Ashton Clark is a Data and Analytics leader/intrapreneur and nationally award-winning entrepreneur who started his first successful business at the age of 13. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Ticket Falcon, an online event registration and management platform with direct payouts for general admission and reserved seating events.

Ashton is an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Business and Engineering and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. At Kellogg, Ashton earned The Dean’s Distinguished Service award for his tenacity, commitment to scholastic excellence and most importantly, community impact for recruiting over 40 African American students to Northwestern’s evening and weekend MBA program. He was President of Kellogg’s Evening and Weekend Black Management Association.

Ashton firmly believes that service is the rent we pay for living and exemplifies this by giving back. He most recently served on the Board of Directors for the National Black MBA Association (Atlanta) as Vice Chair of Advancement and Development.

Ashton is a member of the 100 Black Men of Chicago and lifetime member of the illustrious Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he recently served as President of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter.

Ryan believes that success means nothing unless you bring others along the way. That’s part of the reason why he has and continues to mentor and give back as often as possible.

Ryan is the Chief Solutions Architect at Mr. SharePoint, a consulting firm he founded that's responsible for building some of the world's most beautiful and effective corporate intranet portals, leveraging SharePoint and Microsoft 365. Ryan also is the co-founder of Equity Twins, a residential real estate company he started with his twin brother in Chicago and Ticket Falcon, a black-owned event management and ticketing platform with instant payouts for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy with a Minor in Technology and Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also earned an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University. Ryan is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a member of the 100 Black Men of Chicago where he helps improve the quality of life and enhance the educational opportunities of African-American males throughout the Greater Chicago area.

Shannon McGhee, Vice President of Programs and Engagement, leads programs and member success across the organization including curriculum, mentorship, member engagement, community engagement, and the Catalyze Initiative to reduce barriers to Hardtech entrepreneurship for historically underrepresented founders.

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Shannon brings a human-centered approach to program design and delivery, rooted in equity and inclusion. At mHUB as Director of Community Impact and Engagement, she designed and launched and built a team around the Catalyze Initiative, an initiative encompassing four programs to rebalance opportunity and access in product innovation. Launched in 2022, the initiative has quickly become a central priority for mHUB – generating more than $2.6 million in multi-year support from individuals, public, and private funding. The initiative continues under her leadership and includes the mPOWER Program, Landis Family Hardtech Development Fellowship, the Equity in Innovation Scholarship Program, and granted and in-kind Community Partnerships. In this new team structure for the mHUB, members will see deeper integration across programs and expanded resources to improve outcomes for all members.

Prior to mHUB, Shannon spent her career developing grassroots and public information campaigns focused on healthcare, small business support and access to capital, and economic development in the private and nonprofit sectors. She was a part of the team who worked on the original vision and plan for mHUB at World Business Chicago, where she also managed marketing campaigns to drive inclusive economic growth, including 1000 Jobs for Chicagoland Manufacturing, Connect Chicago and SimpleGrowth (now part of Venturize). She re-joined the mHUB team in 2018 after time at public affairs firm Hawthorne Strategy Group, where she led work for clients including Small Business Majority, Chicago Children's Choir, Building Illinois Bioeconomy Consortium at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, and others.

Prior to that Shannon was at Fleishman Hillard, where she supported healthcare and corporate client teams including the Get Covered Illinois campaign out of the State of Illinois, Baxter, Abbott and Navistar.

A graduate of Butler University's School of Journalism (now College of Communications), Shannon was named to “Crain’s Notable Women in Manufacturing" in 2020 and “Crain’s Notable Executives in HR and DEI” in 2022. She is an appointed member of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Regional Economy Committee and serves on committees centered in equitable business support including GET Cities Chicago’s Tech Equity Working Group and is a previous member of Chicago Urban League’s NextONE Advisory Committee.

Nathan Stevens is a Program Officer at The Coleman Foundation in Chicago, IL. Coleman invests in the efforts of community-based organizations and local institutions to preserve and strengthen the physical health and the economic & emotional well-being of people living in the greater Chicago region. Nathan manages the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities programs.

In Entrepreneurship, Nathan stewards resources to benefit aspiring and established entrepreneurs in Chicago’s communities of high need by creating equitable pathways to capital, technical assistance, and entrepreneurship education.

In May 2024 Nathan joined the Board of Directors at Entrepreneurship Funders Network—a nationwide collection philanthropic leaders who recognize entrepreneurship as a tool to advance social and economic equity.

Prior to joining Coleman, Nathan worked at the Goldman Sachs grant-funded initiative 10,000 Small Businesses, a 15-week entrepreneurship training program designed to help small business owners take their ventures to the next level. Nathan held three separate positions during his seven-year tenure. As Project Director he managed the curriculum delivery for 900+ scholars and secured over $3.3 Million in program funding.

Nathan has a B.A. from Columbia College Chicago in Film & Video and a Grant Writing Certificate from DePaul University. He has received First Place at Columbia’s Written Image Awards for Best Student Feature and was named Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30, which recognizes substantial contributions to the Chicagoland LGBTQ community in the fields of entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, and sports.

Established in 2012 and based in Chicago, Black PeopleEats, LLC, led by Jeremy Joyce, operates as a vibrant media company dedicated to promoting black-owned food and beverage enterprises. With a focus on captivating content that spans experiences, food, and travel, our mission is to showcase and celebrate the richness of the black experience. Jeremy's vision is to uplift black-owned restaurants by providing them with a powerful platform to amplify their voices and highlight their contributions to culinary and cultural diversity. Through our engaging content, we aim to foster unity and understanding while showcasing the diverse and vibrant tapestry of black cuisine and lifestyle.

James Harris is an accomplished urban planner and community leader serving as the Assistant Commissioner for the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). He leads the Small Business Advocacy team, developing and refining programs to enhance Chcago's small business ecosystem. His educational background includes a Bachelor's in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master's in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. James also holds a Certified Planner designation from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a Certificate in Municipal Finance from the University of Chicago.

James has over a decade of experience in economic development and land-use policy, driving impactful initiatives for the City. His dedication to community service is evident through his mentorship of young professionals and his service on various nonprofit boards focused on social justice. James is committed to fostering economic growth and supporting Chicago's diverse small business community

Bruce Montgomery is a widely recognized and active contributor to Chicago’s Business, Technology and Cultural communities. He is the Founder and President of Montgomery & Company, a digital media, information, and communications technology company. Bruce is also the Founder, executive producer and host of Technology Access Television and Bruce on Business, Chicago’s long running TV news and radio shows covering Business, Technology and Innovation.

In 2016 Bruce opened The Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP) in Chicago’s Englewood community. This nationally recognized and innovative program provides Small Business Counseling, Business Development Workshops, Entrepreneurial Education, Access to Capital and Personal Credit & Money Management services free of charge to constituents on Chicago’s South Side and Citywide. The program is now known as The Entrepreneur Success Program (ESP) using an updated curriculum that graduated over 300+ program participants empowering many to live their dreams. 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appointed Bruce to the Commission on Equity & Inclusion to implement a new vision for diversity, equity and inclusion in the state.

Mr. Montgomery majored in marketing at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and attended Amos Tuck Graduate School of Business at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

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Steven Shaw is the Community Engagement Director at Verizon.  This Community Engagement role includes developing partnerships, funding programs and speaking at events on the issues of digital inclusion, particularly STEM education, and economic mobility, specifically tech workforce training, small business development and tech entrepreneurship.  A partnership that Steven co-founded with P33 and funds is call TechRise, which provides early-stage funding and other support for diverse tech entrepreneurs. 

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Prior to Verizon, Steven served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, focusing on Economic Development, Information Technology and External Engagement.  Before working for the County, Steven was an Associate Principal at Civic Consulting Alliance, where Cook County and the City Colleges of Chicago were his clients.  Steven has held additional government leadership roles as a Senior Advisor at the IL Dept of Human Services and managing an affordable housing development portfolio at the Chicago Housing Authority; he began his career as a Strategy & Operations Business Analyst at Deloitte Consulting.

Civically, Steven is currently on the boards of The People’s Music School and Social Responsibility Chicago, and is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.  Steven earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Economics from Morehouse College, and a Master in Public Administration degree, with a focus on nonprofits and social enterprise, from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Sarah Glavin is the Head of Community Affairs at Amazon in Chicago. She is responsible for building and supporting community and civic partnerships on behalf of Amazon's businesses in Chicago and the collar counties. Sarah previously spent 10 years at United Airlines where she served as the Director of Global Community Engagement. In her role, she led United's global strategy on community and stakeholder engagement to activate partners in support of the company's priorities. Before joining United, Sarah served as the Finance Director for Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulious in his bid for US Senate and as the Director of Distinguished Events for the American Cancer Society.  Earlier in her career, Sarah managed external affairs and corporate events for Ariel Investments and served on the campaign staff of Senator Richard J. Durbin.

Micae Brown is the Assistant Vice President, Business Access Advisor for U.S. Bank. As one of nine positions nationwide, Micae addresses the three most prominent gaps that limit business growth and employment opportunities within the Black Business Community: information, connections, and capital. Micae works alongside U.S. Bank's various business units as an advocate for Black Business owners, assisting them in navigating the banking system to ensure they are set up for success.

Micae's finance journey started at one of the country's largest Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), Local Initiatives Support Corporations (LISC), within their Economic Development Small Business Lending Department and LISC Lending. Micae led the marketing team for both the small business and lending team and supported all internal and external communication efforts. Micae used her marketing and communication skills to help LISC build an infrastructure to tell the story behind the small businesses they serve. Micae developed and deployed a national marketing campaign for The Entrepreneurs Of Color Fund (EOCF).

Before her positions at LISC and U.S. Bank, Micae started a Sales agency, where she led a team of experts to help businesses across the country develop sales strategies to sell their products and services for over seven years. Through an innovative and disruptive sales model, Micae managed a portfolio of clients and developed solutions to help entrepreneurs transform and grow their businesses.

Micae served as the National Business Development Manager for the Chicago Sun-Times, specializing in advertising strategies for clients such as Comcast, Macy's, and the Chicago White Sox. In this position, she created and hosted a revenue-generating entity called "Minority Report," a video series that showcased Chicago's vibrant community of minority entrepreneurs and leaders.

With significant experience in sales, marketing, and media, Micae's mission is to help small and mid-size businesses succeed in sales and marketing. In addition, Micae's passion for learning has led her to facilitate a weekly e-course targeted to business owners and professionals across the globe. This course covers business architecture, sales, marketing, and operations.

Micae is a seasoned media personality and previous radio host for Chicago's WVON1690AM Talk Radio. Micae has interviewed acclaimed guests across the globe.

Micae is a Chicago native and graduate of DePaul University and the

Sandler Sales Institute. She is also Hubspot Inbound Certified. When she is not connecting with business leaders or volunteering with local charities, Micae enjoys planning her next excursion and spending time with friends and family, including her Yorkshire Terriers Bentley and Studley.

Joshua Johnson is the Vice President of Space Continuum LLC, a commercial space planning firm based in Chicago. He is also an author and investor with a focus on strategic planning and leadership in diverse industries, including tech and interior design. As a dynamic executive, he is committed to helping businesses grow, particularly by navigating seasonal fluctuations and fostering operational excellence. Joshua's work is guided by his passion for mentoring, community development, and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Toi Salter is a recognized leader in the field of financial and business management. As CEO and Founder of Salter Financial Management LLC, she manages and oversees the day-to-day and long-term financial & business affairs for professional athletes and a media personality.

Ms. Salter, a 27-year financial professional, is especially committed to professional athletes after seeing how so many lost their wealth because of improper financial guidance and counsel. Determined not to let this happen on her watch, she landed top picks in the NBA against all odds and incorporated the industry’s most respected wealth institutions and top tier financial professionals as part of her team. This approach has been a winning combination.

Raised by a family of entrepreneurs, Toi’s goal was to always employ herself, as that is what she witnessed growing up. The path that led her to where she is today was non-traditional and based on her guts and passion. After graduating from college, she immediately hung her shingle and opened a nail salon, as they were virtually non-existent at that time in Chicago. The success of her salon and the invaluable relationships that were created served her well and led her into other entrepreneurial endeavors as she continued to follow her instincts. She’s a master at reinvention, believing one should reinvent themselves until they discover their true God given purpose. Ms. Salter is also a partner in A.D.T.J. Development LLC. The partnership has a Master franchise agreement with Fat Brands to develop the iconic Fatburger and Buffalo Express franchises across the state of IL. Ms. Salter works tirelessly for causes that impact her community. Over the past several years she has received many honors and awards for her dedication to her craft, community, and philanthropy. She believes in higher education and cites it as one of her pillars of success. As a long- time champion for youth and education, she has generously committed her time to raising funds for several organizations and in particular UNCF. To date Toi has raised over $3 million dollars for UNCF Chicago and is featured in the national UNCF’s annual report under the heading “The Power of One”.

Ms. Salter has successfully championed the fundraising efforts of other organizations as well collectively raising over $5 million dollars.

Toi is featured in “Unselfish Women” a coffee table book that features over 100 women from across the country that are living life selflessly and making a difference in the lives of others. In February 2021 she was one of four women featured in the nationally televised “Women on The Move”. Amongst her many honors and awards she has received the Kia Motors and Uptown Magazine’s “Game Changer” honor, the Black Women’s Expo Phenomenal Women Special Recognition Award, a Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Honoree and featured in the 2020 HBCU Black History Calendar under the month of April. In June 2022 she received the “Trail Blazer” award at the UNCF’s “A Mind Is …” Gala. In November 2024 Toi will Chair the much anticipated and largest gala of our community, Chicago Urban League’s 63rd Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner.

A life-long learner Toi received her B.S. in Commerce from DePaul University, a Master of Accountancy from National University, and a M.S. in Financial Planning from the College of Financial Planning. Additionally, she holds the CFP(R) designation.

Ms. Salter is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and is a resident of Chicago IL.

Pamela A. Jones is the  President and Chief Executive Officer International House of Sauces & Seasonings, Inc., DBA as Charboy’s.

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IHSS, Inc., DBA Charboy’s is certified as a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and SAM.GOV. As a diverse certified company we provide Charboy’s sauces in over 500 store locations throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, Wisconsin, and across the States through Amazon.com. Charboy’s Southern BBQ (all natural), Hot & Sweet Asian (gluten free), N’awlins Bourbon (made with real bourbon), and Hot & Spicy Ketchups (no high fructose- no corn syrup) all have great taste and are lower in sodium and sugars compared to most major branded sauces in its category. Charboy’s sauces are also a great choice to baste on char-grilled foods.

Robert Wheatly is a seasoned Business Growth Specialist and the esteemed President of our company. With a proven track record of success, Rob has excelled in forging strategic partnerships and driving business expansion. His strong background in business development, coupled with a keen understanding of market dynamics, has made him a key figure in securing valuable partnerships with prominent organizations such as US Bank, Win Trust, the Danny Clark Foundation, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and the City of Chicago.

Rob's expertise lies in identifying growth opportunities, conducting thorough market research, and developing innovative strategies to penetrate new markets. His exceptional relationship-building skills and ability to align business objectives have enabled him to foster long-term partnerships with key stakeholders, driving mutually beneficial collaborations. 

Throughout his illustrious career, Rob has consistently delivered measurable results by leveraging his deep industry knowledge, analytical acumen, and strong communication skills. As the President, he has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion, all while ensuring client satisfaction and maintaining a strong reputation for integrity and professionalism.

​Giles Travis, a seasoned Community Impact Specialist and Chief Marketing Officer, seamlessly combines marketing acumen with design prowess to effect meaningful change. His creative genius has left an indelible mark on renowned entities such as the Chicago Tribune, City of Chicago, Entrepid, and Edible Arrangements through meticulously crafted campaigns and designs that deeply resonate with target audiences, sparking transformative change. 

As the visionary Chief Marketing Officer and mastermind behind My Bounce Media, Giles has curated a dynamic team proficient in a spectrum of services, ranging from web design and internet marketing to audio production. Their collective expertise extends to print design, video production, and photography, offering a comprehensive suite of services that caters to diverse business needs. 

Giles's dual capability in marketing and design, coupled with his strategic leadership as the Chief Marketing Officer at My Bounce Media, underscores his unique ability to drive community impact through creativity. His multi-faceted approach ensures that his initiatives not only inspire change but also leave a lasting visual imprint, reinforcing their message and lasting impact.

A highly regarded entrepreneur from Chicago, Mrs. BitoyDillon is distinguished for over a decade of dedication to the food and beverage industry. As CEO & Founder of Bitoy's Sweet Treats, she leads the company in its mission to infuse love and fun into the world with authentic handcrafted treats while helping restore underserved communities. Bitoy's unique handcrafted treats ( gelato, popcorn, and confections) help create magical memories centered around food, family, and fun with a commitment to sustainability and economic development. Among her many career accomplishments, Mrs. Bitoy-Dillon is particularly proud of product placement in O'Hare/Midway Airports, and the Home Shopping Network. These are especially noteworthy accomplishments given the competitive nature of the specialty snacks category and the lack of minority representation in the food industry. The Wall Street Journal recognized Layla as a distinguished leader in 2024. She has also completed entrepreneurial programs such as Goldman Sachs 10KSB and BeyGOOD’s Renaissance Parade Route. Layla also serves on the Board of the Chicago Blackhawks helping spearhead their Support West small business initiatives and Family Owned and Operated.Founded in 2015, Bitoy’s Sweet Treats in a luxury treat manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer with international distribution channels serving B2B/C and DTC channels. Headquarters is located in Chicago, IL. MBE/WBE Certified Firm.

Juan Teague is the CEO of Juan and Only LLC, a certified minority and women-owned business specializing in production, marketing, and consulting. With over 15 years of experience in hotel sales, event management, and corporate activations, she has developed strong client relationships and achieved significant sales success. Juan's leadership is defined by her innovative strategies, community involvement, and ability to deliver impactful experiences for clients across various industries.

Anterio Jackson is the founder of OmniSuite, a business software platform designed to automate and streamline business processes for entrepreneurs and professionals. OmniSuite offers a suite of tools and services aimed at increasing productivity, improving customer relationships, and managing various business functions such as accounting, project management, and customer support. Anterio Jackson's focus is on helping businesses become more efficient by leveraging technology, allowing them to focus on growth and innovation while reducing manual tasks.

OmniSuite is particularly useful for business owners who are looking to automate their operations, save time, and increase profitability. The platform integrates multiple business functions into a single ecosystem, making it easier to manage teams, projects, and client interactions. OmniSuite's customization capabilities ensure that the platform can be tailored to fit the specific needs of any business, regardless of industry or size.

Jackson's approach to business is rooted in the belief that technology should work for businesses by simplifying processes and fostering long-term success.

At the helm of FoodJoy is Chef Lemuel Williams, a culinary visionary with a passion for crafting unforgettable dining experiences. After completing his studies at Indiana University, Chef Williams pursued his true calling at the renowned Johnson & Wales University, where he honed his culinary skills and developed a deep appreciation for global cuisine.

With an insatiable curiosity and love for travel, Chef Williams draws inspiration from the diverse flavors and cultures he encounters around the world. This global perspective infuses every dish he creates, blending tradition with innovation to deliver meals that are both familiar and exciting. His commitment to excellence and creativity drives the culinary vision at FoodJoy, ensuring that each event is a unique and memorable experience.

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