthorne, the visionary founder of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery. Created in the wake of his passing, the Foundation embodies Mr. Hawthorne’s lifelong commitment to education, opportunity, and community upliftment.

Born in Jamaica and later emigrating to the United States, Lowell Hawthorne was a man of humble beginnings who valued hard work, family, and education. After serving as an accountant for the NYPD and studying at multiple institutions within the City University of New York (CUNY) system, he co-founded Golden Krust in 1989 with his wife Lorna, four of his siblings, and their spouses. Drawing on baking traditions passed down by their father in Jamaica, the Hawthorne family transformed a small Bronx bakery into a national franchise. In 1996, Golden Krust made history as the first Black-owned Caribbean business in the U.S. to receive a franchise license—growing to over 120 locations across nine states.

Building on Mr. Hawthorne’s legacy of resilience and empowerment, the Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation provides scholarships and academic support to exceptional students in high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The Foundation’s mission is to expand access to education and create pathways for success for future generations—just as Lowell Hawthorne did through his own journey and achievements.

Through its programs and partnerships, LFHF continues to inspire, empower, and invest in the leaders of tomorrow, ensuring that the values Lowell F. Hawthorne lived by remain a force for good in communities at home and abroad.