Papa Dia | Founder & Executive Director African Leadership Group
This year’s theme is “Immigration, Integration and Civic Participation”.
Welcome to the African Leadership Group (ALG) Business Pitch Night
On behalf of the African Leadership Group (ALG) planning and organizing committee, Board of Directors, and all our community members, we want to extend a heart-felt thank you for coming to ALG Business Pitch Night 2022. We are celebrating the accomplishments of all the contestants; they are all winners! As always, you will see shining examples of African immigrants at their very best, contributing greatly to this nation, our state, and our local communities. This is what the world needs to see. This is what the world needs to know….. This is what ALG is all about! Afrik Impact Mission: To celebrate the impact of the African Immigrants in the state of Colorado and to honor our accomplishments. With a focus on social, educational and economic impact, the African Leadership Group hosts a major Fundraising event each year. The purpose of this event is to celebrate our collective accomplishments, recognize our community champions, and cast the vision for our next year of policy and advocacy work. In addition, Afrik Impact is part of our public persuasion campaign to have the State of Colorado issue a proclamation to officially establish August as African Immigrant Month. In all of this, we celebrate loud and proud, the positive impact of African people in Colorado and honor our contributions.
ALG BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEMBER
Dr. Jamal Bowen | Entrepreneurship Workshop Instructor Founder, Empowering Community Entrepreneurs
Dr. Jamal Bowen is a proud father and man that loves his community. Dr. Bowen has the heart to serve.
Dr. Jamal Bowen was inspired to start a business called, “Empowering Community Entrepreneurs.” In 2016, the vision of this program is to create events that encourage, teach, and mentor young adults to proactively generate business ideas and construct a plan of action to make them successful. The purpose was to train entrepreneurs with specific tools that would produce outward thinking to maintain a business of progression.
Dr. Bowen served as an Observer/ Women’s Situation Women (WSR) 2017 Legislative and Presidential elections in Monrovia, Liberia and Abidjan, Cote d’lvoire (West Africa) in OctoberNovember 2017. He participated in the preparations for the Women’s Situation Room for the Liberian Presidential and Legislative elections effective Oct 2017 and its actual operationalization. Assisted Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development International Peace and Security by reviewing its support to youth and designing improved programs for maximum effectiveness. Assisted with preparation for the Release of the Educational Board Game at the African Development Bank (AFDB) and actual support of the Release in Abidjan, Cote d’lvoire and implications thereof.
Dr. Bowen currently serves as the First-Year Experience/Advanced Academic Achievement Program Chair at the Community College of Denver. He also teaches Business and Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the African Leadership Group (ALG) Business and Economic Opportunity Committee. He also serves as Chair of Entrepreneurship for United Liberian Organization of Colorado (ULOC).
Dr. Bowen received the Post-Secondary Educator of the Year award from the Education Center (The Edu Ctr) on March 7, 2020. Dr. Jamal Bowen also received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from the Denver Institute of Urban Studies & Adult College June 19, 2021.
ALG BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEMBER
Mkale has been an entrepreneur for more than 25+ years. She’s has owned and operated everything from Retail stores to Real Estate investment companies.
Mkale is committed to the youth and future of America. She created a wealth-building course using Real Estate to educate and support them in generating income while gaining real experience investing in Real Estate. She is a powerful role model as a woman, entrepreneur, leader, wife and mother. Mkale Warner has created success, balance, and healthy relationships in business, as well as her personal life. You definitely want this woman in your corner!
Mkale chose entrepreneurship as a means to be at home to raise her 3 daughters, one of which had special needs. Leaving Corporate America, she entered the Real Estate industry as a mortgage broker and a house flipper. In the course of one year, she has closed over $48,000,000 in Real Estate deals. Her dedication to the industry and commitment to help people win have always shown through in her business ventures. She is a purpose-driven, trusted leader who prides herself in pouring her heart into her clients. She is a published author and currently speaks internationally educating people about wealth building strategies in real estate and crypto currency. She is a creative solutionist who offers unique, dynamic tools to the solopreneurs, empowering them to succeed in every area of life.
Mkale Warner | Master of Ceremony Owner, Enveritas Consulting, LLC
Marvin and his wife, Dr. Diane Earle have been married over 36 years and enjoy family time with their 3 adult children, their spouses, and 4 grandchildren.
Marvin Earle is the Access to Capital Community Relation Manager with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). He uses his professional experience in strategic relationship building, recruitment, and leadership development to manage for profit and non-profit projects. He interfaces with potential and existing clients and improves organizational Marvinefficiency.isa highly motivated proven professional who possesses over 20 years of community business development, sales, fundraising, relationship building, creative strategies, and consulting experience. He is responsible for planning, creating and executing strategic business practices to sustain current and grow new small businesses. Marvin is an experienced professional with a strong background in providing financial guidance to small businesses and non-profit organizations. He identifies state, federal and foundation funding sources to business leaders, elected officials, faithbased groups, non-profits and community organizations.
Marvin Earle | Guest Speaker
ACCESS TO CAPITAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Esrom Elias, our Future Leader | Junior Judge Esrom Elias is a 12-year-old computer programmer and entrepreneur with a background in video game development, web design, and technological websites. He is the founder of Esmo, a website he coded to teach people how to code in the simple way that’s easier for people to understand. To learn the logic of coding, Esrom went on Khan Academy, and began learning how to code using ProcessingJS, a coding language. Esrom eventually learned HTML and CSS on the site, but moved to people on Udemy. When he turned 9, he got a tutor to teach him how to program more complex websites. I worked on engineering around this time as well. I also learned JavaScript, which broadened my view of web design. I officially launched Esmo on the internet when I was 10 on Christmas. I studied engineering more and watched Mark Rober’s Masterclass, a famous ex-Nasa/ on YouTube. In the class we had to build mechanical, technological, and hybrid machines that perform some kind of service in your life for the better. When I turned 11, I learned Video Game Development with Unity C# and that’s how I ended up where I am now. My current project is making a new e-commerce Inbusiness.myfree time I enjoy watching TV, playing soccer, reading (something I enjoy very much), learning anything in general, all of the above, or simply spending time with my family.
Solomon Muwanga | ALG Business Committee Chair | Judge Vice President, Commercial Banker, MidWestOne Bank
Solomon is Vice President, Commercial Banker for MidWestOne Bank and has over 20 years of banking experience in Colorado. His primary responsibility is working alongside customers to ensure the growth and overall success of their business’ financial health. He takes great pride in proactively partnering with customers to gain a full understanding of their business and finds that this type of approach allows him to provide advice and expertise to lead them to success.
Solomon has been married for over 20 years and has two children. He previously served for two years on the Denver WorkForce Board where he was appointed by Mayor Hancock in August 2014. He currently serves on the board of the African Leadership Group.
Philosophy – “Professionally my passion is to leverage skills acquired overtime as an experienced commercial Banker and the skills of an equally strong team of very experienced bankers in our Denver office that also share a common banking background and dedication to personalized service. My unique skill set is a strong belief and ability to advocate, advise and provide consultative service to our business customers.”
William Tucker | ALG Business Committee Chair | Judge CPA, Hanson & Co., CPAs William provides tax planning and compliance, accounting solutions, and consulting services to Denver area companies. William blends his years of experience and technical knowledge to translate numbers into understandable activities. He works diligently to connect the numbers to business actions and overall strategy. Prior to Hanson & Co., William focused on tax planning and compliance for individuals, trusts and businesses at a local accounting firm. He also worked as a Controller of a specialty medical practice which included full oversight of financial and management accounting, asset acquisition and liabilities. William started his career working in the tax department of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and then attended the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Society of CPAs, Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
A graduate of University of Colorado School of Business, Sayer earned her degree in marketing and international business and has specialized training in strategic planning, project management, crisis communication, public speaking and internet marketing. She serves as public information officer on highway construction projects, with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Sayer serves on the electric vehicle battery recycling and equity committees for the Colorado electric vehicle coalition (CEVC). She is a supporter of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce’s - Black Construction Group. Also important to Sayer is Colorado’s small business community and she is active in Denver’s Historic Five Points cultural district. She is a Five Points Business Improvement District (FPBID) board member has been a guest speaker for the Denver Business Journal and with the African American Leadership Institute (AALI) as a marketing communications professional. She has presented to attorney members of the Colorado Bar Association on ethical marketing for attorneys and volunteers with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its activities with the youth in Denver, Colorado. LaSheita is a proud mother of a beautiful daughter.
LaSheita Sayer | Judge Principal, ZoZo Group LaSheita Sayer’s knowledge, expertise and passion converge in her roles as founding Principal of ZoZo Group LLC. She has more than 20 years of experience in marketing communications and project management, and built an equally talented and diverse creative team for public outreach, involvement and relations for publicly funded construction projects, as well as equity campaigns for EV outreach.
Arkan Haile | Judge Senior Executive Advisor, City and County of Denver
Arkan Haile is Senior Executive Advisor to the Mayor for Development and Special Projects for the City and County of Denver, an appointed position he began in April 2022. Previously, he was a finance and corporate lawyer for over 20 years. He practiced as an associate or of counsel at two national firms, a partner at a firm he co-founded, and senior in-house counsel at two public companies. He counseled and represented public and private companies and governmental entities on a range of sophisticated legal, financial, and strategic matters. Prior to law school, he worked as a financial analyst for two years.
Mr. Haile serves on boards of CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. and the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. Mr. Haile holds a BA in Economics and Political Science and an MBA from the University of Denver, and a JD from the University of Colorado.
Ryan Cobbins | Judge Owner and Operator of Coffee at The Point
Ryan is the owner and operator of Coffee at The Point, a 12 year old, 3K sq ft coffee & wine lounge in the Five Points, Denver, Colorado area. Ryan is also the program director of the Energize Colorado Gap Fund. Additional civic engagement includes being a member of several non-profit Board of Directors, State and City appointed committees, and community involvement. Ryan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems/Management Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Ryan has successfully played the roles of personnel benefits manager, business operations manager, human resources manager, and IT manager focusing on internal/external customer relationships and bottom-line profitability.
Previous Board work includes being a member of the Community Professionals Board of Heart & Hand, Board of Directors at The Civic Canopy, Vice-Chair of the Five Points Business Office Board of Directors, founding board member and Vice-Chair of Vega Collegiate Charter School, and Board member of DRI Goods. Ryan recently spent 20 years as a High School boys basketball coach in Colorado. Ryan’s knowledge, leadership, and strategic ability allowed him to coach at some of the top 5A schools in Colorado; providing a unique opportunity for players to achieve high athletic honors, high academic standards, and servant leadership characteristics through volunteer and service trips.
Ryan is the Chair of the Five Points Business Improvement Board of Directors, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Children’s Campaign, and member of the Board of Trustees of St. Elizabeth’s School. Ryan was recently appointed by the Mayor of Denver to server on the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) board. Ryan was appointed by the Governor of Colorado to sit on the 2nd Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission.
Mariem Dia
BUSINESS NAME: Mariem’s Magnifique Collections (MMC) Mariem Dia is a high school junior at Colorado Early Colleges of Aurora. Mariem is also the co-founder of the Afro Student Alliance Club, a member of National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is the owner of a cosmetic business called Mariem’s Magnifique Collections (MMC) which she started in May of 2020 at the age of 14. Mariem aspires to be a businesswoman and a criminal justice lawyer. Mariem’s Venture: MMC is an affordable luxury brand that strives to empower and uplift our Magnifique Queens and Kings of the world while challenging and defying societal standards of beauty, success and wealth.
Contact Information: www.mmcshop.orginfo@mmcshop.orgmariemd2108@gmail.com
www.mytntkitchen.comdorothyileleji@yahoo.com
Dorothy Ohaka
Dorothy’s Venture: T & T was established with the expectation of shedding light on the importance of cooking with all natural ingredients, herbs and spices, in the hospitality industry.
Contact Information:
BUSINESS NAME: T&T LLC (Tasty & Trusted)
Dorothy Ohaka was born and raised in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria and spent most of her young adult life in Nigeria, Dorothy trained as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, practiced for 10 years before moving to the United States. Dorothy has lived in Colorado for 20 years. She currently practices as a licensed practical nurse. Dorothy has always dreamed of owning a restaurant, doing what she loves to do, cooking healthy homemade food with all natural herbs and spices.
Efetobore Isiaku
wants to make sure that everyone around her is happy. This is why she started a balloon decorating business for elderly and social class. Gifted Hand LLC is here to serve and put smiles on Efetobore’sfaces.
Venture: Gifted Hand LLC is a balloon decorating business focused on residents living in assisted communities and memory care units. The plan is to work with families of the residents and executives of these facilities to bring back smiles and create unforgettable memories for all the parties involved. Contact Information efe@thisgiftedhand.com
Efetobore Diepreye Isiaku is the Founder of Gifted Hand LLC. She is currently the Scrum Manager at one of the best luxurious hospitality companies, Inspirato. She is also a single mother, raising a beautiful and bright 4-year-old Efetoboredaughter.
BUSINESS NAME: Gifted Hand LLC
LaTerrell’s Venture: Transitioning into Wholeness. To create an experience for those who desperately need to connect to the past so that we can have a healthy future.
LaTerrell Bradford is an active community member. She teaches yoga at the Salvation Army’s-Red Shield Community Center, serves on the Colorado Community Advisory Board, and frequently volunteers at Food Bank of The Rockies. Her mission and passion in life is to model healthy behavior, to appeal to the light in others and to encourage marginalized, disenfranchised communities to live their best lives through healing, and taking full responsibility & advantage of all opportunities and capabilities.
Contact Information: laterrellbradford@yahoo.com
LaTerrell Bradford BUSINESS NAME: Transitioning into Wholeness
Contact Information: ericajlee@yahoo.com
Erica BUSINESSLeeNAME: Lifeways Erica Lee is a community engagement specialist. She draws from a lineage of restaurateurs within her family and builds upon principles of hospitality in her business concept that is fit to address pressing issues such as climate change, conflict aversion and low civic engagement. Erica’s cooperative community development plan takes a long term, interdisciplinary approach to ecological and social justice. By integrating her background in social and emotional education, addiction recovery, holistic health, restorative justice and environmental stewardship, Erica and her colleagues are ready to use business, civic engagement, and community activation to leverage the best of human capability.
Erica’s Venture: Lifeways is a cooperative community development public benefit corporation. Over the span of the next decade, Lifeways’ trajectory is aimed at uplifting societal capacity to see and address conflict effectively in order to build new ways of relating to ourselves and our environment.
Contact Information: onyemapatricia@yahoo.com
Patricia’s Venture: Have-it-all LLC is a non-emergency medical transportation service that will be based in Colorado and will serve cities around Denver and its environs with more emphasis on the African Immigrant communities. It intends to target families that are within the lowincome range, the elderly, as well as those with disabilities.
Onyemaechi (Patricia) Olaoluwa
BUSINESS NAME: Have-It-All, LLC Onyemaechi Olaoluwa is from Nigeria She came to the US in 2019 and hit the ground running as a caregiver. Currently, Patricia works as a CNA and the coowner of Have-it-all LLC.
LaToya’s Venture: Love is the Answer is to end violence and alleviate selfsabotaging habits in African American Communities by teaching them to transform and thrive with the healing powers of forgiveness and self-love.
BUSINESS NAME: LaToya Matthews, LLC | Love is the Answer LaToya Matthews is the author of two books “Wordseeds Personalized Biblical Affirmations” and “Love Is The Answer.” LaToya is a coveted speaker who over the past few years has inspired audiences to live their dreams.
LaToya Matthews
Contact Information: latoyamatthewsc@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Wamukoya
Contact Information: liznewa4@gmail.com
BUSINESS NAME: Hilltop Music LTD Elizabeth Wamukoya is a Kenyan-born, world-raised individual intentionally living her life to be one of impact, change, and legacy. She is passionate about music and creativity, growing up in the church and singing all of her life. The pandemic led her to meet like-minded individuals desiring to be positive disruptors in the music industry and Christian Music genres. She is Co-Founder of Hilltop Music Ltd. (HMLTD) Elizabeth’s Venture: Hilltop Music LTD is a collaborative of creatives and music publishing companies by artists, for artists, with the purpose of community impact. HMLTD intends to challenge certain confines of music genres and produce original content that includes artists in the business process and opposes the predatory status quo of traditional record labels.
Chief Executive Officer
Constantine’s Venture: Eaglecrest Open University, an online University to address the perennial problem of inadequate access to quality education in Africa, especially in Nigeria, Ghana and other English-speaking countries in West Africa.
BUSINESS NAME: Eaglecrest Open University
Dr. Alfred-Ockiya is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines where he earned a Ph.D. in Mineral Economics. He also holds a M.S. in Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Technological University. He is also a certified Online Instructional Professional. Alfred-Ockiya is married to Dr. Elizur O. Alfred-Ockiya and they have two adult children that serve in the U.S. Military and a beautiful granddaughter
Contact Information: caockiya@msn.com
Constantine O. Alfred-Ockiya Ph.D.
Dr. Alfred-Ockiya brings over three decades of experience in academics and industry to Eaglecrest as a passionate advocate of e-learning in West Africa. I am a naturalized U.S. citizen from Nigeria.
www.MagicMer.commajicmer@zohomail.com243-9248
BUSINESS NAME: MagicMer Lyvette is a Denver native and was a teen mom. While raising her daughter, LyVette was the captain of both high school and college basketball teams. While playing sports, she also obtained several degrees in Pharmacy, Accounting, Business Administration and Tax Specialist. LyVette is the CEO and Founder of MagicMer partnering with Virgil Halliburton. It is a minority owned online business based in Aurora, Co. that makes and sells natural hair and skin products. Lyvette’s Venture: MagicMer was created to provide a hair product for all hair types focusing on textured hair. MagicMer Whipped Creamy Mer Butter moisturizer is anti-inflammatory, reducing itchy dry scalp, and provides healing to the scalp without clogging the pores. MagicMer’s overall goal is to be all natural, not greasy, and provide moisture to hair. Information (720)
LyVette Hines
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budgeting reports,
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processes and procedures.
Nia BUSINESSReignNAME:
management services. Contact Information (720) thezenkeeper.cominfo@thezenkeeper.com621-5757
The Zen Keeper Nia is an accounting major and bookkeeping practitioner who serves entrepreneurs from all walks of life. She also volunteers in her community as a treasurer, budgeting co-chair for two committees, and nonprofit ministry leader. Nia’s Venture: The Zenkeeper LLC is a private bookkeeping practice that helps business owners record and track their financials by implementing internal bookkeeping They bank reconciliations, and accounting software
mokewale@gmail.com921-0521
Tunde and Jeniffer have dedicated their lives to providing compassionate and skillful care to people of all ages, from young children to the most senior citizens. Jeniffer holds a BS degree in healthcare Administration, and Tunde a Respiratory Therapist, actively pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Tunde and Jeniffer want to leave a legacy through their business MIO HOMES LLC, a Residential Assisted Living (RAL), dedicated to helping senior citizens who have given so much, but are now needing help with activities of daily living (ADL). The company name MIO is derivative of their children’s name (Morayo & Imani) JOY & FAITH Okewale Legacy. Tunde & Jeniffer’s Venture: MIO HOMES LLC will be based in the Denver Metro Area, and is committed to providing senior housing and daily assistance in a comfortable, home-feel-like environment with compassion and integrity of service. Contact Information (818)
BUSINESS NAME: MIO Homes LLC
Tunde & Jeniffer Okewale Okewale
Webster Khoza NAME: The African Embassy Hotels
Webster Khoza, Founder and CEO of The African Embassy Hotel, was born and raised in South Africa. He has a degree in Human Resources and a qualification in Hospitality Management. He relocated to the U.S.in 2019 and has since worked in the hospitality industry. He is currently a hotel manager for one of the biggest hotel brands in the US. Information: penrisma@gmail.com
Contact
BUSINESS
BUSINESS NAME: Debbow Crux African immigrant from Senegal, Adama Dian Diallo moved to America after getting her bachelor’s degree in international studies in order to pursue the American dream. She is a mother of two astounding children and happily married to her high school sweetheart. She works as a bilingual billing specialist and is passionate about women’s advocacy, thus she created Debbow Crux, a fitness and women’s wellness center dedicated to empowering women to discover their wings.
Contact Information: ebbowcrux@gmail.com
Adama Diallo
Thank You To all our Sponsors, Emcee, Speaker, Exhibitors, Business Pitch Judges Business Pitch Contestants International and All Guests Community Leaders, We are thrilled and can’t thank you enough for being a part of our special Afrik Impact Business Pitch Night. WE APPRECIATE YOU! SPECIAL THANKS Denver Botanic Gardens Dr. Jamal Bowen | Empowering Community Entrepreneurs Kwame and Mkale Warner, Enveritas Consulting, LLC Marvin Earle | Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) ALG’s Graphic Designer, Program Books Design | Kolorgraphix, Jody Gilbert Videographer & Photographer | M&B LLC Enterprises | Madiama Mbaye Printing Services | Turbo Press Inc. | Travis Traver Photographer | Snap Shots Photography | James Rowe Online Registration Tool | Spotlight Colorado | Kenton Kuhn ALG’s Business Development & Economic Opportunity Committee ALG AMAZING VOLUNTEERS SPECIAL THANK YOU TO AMAZON For sponsoring the ALG Entrepreneurship Workshop & Business Pitch Night
Your Invited Dear ALG Family & Friends, We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks for your support and for attending our ALG Pitch Night! We would be honored to have you join us at this year’s celebration. Sincerely, Papa M. Dia Founder & Executive Director, African Leadership Group
