Then and Now – Board of Directors

TASK FORCE MEMBERS 1995

Joan Jones John Madison Tony Ross Grace White Dolly Williams

CHAIRS 1996–PRESENT

Joe Parris 2020–Present Carlo Simmons 2018–2020 Cynthia Dorrington 2013–2018 Greg Browning 2010–2013 Cassandra Dorrington 2006–2010 Garnet Wright 2005–2006 Mike Wyse 2003–2005 Barbara Miller-Manning 2001–2003 Gordon Tynes 1997–2001 Hector Jacques 1996–1997

2020–2021 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rustum Southwell Joe Parris ............. Chair Yemi Akindoju Deborah Windsor Carlo Simmons Bruce Johnson Burtley Francis Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu Kenny Duncan Margo Hampden Andrew De Freitas Amanda Sparkes

BBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington Cynthia Dorrington Deborah Windsor Paul Walter Rustum Southwell Sylvia Parris Tracey Thomas Yemi Akindoju Carlo Simmons

BBCIFL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rustum Southwell Andrea Jackson Ann Divine David Eisnor Greg Nazaire Joe Parris Paul Walter Sylvia Parris-Drummond

BIJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rustum Southwell Tracey Thomas Joe Parris Marissa Walter Samantha Parris Shaquille Smith Jocelyn Dorrington

BBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rustum Southwell Paul Walter Barbara Manning-Miller Denise Doucet Issmat Al-Akhali Nicole Johnson-Morrison Saeed El-Darahali Vivek Sood

2019–2020 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carlo Simmons ......... Chair Amanda Sparkes Bruce Johnson Burtley Francis Cynthia Dorrington Deborah Windsor Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu Joe Parris Ross Simmonds Rustum Southwell Yemi Akindoju

BBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington Cynthia Dorrington Deborah Windsor Paul Walter Rustum Southwell Sylvia Parris Tracey Thomas Yemi Akindoju Carlo Simmons

BIJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jocelyn Dorrington Joe Parris Marissa Walter Rustum Southwell Samantha Parris Shaquille Smith Tracey Thomas

BBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barbara Manning Issmat Al-akhali Milton Williams Nicole Johnson-Morrison Paul Walter Rustum Southwell Saeed El-darahali

BBCIFL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Andrea Jackson Ann Divine David Eisnor Greg Browning Greg Nazaire Joe Parris Njabulo Nkala Paul Walter Rustum Southwell Sylvia Parris-Drummond

2018–2019 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tracey Thomas ......... Chair Joe Parris ..........Past Chair Rustum Southwell ....Vice Chair Jocelyn Dorrington ..... Member Marissa Walter........ Member Samantha Parris ...... Member

BBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington ..... Chair Cynthia Dorrington... Secretary / . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Rustum Southwell ... Vice Chair, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CEO (Interim) Paul Walter .......... Member Tracey Thomas ....... Member Sylvia Parris-Drummond ..Member Deborah Windsor HR & Governance Yemi Akindoju ... Audit and Risk

BBC BOARD MEMBERS

Paul Walter ............ Chair Rustum Southwell CEO (Interim), . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Chair Milton Williams ....... Member Barbara Miller-Manning . Member Nicole lohnson-Morrison. Member Saeed El-Darahali ..... Member

BBCIFL BOARD MEMBERS

Sylvia Parris-Drummond ... Chair David Eisnor ........Past Chair Ann Divine .........Vice Chair Andrea Jackson ...... Treasurer Miranda Mavhunga ... Secretary Greg Nazaire ......... Member Greg Browning........ Member Paul Walter .......... Member Joe Parris ........... Member Rustum Southwell ..... Member Njabulo Nkala ........ Member

2017–2018 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Dorrington....... Chair Yemi Akindoju ....... Treasurer Deborah Windsor ...... Member Ross Simmonds....... Member April Howe .......... Member Burtley Francis ....... Member Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu . Member Leslie Amegavie.. NSBI Resource Matthew Johnson Resource Member Rustum Southwell . . . . . . .CEO (Interim)/Ex-Officio Charles Sheppard ..... Member

BBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington ......Chair Cynthia Dorrington.....Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Rustum Southwel ....Vice Chair, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CEO (Interim) Paul Walter, Member Joe Parris, Member David Eisnor, Member Deborah Windsor . . . . . . . . . . . .HR & Governance Yemi Akindoju, Audit and Risk

BBCIFL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Eisnor ............Chair Sylvia Parris .........Secretary Greg Nazaire ......... Treasurer Ann Divine .......... Member Greg Browning........ Member Paul Walter .......... Member Joe Parris ........... Member Andrea Jackson ....... Member Rustum Southwell ..... Member Miranda Mavhunga .... Member Njabulo Nkala ........ Member

BIJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe Parris ..............Chair Rustum Southwell CEO (Interim), . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice-Chair Jocelyn Dorrington ..... Member Bruce Johnson........ Member Tracey Thomas ....... Member Keisha Jefferies....... Member Terry Dixon .......... Member Samantha Parris ...... Member

BBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Walter .............Chair Rustum Southwell CEO (Interim), . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Chair Carlo Simmons ....... Member Milton Williams ....... Member Barbara Miller-Manning . Member Nicole Johnson-Morrison Member Dr. Mary Kilfoil ....... Member Saeed El-Darahali ..... Member

2016–2017 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Dorrington....... Chair Eleanor Beaton ......Vice Chair Yemi Akindoju ....... Treasurer Rustum Southwell ........ CEO Deborah Windsor ...... Member Ross Simmonds....... Member April Howe .......... Member Charles Sheppard ..... Member Burtley Francis ....... Member Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu . Member Dale Proude .... NSBI Resource Matthew Johnson Resource Member Sandra Watts-Wilson Resource ACOA

BBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington ......Chair Cynthia Dorrington.... Secretary / . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Rustum Southwell..Vice Chair, CEO Paul Walter .......... Member Joe Parris ........... Member David Eisnor ......... Member Deborah Windsor. HR & Governance Yemi Akindoju .... Audit and Risk

BIJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe Parris ..............Chair Rustum Southwell .... Vice Chair Jocelyn Dorrington ..... Member Bruce Johnson........ Member Tracey Thomas ....... Member Keisha Jefferies....... Member Terry Dixon .......... Member Samantha Parris ...... Member

BBCIFL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Eisnor ............Chair Sylvia Parris .........Secretary Gregory Nazaire ....... Treasurer Greg Browning........ Member Joe Parris ........... Member Rustum Southwell ..... Member Paul Walter .......... Member Njabulo Nkala ........ Member Ann Divine .......... Member Miranda Mavhunga .... Member Andrea Jackson ....... Member

BBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Walter .............Chair Rustum Southwell .... Vice Chair Carlo Simmons ....... Member Milton Williams ....... Member Issmat Al-Akhali ...... Member Barbara Miller-Manning . Member Nicole Johnson-Morrison Member Dr. Mary Kilfoil ....... Member

2015–2016 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Dorrington Eleanor Beaton Yemi Akindoju Deborah Windsor Ross Simmonds April Howe Charles Sheppard Burtley Francis Paul Pettipas Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu Sandra Watts-Wilson Resource ACOA Dale Proude .. Resource Member Matthew Johnson Resource Member

2014–2015 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Dorrington Eleanor Beaton Yemi Akindoju Shirley Robinson-Levering Mike Wyse Deborah Windsor Ross Simmonds April Howe Charles Sheppard Burtley Francis Paul Pettipas Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu Sandra Watts-Wilson Resource ACOA Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT Matthew Johnson Resource Member Margo Hampden Resource Member Joseph Nyemah .. Resource ERDT

2013–2014 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Dorrington Eleanor Beaton Yemi Akindoju Shirley Robinson-Levering Mike Wyse Deborah Windsor Ross Simmonds April Howe Charles Sheppard Burtley Francis Paul Pettipas Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu Sandra Watts-Wilson Resource ACOA Brian Watson Matthew Johnson Resource Member

2012–2013 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Greg Browning Candace Thomas Andrews Oppong Shirley Robinson-Levering Deborah Windsor Pat Ryan Robert Browning Eleanor Beaton Cynthia Dorrington Ross Simmonds Milton Williams Mike Wyse Sandra Watts-Wilson Resource ACOA Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT Wendy MacIntyre . . . . . . . Resource Service Canada

2011–2012 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Greg Browning Candace Thomas Dr. Andrews Oppong Shirley Robinson-Levering Jocelyn Dorrington Milton Williams Pat Ryan Chuck Smith Eleanor Beaton Robert Browning Cynthia Dorrington Rustum Southwell

2010–2011 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Greg Browning Candace Thomas Dr. Andrews Oppong .. Treasurer Shirley Robinson-Levering ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary Jocelyn Dorrington Milton Williams Pat Ryan Chuck Smith Eleanor Beaton Robert Browning Cynthia Dorrington Rustum Southwell Mike Hayes .... Resource ACOA Rose Stevenson-Davidson . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT

2009–2010 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington Rustum Southwell Joe Parris Greg Browning Shirley Robinson-Levering Jocelyn Dorrington Milton Williams Candace Thomas Dr. Andrews Oppong Pat Ryan Chuck Smith Robert Browning Eleanor Beaton Mike Hayes .... Resource ACOA Rose Stevenson-Davidson . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT Sandra Watts-Wilson Resource ACOA Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT Wendy Macintyre . . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Margo Hampden Resource Member Joseph Nyemah . Resource ERDT

2008–2009 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington Rustum Southwell Joe Parris Greg Browning Shirley Robinson-Levering Jocelyn Dorrington Milton Williams Candace Thomas Dr. Andrews Oppong Pat Ryan Chuck Smith Robert Browning Eleanor Beaton Barbara Ann-Simmons Mike Hayes Resource ACOA Rose Davidson . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT

2007–2008 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington Rustum Southwell Joe Parris Greg Browning Jocelyn Dorrington Garnet Wright Candace Thomas Dr. Andrews Oppong Milton Williams Shirley Robinson-Levering Barbara Ann Simmons Pat Ryan Mike Hayes .... Resource ACOA Rose Davidson ............. . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT

2006–2007 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cassandra Dorrington Rustum Southwell Mike Hayes .... Resource ACOA Bruce Johnson Carlo Simmons Garnet Wright Joe Parris Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT Rose Davidson . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Jocelyn Dorrington Greg Browning Candace Thomas Milton Williams Andrews Oppong Shirley Robinson-Levering

1996–2005 BBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Percy Paris Richard Bartolo Regina James Cheryl Munroe... Resource ACOA Leonard Parsons William Reddick Lynn Crawford Geraldine Browning Rudolph Ffrench Paul Walter Silas Kpolugbo George Doleman . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Nancy Ives ..... Resource ERDT Daurene Lewis Theresa Halfkenny Jesslyn Dalton . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Rustum Southwell Mike Hayes .... Resource ACOA Cassandra Dorrington Bruce Johnson Carlo Simmons Brian Watson ... Resource ERDT Joe Parris Rose Davidson . . . . . . Resource Service Canada Jocelyn Dorrington Greg Browning Candace Thomas Milton Williams Andrews Oppong

Halifax International Airport Authority

Photography by Meghan Tansey Whitton

On behalf of the entire team at Halifax

International Airport Authority (HIAA), I’d like to

send our sincere congratulations to the Black Business Initiative (BBI) on celebrating 25

incredible years! BBI’s countless contributions

to Black business development in Nova Scotia

have immensely improved the vibrancy and

strength of the local business community. As

you celebrate this significant milestone, please know HIAA is grateful for your

support and partnership over the past quarter century. We look forward to

celebrating your continued success for many, many years to come!

Joyce Carter, President & CEO

Halifax Partnership

Halifax Partnership extends our warmest

congratulations to the Black Business Initiative

on the celebration of your 25th anniversary.

This significant milestone marks BBI’s long-

standing commitment to, and positive impact

in, supporting the growth and success of Black-

owned businesses in our city and province.

BBI is an incredible champion and catalyst for

Black entrepreneurship, business development, and economic prosperity.

Halifax Partnership is honoured to partner with BBI in realizing your vision of

creating a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within Nova Scotia’s business

community and economy, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration.

Wendy Luther, President and CEO