BLACK HISTORY

History Makers & History Shapers

Our Spring 2023 issue comes on the heels of Black History Month (which we celebrate 365) and Women’s His tory Month. At the BPACF, we know that contributions from Black people are not relegated to a designated “month.” We do our society a disservice if we only take 28 days to educate and celebrate the many contribu tions Black people made and continue to make.

Rev. Hilton Smith is our History Maker. For years, he’s been in the trenches, ensuring better opportunities for the Black community. LaRese Purnell and Meltrice Sharp are our History Shapers paving the way to excel lence for many to experience financial wealth and prosperity.

We hope you are inspired by their contributions and see yourself as one who will eventually make history.

nated business development and strategic marketing programs with senior executive officers within the company. Smith actively led Turner’s efforts in awarding over $22 billion dollars to thousands of minority and woman-owned business enterprises. Smith began his career in the City of Cleveland’s Health Department working for Mayor Carl B. Stokes.

Hilton O. Smith is a retired Senior Vice President for National Community Affairs for Turner Construction Company. In this role, Smith was responsible for managing the company’s corporate and national community affairs, minority and woman-owned business enterprise program, equal employment and educational programs. He coordi-

Smith is the former president of the Cleveland Branch NAACP; past Board chair of Saint Augustine’s University, Cuyahoga Community College Board of Trustees and Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Smith served on the boards of United Way, Cuyahoga Community College Board of Visitors, University Hospital, The NAACP National Foundation, and re-elected Board Chair of Saint Augustine’s University. He is an ordained minister at the Greater Abyssinia Baptist church and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology & Political Science from St. Augustine’s University. Later, he attended

Hall of Fame, University Hospital Case Medical Center’s resolution for years of service, Martin Luther King Memorial Lifetime Pioneer Award and 2004 Black Professional of the Year. He has been inducted in numerous Hall of Fames for his outstanding work in the construction industry and community involvement. He has received from six different major cities the Key to the City award. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi, Ambassadors, Vagabonds and golden life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Smith is married to Marsha, a retired principal, and CEO of Educational Solutions.