A Legacy of Excellence: From Humble Beginnings to Transformative Impact
Eddie Brown’s journey to success began in the small segregated town of Apopka, Florida, where poverty was a reality, but perseverance was his guiding force. “Someone once told me, ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,’” Eddie Brown recalls. Growing up without electricity or running water, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school in the late 1950s and college in the early 1960s. “Until about five or six years ago, I was still the only one in my family to have graduated
A Fierce Champion for Justice
By Loán C. Lake, Photo by P. A. Greene Baltimore native Judge William H. “Billy” Murphy, Jr. loves speaking truth to power. He hails from an extensive line of successful entrepreneurs and brave community leaders, including his great-grandfather John H. Murphy, Sr., founder of the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper. Murphy, who grew up in Cherry Hill, is the senior partner of the Baltimore-based law firm Murphy Falcon & Murphy launched by his father, retired Maryland District Court Judge William H. Murphy, Sr., in 1948. Law was not the original plan.
From Glenville to Greatness: Wayne Dawson’s Journey of Faith, Family, and Forty-Five Years of Broadcasting Excellence
Written by Deante Young Photo by Deante Young Greatness was always Wayne Dawson’s destiny. He was born in the Glenville district of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1955, the same year Rosa Parks launched the Civil Rights Movement with a defiant act on a bus that brought a young minister named Martin Luther King, Jr. into the public’s consciousness. King inspired hope in all people, especially his own. Inside the Dawson household during the late 1950s and early 60s, young Wayne was inspired by his mother, Annie L. Dawson.“Where I didn’t achieve,
A Mainstay in Ministry and Media
Written by Rhonda Crowder Photo by Lewis Burrell “Your gifts aren’t just for you, they’re for the people you help along the way,” says Dale Edwards, a veteran media executive, community advocate, ordained minister, and retired law enforcement officer whose lifelong mission is rooted in public service, Black empowerment, and truth through media. He lives by the belief that integrity, service and purpose matter more than titles and accolades. And, with over four decades of impact across journalism, radio broadcasting, policing, and ministry, his journey is a testament to leadership,
Danette Render: A Living Legend in Communications and Community Service
For more than four decades, Dannette A. Render, President, CEO, and Founder of DAR Public Relations, Inc., has shaped the landscape of marketing, public relations, and integrated communications across sectors as diverse as healthcare, transportation, and tourism. Founded in July 1984, DAR Public Relations stands as a testament to Render’s fearless spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence — a journey she credits first and foremost to her faith. “If it wasn’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have made it," Render said. "With God at the helm, I do
Carl Satterwhite of the RCF Group is Listening, Giving, and Leading with Purpose
By Kristopher Jackson Before leading RCF Group, a nationally recognized minority supplier company that specializes in providing comprehensive workplace solutions, Carl Satterwhite spent 15 years at Procter and Gamble developing the corporation's outsourcing program. He worked in real estate, furniture, and workplace strategy, and helped position the company to expand its global reach, having identified an industry trend toward outsourcing. He left the company in 2000, and three years later Procter and Gamble completed one of the largest global facilities outsourcing efforts in the world. That moment
Bob Ross Auto Group’s Jenell R. Ross is Driven by Purpose
Photo by Classic Expressions Photography By Kristopher Jackson Jenell R. Ross never planned to take the reins of her family’s business. The responsibility arrived suddenly in 1997 when her father, Robert P. Ross Sr., died unexpectedly. In that moment, she stepped into a legacy built on persistence, courage, and an unshakable belief in service. She has carried that legacy forward with the same conviction that guided her parents. Today, Ross serves as president of Bob Ross Auto Group in Centerville, Ohio. The company is the only Buick, GMC, and
Columbus’ Kwesi Kambon: Born to Serve
By Kristopher Jackson Photo by Ira Graham For Kwesi Kambon, service is not a slogan. It is the thread running through his life, from a childhood on Columbus’ east side to decades of work in schools, mentoring and community leadership. Kambon grew up in Windsor Terrace, the second oldest of five. His father was absent, but the neighborhood stepped in. “Had it not been for Black men who mentored me, I wouldn’t have made it,” he said. “Even without a dad at home, I felt blessed.” At East High School, he
Chicago Son Derrick Rose Gets No. 1 Jersey Retirement at United Center
On this past Saturday night, the United Center was filled with emotion, pride, and nostalgia as the Chicago Bulls officially retired Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey, cementing his place among the franchise’s all-time greats. The ceremony honored not only Rose’s historic career, but also his deep connection to the city that raised him and supported him from the very beginning. A Chicago native from Englewood, Rose became a hometown hero when the Bulls selected him first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. From his beginning season onward, he energized
Vivian Anderson Jackson: A Life of Vision and Value
By Kristopher Jackson Vivian Anderson Jackson has built her life on a simple but profound principle: service is not optional — it is necessary. A native of Georgia, she has spent more than four decades transforming communities across Ohio through health advocacy, education, and unwavering leadership. Her journey, marked by resilience, compassion, and conviction, reflects a legacy of lifting others as she climbs. Jackson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Norfolk State University, with a minor in psychology. Determined to expand her expertise,