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African American Business Council (AABC)
African American Business Council (AABC)Rhonda Bellamy
Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover CountyKenneth Weeden
Ken Weeden and Associates, Inc.Tufanna Bradley
New Hanover CountyApril Scott
Brunswick Community College, Director of Small Business CenterApril Scott is originally from Bristol, Pennsylvania; having relocated to Wilmington, NC in 1993. After graduating high school in Pennsylvania, she...Jane Birnbach
Good Shepherd CenterCassandra McNeil
Greene Resources, Inc.Sheri Shaw
University of North Carolina WilmingtonGirard Newkirk
Genesis BlockTracey Newkirk
Genesis BlockTracey Newkirk, is a Certified Personal Resilience Coach and the Founder of UNEXO, a boutique consultancy helping leaders build high-performance te...Clayton Hamerski
Intracoastal Realty Corp., Real Estate Broker / REALTORI’m a Wilmington native and this is where I hope to stay for the rest of my life. I am committed to our community and to my goal of building a be...Dianne Jinwright
The Women Encouragement Living and Learning Place, Inc. (The WELL Place), PresidentJamie Stokley
SCORE Cape Fear RegionRobert Campbell
H.O.P.E. CDC (Helping Ordinary People Excel)Alesha Edison Westbrook
Cape Fear Literacy Council, Director of CommunicationsAlesha Edison Westbrook is a nonprofit communications expert who believes in the power of perseverance to drive change. With over fifteen years o...Alexis Hunter
Wilmington Health, Community LiaisonI serve as the Community Liaison for Wilmington Health. I spend my time building relationships throughout the community with employers, healthcare ...Chakema Clinton-Quintana
Live Oak Bank, VP- Inclusive Small BusinessChakema Clinton-Quintana is vice president of Inclusive Small Business at Live Oak Bank, where she leads the inclusive small business center. She f...Zedrick Applin
nCino OpCo, Inc., Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & CommunityI currently serve as the Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community for nCino. In my role, I am in charge of our corporate DEI strategy & i...Patrice Faison
New Hanover County Schools, Chief Academic OfficerI am the Chief Academic Officer for New Hanover County Schools. My primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs and policies. Be...Lynne Jones
LJ Design Studio, LLC, Lead Designer, OwnerLynne, owner and designer of LJ Design Studio, provides interior design and branding for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals to tell their...Daniel Winslow
New Hanover Community Endowment, President & CEODaniel B. Winslow joined NHCE after serving as an executive in the non-profit sector where he successfully raised the revenue, visibility, and impa...Ben Morman
The Works Insurance, Agency OwnerBen Morman's career and experiences have spanned many industries and economic cycles. After being made redundant through another corporate syner...Nickie Jackson
D.R. HortonSady Escalante
Excel Roofing Company, Vice PresidentSady Escalante, a 2003 NC State Civil Engineering graduate and the founder of Excel Roofing Company since 2009. Beyond the business, I find joy in ...Jamir Jumoke
Leading Into New Communites, Inc.Kandice Caldwell
WWAY TV3Elizabeth Forte
Novant Health, Manager of Community Health & Community Health Education
Rhonda Bellamy
Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County
Euran Daniels
Daniels Tours LLC, President
Chrystal Fray
Chrystal Fray State Farm Agency, Agent
Cedric Harrison
Support The Port Foundation, Inc, Director
Sheri Shaw
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Assistant Dean for Student Success
Kenneth Weeden
Ken Weeden and Associates, Inc.
Katharine Barrack
PPD Development LLP, Senior Manager
Tufanna Bradley
New Hanover County
April Scott
Brunswick Community College, Director of Small Business Center
April Scott is originally from Bristol, Pennsylvania; having relocated to Wilmington, NC in 1993. After graduating high school in Pennsylvania, she decided to relocate to North Carolina, home of her parents. She currently holds the position of Director of the Small Business Center at Brunswick Community College. She enjoys trying new recipes, traveling, dancing, gardening, volunteering with the youth, and family time. She’s currently on the board of Going Beyond The Pink, State Employees Credit Union, North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and a member of WIN. One of her many favorite quotes is “Success isn’t about how much money you make it’s about the difference you make in in people’s lives”. Michelle Obama
Jane Birnbach
Good Shepherd Center
Cassandra McNeil
Greene Resources, Inc.
Sue Meier
Copycat Print Shop, Inc., General Manager
Natalie English
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO
Sheri Shaw
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Alison Baringer
North Carolina Azalea Festival, Executive Director
Girard Newkirk
Genesis Block
Tracey Newkirk
Genesis Block
Tracey Newkirk, is a Certified Personal Resilience Coach and the Founder of UNEXO, a boutique consultancy helping leaders build high-performance teams. She and her husband Girard Newkirk co-founded Genesis Block, a coworking space in downtown Wilmington providing business development services, workspaces and building entrepreneurial communities. Genesis Block was created with the idea that each community needs a place to collaborate, create, discuss ideas and gather. Building the small business ecosystem and supporting community collaboration is our goal in each neighborhood.
Clayton Hamerski
Intracoastal Realty Corp., Real Estate Broker / REALTOR
I’m a Wilmington native and this is where I hope to stay for the rest of my life. I am committed to our community and to my goal of building a better life for future generations in my hometown, and I do my best to reflect that in my actions and in my business.
I pride myself on making each transaction as smooth as possible, but my job doesn’t end at closing. I serve my clients as a real estate advisor, assisting them with everything from homeownership advice and investment opportunities, to helping navigate our community, local government, and school system. Being a Wilmington native with a lifetime of connections in the area means that my clients have access to the best professionals in the region.
Myra McDuffie
MeMa's Chick 'n' & Ribs, Owner/Operator
Dianne Jinwright
The Women Encouragement Living and Learning Place, Inc. (The WELL Place), President
Jenene Seymour
Rodgers, Director of Diversity and Community Development
Jamie Stokley
SCORE Cape Fear Region
Stephania Bloodworth
Cape Fear Realtors, Chief Operations Officer
Robert Flood
Creators' Print House, Co Owner
Tiffany Cripps
Health Begins From Within, Managing Director
Allie Weaver
Allie Weaver Productions, CEO/Creative Director
Kandra Romeo
Self-Help Credit Union, Director of Community Engagement
Jamie Scarafino
nCino OpCo, Inc., Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant
Robert Campbell
H.O.P.E. CDC (Helping Ordinary People Excel)
Lauren McKenzie
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, Executive Director
Suzanne LaFollette-Black
AARP-North Carolina, Associate State
Megan Mullins
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce NC, Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer
Alesha Edison Westbrook
Cape Fear Literacy Council, Director of Communications
Alesha Edison Westbrook is a nonprofit communications expert who believes in the power of perseverance to drive change. With over fifteen years of experience, she excels at turning compelling stories into powerful community action—amplifying the voices of those making a difference. Edison Westbrook is a member of the National Communication Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also serves as an executive board member of Queen Camp, Inc., and as a member-at-large for the Superstar Academy Board of Directors.
Connect with Alesha: LinkedInAlexis Hunter
Wilmington Health, Community Liaison
I serve as the Community Liaison for Wilmington Health. I spend my time building relationships throughout the community with employers, healthcare providers, and the general public. I communicate with the community to bring awareness to healthcare issues and the services that we provide at Wilmington Health.
Karen McIntyre
Miller-Motte College, Medical Clinical Assistant Instructor
Bill Phipps
Columbus County Schools, Board Attorney
Chakema Clinton-Quintana
Live Oak Bank, VP- Inclusive Small Business
Chakema Clinton-Quintana is vice president of Inclusive Small Business at Live Oak Bank, where she leads the inclusive small business center. She focuses on strengthening and supporting inclusive small business growth in our communities and verticals through research, job creation programs, capital allocation, mentorship, and programming. Chakema has 19 years of banking experience and has a degree in business management from Strayer University in Herndon, Virginia. Her background includes foreclosure, real estate short sales, loss mitigation, relationship management, and compliance. Chakema currently serves on the board of directors for three non-profit organizations, including treasurer of Voyage Wilmington, treasurer of Red, Black, & Love, Inc., and board chair for The OOPS Foundation.
Zedrick Applin
nCino OpCo, Inc., Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Community
I currently serve as the Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community for nCino. In my role, I am in charge of our corporate DEI strategy & implementation, as well as all community service and philanthropy.
Lynda Barrow
Elderhaus, Inc., Marketing Coordinator
Matthew Tulipani
Piedmont Service Group, Business Development
Patrice Faison
New Hanover County Schools, Chief Academic Officer
I am the Chief Academic Officer for New Hanover County Schools. My primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs and policies. Before this role, I served as an Executive Leadership Coach for Wake County Schools. I am currently in my twenty-seventh year in education. Throughout my career, I have found pleasure in serving my community by enhancing students’ lives.
Janeé Folston
UNCW Career Center , Associate Director of Employer Development
Dustin Haynes
REV Federal Credit Union, Public Relations Manager
Lynne Jones
LJ Design Studio, LLC, Lead Designer, Owner
Lynne, owner and designer of LJ Design Studio, provides interior design and branding for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals to tell their story. Since beginning her career in design in 2011, Lynne has been threading details, fresh ideas, and custom design for commercial interiors, residential interiors, weddings, non- profits and large-scale event. Lynne became notably known for her ability to tell a story with each of her clients. LJ Design Studio was behind Channel Powered By Live Oak Bank(2022), On Thyme Restaurant(2022), The Fete: Wilmington’s Exclusive Secret Dinner(2017-2018); Pretty in Pink Foundation's Fashion Walk & Gala(2015-2016); GreenLine Pizza & Steak(2016), and Operation Marry Me Military as the host planner for New Hanover County(2013-2014).
Daniel Winslow
New Hanover Community Endowment, President & CEO
Daniel B. Winslow joined NHCE after serving as an executive in the non-profit sector where he successfully raised the revenue, visibility, and impact of the New England Legal Foundation. He has dedicated much of his career to transformational leadership and innovation, having served as a Judge, a legislator, the Chief Legal Counsel to a Governor, a local elected official, a law firm partner, and founding General Counsel of a Silicon Valley tech company. He has been called the “Idea Man” by The Boston Globe and has received regional and national recognition for new solutions and leadership. In his first remarks after being appointed as President & CEO, Dan advocated the values of transparency, collaboration, honesty, innovation, accountability, and results.
Susan Stein
Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Development & Membership Director
Ben Morman
The Works Insurance, Agency Owner
Ben Morman's career and experiences have spanned many industries and economic cycles. After being made redundant through another corporate synergy exercise, Ben found founded The Works Insurance here in Wilmington, NC. Ben now owns and operates a portfolio of small businesses and brands invested in the Insurance, Pet Food, Financial Services, Hemp, and Real Estate Industries. These businesses are in varying stages of the business cycle and are all anchored around Ben’s passion for providing the best quality product and services supported by the best possible customer service.
Antrevonn Tate
Cranfill Sumner LLP, Office Services Assistant
Nickie Jackson
D.R. Horton
Sady Escalante
Excel Roofing Company, Vice President
Sady Escalante, a 2003 NC State Civil Engineering graduate and the founder of Excel Roofing Company since 2009. Beyond the business, I find joy in adventurous pursuits like kayaking, off-roading, skydiving, and motorcycle rides. Family is my cornerstone, and with my lovely wife Yani and three children, we embrace values of trust, integrity, and community responsibility. My academic background shapes my commitment to excellence, guiding both my personal and professional endeavors. Thank you for considering Excel Roofing – a reflection of my dedication to transforming roofing needs with durability, reliability, and satisfaction.
Jamir Jumoke
Leading Into New Communites, Inc.
Kandice Caldwell
WWAY TV3