WATERLOO - As a freshman at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia last year, the Rev. Corey Holmes read The Courier online and fielded calls from friends to find out what was happening in his hometown.

He didn't like what he found.

"I asked myself, 'What in the world is going on in Waterloo, Iowa?'" said Holmes, the keynote speaker at KBBG-FM's 32nd annual banquet. "I kept saying the same thing: Somebody needs to talk to the youth."

Holmes did just that in his speech Saturday night at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, calling on adults to build strong foundations for their children and calling on the youths of his own generation to get an education and spiritual guidance.

"Street smarts and book smarts together will take us a lot further in life," Holmes said.

"Building Foundations for the Future" was the motto for the banquet, which each year draws hundreds of people to celebrate the ongoing success of Afro-American Community Broadcasting Inc.

The station - started by the late Jimmie Porter and his wife, current KBBG president and CEO Lou Porter - also gives back, honoring standouts in the community.

Fourth Ward Waterloo City Councilman Quentin Hart was awarded Citizen of the Year; sophomore volleyball player Haley Eckerman and wrestler Kyven Gadson, both of Waterloo East High School, were named Athletes of the Year; senior Shanrael Stoner of Waterloo East was awarded Scholastic Student of the Year with a 3.98 GPA; and Tanyeisha Austin was awarded Parent of the Year for taking care of her baby sister and propelling her to be the top student in her kindergarten class.

Special recognition awards were given to Rick Seidler, president of Allen Memorial Hospital; keynote speaker Holmes; and Payne Memorial AME Church's children's choir, Little Lambs of Faith, for performing at the banquet.

Hart told the crowd it was men like Porter who gave him a strong foundation in life.

"If it weren't for the ones who came before me - Jimmie Porter, Robert Smith - I wouldn't be half the man I am today," Hart said.