2023 Stakeholder Awards Ceremony – Celebrating Black Businesses the RICE Way!
The first-ever Stakeholder Awards Ceremony was an intimate gathering and celebration held on August 31,2023 honoring our first Founding 100 Stakeholders at RICE. Certificates of Achievement were also given to those promoted Stakeholders that completed their action plans and catalyst sessions within their Big IDEAS programming. The evening was topped off with a presentation of checks to recipients of the Amplify Grant powered by MasterCard.
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs chose to recognize and celebrate our Founding 100 Stakeholders with plaques and commemorative t-shirts to mark the occasion. Of course, we did it the RICE Way by engaging fellow Stakeholder businesses Royal Trophies and The Bottomline Pivot as vendors for the tokens of appreciation we provided.
Founding 100 Stakeholders were welcomed back to Atlanta’s home for Black entrepreneurs with a VIP Pre-Reception before the formal event begin. There was nothing but smiles, hugs, and love as many of the Stakeholders reconnected to catch up. After, they were ushered into the lavishly designed space to receive their recognition, some Stakeholders received more acknowledgements Kris Hale, Eldredge Washington, and Adrian Shelby were honored for their early contributions and efforts to build the RICE rich culture and vibrant community.
Moreover, Channing Baker of Evolve Contractors was recognized with the Exemplary Stakeholder Award having completed the requirements of the Big IDEAS programming for his stage with zeal and excellence after embracing all the resources that RICE offers. Almost 70 RICE Stakeholders were promoted to the next stage of the Big IDEAS continuum. We would like to recognize the following Stakeholders moving forward!
Congratulations to you all!
Aisha Floyd of CRM Tech Global®
Aisha Ervin of E-Line Media & Production
Alison Mason of Lilacs on York Creative Studios
Amia Mize of TavT4Families
Andre Parr of Mudd Made Manufacturing LLC/ Fly Guy Entertainment Co.
Anitra Terrell of Reflektion Design
Anthony Howard of HR Certified, LLC
Averri Liggins of Black Women Moguls
Brian Reynolds of Just For Teens
Brian Davis of Stealth Tech Services
Brittany Hardy of The Hardy Clinic
Bunduki Ramadan of BNDK LLC
Caiseen Ward of Aesthetic Engineering LLC
Carla Halls of The Cactus Beauty Bar
Channing Baker of Evolve Contractors
Charla Mitchell of C.R. Clothing Co./Charla Ruschelle
Chi T Mathias of Inside Out Health & Beauty, LLC
Christie Rankins of Redress Lives In Logistics
Danielle Clay of AGC Solutions
Dawn Sizemore of Practical Education Solutions
Debra Dantzler of 3D Psychotheraphy
Dedren Snead of Subsume Media
Delroy Walters of inSIDEKonnect
Demarco Steed of Majestea, LLC
Donnetta Wells of Wellsons Financial Group
Ellakisha O’Kelley of Scire De Jure Legal Firm, LLC
Eric Marcus of Royal Trophies
Felicia Johnson of Ella & Iris Home
Francine Bethune of C Marie Botanicals
Jace McKie of Nation Unlimited Services
Jadaun Sweet of Take Heed Media
Jarvis Broughton of Interrüt
Jeff Cook of The Bottomline Liquidators
Jennifer Barbosa of International Supply Partners, LLC
Keith Ambersley of Boutyah Technologies LLC dba JIB RSA
Kenneth Barnes of Humble-Speaks
Kyeron Simmons of Agripreneurs
Kyra Cisero of Waisted One, LLC
Lakila Bowden of iSee Technologies
Latabia Woodward of Who’s Got Next Music
LaTrice Ross of Humanizing Diversity
Lawrence Nathaniel of Skyhub Company
Leisha Starchia of Black Feather Mystic, LLC
Lindsay Barnette of Kultured Misfits Clothing Collection, LLC.
Lisa Tinsley of KISA Public Radio
Morale Ocain of The Hair Debate, Suite Morality Salon Suites, Rooted, The Hair Experience Podcast
Mouse Gregory of Mouse Apparel Inc.
Natasha Simmons of Yacht Club Access
Omar Whilby of Capsul Tools
Oral Gooden of SWISSHTECH Corp.
Ottea Cormelo O’Connor of GHST Investments LLC
Queen Oddette Activille of Senan Wholistic Market and Cuisine
Reginald Smith of TrendTech Logistics
Shari Pritchard of Skyyes the Limit Ventures Corp
Sheryl Merritt of Creator In Me / Kingdom Atlanta
Stacy Blakley of DCG CIVIL SOLUTIONS
Sumayya Holmes of Ops by Design
Susan Simmons-Stevenson of The Lifecycle Network
Symphony Lyricist of Lotus Flower Om
Tiffany Turner of TC & Co., A Prestigious Brokerage Firm
Tobias Browne of IndigoBlueDevelopment
Tonya Menefee-Parker of Thrive Care Home Consulting, LLC
Tresaca Hamilton of The Sid Center
Tunisia Cornelius of Levels 2 Skin
Vinny Williams of AddressMe Inc.
Wendy Taylor of Faith & STEAM, LLC
Wesley B. Fountain of Ed Fountain Jewelry & Leather
Yaminah Childress, J.D. of YANY Beauty
Yvonne Theresa Bostic of Kayla’s Italian Ice
Take some time to view and download photos taken by Stakeholder Adrian Shelby here.
