presents
The Black Business
2020 SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 “Impacting Our Culture By Inspiring Greatness.”
WELCOME FROM JASON DUNN BOARD CHAIR
Thank you for joining us, albeit virtually, as the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) celebrates seven Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky entrepreneurs as they are inducted into the Black Business Hall of Fame. These inductees are trailblazers in their respective industries. They are chosen for their extraordinary and longstanding commitment to business, the community and the employment and promotion of African Americans in the community. They show outstanding support of the Chamber’s mission and vision and are passionate about growing the vitality of their businesses and our neighborhoods. These leaders not only promote diversity in our community, their businesses exemplify Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s great diversity of industries. Among the 2020 honorees, you will find experts in childcare, custom awards and graphic design, leadership and diversity, motion picture distribution, personnel and shoeshine. A wide variety of industries helps our region during challenging times, like the one we’re experiencing now. We wish to thank The Perfect Brew for our shoebox dinners for this event. These are a historic reminder during this historic time. As you likely know, segregation laws during the 1890s through 1965 made eating while traveling a difficult task for people of color. Black women would often pack old shoeboxes with affordable but delicious items that would travel well. These include cold fried chicken, boiled eggs, ham sandwiches, sweet potato pie, pound cake, and fruits and vegetables. The box lunches provided nourishment for the soul and stomach of black travelers on buses, trains and long car trips. As we aren’t able to travel to an in-person Black Business Hall of Fame celebration, your African American Chamber is excited that this event could be boxed-up and sent along with you, wherever you might be. Even though we’re apart, we’re excited that we can join together to congratulate our 2020 inductees.
WELCOME FROM ERIC KEARNEY PRESIDENT & CEO
2020 has provided us with moments of melancholy – and scatterings of hope. We’ve been presented with great challenges and found opportunity for great change. As you likely know, the coronavirus pandemic is determined to shutter many small businesses - and it’s disproportionately hurting black-owned small businesses. Black-owned businesses also received far fewer benefits from federal stimulus programs. Your Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce has been, and will continue to be, steadfast in its course of action. We are working to save a generation of minority small businesses in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. To do this, we partnered with MORTAR and others to create the Minority Business Emergency Assistance Fund, designed to help minority business owners negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis. As of Aug. 15, the fund had raised thousands of dollars through crowdfunding, corporate giving and community collaborations. Many small business owners have learned that they need stronger ties with bankers, accountants and lawyers. That’s why the Chamber has focused its efforts on virtual programming that will help members grow and maintain those types of relationships. Next month, the Cincinnati Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) will present the 2020 We Mean Business Virtual Conference, funded by the State of Ohio. The free online event, more relevant than ever, will feature workshops and networking for all small businesses, Sep. 14-16. Attendees will learn about the impact of racial and economic disparities on business ownership, how to position companies for the future and how to build banking relationships and apply for Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. Small to medium-sized businesses will leave better equipped to pivot, seize opportunities and become more competitive in this time of uncertainty. MBAC was also recognized with the Outreach Award by the Minority Business Development Division and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. The award acknowledges the work of MBAC in providing relevant outreach services to small businesses through its weekly radio show, The Resource Network! Each week, the Resource Network! provides a platform for local businesses to share their stories, seek advice from local experts, engage in innovative conversations and provide on air strategy sessions for business owners. Our nation is flawed and extraordinary. Its people are resilient and ready for change. As we work together to end a pandemic and find a cure for racism, we ask that you continue your support of small and local black businesses. Your efforts will sustain families and grow the vibrancy of our communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2020 HONOREES
TERRI C. ENGLAND Owner - New Horizons Child Care Center terriengland69@gmail.com 513.673.8358 Terri C. England has been the president/administrator of New Horizons Business Inc., dba New Horizons Child Care Center, for 40 years. Located in the neighborhood of Evanston, the Center serves more than 100 children from seven communities in the Cincinnati area, and has earned a Five Star Quality Rating. Ms. England continues to advocate for best practices and high-quality in early childhood education and childcare. Ms. England sits of the board of the Cincinnati Preschool Promise, Promise Forward and 4C for Children. She recently received the Unsung Heroine Award from the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Epsilon Lambda Sigma Chapter; the Keeping the Faith Award from the saving Grace Community Church. Additionally, she was recently nominated for the 2020 Evanston Honorees Gala. She is very active in her church, The Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Avondale, the Evanston Community Council, and volunteering in community service projects. Terri England holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Early Childhood Education, from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Education, Early Childhood Studies, from the Union Institute and University. She is married to Joseph England. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
2020 HONOREES
ROBERT HUMPHRIES CEO - RLH Productions rhumphries1@fuse.net 513.368.8108 Robert L. Humphries is a native of Covington, Kentucky. He is a graduate of Holmes High School and attended Eastern Kentucky University on a wrestling scholarship. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1970 where he served proudly with the 109th Elite Military Platoon, the 377th Military Police company, the award-winning Color Guard unit and as Military Police Investigator. He returned to a 10-year career in insurance, followed by stints with Hamilton County Juvenile Court and later as sergeant overseeing the Security for Child Support, Custody and Dependency Hearings. Robert received his State of Ohio private investigator license in 1989 and has provided protective service details for Yolanda Adams, Yolanda King, former NAACP president Kweisi Mfume and Vanessa Williams. He provided security for Senator Barack Obama’s visit to Cincinnati’s Westin Hotel and was requested to serve as a driver in Sen. Obama’s motorcade. Robert and his wife of 35 years, Jacqueline, founded and produced the Miss Black Cincinnati Pageant and the Miss Black Teen Cincinnati Pageant. Additionally, Robert developed “Back on the Block Citywide Youth Talent Show,” “Say No to Drugs Back to School Summer Jam Festival,” and the Melrose YMCA Summer Fest. For the past five years, he has served as the chairperson for the annual Friends of The Cincinnati Herald Holiday Concert. Mr. Humphries sat on several boards and has received honors and awards including the Cincinnati Herald/WIZF Unsung Hero Award, Midwest Black Family Reunion Family of the Year, the I Hear Music in the Air Legend Award, and the Keep the Dream Alive Award. Robert and Jackie were foster parents for 25 years. They have four children and five grandchildren.
2020 HONOREES
ANGELITA M. JONES CEO - Eastern Personnel Services, Inc. ajones@easternhires.com 513.421.4666 Angelita M. Jones is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Personnel Services, Inc., a fullservice Staffing Firm since 1987, specializing in the recruitment and placement of temporary, contract, and professional personnel. As CEO, Ms. Jones has strategically and successfully guided Eastern’s growth in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Georgia – including the addition of a new Vending Machine Division (available for schools, business, and recreation areas) and the production and development of a cadre of training materials. These tools include videos designed to assist workers to enhance their skills. She is also the author of Outside The Box, “A Small Guide for Small Business Owners.” Ms. Jones’ professional accolades and accomplishments include Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, YWCA Career Woman of Achievement, Mayor’s Hometown Hero Award, Leading Women’s Award, Project Blueprint’s Alumni Achievement Award, Woman Over the Rhine Honoree Award, the Unsung Heroine Award from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, DaDa Rafiki Award, CEG Business of the Year Award, Phenomenal Woman Award, Sustainability Award from the City of Cincinnati, Hero of the Year Award from the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit, Top Business of the Year from the Collective Empowerment Group (four times), Community Service Award from I Hear Music’s Legend’s Ball, City Beat Spectrum Award (five years in a row). Additionally, Ms. Jones has received several awards in interior design. She is listed several times in Who’s Who, American Business Society, Who’s Who, Executive and Professionals, and Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati. She currently serves as Chair of the Union Baptist Trustee Board, Vice President of Union’s Usher Ministry and Financial Secretary of the Top Ladies of Distinction. She also sits on the Mayor’s Gender Equality Task Force, Professional Women’s Society and is a SCORE Counselor. She is a graduate of of McConnel AL, Leadership Cincinnati and Tuck at Dartmouth.
2020 HONOREES
LLOYD LOCKETT Owner - Kings and Queens Shoe Shine 513.499.4898 513.410.7992 - Son, Justin Lloyd Lockett was inspired by his mother to enter the shoeshine profession. She introduced Lloyd to Mr. Porter, a self-employed gentleman. Mr. Porter was one of the first African Americans to own a house in Evanston. Mr. Lockett has worked at CVG airport for nearly 50 years. He began working for a shoeshine business before founding his own company, Kings and Queens Shoe Shine, in 1985. In the last 35 years, he has employed close to 30 individuals. He prides himself and training “respectful” people who will honor King and Queens’ business code - no drinking, no smoking, no cursing. Mr. Lockett believes his employees are a reflection of him and his business. Thanks to this professionalism, Kings and Queens Shoe Shine has quite a few repeat customers. Many will arrive early for a flight to get a shoeshine from Lloyd. Often, Lloyd and his team are the only conversation a traveler may have before boarding a plane. Over the years, some of Mr. Lockett’s favorite people have been the late Dr. O’Neal and Dr. O’Dell Owens. Dr. Owens continues to be a great influence and greater friend to Mr. Lockett. Lloyd and his wife LaVonne have enjoyed 43 years of marriage. They have one son, Justin, who is a tremendous help with various aspects of the Kings and Queens Shoe Shine business. Additionally, Lloyd and LaVonne have one grandson and two granddaughters. Mr. Lockett is still inspired by his 92-year-old mother. He enjoys spending time with her and his large, tight-knit, extended family, most of whom live in the Cincinnati area.
2020 HONOREES
IRIS & JESSE ROLEY
Jesse and Iris Roley opened RoSho Awards and Graphics in January of 2001 located in Jordan’s Crossings in Bond Hill. The business was located in the mall for 10 years before moving to its current location on Langdon Farm Road. By its second year, RoSho was a one stop shop offering not only awards & recognition, but banners, screen printing, embroidery, business cards/flyers, promotional items and more. It also provided summer employment for young people, Black on Black business development and more. Fueled by the economic engine of Rosho Awards & Graphics, Ms. Roley could concentrate on social justice. As the project manager for the Cincinnati Black United Front (CBUF), in November 2000, she implemented a plan of action to address the deaths of two unarmed black men by Cincinnati Police. Ms. Roley and the CBUF led the effort to mobilize Cincinnati’s African American community to collect, and document over 400 reported instances of police brutality and misconduct. The documentation was the catalyst to creating the Historic Collaborative Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Cincinnati and the Department of Justice. It is the only settlement in the country that includes community members as participants in how public safety is designed and implemented with a focus on problem solving for communities and police. Jesse and Iris Roley are both native Cincinnatians. Both attended public high schools; Jesse, Cincinnati Academy of Math and Science (Woodward HS, 1983); Iris, The Cincinnati Zoo Academy (Hughes HS, 1982). Jesse holds two Associate Degrees from Cincinnati State and Technical College. Jesse and Iris Roley were married in 1994. They are proud parents of three children and five grandchildren.
2020 HONOREES
ROLAND WEST President - Empire Strategies, Inc. rolanddwest@aol.com 513.772.2037 - Office 513.633.5951 - Cell
Roland West is among the nation’s best-known consultants on the topics of diversity and leadership. He is listed in Who’s Who of the Top American Business Executives and has been a featured speaker on leadership for the state of Illinois, the University of Michigan, Alcoa, Pitney Bowes, Los Alamos National Laboratories, and GE. Prior to becoming an organizational development consultant specializing in the area of personnel diversity and inclusion, he received valuable business experience in manufacturing as a plant manager, and in marketing as a product manager with Fortune 500 companies. Mr. West spent eight years as a management consultant with a private consulting firm, holding the positions of senior management consultant and vice president. He has trained thousands of managers and executives throughout the United States for such organizations as Citicorp, Aetna, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Public Schools, Honeywell, ESPN and Disney, Cummins, and others. Empire Strategies, Inc. has also provided services globally in places such as China, India, Australia, and Brazil. Mr. West was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Cincinnati and did his graduate work at the Governors State University, majoring in marketing and finance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education and an MBA in business administration. Mr. West was an All-American basketball player in college before starting his business career. He played professional basketball for the Baltimore Bullets. He is currently a member of the National Black MBA Association, Inc., U-Cats, the Baltimore Bullets Alumni Association, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
2020
CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
JULIAN RODGERS Owner - JRODG GROUP
Julian Rodgers is a restauranteur, brand ambassador, nightlife architect, promoter and social influencer. He is an activist and visionary. With the mantra, “We got us,” he works to help other Black owned businesses flourish and grow. Mr. Rodgers known to many as “Jay Rodg” has been working to make Cincinnati’s entertainment landscape more inclusive for Black professionals for nearly two decades. He is a pioneer in the revitalization and development of the Over the Rhine (OTR) entertainment district. Rodgers became the only Black owned restaurant operator in OTR, 13 years ago. That’s when he created the Mixx Ultra Lounge, the only Black Owned sushi bar and lounge in the Midwest. He currently has the largest entertainment footprint in OTR with Treehouse patio bar, OTR Live & Copa Lounge/Restaurant. Tired of Cincinnati being skipped by Black concerts and tours, Mr. Rodgers set out to change that as well. As a concert promoter, he has produced shows in Cincinnati for Erykah Badu, Common, Drake, Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Miguel and Nick Cannon. In 2015, Mr. Rodgers created Cincy Soul: The Black Taste, a food festival to help promote Black owned bars and restaurants in Cincinnati. Held in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati on Cincinnati Music Festival weekend, the event has seen more than 200 vendors and 200,000 attendees in the last five years. Cincy Soul is on its way to being one of the largest Black owned & operated culinary festivals in the country. In 2019, Mr. Rodgers opened the only Black owned gas station in Cincinnati at the corner of Winton and North Bend.
PAST HONOREES 2018
Cynthia Booth - COBCO Enterprises Calvin Buford - Dinsmore and Shohl Karen Cooper - OneBridge Howard Elliott - Elliot Management Consulting Clarence Howell - Clarence Howell Shoe Repair
2017
Howard Bond - Entrepreneur Steven Hightower - Hightowers Petroleum Cookie and Duane Hudson - Hudson Brother’s Dry Cleanerss Devan Johnson - Incredible Creations Salon Dr. Chester Pryor, II - Opthamologist Dr. Janet Reid - BRBS World, LLC
2016
Williams Cargile, III - Cargile Construction Robert O’Neal - Artist Marjorie Parham - Publisher Cincinnati Herald Julian and Gayle Renfro - Renfo Funeral Home Archie Sherman - Sherman Florist C. Smith - Smith Photography Schuyler Smith - Acme Construction Services Horace Sudduth - Owner of Manse Hotel
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Guardian Savings Bank is proud to sponsor the AACC Black Business Hall of Fame Congratulations to all honorees.
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