SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2022
Establish, cultivate, and strengthen consumer and business relationships; provide access to major corporateand government markets for our members to help increase business opportunities; aid in the professional development of our members; and assist in developing strategic partnerships and alliances for the purpose of strengthening and growing the African American business community.
Eric H. Kear ney
Doors Open
Cocktail Hour & Live Auction
Fashion of The Era
Dinner
Awards Ceremony
Presentation of Live Art Installation
Drawnversation
Live Auction Closing
Thank You
Dancing
(Live Music by SCPA Jazz Band of the Past & Present, ft. Dominic Alati of Queen City Concert Band)
Closing
Welcome to the Cincy Nights Gala as we honor 11 business leaders who are leading the way for our community. It’s a privilege for us to recognize their contributions to their own businesses and for their on-going support of your African American Chamber of Commerce.
I would also like to take time and celebrate the continued successes of our Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio. You will recall that earlier this year, we released the results of our groundbreaking study, “The Economic Impact of Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio Communities” which proved that the Greater Cincinnati Black businesses support more than $2.1 billion up from $1.4 billion last year.
This impressive analysis from the UC Economics Center shows a robust number of growing enterprises, jobs created, and communities positively impacted by our Black businesses. The impact of Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio communities is responsible for directly employing 5,914 people with more than $306 million in earnings throughout the Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Additionally, earnings by Black-owned businesses generate approximately $6.7 million in income tax for the state of Ohio and more than $13.5 million in fiscal impacts to the region and state.
Tonight, let us celebrate our honorees and our Black-owned Businesses in our Cincy region for their continued success in the coming year.
Thank you for joining us as your African American Chamber of Commerce celebrates 11 honorees this evening at our Cincy Nights Gala.
These awardees are chosen for their extraordinary and longstanding commitment to business, the community and the employment and promotion of African Americans in the community.
Among this year’s honorees, you will find experts in an array of industries which helps create a vibrant region and a community space fostering cohesiveness and a sense of belonging.
Last year, we introduced you to The 2046 Commission, which was founded to highlight the next 25 years of progress of Black businesses in Cincinnati and NKY. The Commission strives for ways to strengthen the foundation of Black businesses and promote the abilities of Black-owned businesses to compete in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Region and beyond. I invite you to join us as the Commission continues its progress.
Tonight, I am thrilled to celebrate the success of our honorees and to your good health and fortune in 2023.
Eric has had a career in law, business, and politics. As a state senator, Eric served as Ohio Senate Minority Leader and has championed a number of causes including adoption, children’s health, small business development, and pension reform. On a national level, Eric was a member of President Barack Obama’s national finance committee when he ran for U.S. Senate and President. He has been a leader in Ohio’s legal community and is a managing partner of Kearney & Kearney, LPA. In addition to politics and law, Eric has been a leader in the business community. He founded and built one of the largest African American owned publishing companies, Sesh Communications, which publishes The Cincinnati Herald, The Northern Kentucky Herald, The Dayton Defender, and other publications. Eric graduated from St. Xavier High School, earned a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College. He is married to Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney Esq. who is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. They have two children, Celeste (a student at Dartmouth College) and Asher.
As the chief executive of the city’s official destination sales and marketing organization, he is responsible for overseeing the promotion of Baltimore to leisure travelers and convention business, while demonstrating the impact of tourism on the city and state.Hutchinson boasts more than 30 years of experience in the destination marketing industry and has earned recognition for his leadership throughout his career. Alongside his wife Unae, he is the proud father of Asia and Jalen Hutchinson. Outside of work, Hutchinson enjoys listening to jazz music and rooting for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Founded the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc. (NABHOOD) in 2001, and currently serves as the President/CEO of the association. NABHOOD has created partnerships with many of the hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Wyndham, IHG, Best Western, Sonesta and others, with the purpose of African American interest in ownership, investing & operating. Today NABHOOD members have more than 2500 hotels both domestically and internationally with an expectation of that number increasing by over 1,000 hotels in the next five to seven years. Its mission statement “to increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels; increase vendor opportunities and executive level jobs for minorities thereby creating wealth within the African-American community”.
As the Founder and CEO of Peerro, a career pathway management system that connects employers, schools, training organizations, governments and non-profits via one platform, Dr. Rachel Angel doesn’t work to make a living, she lives to work. She received a Pharm.D. degree from Hampton University at the age of 24. She decided to launch a nonprofit organization to empower the youth by introducing them to new opportunities. Essentially it was the catalyst for what would become Peerro. “We exist to provide access as well as actionable instruction and education to individuals seeking a seat at the proverbial table”
As a self-described introvert, she credits events with helping her to find her voice. Simone utilizes her formal background and education in organizational development and logistics management to create and execute event experiences. As a four-time venue owner in the event and creative space, Simone councils other event industry professionals through one on one coaching and consulting, she uses her background to help event space owners create systems and hone in on business operations that allow them to scale and sustain the volatility of the event industry. Her ultimate passion lies in her mission to disruptwhat it means to be a BIPOC entrepreneur in the event and hospitality industry. She is on a mission to create intentional venue spaces that function as ecosystems, a place for other BIPOC event vendors to be able to conduct business.This can be seen in her work with, The NoirCollective a platform aimed at providing a collective voice for BIPOCevent and creative businesses to identify key hurdles faced in theevents and hospitality industry.
Owner, Event Maven, & Creative Director Social B. & Co Hospitality, BASH | The Art of Gathering Owner, Peero
Owner, AJL Group
She has a Bachelor’s in Architecture and Engineering and 35 years of working in the construction industry. She is now owner of a roofing, sheet metal and safety business.
Owner, DNK Architects
David is the award-winning principal-in-charge architect at DNK Architects with over 40 years of experience in a range of public and municipal projects. Since 1986 he has been President/CEO of DNK (DNK Architects, Inc.). Guinette is Vice President of DNK where she has more than 20 years of experience in professional services business development and marketing. Through their leadership they have had many various projects throughout the city that support economic development and entrepreneurship.
Owner, Diversified Facility Solutions
Mr. Drane has over 40 years of Corporate Operational Management experience as a successful business owner. He currently serves as President / CEO of DFS -Diversified Facility Solutions LLC, a Cincinnati-based Federal Government Contractor and Project Management firm. Emmett is also the founding partner and President of the Board of Managers, D360 -Diverisified360, a full-service facility management firm.
A veteran public relations strategist and communications professional strategist, Laura has offered strategic planning, press/influencer relations and marketing communications services to a wide variety of government, corporate, non-profit agencies. She is a graduate of Xavier University and Antioch University. Laura has been named Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati, Venue Media Woman of Influence and was an Athena International Finalist for professional excellence in assisting women in leadership development and the attainment of professional excellence and skills.
Life-long Cincinnati resident having been in the Construction industry for over 40 years, it goes without saying that good business leaders need to maintain and develop a dynamic sense of what it means to be collaborative. Respect plays such an important role in overcoming hurdles and advancing forward with effective synergy. At MBJ we are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and a commitment to equality by raising the awareness of the value of a diverse workforce. MBJ’s diversified project portfolio has substantiated the company’s success and allowed us to play a part in the landscape of community growth and progress.
A full service staffing company That provides skilled and unskilled labor to various industries in the Tri-state area Innovative also provides janitorial service and construction cleaning. Innovative is a second chance company And works to remove the obstacles that have kept many out of the workforce such as transportation,day care, and Criminal records. Removing these barriers has Allowed an Innovative to have an unlimited untapped pool of labor.
Sam graduated with a Masters Degree from Xavier University. He is a Founding Member of Legacy Acquisitions and a MORTAR Board Member. Sam was the former P&G Global Design Director, and current President of Ionic Communications Group. At Ionic, they build brands and strategies based on your business objectives and your tactics. They create powerful, targeted design that exceeds expectations the first time, every time. He specializes in Branding, Packaging, Promotional, and Web - Design. He is a mentor and volunteers his time every week at the chamber for website consultations for several small business owners.
to all of our sponsors, AACC Board & Staff, Simone Charles, Phillip Bufford, Gina Ruffin Moore the live entertainment, vendors, and guests!
Phillip Bufford
Writer/Director of “Dear Love” TV series, Career Services Director Ohio Media School, and Unplugged Magazine
Gina Ruffin Moore
Public Relations, Author, Owner of Get Me on Media (GMOM),Historian
Social B. & Co. Hospitality Group
Owner, Simone Charles socialbandco.com
Valor and Virtue Productions
Owner, Myra Walker www.VandVproductions.com
Revolution Dance Theatre
Owner, David Choate Jr. https://www.revodance.com/
Drawnversation
Owner, Brandon Black https://drawnvo.blogspot.com/
KINGSME Menswear and Tuxedos Owner, Larry Scott (513).873.7178
Malijah Lee Music (513).440.667
Refined Vision Digital Media
Owner, Joshua James refinedvisionmedia.com
Prestige AV & Creative Services
President & CEO, Tony Ramstetter https://prestigeav.com/
Southern Grace Catering
Owner, Nickey Nicole Stevenson https://www.southerngracecincy.com/
Midwest Mobile Cigar Lounge
Owner, Nakia Black https://mmclounge.com/
School for Creative & Performing Arts
https://scpa.cps-k12.org/
Shanghai Images
Owner, Terrance Marshall shotbyshanghai.com
Captived Impressions
Owner, Erica Griffin captivatedimpressions.site
Cristina Bates 1111
Poet 27
Owner, Lynn Wood https://drawnvo.blogspot.com/
Music Hall Cincinnati
https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/music-hall
Eric H. Kearney | he/him/his AACC President & CEO
Deborah Davis | she/her/hers Cincinnati MBAC Regional Director
Vanessa Enoch | she/her/hers Director of Accounting & Fiscal Services
Gregory Parker | he/him/his Director of Membership Services
Briston Mitchell | she/her/hers Director of Transformative Initiatives and Relationships
Cheniece Wilson | she/her/ella Social Media Manager
Marlene Fout | she/her/hers MBAC Business Advisor & Appalachian Outreach Specialist
Vanita Ellington | she/her/hers Cincinnati MBAC Outreach Coordinator
Jill McCauley | she/her/hers
Businesss CounselorTechnical Assistance & Outreach
Annette Tarver | she/her/hers Businesss CounselorTechnical Assistance & Outreach
James Pullins | he/they Programs Coordinator & Content Creator
Jason Dunn, Chair Executive Vice President | Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
Erica N. White, Esq., Vice Chair Transaction Tax Manager | CBTS
Royce A. Sutton, Treasurer Senior Vice President | Ohio CED Market Manager, Fifth Third Bank
Apryl M. Pope, Secretary Financial Advisor | Pope Financial Planning, LLC
Charles Gerhardt, III, Esq. President | Government Strategies Group, LLC
Cedric Newberry President | Meineke Car Care
Morgan A. Owens CEO/Founder | MAO Brands
Larissa England Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Partner | E.W. Scripps
Gregory J. Webb President | Northside Supply and Orders
Garri Davis President | Water Lily Learning Center LLC
Mike Sipple, Jr. President | Centennial, Inc. Talent Magnet Institute
Shannon D. Lawson Attorney | Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
Marcus E. Margerum COO | Contemporary Arts Center
Erica Parker Head of US Employee Relations | Doordash
Marcus L. Thompson Community Development Menager | Skanska USA
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Cincinnati Preschool Promise’s 3-, 4- and 5-star Step Up to Quality-rated Preschools which are enrolling new students are available in the following neighborhoods. Check out website for a complete list.
Central Neighborhoods: Avondale, Clifton, Corryville, Downtown, Evanston, Mt. Auburn, Over-the-Rhine (OTR), Walnut Hills and the West End
North Neighborhoods: Bond Hill, College Hill, Kennedy Heights, Madisonville, Pleasant Ridge, Roselawn and North Avondale
West Side Neighborhoods: East Price Hill, East Westwood, Mt. Airy, West Price Hill, Westwood, Winton Hills, Millvale and Lower Price Hill
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