Local entrepreneurs recognized at awards gala

By Debora Timms

In a “Roaring ‘20s” themed event, the Metropolitan Business League recognized area entrepreneurs at the 33rd Annual MBL Awards Dinner & Reception. Nearly 500 guests attended the March 10 affair at the Altria Theater.

The nonprofit, membership-based business association was founded in 1968 with the vision of empowering small, women-owned and minorityowned businesses through relationship building, education, advocacy and access to resources.

Honoree James Ukrop, co-founder of Richmond-based venture capital firm NRV, was presented with the Oliver Singleton Humanitarian Award by MBL’s president and CEO, Floyd E. Miller II.

“It is indeed a pleasure to be honored by the Metropolitan Business League with this award,” Mr. Ukrop said when accepting the award. “Best wishes to the MBL for much success as you continue to grow and provide needed advice, counsel and financial support to your members.”

Other award recipients during the evening included:

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Eboni Jones, owner - Tint My Ride 804, and Vanessa Terry, owner - Notary

2 Notary Youth of the Year: Enzo Mason, owner - BLUE by Enzo

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Marcy Thornhill, owner - Mrs. Marcy’s

Homemades

Master Entrepreneur of the Year: Bernard Robinson, CEO - Networking Technologies+ Support Trailblazing Partnership of the Year: Dyshahn Robinson, owner - Royal Flush Plumbing and Colonial Webb City of Richmond Minority Business of the Year: Michael Hopkins, ownerM Companies Non-Profit of the Year: Girls For A

Change, Angela Patton Social Vision of the Year: Ayanna McMullen, Founder - The Network Incubator and Ashley Williams, owner - BareSOUL Yoga.

Vision of Excellence: Capital One

MBL People’s Choice Award: Rita Ricks, owner - Rita Ricks, LLC

MBL Member of the Year: Antonio Miller

Black History Museum names new executive director

By Debora Timms

Shakia Gullette Warren will become the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia’s new executive director following an extensive national search. Her appointment is effective May 1.

Ms. Warren is an experienced museum professional who has worked as a public historian for more than a decade, according to the museum. She earned a bachelor’s in history from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., and served most recently as director at The Concord House Museum and Historic Site in Prince George’s County, Md.

“We are thrilled that Shakia accepted our offer to join BHMVA,” said Dr.

Monroe Harris, president of the board of directors, in announcing the appointment.

“Her background and knowledge, coupled with her evident passion for telling the stories of AfricanAmericans makes her an ideal fit to lead our team.”

Some of those stories are represented in the programs and initiatives Ms. Warren created during her tenure as director of the African-American History Initiative at the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis and, prior to that, as curator of exhibitions for the Banneker-Douglass Museum in

Annapolis, Md.

BHMVA recently celebrated 40 years of telling the stories of Virginia’s AfricanAmerican people. Dr. Harris said the museum is eager to continue its work and find new ways to expand its reach into the community.

Ms. Warren shares in that excitement.

“I am truly honored to serve in this capacity and follow in the footsteps of the changemakers who came before me,” Ms. Warren said. “BHMVA is a remarkable institution with an extremely talented team with deep roots in Richmond’s community, and I look forward to fully immersing myself into Virginia’s rich culture and leading the institution into its next transformational stage.”