Redefining Success Through Wealth and Well-Being
Photo by Ira Graham By Kristopher Jackson In a world where success is too often measured by profit margins and accolades, Dr. Elizabeth Joy is proving there is another way. A visionary leader, researcher and advocate, she has built a career that blends the compassion of social work with the precision of business strategy — showing that wealth and well-being are not opposites, but powerful partners. Dr. Joy’s journey began not in a corner office but in child welfare, where she worked as a caseworker. Those early years exposed her
Leading with Purpose, Philanthropy, and Resilience
BY Jacqueline Killen PHOTO BY Ross Van Pelt Growing up in the rust belt town of Massillon, Ohio, Melissa Blount-Garner learned early the power of resilience, faith and community. Raised by parents who instilled confidence and a commitment to excellence, Melissa has carried those values throughout her more than two-decade career in financial services—emerging as a transformative leader in community development, corporate responsibility and philanthropy. Today, Blount-Garner serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Philanthropy at Fifth Third Bank, where she plays a pivotal role on the leadership
Who’s Who In Black Columbus Announces the Inaugural Women of Excellence Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Trudie Cloyd, Director of Operations, Who’s Who In Black Email: tcloyd@realtimesmedia.com Date: February 25, 2026 COLUMBUS, OH — Who’s Who In Black Columbus is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever Women of Excellence celebration, a premier platform honoring black women whose leadership, vision, and service transform and elevate Central Ohio. Set to debut this spring, Women of Excellence Columbus will spotlight 50 remarkable women who are shaping industries, uplifting communities, and paving pathways for future generations. For the first time, Metro-Columbus will gather hundreds of community
Leslie Bauknight Nixon: A Legacy of Leadership, Service, and Impact
By Leslie Nixon Photo by Ira Graham Community involvement has always been at the heart of Leslie Bauknight Nixon’s journey. Raised in New Jersey, Nixon’s early years were shaped by her active participation in Girl Scouts, an experience that ignited a lifelong passion for personal achievement and service to others. That same spirit continues today through her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where service to all mankind remains a guiding principle. With more than two decades of experience in strategic communications, volunteer program development, and philanthropic initiatives,
The Women of Excellence Awards – Columbus Nominations
The Women of Excellence Awards – Columbus proudly celebrates local African American women who inspire others through their vision and leadership, exceptional achievements, and commitment to community service. These are women who exemplify extraordinary stature, poise, and grace — balancing the many roles they carry as leaders, professionals, mentors, mothers, and pillars of their communities. As we launch this distinguished celebration in 2026 for the first time in Columbus, we will induct our inaugural class of honorees — women who are champions of economic empowerment and diversity, the
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
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,
The Honorable U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty Receives Who’s Who In Black Columbus 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Who's Who in Black Columbus at a signature event on Nov. 20, 2025. The award recognizes her extensive career in public service and advocacy for Black communities. Who's Who In Black Columbus is part of the national Who's Who In Black series that celebrates Black excellence across America. Since 2013, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has served as a powerful voice for Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District in Franklin County, which includes much of Columbus. On Capitol Hill, she has fought
Karen Morrison Named Foreword Writer for 19th Edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus
Date: August 6, 2025 COLUMBUS, OH — Who’s Who In Black Columbus is proud to announce Karen Jefferson Morrison, President of the OhioHealth Foundation and Senior Vice President at OhioHealth, as the official foreword writer for the publication’s upcoming 19th edition. With more than 30 years of leadership at OhioHealth, Morrison is a respected healthcare executive, lobbyist, and philanthropist whose influence spans local, state, and national platforms. She leads strategy for external relations, overseeing community health, government affairs, and corporate reinvestment for one of the nation's top ten