Shaping The Future - Atlanta Business League...The Atlanta Business League (ABL) is the flagship organization for African-American business owners and professionals. The ABL is an

Table of Contents

2015-2016 Winter Newsletteratlantabusinessleague.org

Shaping The FutureCelebrating 82 Years of Service

Annual Dinner Meeting ................ 1

Board of Directors ............................. 2

2015 Highlights .. ......................... 3

Industry Spotlight: Entertainment ....... 4

ABL Business Hall of Fame Inductees ....... 5

Members Making Strides .................... 6

Membership Application .................... 7

Photo Gallery ................................... 8

Photo Captions ................................ 10

Meet ABL’s Newest Board Members ....... 10

Partners in Growth ............................ 11

The Atlanta Business League’s 82nd Annual Dinner Meeting welcomed hundreds of members and guests to honor business leaders, review the organization’s 2015 achievements, and enjoy a lively discussion with show-biz insiders about little-known opportunities in Atlanta’s burgeoning film and television industry. The event was held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel.

“This year’s Annual Dinner Meeting surpassed all expectations, from electing new members to our Board of Directors, reviewing the League’s 2015 growth and achievements, to welcoming three local entrepreneurs into our Business Hall of Fame, and learning about the many exciting opportunities available to different businesses in what many are now calling ‘Hollywood South,’” said ABL President and CEO Leona Barr-Davenport.

The ABL announced the election of four members to the board, Tiffany Callaway Ferrell, Director Regional Operations, AGL Resources, was re-elected, and three new members joined the board: Todd Gray,

Director of Supplier Diversity Materials Management, Grady Health System; Sabrina Lowery, Realtor, Technology Instructor, Legacy Realty & Management LLC; and Michael Smith, Senior Manager Assurance Services, Ernst & Young LLP.

The ABL Business Hall of Fame was created to recognize black businesses that have operated continuously for 25 years or more. Their pioneering entrepreneurial endeavors have paved the way for others to follow. Inducted this year were Daryll Griffin of Accolades Inc, Ira Jackson of Perfect Image Printing, and Simon Robinson of Simon Sign Systems.

“The longevity of these businesses, along with their commitment to excellence, affords them the ability to grow with the times,” said League Board Chair Milton Jones, Jr. “They represent everything that

Opportunity and Business Savvy Spotlighted at 82nd Annual Dinner

...continued on pg.2

ABL Hall of Fame Inductee Daryll Griffin of Accolades Inc is flanked by entrepreneur husband Michael Griffin (l) and their son Michael, Jr. who works in her business.

2015 ABLBoard of Directors

the Atlanta Business League stands for and strives to provide each and every one of our members. We are proud and honored to induct them into our Business Hall of Fame.”

Another highlight of the evening was the panel discussion, “Money in the Movies: How You Can Profit in Hollywood South,” which featured local experts discussing some of the little-known behind-the-scenes opportunities in Atlanta’s burgeoning film and television industry. The experts included Actress Terri J. Vaughn; Roger Bobb, Producer, President and CEO of Bobbcat Films; LaRonda Sutton,

Director of the Mayor’s Office of Entertainment for the City of Atlanta; Brett Dismuke, President and COO of The Swirl Group production company; and was moderated by Tirrell D. Whittley, CEO and Principal of Liquid Soul entertainment public relations and promotion agency.

The Annual Dinner Meeting is one of several networking and business-building opportunities that the League offers to professionals and entrepreneurs in the Atlanta area. Visit www.atlantabusinessleague.org to learn more.

OFFICERS

BOARD MEMBERS

ABL FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN & PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT & CEO

GENERAL COUNSEL

VICE CHAIRS

Milton Jones, Jr.

William Taggart

Daryll Griffin

Lonnie Saboor

Mary Parker

Thomas Dortch, Jr.

Tiffany Callaway Ferrell

Lolita Browning Jackson

Brandon Riddick-Seals

Rukiya Thomas

Clint Walker

Dennis Boyden

Ryan Cameron

Cynthia Day

Edward Hartley

Candy Moore

Egbert Perry

Erica Qualls-Battey

Michael Smith

Laron Walker

Charmaine Ward

Willie Watkins

Mack Wilbourn

Brent Wilson

Leonard Jenkins, Jr.

Leona Barr-Davenport

Tashwanda Pinchback Dixon

Chair

Chair Elect

Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

The Atlanta Business League (ABL) is the flagship organization

for African-American business owners and professionals. The ABL

is an affiliate of the National Business League, an organization

founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900, and is proud to be

recognized, 115 years later, as one of the last thriving chapters.

Since 1933, the ABL has evolved to help foster and grow effective

and profitable business leadership. The organization’s vision

is to endow the future of minority, female, small and aspiring

businesses in Atlanta with the tools needed to succeed.

Through the Atlanta Business League and the businesses it serves,

the quality of life in our community is greatly enriched.

...continued from pg. 1

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Milton Jones, Jr. Board Chair

Leona Barr-Davenport President & CEO

THANK YOU for helping the Atlanta Business League complete another impactful year. With the financial and in-kind support of our Members, Partners, Sponsors, and Volunteers, we touched the community over 3.7 million times.

HOW? BY providing Seminars and Educational Training to over 2,000 business owners and professionals through our Business Enrichment Seminars, Business Power Forums and at Signature Events like Super Tuesday and the Annual Meeting;

BY honoring and recognizing 138 CEOs, business owners, and professionals in Metro Atlanta.

BY disseminating information to the community about value-added initiatives through email, social media, newsletters and the ABL website;

BY presentations from CEOs, key elected officials, and senior officers with responsibility for supplier diversity, banking and other areas of importance to ABL members;

BY providing youth business training and education to students through our Student Business Shadow Project;

BY introducing our first-ever Pitch Tank, a “Shark Tank” style pitching competition where three carefully selected local entrepreneurs pitched a panel of expert investors in hope of winning a prize of over $15,000 (cash and in-kind) that included business financing, media promotion and Individualized coaching.

CEO Appreciation Luncheon Men of Influence Reception Super Tuesday Conference

Women of Vision Breakfast / Hall of Fame

82nd Annual Dinner Meeting - Panel: “Money in the Movies: How You Can Profit in Hollywood South”

Student Business Shadow Project

BY the D.C. Fly-In to meet with Georgia’s Congressional Delegation and officials at the Departments of Commerce, Energy and Transportation to discuss business opportunities for ABL members.

BY providing Seminars and Educational Training to over 2,000 business owners and professionals through our Business Enrichment Seminars, Business Power Forums and at Signature Events like Super Tuesday and the Annual Meeting;







BY partnering with Clark Atlanta University to host President Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellows, 25 young leaders from 17 African nations.

HOW?

THANK YOU for helping the Atlanta Business League complete another impactful year. With the financial and in-kind support of our Members, Partners, Sponsors, and Volunteers, we touched the community over 3.7 million times. CEO Appreciation Luncheon

Thank You































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Industry Focus:Entertainment

Liquid Soul“The glamour aspect of the entertainment industry is there, but it’s a very small part,” says Nick Nelson, Principal and CMO of Liquid Soul. Along with Tirrell Whittley, Principal and CEO, Nelson runs the Atlanta-based marketing agency for the sports and entertainment industry (www.goliq-uidsoul.com). “This business is high stress, high pressure and date driven,” he notes.

And, Nelson adds wryly, “You’re in constant selling mode because you’re only as good as your last successful project.”

Fortunately, one of their recent projects was the launch of Fox TV’s mega-triumph “Empire.” “We’re very proud of our work on behalf of that show. We were able to provide insights around the music and culture that helped create the new juggernaut,” Nelson says.

Bobbcat FilmsPlanning and passion are the keys to success in the entertainment industry, Bobb noted in a recent interview. “If you fail to plan then you plan to fail. Always have a plan A, B, C & D,” he says.

With three hit shows currently on the air and 11 films released in the last six years, all opening at #1 or #2 on their opening weekends, Roger Bobb is one of the most successful producers in the film and television industry today. Bobb is the President and CEO of Bobbcat Films. Prior to creating Bobbcat films, Roger served as Executive Vice President of Tyler Perry Studios.

Bobb has won six NAACP Image Awards. He recently produced the television film “Let The Church Say Amen” for BET. His latest venture, as a director and producer for the television film “In the Meantime”, earned 1st place as the GMC Winner of the American Black Film Festival.

The Anderson FirmHarvard Law School graduate Precious Anderson is the Principal of The Anderson Firm, LLC. As a deal lawyer and serial entrepreneur, Attorney Anderson represents clients in business, enter-tainment and certain estate planning matters.

Her firm’s entertainment practice includes TV personalities, TV producers, artists, songwriters, production companies, management companies, record labels, promoters, film directors, film producers, authors, and other entertainment talent. Anderson’s experience also includes co-ex-ecutive producing credits, co-owning a sports bar and lounge, and business consulting for a national branding company where she is a principal. Her entertainment work includes projects she produces for her recently formed company, A Precious Production, LLC.

Rubbing shoulders with the glitterati, champagne and caviar in long limousines, instant entree into the best restaurants and parties—who wouldn’t want to work in the glamourous entertainment industry? Here’s what the experts say:

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Business Hall of FameIf you want to understand how a business has survived the roller coaster ups and downs of the American economy for the past 25 years, ask the clients:

“They are consummate professionals in their industry,” says Morehouse College Publications Manager Vickie Hampton, describing Perfect Image Printing (www.perfectimageprinting.com).

“They are tried and true,” says Spelman Director of Special Events Heather Hawes about Simon Sign Systems (www.simonsignsystems.com), the company she has done business with for 10 years. ”She knows her products, knows how to please and loves what she does,” says Morehouse School of Medicine Program Coordinator Symenthia Dearing about Daryll Griffin. Griffin is president of Accolades Inc (http://accolades-inc.com/), a marketing and promotional products firm.

These three companies were recently inducted into the ABL Business Hall of Fame during the organization’s 82nd Annual Dinner Meeting. ”This award recognizes African-American-owned businesses that have continuously operated for 25 years or more, and whose entrepreneurial endeavors have paved the way for others to follow,” says ABL President and CEO Leona Barr-Davenport.

Jackson’s Perfect Image celebrated 33 years in business in 2015. Founded in 1982 in Marietta, GA, the company offers commercial printing and multichannel marketing to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and businesses in Atlanta and across the Southeast.

“I grew up in a very entrepreneurial family,” says Jackson, whose father built a flour-ishing business in gas stations and grocery stores. “I researched a lot of different ventures before I settled on printing. “

Like Jackson, Simon Robinson of Simon Sign Systems says that entrepreneurial parents ultimately set him on the track to business success. But first, he spent time in corporate America to get a feel for how the world works. He worked for Ralston Purina and Tandy Corporation before opening his own business in 1989.

“The sign business has changed over the years, and we have adapted,” he notes. “We provide solutions, not simply signs. We’re providing vehicular wraps and ad-vanced electronic message centers.”

Though she is from a third generation entrepreneurial family, Griffin started by working in corporate America. She had a distinguished career with Xerox Corpo-ration before opening Accolades Inc in 1990. She put that corporate experience to work building her firm with clients like Coca-Cola, UPS, and Home Depot.

They all agree that the ABL has played a key role in their business growth and de-velopment over the years.

“We’ve all met many of our

best clients through network-

ing events and opportunities

presented by the League,”

says Griffin, a former Chair-

man of the organization.

“For decades ABL has been a

strong advocate for Atlanta’s

African American businesses.”

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Members Making StridesKarmetria Dunham Burton, Director of Strategic Programs and Supplier Diversity for Delta Air Lines, and Atlanta Certified Public Accountant and business owner Shirley A. Langley have been featured in Rolling Out in partnership with the Female Success Factor as two of Atlanta’s Top 25 Women. They are women “who’ve successfully served as business leaders and pillars of their communities. These women have exemplified the willingness to share their expertise and effect change,” according to Rolling Out.

Dr. Sinclair Grey III, Speaker, Freelance Writer, Life Coach, and Radio/Television Talk Show Host, has been elected as the newest member of the Social Circle City School Board in Social Circle, GA. The only African-American on the board, he will be representing District 1.

Ebony Magazine has announced that Curley M. Dossman Jr., Chairman of the Board of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., is one of its Power 100 for 2015. The list is the publication’s annual roster recognizing accomplished men and women who lead, inspire, and demonstrate through their individual talents the very best in Black America.

Atlanta Job Corps Center Director Annie T. Matthews has been recently featured in the news for developing a partnership with the Atlanta Police Department to expose young adults to law enforcement officers from the community. The partnership goal is to help create trust and understanding between police officers and Job Corps youth.

Karmetria Dunham Burton

Dr. Sinclair Grey III

Shirley A. Langley

Curley M. Dossman Jr.

Annie T. Matthews

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Date: ____________/_________/__________ Company: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________________________________State: _______Zip:____________ Telephone: (______) ________________ Fax: (______) ___________________ E‐mail: ______________________ Web site address: ___________________________________ SIC Code(s): __________ ___________ _________ Name of CEO/President/Owner: ____________________________________________________________________ Contact Person: _________________________________________________________________________________ Title: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Product/Service: _________________________________________________________________________________

(As it would be listed in the “Yellow Pages”)

Ownership: □Minority □Majority Type of Business: □Services □Retail □Manufacturer □Wholesaler □Government Non‐Profit □Other‐Specify: ________________ Revenue: □$15 Million and above □$5 Million‐$14.9 Million □$1 Million‐$4.9 Million □$1‐$999,999 # of Employees: □1 ‐ 5 □6 ‐ 10 □11 ‐ 20 □More than 20 Age: □17 & under □ 18 ‐ 20 □21 ‐ 35 □ 36 ‐ 45 □ 46 ‐ 55 □ 56 & older Method of Payment: □ Check □ Master Card □ Visa □ American Express Account #: _____________________________________ Exp. Date: _____/_____/_____ Signature: _____________________________________

MEMBERSHIP TYPE REVENUE DUES Very Large Business $15 Million and above $1375.00 Large Business $5 Million ‐ $14.9 Million $685.00 Medium Size Business $1 Million ‐ $4.9 Million $385.00 Small Business $1‐ $999,999 $275.00 Associate/Individual N/A $150.00 Student N/A $20.00 (with student ID)

Write the number of additional company representatives: □ - Additional company representative: $150.00 per rep. Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Please return completed application with your check, payable to Atlanta Business League, for membership dues to:Atlanta Business League, P.O. Box 92363 Atlanta, Georgia, 30314, Attn: Membership Referred by: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Atlanta Business League931 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, NW

Atlanta, Georgia 30314 (Office) 404‐584‐8126

(Fax) 404‐584‐0445 Members Making Strides

PhotoGallery

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ABL Welcomes New Members to the Board

PHOTO CAPTIONS

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New Board Member Todd A. Gray is Director of Supplier Diversity for Grady Health System. Gray is responsible for sourcing, contract management, system wide development, implementation and facilitation of Supplier Diversity for Grady. Grady Health System is the 7th largest public academic health system in the United States and has a strong commitment to the inclusion of diverse suppliers in their supply chain and purchasing activities.

New Board Member Marcel Hannah is Senior Vice President for Small Business Banking with Bank of America. He has been with the Bank for 15 years and has been the Small Business Banking Manager since 2014. Hannah leads a team of Small Business Client Managers who are responsible for providing comprehensive financial solutions to small businesses with annual revenues from $250M to $5MM. Marcel is also responsible for developing strategies and processes to help Small Business Bankers service their clients.

New Board Member Sabrina Lowery is Owner/Founder/Real Estate Broker of Legacy Realty & Management, LLC, which opened in July 2012. Legacy is a full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage and property management company, based in Atlanta.

At the Annual Awards Dinner, a dynamic Money in the Movies Panel discussed some of the many opportunities in Atlanta’s growing film and TV industry. From left: Terri J. Vaughn, actress and owner of Nina Holiday Productions; LaRonda Sutton, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Entertainment; Brett Dismuke, President and COO of The Swirl Group production company; Roger Bobb, Producer, President and CEO of Bobbcat Films; and moderator Tirrell D. Whittley, CEO and Principal of Liquid Soul, public relations and promotions During Super Tuesday, ABL introduced our first-ever Pitch Tank, a “Shark Tank” style pitching competition where 4 local entrepreneurs pitched a panel of expert investors in hope of winning prizes valued at $15,000. Pictured here are Judge Bradley Kirkland, Milton Jones, Pitch Tank Winner Tamico Scott; Finalist Jeffery Martin, honorCode; Leona Barr-Davenport, Judge Audrey Daniels, Finalist Barbara Jones, Lillii RNB; Judge Rodney Sampson and Judge Darin McAuliffe

ABL’s Business Shadow Students were introduced at the Annual Awards Dinner. Standing are Inaseeah Harris, who has been hired to work at the King Center and Easton Beard

Woman of Influence honoree and Hall of Fame Inductee Erica Qualls-Battey with son David Bascoe at the Annual Awards Dinner

Pictured are Super Tuesday Co-Chair Tiffany Callaway Ferrell, 2015 Woman of the Year Winner Sabrina Lowery, Leona Barr-Davenport, William Taggart, Super Tuesday Co-Chair LaSandra Boykin, and News Anchor Gloria Neal

Money in the Movies panelists pose with ABL leaders at the Annual Awards Dinner. Pictured, from left are Tirrell Whittley, Terri Vaughn, LaRonda Sutton, Brett Dismuke, Leona Barr-Davenport, Roger Bobb and Milton Jones

At Super Tuesday, pictured (L to R) are ABL Chair-elect William Taggart, ABL President & CEO Leona Barr-Davenport, Female First Honorees Geri Thomas, Kathleen Bertrand and Mary Parker, with ABL Chair Milton Jones

During a Super Tuesday seminar, Dr. John Lipman and Morehouse School of Medicine President Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice discuss health and wellness

The 2015 Women of Influence strut in style into the Women of Vision Breakfast. Pictured in the forefront are Miranda Mack McKenzie, Nancy Flake Johnson and Cheryl Lowery

At Super Tuesday, Grady Health System Buyer Timothy Burden and Director of Supplier Diversity Todd Gray shared tips on how to do business with the hospital

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Partners for Corporate GrowthCompanies committed to the growth and development of minority owned businesses.

Membership Directory - Members* $25 • Non Members* $50 Resource Guide to African-American Female Business Owners & Professionals - $25 2007 - 2015 Editions of The Men of Influence Collector’s Book - $19.99 Event DVD - $50

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Shaping The Future - Atlanta Business League...The Atlanta Business League (ABL) is the flagship organization for African-American business owners and professionals. The ABL is an