ABL Business Hall of Fame

Daryll Harris Griffin, a native Atlantan, is President of Accolades, Inc., a marketing firm she founded in 1990. A former corporate executive and educator, she holds a Bachelor’s degree from Stephens College, a M.ED. and Reading Specialists Certification from Washington University. She completed further studies at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business at and at Dartmouth University’s Amos Tuck School of Business.

While building her firm, Daryll served the business community as past Chair and Secretary of the Atlanta Business League’s Board of Directors. She also served as ABL’s Co-Chair of Super Tuesday, Vice Chair of the Education committee, and Co-Chair of the CEO Luncheon. She was inducted into the ABL’s Hall of Fame and is recipient of the ABL’s League Leadership Award.

Daryll’s service with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School includes the Board of Trustees, Headmaster Search Committee, and Scholarship Foundation’s Board of Governors. She is currently Vice-Chair of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s Board, and Trustee and Board Secretary at Stephens College. Daryll has also served as a Mentor in Spelman College’s Coca-Cola Mentoring Program as well as a Mentor in the Stephens College Full Circle Mentoring program.

Daryll is involved with the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Callanwolde Arts Center Foundation, Wheat Street Charitable Foundation, Wheat Street Baptist Church, and NSAC Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Leadership Atlanta, 2001, The Links, Incorporated, and Koinonia Ministry (Salem Baptist Church). Daryll is the recipient of the volunteer award from the M.L. King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and the Atlanta Braves Jackie Robinson Diverse Business Partner Award.

Yergan Jones is President of A.E.E. Productions, Inc., one of the largest privately owned sound, lighting and video companies in the country. As a full-scale audio visual production company, A.E.E. Productions provides technical event consultation, planning, execution and state of the art equipment for all levels of audio visual productions. Founded in 1984, the company has an established track record of excellence and a solid support base among its clientele.

Mr. Jones literally fell into entrepreneurship after his days as a DJ while a student at Atlanta’s Northside High School (now North Atlanta High School) and Morehouse College. What he did for fun eventually flourished into a full fledge business venture. Building on a successful track record of integrity, innovation and ingenuity, the company has earned an admirable reputation for being best known as creative technology partner to an impressive client list that includes Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show, Walmart NASCAR, the City of Atlanta, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, The Links, Inc., Spelman College, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, among others.

Accordingly, under Mr. Jones’ leadership, A.E.E. Productions has worked in venues all over the United States, garnering a number of distinguished projects in the Southeast and allowing the company to deliver on its slogan, “We design our services to fit your production needs.”

Anderson Communications is the second oldest African American – own ed marketing services firm in the country specializing in developing strategically based integrated ‘Go to Market™’ programs for its clients .

Angelia Gay-Bankston is CEO of Angels’s Paradise Higher Learning Academy, an educational institution that offers specialized learning programs for young children, from infancy to 5 years old, in an environment customized for each child. The company was initially founded in 1968 in Atlanta, Georgia by Arthur and Etta Gay as Gay’s Day Care and Preschool. Their daughter, Angelia, took the company’s reigns and further fortified its legacy in 1996, at which time the company was renamed. The Academy has received the highest national accreditation from The National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The mission of Angel’s Paradise is to provide a twofold learning environment: one for the child and the other for the parent. The company is committed to the highest possible development of each child on many different planes including intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cultural. Additionally, Angel’s Paradise serves as a family advocate agency to help support and foster positive relationships with a parent and the community. They stand strong on the belief that motivation for learning comes from within the child and is stimulated and cultivated by teacher and parent reinforcement, guidance and example.

A native of Atlanta, Angelia is a graduate of Frederick C. Douglass High School. She also attended Georgia State University, where she studied Public Relations & Journalism.

In 1932, the Atlanta Daily World, became the nation’s first Black-owned daily newspaper in the 20th century. The paper has been owned and operated by the Scott Family for 80 years. The purpose of the newspaper then was to dispense to the public wholesome information to enlighten people of current happenings and to serve as a guide and organ of expression for the community.

The Atlanta Inquirer provides local, national, and international news to promote an agenda of inclusiveness, equality, and social justice for all with timely and on-target stories to uplift the Black family unit for generations to come.

Founded in 1905, Atlanta Life Financial Group is a privately owned financial services company that helps consumers, businesses and communities build and protect wealth. Atlanta Life Investment Advisors is a registered investment advisory firm that specializes in large capitalization equity strategies both in the U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets for institutional clients.

The Atlanta Livery Company provides one stop ground transportation services throughout the southeastern United States and around the world.

Orlando Lynch established Atlanta Peach Movers, Inc in Atlanta, GA in 1998. A relocation service company that offers commercial and residential relocation services locally in the Metro Atlanta area, nationally and internationally the company has garnered a reputation of quality and reliability among the Atlanta real estate community, mortgage brokers, home builders and national corporations.

Moving and storage service with an emphasis on customer service and quality. Gaining knowledge about the relocation industry and thinking of ways to create business have been a driving force behind the success of the company. Utilizing the Marketing degree from Arizona State University and the information gained from both Kellogg’s and

Tuck’s CEO Management programs, Atlanta Peach Movers now boasts a fleet of 39 trucks and 4 tractor trailers.

Atlanta Peach Movers has received awards from Consumers’ Choice, Supplier of the Year – Tier II, 2010 from the Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council (“GMSDC”) and has designations for Corporate Plus ® status through the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (“NMSDC”), Certified Pro-Mover through the American Moving and Storage Association (“AMSA”) and GSA Advantage listed.

In addition to his duties as President, Mr. Lynch also is an integral part of the firm’s marketing and business development. Heading a company in itself can be a stressor, coupled with the fact that moving is one of the top five most stressful things people can do in their life, Mr. Lynch exudes the “Sense of Urgency” he demands from his staff.

Mr. Lynch sits on the Board of Zoo Atlanta and is active in supporting several non-profit organizations including Hosea Feed the Hungry, the Warrick Dunn Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the Nicholas House.

Mr. Lynch is married to Kaihra Lynch and has 3 children, Taylor, Tiffani, and Orlando James Lynch.

Pat Lottier is a visionary, who is committed to excellence, community involvement and making a difference in the lives of those in her community. She has accomplished most of the goals by using her publication, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, to enlighten the business community with information and articles that inform, motivate, educate and inspire.

Ms. Lottier is publisher and chief executive officer of the award winning monthly magazine that covers and reports on business-related stories affecting the African- American community in metropolitan area Atlanta. Pat and her late husband, George, purchased the tabloid-looking newspaper in 1987. The vision then and the vision now, is still the same – commitment to producing a high quality publication that effectively serves the African American business community.

“When I became publisher, my commitment was to produce a high-quality newsmagazine for Atlanta’s African American community,” said Lottier. “I believe then and now that Black folks, both deserve and appreciate such a product.”

Since purchasing the publication, Ms. Lottier has restructured and expanded the publication’s staff, enhanced its layout and design, extended the scope of the news coverage and has overseen a dramatic increase in subscription. So much so, Lottier and her staff have won journalism awards from the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and The Atlanta Association of Media Women. And, Lottier was the only African American publisher listed in “Who’s Who in Media” in the 1995 Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Lottier admits that metamorphosis of the publication has been dramatic. When the publication was purchased more than a decade ago, it was a monthly tabloid publication printed on newspaper stock. But three years ago, the design was upgraded to a full color slick monthly magazine format.

“In addition to commitment and a willingness to work the long hours, you must be flexible,” she said. “Success is relative to time and circumstances. Our world is changing everyday.”

Success for Pat comes in many forms. She’s mother of two sons, Chris, a systems engineer on assignment in Afghanistan and Shawn, DDS a Dentist in Atlanta Ga .

Ms. Lottier holds a Master’s Degree from Emory University in Public Health Care Administration. She also has Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Connecticut; a diploma degree from John Hopkins Hospital and was formerly a registered nurse for many years, before the publishing business beckoned.

Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Lottier’s past and present community initiatives and board affiliations are numerous and varied:

• President George A Lottier Foundation
• Advisory Board Member the Edge Connection
• Graduate of the 1990 Class of Leadership Atlanta
• High Museum of Art, past board member
• Sickle Cell Foundation, past board member
• Emory University Public Health Advisory Board
• American Cancer Society, Mid-Atlantic Unit, past board member
• Center for Disease Control Foundation Board of Visitors, Advisory board member
• Grady Hospital Board of Advisors, Current Member
• Herndon Foundation Trustee – past board member

In addition, Lottier has been the recipient of several citations and awards:

• 2012 Atlanta Technical College “ Most Admired Citizen Award”
• 2011 Enterprising Women of the Year Award, by Enterprising Magazine
• 2011 MInority Enterprise Development Award from
• 2011 Emory University one of the 175 Emory History Makers as Emory Celebrated 175
• 2011, WEDA Women of Influence Award
• 2011 Atlanta Business League Women of the Year
• 2001 Pioneer Journalist of the Year by the Atlanta Association of Black Journalist
• 2001 Recipient of the Pinnacle Leaders Award presented by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – East Point
• 1993, chosen as one of the YWCA’s Women of
• Award from The Atlanta Business League (ABL) as one of Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence (1992-2011).
• 1993 Diamond Award and Trailblazer Award recipient from the

With all of her board affiliations, awards and citations, Lottier continues to make time for community initiatives through her Magazine and through hands on contact in the community. Under Lottier’s leadership as secretary for the Magazine’s Scholarship Foundation, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine has taken an aggressive posture in its participation in community affairs. The company sponsors fundraising events for non- profit organizations such as the Sickle Cell Foundation, Hands on Atlanta, the Atlanta

Urban League, , The National Black Arts Festival, The 100 Black Men and The 100 Black Women organizations.

In 1993, Lottier’s outreach and media efforts extended to television with a new production, “Inside The Atlanta Tribune –Cable TV, which aired on MediaOne. “The show discussed topics of interest, including current events, business related stories that may or may not have been included in the magazine, extended our reach into the community,” said Lottier.

With all of the additional involvement on the part of Lottier, her staff and family, she still won’t rest on her laurels. The struggle to inform and be of service to the community continues. “One of the reasons I got into publishing is that I wanted to touch lives and help our readers and the community grow by giving them good sound information that can be used short term or long term. And, I believe in some small way, our publication has succeeded in doing that,” she said.

In 1990, classically trained prima ballerina, Nena Gilreath and choreographer Waverly T. Lucas II turned old classrooms in an unused East Point school into staging areas where young black children learned ballet. Both Gilreath and Lucas are former Dance Theater of Harlem performers who have traveled the world showcasing their craft. They founded the Ballethnic Dance Company to bring the artistry and discipline of dance to children of color in urban Atlanta communities.

The culmination of each year’s classes is traditionally a uniquely Atlanta performance called the “Urban Nutcracker.” It’s an elaborate production danced by Ballethnic students. This is the 26th year Gilreath’s and Lucas’ endeavor has nurtured classically trained dancers who delight and impress all types of audiences.

Lucas, Gilreath and those they’ve trained, have performed in many high-profile venues such as at the 1996 Cultural Olympiad and the Lincoln Center’s Out-of-Doors series. The dance company has received the National Choreographers Award, the Charles Loridans Award, among other accolades and has been featured in ESSENCE Magazine. Both Ballethnic Dance Company founders continue to expand their range of influence. Gilreath is a sought-after speaker and teacher while Lucas choregraphs works all over the country.

Banks Finley White & Company is committed to the development, implementation and maintenance of the highest quality services required by our clients.

Barbara J. Alexander Realty Company, Inc. provides real estate and property management services to clients locally and nationally.

In 1947, Nathaniel H. Bronner and his brother Arthur borrowed $200 against the family farm in south Georgia to start the Bronner Bros. Company. Today, the company has evolved and grown into one of the greatest success stories of the American spirit. Nathaniel Bronner and the members of the family who have made Bronner Bros. provided the tools of economic empowerment to African-American citizens throughout the country.

Brown Office Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of office furniture for corporations.

Bussey Florist is a full service floral retailer servicing clients in the U.S., Europe and Africa.

Due to a commitment in 1947 of providing the best southern cuisine and service, Busy Bee Café was founded. The most coveted achievement is receiving a Zagat Rating of 26 for food quality in 2005/2006 which it maintains today. Within the next year, an expanded Busy Bee Café will relocate to the Historic Westside Village.

C. David Moody, Jr. has served as President & CEO of C.D. Moody Construction since its 1988 inception. Some of the company’s major projects are Philips Arena, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Turner Field, Big Bethel Baptist Church and Orlando, Florida’s Disney World, and a number of distinguished projects on the Morehouse College campus.

Moody earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Morehouse and the Bachelor of Architecture, a five-year professional degree, from Howard University. His graduate coursework includes Architecture at the University of Michigan and Construction Management at Georgia Tech. Additionally, Moody has taken continuing education courses at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, an executive class on financial reporting for nonfinancial managers at Emory University, and the MBE Business Owner, Executive Training Course at Dartmouth, Amos Tuck Business School.

Moody’s expansive involvement with community groups has earned him many honors and afforded him the opportunity to serve in the capacity of Commissioner, Board Member, Rotarian, Trustee, Fraternity Member, and Advisory Board Member. He is President of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors.

As President of the C.D. Moody Construction Foundation, David has awarded over 80 scholarships and established endowed scholarships at Morehouse College, Howard University and Central State University. He has participated in Leadership Georgia and Leadership Atlanta. Moody has also motivated and guided five new minority entrepreneurs into business. He has adopted Stoneview Elementary School and Stephenson Middle School. Moody is a United Methodist Church Certified Lay Speaker, and a business and motivational speaker.

McAfee Provides Architectural Design, Planning, Program Management, and Construction Administration services with a commitment to design excellence.

Ms. Andrella Kenner is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CI² Aviation Inc., an award-winning Aerospace, Engineering, and Information Technology provider with 144+ employees delivering a full range of aviation, technology, management, and administrative support services to a global audience of public and private agencies. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with multiple offices throughout the U.S., CI² Aviation is the nation’s only minority-owned, woman- owned business engaged in the provisioning of Air Traffic Control Tower services to the Federal Government.

Ms. Kenner has over 36 years of comprehensive senior level management experience in Finance, Marketing, Sales, and Information Technology. She has continued to maintain the same steadfast work ethic which has contributed to CI² Aviation’s continued success as an Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). Since 1997 CI² Aviation has managed and operated Airport Traffic Control Towers in support of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Federal Contract Tower Program (FCT) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U. S. Military- supporting weather reconnaissance and Coast Guard operations. CI² Aviation is currently responsible for 22 Airport Air Traffic Control Towers at airports in the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. To date, CI² Aviation’s most outstanding accomplishment has been and continues to be over 45 million aircraft operations over 24 years with no fatalities due to controller error.

Under Ms. Kenner’s leadership, CI² Aviation’s excellent work ethic and commitment to integrity have led to numerous accolades, and resulted in groundbreaking successes for the company’s clients, teaming partners and employees. CI² Aviation has garnered multiple industry respected awards in an array of categories within the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) and is a Pilot’s Choice award winner for multiple years.

*2010 (ATCA) Air Traffic Control Association “Charles E. Varnell Memorial Award”

*2011 (ATCA) Air Traffic Control Association “Andy Pitas Memorial Award”

*2012 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Fulton County ranked 4th in nation”

*2014 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Fulton County ranked 6th in nation”

*2014 (ATCA) Air Traffic Control Association Small Disadvantage Business Award

*2015 The ATCA General E.R. Quesada Memorial Award: Raymond Miller, CI² Aviation, Inc.

*2015 The Andy Pitas Memorial Award: William Beach, CI² Aviation, Inc. Albany, Georgia

*2016 The Andy Pitas Memorial Award: Robert Haas, CI² Aviation, Inc. Albany, Georgia

*2016 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Isla Grande Puerto Rico ranked 4th in nation”

*2016 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Fulton County ranked 6th in nation”

*2017 The Air Traffic Control Manager of the Year Award: Harry Rivera, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

*2017 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Isla Grande Puerto Rico ranked 4th in nation”

*2017 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Fulton County ranked 5th in nation”

*2018 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Isla Grande Puerto Rico ranked 4th in nation”

*2018 Pilots’ Choice Award Recipient- “Fulton County ranked 8th in nation”

*2019 The ATCA “Exceptional Service Award” Isla Grande & Rafael Hernandez Airport, PR, & St. Croix, USVI

*2021 The Andy Pitas Memorial Award: Michael Hall, CI² Aviation, Inc. Rogers, Arkansas

In 2020, CI² Aviation was recognized as one of the top 3 businesses in the state of Georgia in the Sustainable Business category with the Cox Family Business Enterprise. Additionally, Ms. Kenner is the proud recipient of the AMAC Catalyst Award for 2021.

Ms. Kenner also led CI² Aviation as part of a team on a 10-year contract to support the National Air Space (NAS) FAASE2020 Project for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Ms. Kenner has received countless individual awards; and been placed on numerous boards throughout her career. Ms. Kenner is a Policy Board Member for American Association of Airport Executives/ United States Contract Tower Association (AAAE/ USCTA). She is a Board member for Airport Minority Advisory Council Foundation (AMAC). Ms. Kenner is also a member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA), and American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She is a Board member for the Atlanta Business League (ABL). Ms. Kenner is also a former Board member for GRTA (Georgia Regional Transportation Authority). This was an appointment by the Governor of Georgia. She also is a former member of the DeKalb County Pension Board.

Ms. Kenner was a panelist participant and the honoree for the following awards:

*2015 White House Expert Panelist for The Women in Transportation Initiative.

*2014 NCBFAE (National Black Coalition of FAA Employees) “Bessie Coleman” Award for excellent work in Air Traffic Control and Aviation

*2014 (COMTO) Conference of Minority Transportation Officials “Women Who Move the Nation” honoree for her work in Aviation

*2014 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority “Trailblazers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)” honoree for her work in Aviation

*2013 “James D. Costen” award for work in Aviation

Ms. Kenner is a huge proponent on bringing awareness to and encouraging women to enter industries that are male dominated. As a woman owned business in a male dominated arena, Ms. Kenner is involved in an array of committees and events that bring together a community of women entrepreneurs and leaders, to provide leadership development opportunities, and strategic partnerships to propel women business owners and leaders in male dominated genres into greater economic, social, and political spheres of power.

Ms. Kenner, a native of Nashville, is the first in her family to attend college and she is a proud alum Tennessee State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. While at TSU, she pledged (1973) the Alpha Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Kenner earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) Finance from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois.

For more than three-quarters of a century, Citizens Trust Bank has been serving the metro Atlanta community with banking services. Citizens Trust Bank is one of the largest African-American owned financial institutions in the nation with over 85 years of history and assets of more than $330 million.

In his role as Founder and Principal of Columbia Residential, LLC, Mr. Khalil directs the company in its mission to provide quality affordable housing in major metropolitan communities. He formed the company in 1991 as the Affordable Housing Partnership, Inc. and concentrated on real estate development consulting. By 1995, he expanded the scope of the organization to include full-service real estate development and management, changing its name to Columbia Residential. Today, Noel is responsible for the company’s strategic planning and development operations, as well as the formation of alliances with local communities, non-profit CDCs, financial institutions, governmental entities, and public housing authorities. He leads Columbia Residential’s development team in the selection and acquisition of residential sites and personally handles the structuring of multifamily housing transactions financed through low income housing tax credits, HOME loans, FHLB subsidy, HOPE VI loans and conventional bank loans.

Prior to establishing Columbia Residential, Noel acted as President of Gibraltar Land, Inc., (a subsidiary of H.J. Russell & Company) an Atlanta-based real estate development company. In this position, he managed all real estate investment, acquisition, and development activities. His additional professional background includes positions as Executive Vice President of H.J. Russell & Company and Senior Vice President of U.S. Home Corporation. During his extensive career in the industry, Noel has been responsible for the development of more than 10,000 multifamily and single-family housing units throughout the United States.

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

• Urban Land Institute, Full Member, Chicago, IL
• Atlanta Historic Preservation Policy Task Force, Atlanta, GA
• Atlanta Urban League, Supporting Member, Atlanta, GA
• Fulton County Housing Authority Task Force, Atlanta, GA
• Metropolitan Atlanta Home Builder Association, Atlanta, GA
• NAACP Permanent Home Office Committee, Atlanta, GA
• Bedford Pines Child and Family Resource Center, Director, Atlanta, GA
• Emory University Board of Visitors, Atlanta, GA
• Private Industry Council, Director, Atlanta, GA
• Fulton County Zoning Task Force, Atlanta, GA
• Sales and Marketing Council, Chicago, IL
• Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta, GA
• Zoo Atlanta, Director, Atlanta, GA

AWARD-WINNING DEVELOPMENTS

• Fulton County Development Day Award for Best Multi-Family
• Metro Atlanta Home Builders Association Special Project Award
• Finalist for NAHB Best Affordable Multifamily Community

Tom Hutchinson launched a seminal security business out of a drive for financial independence and the desire to make a difference. Built on a foundation of integrity, quality, and commitment to community, Confidential Security Agency, Inc., thirty-nine years in operation, is the prophetic personification of his ambitions. Blessed with uncanny perception, it comes as no surprise then, that the man known as Chief is a respected leader, both in his industry and his community.

Confidential Security Agency, consistently listed among Atlanta’s top ten security guard firms in an annual review by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, provides protective services to a broad range of commercial, government, and private industry clients. As the demands for specialized security have evolved, and technology innovations have revolutionized the industry, Confidential has maintained its competitive edge. What’s more, the business has had a major economic impact, employing thousands of people in nearly 40 years of operation.

Chief’s leadership qualities were evident from a very early age. In high school, as student body president and captain of the football team, classmates looked up to him. He gained notoriety in his hometown of Hogansville, Georgia as a young man able to introduce new civic organizations to the community. Among six siblings, Hutchinson garnered admiration as the big brother who helped provide for the household with odd jobs. A dedicated family man, Chief’s primary mission was to look after them.

Right out of high school, Hutchinson left Hogansville for the promise of better job opportunities in Atlanta. He first pursued a career in broadcasting, working briefly for a local radio station, but soon realized he couldn’t take care of his family on the salary he made there. He then enrolled in classes at Georgia State University, staying only long enough to map out his next career move.

Hutchinson won accolades as an award winning agent for Mutual of Omaha, outselling all of his competitors. It was a good living and, had he stayed he could have easily become wealthy. Yet it failed to provide him with another important element of his ambition. Chief began to realize that true financial independence came not just from earning money, but from owning a business.

Being master of his own fate would allow Hutchinson to make good on another long-held goal. The reliable family provider, he also wanted to be able to put good people to work. On the advice of an enterprising uncle who recommended security guarding as a  promising frontier, Hutchinson opened a  small security business in the  1960s.    A  keen observer,  he became a student of the industry, learning everything he could about security.

“I believed that passion, along with preparation, would make way for success,” says Hutchinson.

Displaying a quiet determination, the man known as Chief went about the business of learning and perfecting his craft.  In 1972, he founded Confidential Security Agency, becoming one of few if any other blacks in the industry.  Despite racial and regional barriers to success, he went on to build a  reputation as an industry leader,  much of it on word of mouth,  and as someone who cares deeply about his community.

His service to others became a hallmark of the way he did business.   At the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Hutchinson would often finance civil rights initiatives being orchestrated by the NAACP and SCLC.  As the business flourished under government contracting, he joined the Atlanta Business League in the late 1970s, serving the organization as Board Chair. While not one to seek the spotlight,   the unassuming businessman was deliberate in the way he championed the fight for freedom with his checkbook.

Chief’s legendary generosity bred loyalty among his employees, many of whom knew they could turn to him for help with mortgages, car notes, tuition, and even utility bills when needed. In recent years, he has turned over day-to-day operations to his daughter Patrice Adams, yet the legacy he established remains part of the company culture, which encourages developing talent and rewards excellence with promotion from within.

The same values that launched the business – a disciplined approach to doing business, valuing people, building relationships, and giving back to the community – are the ones that have sustained it over the decades. Although he’s scaled back his involvement, only working on new business development occasionally, Hutchinson has remained passionate and true to his goals. With the focus on longevity rather than attention, relationships more than recognition, others more than self, his contributions to his industry and his community speak volumes about the kind of man he is.

DOBBS, RAM & Company provides professional Information Technology systems management and consulting services.

Donald Trimble Funeral Home is a full service mortuary offering funeral services and training for funeral directors.

Harvey Newton is Vice President/CEO of Dove Direct. Founded in 1987 by Mrs. Joyce Newton and (the late) Harvey Newton, the company is now one of the leading direct marketing, data management and mail services company in the Southeast. Accordingly, Dove Direct has earned renown for providing customers with unparalleled, cutting edge print and mail services as well as direct marketing services. Its diverse customer base ranges from educational institutions to governmental entities.

Dove Direct is committed to providing quality customer service and on-time delivery. They offer a level of professional services that exceeds their clients’ expectations. In addition to providing their customers with the best service, they also serve as consultants that are dedicated to improving results, increasing efficiencies and reducing costs. Dove Direct’s unique services offer a wide range of opportunities to increase quality, reduce postal costs and improve deliverability.

Also, Dove Direct is an industry leader that embodies superior knowledge of postal regulations, efficient operations and high-speed equipment, which further fortifies their ability to offer their customers exceptional services and value.

Karen I. Duckett is CEO of Duckett Design Group, one of Atlanta’s most estimable architecture, planning and interior design firms. Her team of 18 professionals and support staff is responsible for 3 million sq. ft. of executed projects totaling more than $1.8 billion in construction costs. Her business milestones have landed her in the pages of history. As the joint venture partner for the design of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a 1.2 million sq. ft., $1.3 billion project, her commissioning was the largest awarded to an African American Female design firm in the world. She also worked as Planning Department Director for Flint, Michigan and Atlanta, Georgia. Her appointment in Michigan yielded the honor of being the first African American Female to hold a Planning Director position in a major city. Ms. Duckett also worked as Designer/Division Head for Xerox Corporation.

Ms. Duckett’s outstanding leadership has been acknowledged by the bestowing of many admirable awards, and she has matriculated Leadership Georgia as well as Leadership Atlanta. She is a founding member and President of the Coalition of 100 Black Women of Atlanta, and has been greatly involved in a plethora of other business organizations.

Ms. Duckett earned a Juris Doctor of Law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law, a Masters in Urban Studies from Yale University/Occidental College and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Ohio University. Her registrations include Designer-Georgia, AIA- Associate, IBD, CCID and IIDA. She is married, the mother of three and the grandmother of one.

E.C. London & Associates specializes in providing commercial and residential real estate development and marketing, facility management and operations support services for public and commercial clients.

E.R. Mitchell Construction Company, Inc. provides: Construction Risk Management, Program Management, Construction Management and General Contracting.

Edward Bowen is the owner of E.W. Bowen & Company, Inc., a real estate services company that provides innovative solutions that address the unique conditions impacting the urban market. The company combines extensive experience in the private sector, with an approach designed specifically for the public sector, to help its clients meet both short- and long-term business and operational goals.

As a result of Mr. Bowen’s business acumen, E.W. Bowen brings world class expertise across all real estate disciplines to redefine the way public and private institutions operate in today’s changing environment. Mr. Bowen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Management from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

In March of 1986, Arthur Queen established Ebony Glass & Mirror Company, Inc. now known as EGM Services, Inc. After celebrating 25 years in business, Mr. Queen now serves as the Chairman. His primary objective remains to establish effective customer relations and provide the general public with satisfactory service in the construction industry. A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Queen attended Prince George’s Community College and Delaware State University. He currently resides in DeKalb County, Georgia with his wife of 30 years, Sandra.

Arthur Queen has received public recognitions from the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance, the Parren Mitchell Award, induction to the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) Hall of Fame, NAMC Leadership Award, the Love Life Christian Fellowship Church Award, recognition by the U. S. Department of Commerce’s Atlanta Regional Minority Construction Firm of the Year, the Atlanta Business League’s Leadership Award, and recognition by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as Atlanta’s Fastest Growing Company. Mr. Queen has also received Governor’s proclamations from the states of Maryland and Georgia.

Arthur is a member of 100 Black Men of DeKalb, National Association of Minority Contractors where he currently serves as the Atlanta Chapter President and has served as the National President for 4 years, Georgia Glass Dealers Association, Atlanta Business League, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Greater Economic Alliance, DEBCO where he served as chairman of the board, and Love Life Christian Fellowship Church. Mr. Queen is an avid golfer and bowler.

Eventions is a full service communications agency that is customer focused and service driven specializing in public relations, special event planning and convention management.

First Class, Inc. is a recognized marketing, public relations and governmental affairs firm servicing clients’ locally and around the globe.

Delmar and Dr. Shirley Carmack started with GNLD in 1984. At the time, the company was 25-years old, and specialized in whole food natural organic food supplements for adults and children, skin care and biodegradable cleaning products. After six years with the company, the Carmack’s organization became the number one (#1) team in America.

With a global impact, the Carmack’s organization claims several thousands of members across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the Philippines, England and Africa. In 1996, they opened GNLD Wellness Center in DeKalb County for the purpose of providing the community with comprehensive programs as well as a facility for achieving optimum health and wellness. Bringing added value to their organization, Dr. Carmack is a Dr. Sears Certified Health Coach.

Prior to the Carmack’s involvement with GNLD, Dr. Carmack was in charge of obstetrics (OB) anesthesia at Grady Memorial Hospital while Delmar worked as a general contractor. Delmar Carmack is a native of Buffalo, New York and Dr. Shirley Carmack hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

With a strong commitment to excellence in business and service to the community, the Carmack’s accomplishments have given them much recognition of which includes many awards and news articles. Accordingly, they are ranked as one of the most highly sought-after teams in the network marketing industry.

Goodrum Enterprises operates seven McDonalds Restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the first African- American McDonalds franchise owners in the United States.

Gourmet Services, Inc. provides the highest quality foodservice programs, Concessions Management, Vending and Golf Course Management.

Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home provides funeral services with full support for families at their time of bereavement and the very best personal service.

Rodney K. Strong is the Chairman of Griffin & Strong, P.C., a law and public policy consulting firm. He is currently the project principal for public policy consulting engagements with several state and local governmental entities.

A member of the State Bar of Georgia, he represents a range of public entity and corporate clients, specializing in public contract, community development and real estate law. In addition to his law practice, he also serves as the general counsel for the Fulton County/City of Atlanta Land Bank Authority. He is currently the supplier diversity consultant for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, being constructed in Atlanta, GA

He is widely considered one of the foremost national experts in the area of procurement disparity research and supplier diversity program development. His experience in these areas began in 1985 when then Mayor Andrew Young appointed him Director of Contract Compliance for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, a position he held until 1992.

He is a graduate of the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he was a Herbert Herff Presidential Law Scholar. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Morehouse College.

Gus Thornhill’s Funeral Home is a full service funeral home offering traditional and non-traditional funeral services.

H.J. Russell & Company is a diversified organization that has expanded into the areas of construction, construction management, real estate development and property management. In addition, H. J. Russell & Company is ranked as the fourth largest minority Industrial/Service Company in the United States.

Harold A. Dawson Company, Inc. is a developer of mixed-used and transit-oriented development specializing in structured real estate finance for national and international financial institutions and funds.

Geneva Motion Haugabrooks established Haugabrooks Funeral Home in 1929. With less than $300 in cash, Mrs. Haugabrooks opened the doors at 257 Auburn Avenue with one hearse, one family car, limited employees and a shared phone line with Murphy’s Springs Print Shop. Presently under the leadership of CEO, Marcus Wimby, the mission of understanding given to hundreds of families the company has serviced.

Head’s Plumbing Sales & Service, Inc. is a complete residential and commercial plumbing company with a reputation on getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

Elisabeth Omilami is President and Chief Executive Officer of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, one of Atlanta’s most historic human services organizations founded by Omilami’s father, the late civil rights Hosea Williams.

Mrs. Omilami is also an accomplished stage, film and television actress with over 30 years of experience as an artist. She is also a human rights activist and often lends her voice and passion to advocate on various social issues, including poverty, hunger and shaping policies that do not deny the poor access to equal opportunity. Under the tutelage of her father, Mrs. Omilami has been a foot soldier in the civil rights movement since a very early age. She credits her exposure to “leaders who lived their lives for a cause more important than themselves” including Dr. Martin
L. King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has shaped her life and continues to inform her decisions today.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Omilami and her husband Afemo, Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless has expanded to a year round human services organization with programs that touch over 180,000 people annually. HFTH’s “Homeless Prevention” program is an award winning initiative credited with helping place thousands of families in permanent housing. The organization’s disaster relief activities have recently been commended by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and reach far beyond Georgia into Alabama and Tennessee. HFTH operates the largest food bank in the region that supports families directly with nutritious emergency food.

The Omilamis, assisted by thousands of volunteers, hosts an annual Holiday Dinner Series on Thanksgiving and Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday and Easter Sunday. During these massive community events, thousands of families in need are provided with an all you care to eat healthy and hearty meal, medical clinic, haircuts and barber/beauty services, clothing, toiletry and personal grooming products for free. Children are treated to a kids-only party area complete with kid-friendly entertainment and an educational component.

Additionally, her work on the international stage has led to the opening of a school in the Philippines, medical missions every year in Haiti, and the financial support of an orphanage in Uganda.

As an actress, Omilami has been seen recently in “The Blind Side” alongside actress Sandra Bullock, in the Lifetime TV special “Marry Me” and at the Alliance Theatre in Janice Shaffer’s stage play “Broke”. An accomplished playwright, Mrs. Omilami’s original play “There is A River in My Soul” will experience a revival and she is working on providing arts programs for the underprivileged through her ‘Summer Arts Camp”. She is proud of her two children, Awodele and Juanita, and granddaughter Kamaya, and loves working daily with Afemo, her husband of 36 years, in their ministry to the poor and needy of the world.

J. W. Robinson & Associates, Inc., (JWRA) is an architecture, interior design, and urban planning firm marrying of traditional values, new technology, and innovative thought to meet design challenges.

Leroy R. Johnson & Associates Law Office is a legal firm providing services in the areas of probate and estate, criminal, domestic relations and personal injury.

Lottie Watkins Enterprises, Inc. is the first black female-owned real estate firm specializing in property management in Metro Atlanta.

Mack Wilbourn is owner and President of Mack II, Inc., a quick service restaurant management company since 1971. His current franchises include Atlanta Bread & Bar, Baja Fresh Mexican, Famiglia Pizza, Phillip’s Seafood, Popeyes and We Juice It, all located in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Mr. Wilbourn is also the Managing Partner of MWJ, LLC, an Atlanta-based vending company. He has managed the Coca-Cola vending locations throughout the Atlanta Airport since 2004.

Born in Magnolia, Arkansas, Mr. Wilbourn attended the University of Arizona. In 1971, he and his partner, Brad Hubbert, became one of the first minority McDonald’s franchisees in metro Atlanta. With four McDonald’s restaurants, over 150 employees, and 21 years later, they sold their operations in 1992. Mr. Wilbourn then pursued joint business opportunities as a managing consultant with Paradies Midfield Corporation, The Rouse Corporation, and Service America Corporation. He became an Olympic Licensee as unique color-changing glass and mug wholesaler for the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

Highly accomplished, Mr. Wilbourn has been featured in many magazine articles. Additionally, he was awarded The Atlanta Business League’s 2011 Corporation of the Year, inducted in the Atlanta Business League’s Hall of Fame, nominated for the Georgia Restaurant Association’s Franchisee of the Year, and received the honor of being the City of College Park’s 2016 Corporation of the Year.
Mr. Wilbourn is highly involved in numerous community and business organizations. A member of Salem Bible Church, he has two sons, two grandsons, and one granddaughter.

The Chief Executive Officer for Meat Masters, Inc. (MMI), Dionne Moore Peasant, has spent her professional life building success by breaking barriers. Most notably:

• She is the first woman and African-American in the state of Georgia to own a meat processing plant that is federally inspected by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and,
• She is the first black woman to earn the designation of Prime Contractor of Food Distribution to military bases in the Southeast

Meat Masters, Inc. has earned the distinction of holding the highest inspection standards available from the USDA and the company is authorized to ship meat and food products all over the world.

Meat Masters, Inc. is headquartered in Decatur, GA and provides wholesale and retail food products to hotels, restaurants, government facilities and the general public. It is a multi-million- dollar corporation that started in 1986.

During her years of business ownership, Dionne Peasant’s 8A SBA certified company has provided food distribution services to the Fulton County jail, Atlanta Public Schools, the Department of Corrections for the City of Atlanta and the DeKalb County jail. Her organization and business skills allow her company to efficiently provide a staggering 10,000 meals a day to inmates and staff.

Murray Brothers Funeral Home offers traditional and non-traditional funeral services, funeral with cremation and cremation services and pre-need arrangements.

The year was 1947 When James and Robert Paschal entered the restaurant business at 837 West Hunter Street. For more than a decade blacks and whites eagerly crowded into the night club, often sharing tables. In 1967, Paschals’ Motor opened featuring one hundred-twenty lavishly furnished rooms, meeting rooms, dining spaces, and swimming pool. The complex was not only unique to Atlanta, but to the nation.

With his sights set on the manufacturing industry, Ira Jackson purchased Perfect Image in the spring of 1991. He has nearly 30 years in the commercial printing, sales and communications industries. Jackson long ago positioned Perfect Image as an early adopter of new technologies, methodologies and industry standard quality control systems. His commitment to excellence has made Perfect Image a leader in its class as a mid-sized industry participant.

Perfect Image is one of the only certified, minority-owned and managed commercial printing companies in the state of Georgia, and one of few in the United States that offers in-house, six-color process manufacturing, advanced variable digital printing capabilities and innovative, segment-specific marketing support solutions.
Perfect Image has served some of the nation’s biggest brands such as Bank of America and Coca-Cola. The company has also expanded its reach to the arenas of education, nonprofit and small to mid-sized businesses, delivering on the brand promise to be “More than a printer.”

During his career, Jackson has been a member and served on the board of directors of many civic and industry organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rhodes College, is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management Program, and completed the Advanced Management Education Program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Mr. Jackson also attended the Executive Education Program at the Tuck School of Business – Dartmouth College.

Cindra B. Taylor has over 35 years of experience in the management of non-profit organizations. Currently she serves as the Executive Director of Premier Child Development Academy, Inc., and has served in this capacity since 1996. In this role, she is responsible for the planning and daily administration of two (2) childcare centers. Under her leadership all centers have achieved accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and have maintained this status for fifteen (15) years. Ms. Taylor also serves as the President of the National Black Child Development Institute, Atlanta Affiliate (NBCDI) who is dedicated to improving the quality of life for African American children.

Prior to joining Premier Academy, she served as the Director of Administrative Services for the YWCA of Greater Atlanta. Her experience as the Assistant Fiscal Affairs Director of the American Red Cross added to her abilities to work in a Board Structure and a non-profit environment. Ms. Taylor was educated at Clark Atlanta University where she received her B.S. degree in Business Administration and received her Master’s degree in Leadership Administration at Shorter University.

Ms. Taylor has sound financial management skills and has skills in Board Relations that have lead organizations in strategic planning techniques designed to ensure long-term success. Ms. Taylor shares her techniques of providing quality child care by serving as a training facilitator and mentor to other childcare programs and providers statewide. For the past five years she has served as a Professional Consultant for Educational Access, Inc. as a facilitator for Child Development courses. Program design and implementation is one of Ms. Taylor’s strong suits. She developed a blueprint for the local Born Learning initiative for Atlanta through collaborative efforts of United Way of Metro Atlanta and BCDI-Atlanta and has effectively created a model for faith-based communities.

Taylor is active in the childcare industry and has served on Board of Directors for organizations such as the Georgia Association for Young Children and the Early Learning Center. She was appointed to serve on the Early Child Care and Education Task Force for the City of Atlanta, Wise Choices for Georgia’s Children Committee, the Office of School Readiness Steering Committee, and the Georgia Partnership for Successful School Transition Team. Currently she serves on the Georgia Leadership team for Strengthening Families and the Birth to Five Coalition for the State of Georgia.

She is also a member of several organizations for the enhancement of quality education for young children such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her affiliation with the YWCA allowed her to take advantage of several global and local assignments with an emphasis on poverty and the well being of children.

Michael A. Griffin is the founder and owner of Prestige Packaging, Inc., a Distributorship of Plastic Packaging Supplies. Prestige Packaging Inc., just completed it’s 23rd year in business.

Mike worked for Mobil Chemical Company for 11 years in several capacities including sales, marketing, and Southeast Region Product Manager. At the time, Mobil Chemical was the largest manufacturer of plastic packaging products in the country. After realizing his desire to become an entrepreneur, Mike harnessed all the great experiences gained from Mobil Chemical Co., and opened the doors to Prestige Packaging, Inc. on January 27, 1986.

With a keen understanding of the needs of its’ client roster, Prestige Packaging provides an array of products and services which include, but not limited to: stretch film, shrink film, grocery saks, pallet covers, bulk bags for mail/packages, trash bags, FDA approved food bags, plates, hinged lid containers, cutlery, etc.

The corporate client experience list Mr. Griffin has compiled includes the following:

• • AT&T

• GOLDEN STATE FOODS
• ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
• MARTIN-BROWER
• BURGER KING
• HUB 1 LOGISTICS
• COCA-COLA USA
• OWENS CORNING
• DARDEN RESTURANTS
• RIVERSIDE MANUFACTURING
• GENERAL MOTORS
• UNITED PARCEL SERVICE

Contact information for Prestige Packaging, Inc. is as follows:

Prestige Packaging, Inc.
6190 Regency Pkwy. Ste. 314
Norcross, Ga. 30071

PHONE :770-448-14226

FAX: 770-729-8065

EMAIL:prespakm2k@aol.com

Joy Rohadfox is the CEO of Rohadfox Construction Control Services, a Construction and Program management firm with design capabilities. She serves as the strategic driver for RCCSC because of her ability to take a vision and makes it a reality through sound strategy development. Joy is a leader who inspires actions while at the same time, is grounded in financial information that levers the business. She is a credible voice with contagious enthusiasm and passionate belief in people that inspire them to become prouder, more robust, and valuable contributors to the organization.

Joy’s versatile and broad background in marketing and construction has led to an impressive resume. Under her 22 years of leadership, the firm has increased its national footprint to 12 offices throughout the United States. Her strong reputation for developing long-lasting relationships with clients has shifted the firm’s focus to Prime roles and Joint Venture Partnerships.

She has been recognized in publications including Atlanta Business Chronicle, WE Magazine for Women, Black Enterprise, and American DBE. Joy was the COMTO award recipient for “Women Who Move the Nation” and recognized by Engineering Georgia, where she was listed as one of the top 100 influential women in Georgia for two consecutive years.

She maintains active involvement in several community service organizations. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board for the National Kidney Foundation Southern Region.

Corporate Bio:

Rohadfox Construction Control Services Corporation (ROHADFOX) is a female-minority-owned company established in 1976 as a multi-disciplined program and construction management firm. The firm is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, Illinois, California, Texas, and Tennessee. The company’s capabilities,

personnel, and resources reflect many years of progressive experience encompassing diverse clients and multibillion-dollar projects nationwide.

Rohadfox has provided construction and program management services on large-scale and small-scale projects within the public and private sectors. The firm is actively involved in new construction and renovation of highways, bridges, railways, public housing, water, wastewater treatment plants, community facilities, commercial facilities, federal buildings, and historic preservation.

The success of Rohadfox is based on the commitment to complete projects on time and within budget.

William Russell is President of Russell Contract Furnishings, LTD (RCF). A veteran-owned company, Russell Contract Furnishings is committed to providing the highest quality services and products chosen specifically for each client’s needs. With a history that began in 1995, RCF specializes in providing furnishing and print management solutions for four core environments: corporate offices, educational settings, medical offices & waiting areas and law offices. Under Mr. Russell’s leadership, RCF has emerged as an award-winning corporate furnishing dealer. As such, the company is proud to have served clients like The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta Public Schools and The Department of Commerce, among others. Some of their most recent projects include The Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (Morehouse College) and Jean Childs Young Middle School (Atlanta Public Schools).

Charles Robinson, Jr. is President and CEO of Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center, one of Georgia’s most highly regarded, long-term, health care facilities. His tenure with the facility began in 1977 as Executive Director. He rendered six years of service and returned in 1986, eventually attaining his current position.

A native of Dublin, Georgia, Robinson graduated from Fort Valley State University and earned his MBA from Brenau University. His character, leadership and professionalism define excellence in health care administration. Additionally, his dynamic leadership has been marked by many firsts to include the first African-American to become certified by the American College of Healthcare Administrators, the first African-American President of the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Administrators, and the first African-American Chairman of the Georgia Health Care Association’s Board of Directors. In 1997, he was named Administrator of the Year for the state of Georgia by the Georgia Health Care Association, in conjunction with the American College of Health Care Administrators.

Robinson gives tirelessly of himself through service to numerous fraternal, school and community organizations. Chief among these is his alma mater, where he serves on the board of directors of the Fort Valley State National Alumni Association and the Fort Valley State University Foundation. The Vietnam veteran is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a 33° Prince Hall Mason, and an active member of Greenforest Community Baptist Church. Happily married to Belinda Robinson, he is also a proud father of two adult children and three grandchildren.

Sanderson Industries, Inc. supplies stamped metal products for passenger cars, trucks, commercial and utility vehicles globally.

Simon Sign Systems (SSS) began in 1989 as a small home-based business by its visionary leader Simon Robinson. Although the company began from small beginnings, it has evolved into a thriving enterprise. With the company motto, “Solutions, Not Just Signs,” Simon Sign Systems emphasizes personalized service, exacting attention to detail and timely delivery of high-quality goods and services.

Over the years, Mr. Robinson’s leadership has guided the company to developing significant business relationships with some of the world’s leading Fortune 500 companies. They include The Coca-Cola Company (which named Simon Robinson 1998 Minority Entrepreneur of the Year), Anheuser-Busch, IBM and Verizon Wireless. Locally, SSS has worked with New South Construction, the State of Georgia, and the National Black Arts Festival. National projects include Sugar Bowl (2006), NBA All-Star Game (2003), Super Bowl XXXIV (2000), Coca-Cola Essence Music Festival, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and Easter Seals National Roll Out.

Additionally, SSS is certified to do business with the City of Atlanta as well as the counties of Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton. The company is also certified with the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) and the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Smith Real Estate Services, Inc. is a full service real estate firm dedicated to giving its clients an advantage in the highly volatile and competitive real estate industry. The firm is capable of providing expert real estate advice on a variety of real estate situations and problems related to the valuation, assemblage, acquisition, development and disposition of real estate assets. The application of these solutions allows our clients to confidently make sound real estate decisions with a minimum degree of risk and a high degree of success.

No matter how small the real estate transaction, complicated the Right of Way acquisition program, or complex the development strategy, the approach of the staff of SRES is to always focus on developing a thoughtful, incisive and comprehensive solution.

Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center serves long-term patients who may require 24 hour skilled nursing care, as well as adults requiring short-term rehabilitative services, wound management, hospice care, physical and occupational therapy, IV therapy and speech therapy. Our staff members are committed to providing quality health care services in a friendly, clean, safe, and comfortable atmosphere. We are proud of our heritage as we salute our founder, Sadie Gray Mays, and the Center’s ongoing commitment to caring.

Winifred Watts Hemphill currently serves as the President of South-View Cemetery Association. Founded in 1886, South-View is the oldest continually operating for-profit corporation in the southeast. Her great-grandfather, Albert Watts, who was born enslaved, was one of its six founders. Hemphill’s family has been involved in the management of the cemetery for its entire 132-year existence. The 100- acre cemetery is the final resting place of many Atlanta notables, including 22 people for whom Atlanta Public Schools are named. Steeped in history, the cemetery’s primary objective is to provide caring services for approximately 400 family burials and preneed purchases each year. A beautiful cremation garden is currently being constructed.

In 2004, Hemphill spearheaded the creation of the Historic South-View Preservation Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization. The Foundation seeks to preserve the art, history and environment of the original, non-perpetual care acres. Events sponsored by the Foundation increase visibility and descendant involvement, while sharing history with a wider community. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association and is a past officer of the Georgia Cemetery Association.

Hemphill is a graduate of Howard University and Howard University School of Law. She practiced law for 20+ years before moving into her current role. She is married to Dana A. Hemphill for nearly 30 years, and they have three adult children and a son-in-law.

Zebedee Linder is CEO of Standard Landscape. Based in Atlanta, Georgia and with a staff of more than 20 employees, Mr. Linder has grown this enterprise from a “mom and pop” lawn company into a leading regional landscape service provider. He has overseen the expansion and acquisition of plants and equipment and the development of the company’s highly qualified human resources. Standard Landscape’s highly trained personnel has enabled the company to successfully explore market opportunities in the real estate industry. Accordingly, Zeb Linder’s vision and business acumen have made him a strategic player in the landscape industry. His company’s success and longevity in the landscape industry is being recognized by his peers with invitations to participate in major joint venture projects. Mr. Linder is also a history maker in that he was the first African American athlete to participate on the Georgia Tech Track Team.

Stanley, Love-Stanley is one of the largest African-American practices in the country concentrating in architecture, planning, program management, and interior design throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Maceo A. Brown is the President and CEO of System 5 Electronics, the largest African‐American owned and operated security alarm and monitoring company in the state of Georgia. In this role, he directs daily operations, implements strategies for success, creates product distinctions and positions the company as an industry leader.

Incorporated in 1989, System 5 Electronics’ purpose is to provide the newest technology in life‐safety devices to protect residential properties and commercial establishments. At System 5, the corporate philosophy is to exceed customer expectations by delivering unprecedented service, rapid response and affordable, error‐free monitoring. Clientele includes: National Park Service, Black McDonald’s Operators Association, H.J. Russell, American Family Insurance, Atlanta Tribune, Atlanta Business League, Rolling Out Magazine, This Is It! BBQ & Seafood, Goodrum Enterprises (McDonald’s), Burger King, 755 Restaurant Group (Popeye’s), Star Chain USA (Checker’s), Chicago Nancy Pizza, Home of Dr. King, John Wieland Homes, the Herndon Home Museum, Empire Board of Realists, and Bronner Bros., to name a few.

A respected entrepreneur in Atlanta, Maceo is often recognized for his leadership, business acumen and philanthropy. He is the recipient of the Atlanta Business League’s, Corporation of the Year Award; Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta Business of the Year Award; Bronner Brother’s Scroll of Honor Award, Atlanta Tribune’s Business Achievement Award, ICABA’S Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Georgia Minority Business Heritage Award, The Jaguar Foundation’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Community Empowerment Development Corporation’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. And most recently, Mr. Brown was honored as the recipient of the Herndon Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding accomplishments as an entrepreneur and role model for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Over the years, Maceo has been featured in numerous publications to include the Atlanta Voice, Atlanta Tribune, The Overground Railroad, Atlanta Metro and the 2016 Edition of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta.

In 1974, Mr. Brown studied at the IBEW in Atlanta (prior to this, African – Americans were forbidden to receive vocational training and could not earn a living working trade jobs). In 1978, he became a Certified Electrician, receiving a State of Georgia license from the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Maceo is also credentialed by the State of Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board as a Certified Electrical Contractor, Class 11; an Alarm System Low Voltage Contractor, and Cable Splicer.

Aside from being a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Brown is the Founder of M.a.c.e.o.’s (Mentoring Aspiring CEO’s) Kids, a non‐profit organization created to pair African American youth with mentors in an effort to foster an entrepreneurial spirit. The non‐profit provides the opportunity for young men and women to learn the importance of economic empowerment, community development and enrichment; key necessities needed to start, grow and maintain their very own businesses.

Maceo is often sought after to deliver motivational and inspirational messages to aspiring youth, enterprising entrepreneurs, community leaders and church congregants. Living with stage four Prostate Cancer, Maceo is also devoted to empowering others on how to live victoriously with this disease. He can only do this through God’s grace and with the continuous support of his beautiful wife, caregiver and soulmate, Alicia Hutchinson‐Brown.

The Atlanta Voice newspaper chronicles, captures and preserves the voices of the community for posterity via print and online.

The Baranco Automotive Groups owns and operates full service dealerships providing exceptional service to their clients.

The Cuffie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm servicing clients locally and nationally.

The Harwen Group is an insurance and financial services brokerage firm with the primary focus of assisting private and public sector employers in implementing high-quality and cost-effective employee benefit packages

Egbert L. J. Perry, a native of Antigua and Barbuda, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Integral, a company he co-founded in 1993 with a mission to “create value in cities and (re)build the fabric of communities.” Since then, Integral has become a premier provider of sustainable real estate, infrastructure and community solutions in mature and emerging markets across the United States and, more recently, internationally. The Company is vertically integrated with subsidiaries in the community development, commercial real estate, investment management, property management, and program management fields.

A community development, commercial real estate and construction professional since 1979, Egbert has developed and/or built most project types, including residential, office, retail, institutional and mixed-use projects. For 13 years from early 1980 to late 1992, he helped to grow an Atlanta-based real estate and construction company into the nation’s 3rd largest African-American owned business, with annual revenues of about $200 million.

Integral’s mission was first put on display in 1996 when Centennial Place, a collaboration that also involved another firm and the Atlanta Housing Authority, was created. This forward thinking project was the nation’s first urban mixed-use community, integrating mixed-income housing, early childhood development, K-12 education reform, recreation, health & wellness facilities, and human services. This holistic revitalization approach to community development has since been emulated in Atlanta and scores of cities across the country.

Over almost a quarter century, Integral has implemented scores of public-private partnerships that promote “responsible” community development and commercial real estate. It is well-respected for its expertise in affordable, workforce, luxury, and mixed- income housing solutions, often as components of master planned, mixed-use and Transit Oriented Developments (“TOD’s”).

Today, Integral is a diversified, 300-person organization with projects in the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest and Western regions of the United States. The Company is head- quartered in Atlanta, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas and Denver.

Integral and Egbert have received numerous awards, and are regarded nationally as innovators in the field of urban development and revitalization. Egbert’s policy positions are often sought on issues of housing, community economic development, regional planning and development, public-private partnerships and K-12 education reform.

An honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Egbert received both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University’s Towne School, and a Master of Business Administration degree with majors in Finance and Accounting from its Wharton School. In 1990, he was elected as the eleventh graduate in the University’s then 250-year history to be named to the “Gallery of Distinguished Engineering Alumni” of the University’s Engineering School.

Past Board assignments include Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta International School and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Thomas, Kennedy, Sampson & Tompkins is the oldest minority – owned law firm in Georgia providing and serving legal needs of major corporations, governmental authorities, small businesses, and individuals.

Turner Associates is an architectural firm providing Architectural Design, Interior Architecture, Planning and Program Management services.

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TWD, Inc. In 1990, he became the State Director and served as Chief Administrator for United States Senator, Sam Nunn. Mr. Dortch was the first African-American to serve in this capacity for any U. S Senator. Some of Mr. Dortch’s other accomplishments include: Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta Transportation Systems, Inc., Chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Parking, Chairman of Lancor Parking Management, LLC, Managing Partner of FAD Consulting, LLC, founding the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., co-founding the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME) to fill a void as an advocacy organization for minority business development, and co-founding the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance as a capacity building and business development organization for the construction and transportation industries.

Mr. Dortch has had guest appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Fox News Channel the O’Reilly Factor, C-SPAN, Talk Back Atlanta, National Press Club, CNN, Good Day Atlanta, Black Issues in Higher Education National Video Conference, and MBC Town Hall Meeting. Mr. Dortch is the recipient of numerous awards and honors that celebrate his efforts, a partial list includes: listed in the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 May Editions of Ebony Magazine as one of The 100 Most Influential African Americans; listed in Spring 2001 through 2014 Publications of Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of The 100 Most Influential Atlantans; 2008 Community Service Professional of the Year Award; 2008 FraserNet Community Service Award; 2008 Global Leadership Empowerment Award; Board of Trustees, Leadership Atlanta; Vice Chairman of the Board, Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation; Chairman of the Board, Friendship Force International; Chairman of the Board, Fulton/DeKalb County Hospital Authority; 2010 was inducted into Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame; Three Term Chairman of The Board, The Atlanta Business League. Member of Operation Hope Board of Trustees, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees, Talladega College Board of Trustees, Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees; Chairman of The Board, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

Mr. Dortch is a much sought-after speaker on an international, national level to governmental entities, corporations and educational institutions including the Darden School of Business – University of Virginia, Southern University, Delaware State University, Jarvis Christian College, Florida A&M University, South Carolina State University, Georgia State University, Thomas University, Georgia Tech, Paine College, Tuskegee University, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Emerging Leaders Forum, White House Initiatives on Black Colleges, Federal Executive Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Lockheed Georgia Corporation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, United Negro College Fund, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), , Congressional Black Caucus, “The” Fort Valley State University, United States Department of Energy, American Cancer Society, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Blacks In Government, and Anheuser-Busch Company to name a few.

Dortch earned a B.A. Degree in Sociology and Pre- Professional Social Work from “The” Fort Valley State University in 1972, and a Masters of Art Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Clark-Atlanta University in 1986. He also attended Georgia State University as a Ford Fellow in the Urban Administration Program. Dortch received Honorary Doctors Degrees from Fayetteville State University, Jarvis Christian College, Fort Valley State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Livingstone College.

Dortch was elected to a sixth term as National Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

Dana L. Lemon is President of W.D. Lemon & Sons Funeral Home, a family-owned business that spans three generations. Equipped with a degree in Psychology from Davidson College, she developed a successful career as a bank executive with Bank of America. At the request of her father, she joined the family business. Subsequently attending Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, she excelled as a mortuary science student, graduated with honors and received the Bill Pierce Award from her fellow classmates.

Dana is affiliated with the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (NFDMA), the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association (GFSPA) and the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, among others. She made history in 2003 as the first woman to serve on the Georgia Department of Transportation Board. She’s also on the Clayton State University Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Dana’s business and civic engagement has yielded a number of awards, including being named Mortician of the Year for the 9th District of the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association. She is a graduate of Leadership Henry and Leadership Atlanta, has been recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives and was inducted the Atlanta Business League Business Hall of Fame. She also launched the Dana L. Lemon Foundation, which provides scholarships for life purpose experiences to middle and high school students in the Southern Crescent.

Dana is a member of the New Life Church in Decatur, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) and Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity (END). She is also an avid tennis player.

Williams-Russell and Johnson, Inc. (WRJ) is a multi-disciplined engineering, architectural, planning, program management and construction management firm. The company was organized in 1976 to provide professional services to public, private, military, and governmental clients. The firm currently has employees working in locations from the Atlanta headquarters to branch offices in Dallas and Miami. A subsidiary
operation is also located in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm has provided services to clients throughout the United States and the Caribbean Islands. Williams-Russell and Johnson has provided significant consultancy (engineering, architectural, planning, and construction management) service to large clients such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (H-JAIA), Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW), Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Tranist Authority (MARTA), and Georgia Department of transportation (GDOT).

Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, Inc. is a full service funeral home specializing in Funeral Service, Creamtions, Transport Services, Funeral Program Design & Printing and Aftercare.

Young International Development Corporation is an international consulting firm serving Africa, Japan and the Caribbean supporting companies seeking to do business in the United States.