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
Shelly Cayette-Weston Pens Introduction for 10th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Charlotte
Charlotte, NC — Who’s Who In Black announced today that Shelly Cayette-Weston, President of Business Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE), will author the Introduction for the 10th Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who In Black Charlotte. As HSE’s President of Business Operations, Cayette-Weston oversees the day-to-day business functions for the Charlotte Hornets, Greensboro Swarm, and Spectrum Center. She joined HSE in 2024 following a 12-year tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where she rose to Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and helped drive the organization to
Seven Black women honored at Point Park University
Point Park University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Ph.D. Community Engagement and Leadership program. Seven Black women scholars who named themselves the “Heavenly Seven” from the inaugural cohort were honored for their roles in shaping the foundation of the program. “You all were designing the plane while flying it,” said Dr. Heather Starr Fiedler, the first Vice President and Managing Director, Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Point Park University. In the Alumnae Panel the Heavenly Seven’s Dr. Atiya Abdelmalik, Dr. Sheila Beasley, Dr. Danielle Davis, Dr.
All Rise…The Hon. Dwayne Woodruff Receives Prestigious Award from Duquesne School of Law
by Bill Neal The Honorable Dwayne D. Woodruff was the recent recipient of the Dr. John E. Murray Jr. Meritorious Service Award, Friday, Sept. 26, at the Duquesne University 73rd Law Alumni Reunion Dinner, held at the University Power Center Ballroom. Judge Woodruff is currently a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, presiding in the Family Court Division since 2005 and appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Section in February 2019, serving in that role through 2023. Judge Woodruff
Who’s Who In Black Cincinnati Taps Kala Gibson as Foreword Writer for Milestone 10th Edition
Kala Gibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Fifth Third, will be the Foreword Writer for the Who’s Who In Black Cincinnati, 10th edition. This edition’s networking reception and book reveal will be held on December 10, 2025. “I am excited to introduce readers to the next edition of Who’s Who In Black Cincinnati,” said Gibson. “The individuals who will be featured are exceptional, generational leaders whose journeys to excellence help make our community a better place to live, work and play. "I’m also thrilled to support the book’s
Detroit Entrepreneur Dazmonique Carr is Solidly Rooted in Detroit AG Space
By Julie Riddle To Detroit entrepreneur Dazmonique Carr, almost any patch of dirt can be a farm, and almost anyone can be a farmer. Eight years ago, Carr established Deeply Rooted Produce, a farmer-to-consumer food distribution service, after learning about Detroiters’ lack of access to healthy food in a nutrition education class at Wayne State University. The business provided local farmers of color with a reliable income by marketing their fresh, locally grown food to Detroit residents. But Carr’s service revealed a gap in the burgeoning urban farming scene: suppliers/farmers
Chicago Defender 2025 Man of the Year: Chief Quention Curtis Stepping Boldly into His Winning Season
Chicago Defender’s 2025 Man of the Year, Quention Curtis, is in what many would call his winning season. Though he’s had many accomplishments over the years, his most recent victory marks a new chapter: becoming the Fire Chief of the Village of Dolton. The Village hosted its regular Board of Trustees meeting at the Dolton Park District, but this gathering was anything but “regular.” It became a night of celebration as Mayor Jason House officially swore in the new Fire Chief before a packed audience. Community members
Georgia Congressional Candidate Everton Blair Challenges Old Guard Norms [Video]
Everton Blair is a Georgia native, educator, and community leader running to represent Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. He has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity, ensuring fair representation, and delivering results for working families. Blair, class of Harvard 2013, Stanford 2016 and Harvard Grad School 2025, is the first person of color, and the fiirst openly gay person elected to the Gwinettt County Board of Education. He is also the youngest-ever member of that auspicious body, where he served as county chairman and board representative. As Georgia's Democratic
Interview With a Legend: NCAA Champion Debra Walker
By: Darryl Jacobs ESPN & CBS Sports Networks Analyst/Commentator Before Caitlin Clark was rewriting record books, before Dawn Staley became a household name, there was Debra Walker—a Detroit powerhouse who left her mark on the game long before women’s basketball had the national spotlight it commands today. From dropping 63 points in a single high school game without a three-point line, to anchoring Cheyney University’s historic run to the first ever NCAA Women’s Championship game in 1982 —the only HBCU ever to reach that stage—Walker’s journey is both a Detroit story and an
Atlanta Education Innovator Dr. Lisa HerringTakes Helm as New Leaders CEO
New Leaders, a national nonprofit advancing educational excellence by preparing and supporting transformational educators, recently announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa Herring as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Herring brings more than 25 years of experience leading at every level of the education system, from classroom teacher to district superintendent to president of a national innovation hub. As Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, she led systemwide initiatives to accelerate learning recovery, expand college and career pathways, and deepen employer collaborations. Under her leadership, the district achieved the highest graduation rate in its