Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation

Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation Visit our website to register to volunteer or donate - www.bpacf.org

The mission of the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF) is to create opportunities for African Americans by providing scholarship, leadership, professional and career development.

🤝 Your next opportunity could start with one conversation.Networking isn’t about having the perfect elevator pitch — it’...
05/29/2026

🤝 Your next opportunity could start with one conversation.

Networking isn’t about having the perfect elevator pitch — it’s about building real relationships. The strongest connections come from curiosity, confidence, and consistent follow-up.

Here are 3 simple reminders to network like a pro:
✨ Lead with curiosity
✨ Keep a go-to intro ready
✨ Follow up and stay connected

Small conversations today can open big doors tomorrow.

What’s the best networking advice you’ve ever received? Drop it below ⬇️

Learn more about how Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation supports professional growth and leadership development at bpacf.org.

🚀 Your future starts with the skills you build today.The Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation 2026 Prof...
05/28/2026

🚀 Your future starts with the skills you build today.

The Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation 2026 Professional Soft-Skills Boot Camp is designed to help emerging professionals gain the confidence, connections, and career readiness needed to succeed.

Participants will experience:
✨ Industry networking opportunities
✨ Professional development workshops
✨ Guidance on building meaningful connections
✨ Tips for protecting and strengthening your professional image

Whether you’re in high school, trade school, or college, this interactive experience is built to prepare you for your next career move.

📅 Friday, June 26, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 The Cleveland Foundation

⚠️ Seats are limited! Register by June 19, 2026 using the QR code or visit BPACF Events to learn more.

05/28/2026

The next generation of legendary leadership is already here.

As we count down to the **3rd Annual 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute**, community leader and ENGAGE Program President **Edwin Hubbard Jr. ()** reminds us why this celebration matters so deeply.

Too often, impactful leaders go unrecognized while they’re actively building a legacy in real time. This event exists to shine a light on the professionals, entrepreneurs, advocates, and visionaries who are shaping Northeast Ohio today — and whose impact will be felt for generations to come.

On June 4th, BPACF will honor a new class of Emerging Legends whose work, leadership, and service deserve to be celebrated NOW.

✨ Legacy is not only something we look back on.
It’s something being built every single day.

🎟️ Tickets are limited and going quickly. Secure your seat today:
https://bpacf.org/40-under-40-2026-salute

05/24/2026

On June 4th, the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation will proudly present the 3rd Annual 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute — and this year, we’re taking the celebration to a bigger stage at a brand-new venue.

This signature event honors the next generation of Black excellence across Northeast Ohio — leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, and professionals who are making a lasting impact in their industries and communities RIGHT NOW.

Join BPACF Trustee and event M.C., Kierra Cotton (), as we count down to an unforgettable evening of inspiration, networking, recognition, and celebration.

🎟️ Tickets are going FAST, get yours NOW!!

Secure your seat today:
https://bpacf.org/40-under-40-2026-salute

Let’s celebrate the leaders shaping the future.

Meet our final five honorees:✨ Jazmine Walker - Manager of the Advising Programs & Services at College Now Greater Cleve...
05/22/2026

Meet our final five honorees:

✨ Jazmine Walker - Manager of the Advising Programs & Services at College Now Greater Cleveland, the 45+ year old nonprofit that helps 38,000+ students and adult learners across Northeast Ohio pursue degrees, certifications, and rewarding careers each year. Jazmine is part of the team opening doors to higher education and brighter futures across our community. 🎓💛

✨ Erius Watson - Vice President of Community Engagement at Dollar Bank, a regional bank with official headquarters in PA. A University of Toledo grad with an MBA, Erius brings a background in community engagement, diversity initiatives, and strategic business development, helping Cleveland families and businesses thrive. 💼🏦

✨ Melvonna Williams - Director of Solutions in Student Management at Clinician Nexus, the platform that powers career exploration and clinical education at top healthcare systems including Cleveland Clinic. A Cleveland native with a bachelor's degree and MBA, Melvonna previously led Cleveland Clinic's Center for Youth & College Education Shadowing Program and continues to open doors for the next generation of healthcare professionals. 🩺✨

✨ Clarence Williams - Director of Solutions in Student Management at Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's leading academic medical centers and Cleveland's largest employer, where excellence in patient care, research, and education changes lives every single day. Clarence is an epidemiologist. 💙

✨ Maria Wilson - Director of Scholar Experience at Breakthrough Public Schools, the highest rated network of tuition free public charter schools in Cleveland serving K-8 students across the city. A proud Spelman College alum, Maria champions student success at one of Cleveland's most impactful education networks, helping our scholars thrive. 🎒📚

🎉 Join us in celebrating these incredible honorees at the BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute on June 4, 2026!

Five more leaders we're proud to celebrate:✨ Daa'iyah Rahman – Engagement Manager at Open Doors Academy, the Cleveland n...
05/21/2026

Five more leaders we're proud to celebrate:

✨ Daa'iyah Rahman – Engagement Manager at Open Doors Academy, the Cleveland nonprofit that has provided K-12 enrichment programs to youth for 30+ years, now serving 20+ schools across Greater Cleveland and statewide. A Howard University alum and Crain's Cleveland 40 Under 40 honoree, Daa'iyah champions the relationships between families, schools, and community that help students thrive. 📚💛

✨ Alicia Robinson – Founder & Executive Director of Limitless Ambition, Inc., which has empowered 3,000+ young women across Akron and Cleveland through teen enrichment and women's empowerment events, and Senior Director of Partnerships at Summit Education Initiative. A Kent State alum, Crain's Notable Woman in Entrepreneurship, and 2020 Athena Young Professional rewriting what's possible for women and girls in Northeast Ohio. 👑✨

✨ Shanice Settle – Director of Content & Communications at The NRP Group, the Cleveland-headquartered national multifamily developer building quality affordable housing across the country. A former WOIO Cleveland 19 News multimedia journalist and 2023 Crain's Cleveland 40 Under 40 honoree, Shanice brings powerhouse storytelling and strategic communications to families everywhere. 🏘️🎤

✨ HerBrina Shepherd – Transfer Specialist at Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus, where she helps students explore transfer pathways and connect with four-year colleges and universities. An Ohio State alum, proud Maple Heights grad, and dedicated board member of the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank and Maple Education Foundation, HerBrina lives by "Just Bloom." 🌻📖

✨ Latia Taylor – Grade Level Principal at Garfield Heights City Schools, a district that proudly serves 3,500+ students K-12 in Cuyahoga County — preparing the next generation to pursue their dreams and give back as engaged citizens and future leaders. 🎒💫

🎉 Join us in celebrating these honorees at the BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute on June 4, 2026!

Five more leaders making their mark:✨ Diauntae Morrow – Founder & CEO of The Morrow Group & Company, a Cleveland-based n...
05/20/2026

Five more leaders making their mark:

✨ Diauntae Morrow – Founder & CEO of The Morrow Group & Company, a Cleveland-based nationwide insurance brokerage serving high-net-worth clients including athletes and entertainers. A former NCAA D1 football player, Diauntae is also President of NAAIA's Cleveland Chapter and an adjunct professor at Lorain County Community College. 🏈💼

✨ Chinenye Nkemere – Co-Founder & Director of Strategy at Enlightened Solutions, a Cleveland nonprofit advancing racial and gender equity through research. Through Project Noir and the podcast "Living for We" (with Ideastream + NPR), she's making sure Black women in Cleveland are seen, heard, and centered. 📊✊🏾

✨ Jamie Parker – Bringing her leadership to Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc., a Cleveland nonprofit revitalizing the Central, Kinsman, Buckeye-Shaker, and Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhoods since 1990. Through housing, retail, employment, and recreation initiatives — plus the community radio station WOVU 95.9FM, Jamie is part of building brighter neighborhoods on Cleveland's east side. 🏘️🎙️

✨ Daneé Pinckney – English teacher at Twinsburg High School (Twinsburg City Schools) and the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year! 🎉 She created the popular elective "Exploration of Black Voices in Literature," empowering students through community service, activism, and global projects with students in Ghana. 📚🌍

Katuras Pleasant – Youth Systems Manager at A Place 4 Me, the Cleveland initiative dedicated to preventing and ending youth homelessness in Cuyahoga County. Katura brings passion and purpose to building systems that support young people in our community. 🏛️💫

🎉 Join us in celebrating these incredible honorees at the BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute on June 4, 2026!

The celebration continues with five more leaders shaping our region:✨ Kristian Hunter – Executive Director of One South ...
05/20/2026

The celebration continues with five more leaders shaping our region:

✨ Kristian Hunter – Executive Director of One South Euclid, Kristian leads the nonprofit community development corporation focused on revitalizing the South Euclid area through housing, economic development, public art, and neighborhood engagement. Previously a Center Director and Manager of Neighborhood Operations at Famicos Foundation, she's a champion for the neighborhoods she serves. 🏘️✨

✨ Jzinae Jeanbaptiste – Managing Associate at Thompson Hine LLP in downtown Cleveland practicing in Employment & Labor, Jzinae has been selected to Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2024–2026 — a peer recognition reserved for only a select few. A Cleveland-Marshall College of Law alum, she co-chairs the CMBA's Louis Stokes Scholars Program Advisory Committee, opening doors for the next generation of CMSD students pursuing law. ⚖️💛

✨ Danielle Jones – Human Resources Business Partner at Cleveland Clinic, Danielle is part of one of the world's leading academic medical centers — a Cleveland institution committed to clinical excellence, research, and education for our community and beyond. 🏥💫

✨ Alicia Jordan – A John Carroll University graduate with a Master's in Political Science, Alicia serves as Manager of Advising Programs & Services at College Now Greater Cleveland, the region's leading college access nonprofit that supports more than 30,000 students and adult learners each year — many of them first-generation college students from low-income families. Her work helps Cleveland kids dream bigger and finish stronger. 🎓📚

✨ Lauren Kane – Founder and leader of Clarity and Ledger, Lauren brings financial clarity and accounting expertise to entrepreneurs and small businesses in our community — helping Cleveland's business owners make confident, informed decisions about their financial future. 📊💼

🎉 Join us in celebrating these incredible honorees at the BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute on June 4, 2026!

🔗 Get your tickets and sponsor a leader today!

Five more leaders we're proud to celebrate:✨ Teresa Leek – Through Safe Haven Therapy & Wellness and Making a Difference...
05/19/2026

Five more leaders we're proud to celebrate:✨

Teresa Leek – Through Safe Haven Therapy & Wellness and Making a Difference Consulting, Teresa is on the front lines of mental health and emotional wellbeing in our community. Her dual practice combines clinical care with youth-focused consulting empowering Cleveland families holistically and equipping the next generation with the tools to thrive. 🧠💛

Brittany Long – Senior Manager of Foundation Development & Operations at the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brittany channels the power of one of Cleveland's most beloved organizations into real impact for young people across Northeast Ohio. Through strategic partnerships and cause marketing campaigns, she helps the Cavs change lives on and off the court. 🏀💜

Whitney Malone – A Lyndhurst native and former public librarian with 12+ years of community service, Whitney is the founder of Flourishworks, LLC (home of Malone House Gardens), where she serves as a life coach guiding women through pivotal life transitions. Her mission: empower women to ask boldly for what they want and equip them with the tools to go get it.

Tatyana McKnight – A seasoned communications professional now serving at Cleveland City Council, Tatyana brings her experience from years inside the Mayor's office to help Council communicate clearly and effectively with the residents it serves. She's part of the team telling Cleveland's story from the inside out. 🏛️

Darvio Morrow – Founder and CEO of The First Class Broadcasting Corporation (FCB), Darvio "The Kingpin" Morrow has quietly built one of the country's most influential independent, minority-owned media empires right here in Cleveland. FCB now spans four iHeartRadio streaming stations, a podcast network, FCB Records Group (distributed by Sony Music and Roc Nation), and national journalism work. A Newsweek contributor and co-host of The Outlaws Radio Show, he's also the youngest Black operations manager of an FCC-licensed broadcast station (WOVU) in the country. 🎙️

Join us in celebrating these incredible honorees at the BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute on June 4, 2026!

We continue the celebration with five more incredible honorees:✨ David Gulley – A proud Cleveland native and graduate of...
05/15/2026

We continue the celebration with five more incredible honorees:

✨ David Gulley – A proud Cleveland native and graduate of the Cleveland School of the Arts, David is the Founder and Director of The Cleveland Chorale — the powerhouse gospel ensemble that has performed for three U.S. Presidents and taken Cleveland's sound across the country and around the world. Through Purposed by Destiny and Gulley Productions, he leads with music that uplifts, restores, and transforms our community. 🎶🙌🏾

✨ JaNae Hambrick – A Buckeye Neighborhood resident and proud Cleveland State University alum, JaNae brings over a decade of banking and leadership expertise to KeyBank, where she earned the prestigious Circle of Excellence Award. A passionate advocate for Cleveland's southeast side, she also champions voter education, civic engagement, and political access for her community. 💼🗳️

✨ Fatimah Harris – A communications professional with the City of Cleveland and Mayor Justin Bibb's office, Fatimah is the strategic voice helping connect City Hall to residents especially the next generation. From storytelling to innovative community outreach, she's making Cleveland's government more accessible and reflective of the people it serves. 🏛️📣

✨ Cierra Hilson – Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer at The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, Cierra leads the charge for an organization that has championed justice, equity, and inclusion in our region since 1927. Her work fuels the programs that empower thousands of students and educators across Northeast Ohio each year. 🤝💛

✨ India Hobbs – Executive Director of Home Care Companions & Associates, LLC and Founder of Inner City Trades, India is a serial changemaker creating pathways to wellness and wealth. Through Inner City Trades, she equips youth and families in underserved Cleveland communities with the financial literacy, tools, and mentorship needed to build generational prosperity. 📈💫

🎉 Join us in celebrating these incredible honorees at the BPACF Forty Under 40 Emerging Legends Salute on June 4, 2026!

Address

11327 Shaker Boulevard , Suite 400 (St. Luke's Pointe)
Cleveland, OH
44104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12162297110

Website

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