Lydia G. Duke, president and dealer operator of Duke Automotive Group in Suffolk, has been selected to receive a Ray of Hope award in November.

The award will be presented during the Ray of Hope Awards Gala from 7 p.m. to midnight Nov. 6 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel. All proceeds raised during the annual event, which includes a silent auction, will go to the Hampton Roads Youth Center, a residential and education home for troubled youth located on Kenyon Road.

Duke shares the Ray of Hope Awards designation with Oriana McKinnon, Betsy Karotkin, Cynthia Katz and Mary Louis Campbell LeHew. They are being honored for their community service and active roles in improving the lives of young people in Hampton Roads.

After her husband Ray’s death, Duke became vice president for what was then Duke Oldsmobile-Cadillac Corp. Under her tenure, the dealership grew, and earned several awards, including being named Small Business of the Year for both the City of Suffolk and Hampton Roads.

The dealership also was recognized by Buick with its Best in Class dealer award, as well as with numerous customer satisfaction and sales awards given by Buick.

Duke has been active in a variety of community and civic activities.

She is a recipient of a state of Virginia Beautification award, and received the Virginia Department of Conservation and Historic Resources Division of Litter Control Workshop Coordinator award.

She serves on the board of directors for Paul D. Camp Community College, and has been on the board of directors for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of South Hampton Roads.

She supports local charities, including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the American Red Cross.