The University Area Community Development Corporation held its annual awards ceremony on Friday.

The group honored some of the Bay area's most notable community leaders and sports legends.

Among them are CBA basketball player DeCarlo Deveaux, former NFL player Martin Gramatica and founder of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Doctor Samuel Lamar Wright.

The groups chairman, Gene Marshall, said the event celebrates community service.

"Some really great people in the community that have given back to the community, and we're celebrating great service to this community," said Marshall. "So we want to recognize them to make people understand that service is what we're all about."

Proceeds from the gala will go to Bay area families in need.