2021 partnerships Niki Smith-Scott and Monica Freeman Preparing students with a curriculum that goes beyond the chair for competency and competitiveness is Quality Barber College. Co-owned by established business leaders Niki Smith-Scott and Monica Freeman, this college is built on a foundation of “quality” in every sense of the word, with barber courses, cosmetology crossover…
2021 PARTNERSHIPS In 2019, like-minded women came together with a passion to fundamentally change the trajectory of the medical apparel retail market by leveraging a more nontraditional shopping model that would anchor on providing added value, convenience, and a great customer experience. It all started with a discussion of their hopes and dreams one rainy…
2021 trailblazer Dr. Brian Rowland is the 11th Mayor of Prairie View, Texas. He has served as a city councilman for 10 years. He is the managing principal for Visionary Leadership, LLC. Visionary Leadership is a consulting company specializing in business development and organizational leadership; providing organizational training on cultural competency, equity and inclusion, and…
2021 trailblazer Dr. Brian Rowland is the 11th Mayor of Prairie View, Texas. He has served as a city councilman for 10 years. He is the managing principal for Visionary Leadership, LLC. Visionary Leadership is a consulting company specializing in business development and organizational leadership; providing organizational training on cultural competency, equity and inclusion, and…
2021 TRAILBLAZER Sheriff Eric Fagan, a 30 year Fort Bend County resident, was elected on November 3, 2020, as the Sheriff of Fort Bend County. On January 1, 2021, Fagan became the 43rd Sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas, and the first African American to serve in the position since Reconstruction, 151 years ago. Sheriff…
2021 TRAILBLAZER Attorney Edward Pollard, 36, is truly making his mark in Houston, Texas. Not only is he a Houston City Council Member, as well as the co-founder of the nonprofit organization Suits for Success, but he also is the owner of Pollard Legal Group, LLC, one of the fastest growing and thriving personal injury…
2021 community hero Lynn Clouser started serving at an early age. She has spent most of her life in Missouri City where she now serves as the recently elected City Councilwoman At-Large, Position 2. The Mayor has appointed Lynn as Chair of the Livable Community Committee and she will also serve as a member of…
2021 COMMUNITY HERO Businessman Cory Crawford is the owner of Burns Original BBQ and co-founder of the lifestyle brand, BossLife World. His strategic mind matched with his passion for business and the community have allowed Cory to be highly successful in multiple endeavors. Hailing from the historic Fifth Ward neighborhood in Houston, Texas, Cory always…
2021 cOMMUNITY HERO Angeanette “Angie” Thibodeaux, is a native of Louisiana and considers it a distinct honor to be a product of a hard-working blue-collar family. Growing up in the rural south of Mer Rouge, Angeanette knows and understands the meaning of “It takes a village”. She learned at a very early age that having…
2021 COMMUNITY HERO Chris Williams was always destined to be a chef; he simply didn’t know it yet. Drawn to study food from a young age, he attended Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, Texas, and soon began traveling around the world, working in eateries from Lithuania to England to the U.S., and all points in…
2021 COMMUNITY HERO Displaying her unwavering faith in God, partnered with her incredible sense of style and fashion has been the key to RoseMary Tucker’s success as a black, female entrepreneur. RoseMary is the founder and owner of Blessties USA, a Christian apparel and accessories boutique in Cypress, Texas. She opened Blessties USA in 2015…
2021 Super TRAILBLAZER Bishop Dr. James W.E. Dixon, II is an international, inspiring, and informative visionary leader who has built a life of empowerment predicated upon the tenet of “greater by grace through faith.” Through utilizing biblical principles, he has empowered leaders in ministry, business, education, and civic and political arenas to maximize their God-given…
2021 LIVING LEGEND Mya Smith-Edmonds, a native of Houston, Texas, is the first female African-American next generation McDonald’s owner/operator, owning seven McDonald’s restaurants in Central Indiana. She serves as a board member for the Greater Indiana Operators, president and secretary of the Central Indiana Black McDonald’s Operators Association and has earned the Trailblazer Award for…
2021 SUPER TRAILBLAZER Ige Johnson is a celebrated broker and owner of RE/MAX Generation which was awarded the RE/MAX of Texas 2016 Rookie Office of the Year. Ige is a RE/MAX Hall of Famer and a Houston Top 100 REALTOR with 16+ years of experience in the real estate industry. Ige was proudly honored as…
2021 SUPER TRAILBLAZER Bo Porter is living proof that if given a bridge of opportunity, anyone can reach the peak of his or her potential. He possesses fortitude, a burning desire to attain ambitious goals, and the work ethic it takes to reach and sustain success. An accomplished professional athlete, Major League Baseball (MLB) executive,…
2021 LIVING LEGEND Harry L. Smith is a restaurant owner/operator of 17 restaurants in the Central Division/Indianapolis region. Harry is an OPNAD national marketing representative on behalf of the National NBMOA, OPNAD by-law/process team member, past national value council representative, past Central Division place team lead, past DLC member, past NLC place team (member of…
2021 LIVING LEGEND Effective January 1, 2020, Laurie Vignaud became the first woman president and CEO of Unity National Bank leading a team of 35 associates in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. With more than 35 years in leadership roles in banking and community development initiatives, Laurie has demonstrated a strong track record in initiating…
2021 LIVING LEGEND On January 3, 2021, Congressman Al Green took the oath of office to serve the people of Texas’ 9th Congressional District and began his ninth term in the United States House of Representatives. As a veteran civil rights advocate, he has fought for those in society whose voices, too often, are not…
2021 LIVING LEGEND Thelma Scott, affectionately known as “Mama Scott,” is the founder and CEO of the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation (BJEC), an organization discovering students with “unique abilities” throughout school districts in Houston and the Gulf Coast. She is a dedicated and passionate advocate for people with disabilities. Scott’s first appointment as an advocate…