Chanell Scott Contreras: Championing Environmental Equity in Detroit
Chanell Scott Contreras made history in November 2023 as the first Black woman CEO of a green bank in the U.S. Michigan Saves, under her leadership, offers financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, helping everyday folks save money and go green. Scott Contreras emphasizes the importance of green banks in driving the transition to clean energy, especially for the Black community. “Green banks are vital for driving the transition to clean energy, providing essential financing and incentives to make renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
National Non-profit Appoints Atlanta Resident Tiffany Brown to Board of Directors
Blessings in a Backpack, the only national organization solely dedicated to feeding kids on the weekend, has appointed Tiffany Brown of Atlanta, managing director of Alvarez & Marsal’s Corporate Performance Improvement division, as the board’s newest member. “I envision a world where no child ever goes to bed hungry,” said Brown. “This isn't just a dream—it's a commitment that aligns perfectly with the mission of Blessings. I'm incredibly excited to partner with Blessings to transform this vision into reality. Together, we aim to amplify our impact nationwide, increasing the number of food-insecure
The Harris Effect
By Dr. James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D. As the Democratic Party stands at a pivotal juncture, the question of leadership looms large. With President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he will step down from the presidency, the path forward for Democrats hinges not just on continuity but on the promise of a transformative leader who can unite and inspire the nation. In this crucial moment, Vice President Kamala Harris emerges not just as a candidate but as a beacon of hope—a leader whose vision and values can propel America towards
Spotlight Excellence: ‘Who’s Who In Black Cleveland’ Salutes Blacks in Politics and Government
Highlights Leaders Fueling the City's Bright Future By Charisma Tatum The sold-out Who’s Who In Black Cleveland event on July 22, transformed the vibe at the Intercontinental Hotel into a glowing celebration of the city’s most distinguished Black leaders and innovators, at the unveiling of the 16th Edition of Who’s Who In Black Cleveland. The evening, hosted by Cleveland’s prominent news reporters, Damon Maloney, of WEWS News 5, and Danielle Wiggins of 3News WKYC kicked off with more than 500 Clevelanders dedicated to acclaiming Black excellence and advancing a more
Attorney Alex Shumate to pen foreword for 18th edition Who’s Who In Black Columbus
Who’s Who in Black Columbus 18th edition set for Nov. 21st reveal Squire Patton Boggs Senior Partner and attorney, Alex Shumate will pen the foreword for the upcoming 18th edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus. This edition’s networking reception and book reveal will be held on Nov. 21, 2024, at The Ohio State University’s Archie Griffin Ballroom. “For more than three decades, Who’s Who In Black has been at the forefront of elevating Black culture, Black achievement and Black people in America,” says Shumate. “I am honored
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Urges Black Future Leaders to Walk in Truth
Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of the state of Maryland is Maryland’s first Black governor in the state’s 246-year history and is just the third African American elected Governor in the history of the United States. In a recent visit to Morehouse to address men of Morehouse graduates the highly respected and revered political leader urged students and grads to be vigilant about attempts to erase or rewrite Black history. “As Black men in America, we know our present is the result of the fights, the struggles,
How Jaylen Brown’s Nonprofit Aims to Generate $5 Billion in Wealth for Underrepresented Communities
Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and Boston Celtics star, is taking significant steps beyond the basketball court to make a lasting impact on underrepresented communities with the launch of a revolutionary nonprofit: Boston XChange (BXC). Following his groundbreaking five-year supermax contract extension worth $304 million, Brown is fulfilling his pledge to bring Black Wall Street to Boston, Massachusetts. Boston XChange, unveiled one year after Brown's monumental contract announcement, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating $5 billion in new wealth for underrepresented communities. This ambitious goal will
Kwasi Mitchell’s Bold Leap to Leading Purpose and DEI Strategy at Deloitte
by Megan Sayles The Chief Purpose and DEI Officer shares his lifelong fight for equity and addressing disparities. Kwasi Mitchell became Deloitte’s first Chief Purpose Officer in 2020, with leadership of the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy added to his portfolio in 2023. Now, as Deloitte’s Chief Purpose & DEI Officer, Mitchell leads Deloitte’s efforts on sustainability and climate change, equity including DEI and supplier diversity, trust including responsible business practices and trustworthy and ethical technology, and social impact for Deloitte’s more than 170,000 US employees. But he initially
Commercial Real Estate Developer Quintin E. Primo and the Need for Inclusivity
Quintin E. Primo III is one of relatively few African Americans operating at the highest levels of the commercial real estate business. His company, the Chicago-based Capri Investment Group, boasts more than $14 billion in real estate investment transactions completed – with more high-profile deals in the pipeline. Capri Investment Group and commercial and residential real estate development company, The Prime Group, acquired the James R. Thompson Center, a historic building in Chicago’s Loop District. The deal, which Capri expects will take about three-and-a-half years to complete, came about
Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, PTC president stands strong on her record; ‘I Finish What I Start’
Dr. Harvey-Smith is the president of Pittsburgh Technical College, or PTC for short. Today, the school is pretty much no more. The school’s Board of Trustees decided in June 2024 to close the college altogether in August following declining enrollment and a host of investigations and local TV news stories that, according to some at the college who spoke with the Courier, including Dr. Harvey-Smith, portrayed the college in a very bad light. In the fiscal year 2019, the college had a debt of $46.4 million, the