Clarinda Barnett-Harrison Becomes First Woman CEO of Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority
Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority has a new leader — and a first. Board commissioners have appointed Clarinda Barnett-Harrison as chief executive officer, making her the first woman to hold the top job at the Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority, the public body responsible for stewardship of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. In the role, Barnett-Harrison will work with the Authority’s Board of Commissioners and oversee facilities management and capital improvement programs tied to the municipal center. The building houses major public functions for Detroiters and Wayne County
The Ke’nekt Founder Kiyomi Rollins Shares Insights on Southwest Atlanta’s Entrepreneurial Scene
New Partnership With Pittsburgh Yards Built on Aligned Missions Atlanta is widely regarded as fertile ground for business start-ups, supported by a robust ecosystem that actively champions minority- and women-owned enterprises. The region has become a destination for aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses seeking access to resources and innovative programs designed to combat financial inequities, build capacity, invest capital, and revitalize underserved communities. In an exclusive interview with Atlanta Daily World, Kiyomi Rollins, founder and CEO of The Ke’nekt Cooperative, shared insights into Atlanta’s entrepreneurial
Christa Stephens Expands Global ‘Amazon of Business Solutions’ for Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses and Nonprofits
TymFlo, a fast-growing, minority and woman-owned global business solutions company, is soon marking six years of helping entrepreneurs simplify operations, scale smarter, and save time with an all-in-one ecosystem of tech-powered services. Founded in 2020 at the height of the pandemic by Christa Stephens, TymFlo has rapidly become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses seeking streamlined, affordable, and innovative support. Designed as an “Amazon of Business Solutions,” TymFlo (“Tym” = Your time back. “Flo” = Systems that move without friction.) provides a comprehensive suite of services, ncluding
Meet Roxanne Brown, the first African American and the first woman President of the United Steelworkers
In a significant moment for the labor movement, Roxanne Brown, set to become the first African American woman elected as President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union, joins Make It Plain with Rev. Mark Thompson. With the official transition happening in March, Brown’s ascent is more than just a personal achievement; it represents a shift in the labor movement’s leadership reflecting the demographics of today’s workforce. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to New York at the age of two and was raised by what
Grace Wales Bonner Becomes First Black Woman To Lead At Major Fashion House
Grace Wales Bonner has made fashion history. According to WWD, Wales Bonner was appointed as menswear creative director at Hermès, making her the first Black woman to lead design at a major European luxury fashion house. The announcement from Hermès International follows the departure of Véronique Nichanian, who held the role for 37 years. “I am deeply honored,” Wales Bonner said in a statement. “Joining such a lineage of artisans and creators is a dream for me.” Born in London to a British mother and Jamaican father, Wales Bonner launched
Kenneth Kelly Named Chair of the American Bankers Association
The appointment is a one-year term for the nation’s largest financial service industry organization First Independence Bank and its board of directors proudly announce that Chairman and CEO, Kenneth Kelly, has been elected as 2025-2026 Chairman of the American Bankers Association. The installation ceremony took place during the American Bankers Association Annual Convention in Charlotte today. “Kenneth brings a powerful combination of decisive leadership, strong vision and problem-solving skills to the role of ABA Chair,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “He understands the unique challenges facing smaller institutions thanks to
Valerie Nesbitt, Norfolf Southern Director of Supplier Inclusion and Sustainability Recives Atlanta Business League Honors
Valerie Nesbitt is Director Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability for Norfolk Southern is the recipient of the Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. League Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, advocacy, and service to the Atlanta area business community. The award, named after the late Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., a beloved civic leader and businessman, celebrates individuals who exemplify his legacy of empowerment, mentorship, and community uplift. Nesbitt is responsible for ensuring that contracts issued by the company maximize opportunities for small, minority and woman-owned businesses to participate. She
Frontier Development and Hospitality Group’s CEO Evens Charles Debuts Hyatt House Hotel in Nation’s Capital
The Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC, led by Washington, D.C. native Evens Charles, has officially opened the Hyatt House Washington DC Downtown Convention Center — a modern, 184-room extended-stay hotel in the culturally rich Shaw neighborhood. Managed by Donohoe Hospitality Services, the property sits just two blocks from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and brings apartment-style accommodations and vibrant community-oriented amenities to one of D.C.’s most dynamic neighborhoods. For Charles, this milestone is deeply personal. Born in Columbia Heights and raised in Petworth in the 1980s and 1990s,
Gabrielle Andrews Promoted to Vice President of Marketing for ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau
Andrews to Continue Decade-Long Tenure with the CVB, Spearheading Strategic Marketing and Brand Awareness for Atlanta’s Southside The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Ga., today announced the promotion of Gabrielle “Gabby” Andrews to vice president of marketing. A decade-long member of the ATL Airport District Team, Andrews will continue to help refine the CVB’s marketing programming, which has evolved during her time with the organization and led to impressive reach, which contributed to
Linda Hannah Named 2025 National Career Mastered Top Entrepreneurial Woman to Watch
Linda Hannah, a Detroit-born speaker, author, and mindset mentor, has been named one of Career Mastered Magazine’s 2025 National Top Entrepreneurial Women to Watch. The recognition, announced this week, honors 35 women across the country who are leading change through business innovation, industry leadership, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Hannah, founder of Linda Hannah Speaks, was selected for her commitment to empowering women through storytelling, mindset development, and personal transformation. Career Mastered CEO and Publisher Dr. Lisa J. Lindsay Wicker described the honorees as catalysts for progress in a shifting economic