The Indiana Minority Business Magazine’s highly anticipated annual event Champions of Diversity took center stage, Friday Jan. 12. Champions of Diversity was a jam-packed night highlighting history and legacy at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis.
2024 Champions of Diversity Award Winners. (Photos/Recorder Media Group)
“Our publications are intentional about ensuring the accomplishments of people of color are not only highlighted but brought to the forefront in a way that is fair, accurate and representative,” said Indianapolis Recorder Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones during the awards ceremony.
“We host this event every year for the exact same reasons: to tell the stories and promote the accomplishments of individuals, businesses and organizations who champion diversity and inclusion.”
Champions of Diversity
Boy Scout Troops 123 and 959 lead the crowd in the opening ceremony.
The 17th annual event has grown in popularity. This year its footprint expanded to a national level through the Minority Business Review alongside the Indiana Minority Business Magazine.
Host Ramon Ray, dubbed the Celebrity CEO, kept the energy up all night with his vivacious energy and hilarious commentary.
With a talkative audience, the large-scale event felt like a family reunion for many.
“I feel excited and elated that we had over 1,000 people. We had 20 awardees showcasing the great work that they have done over the years. So, me seeing the Recorder be a part of that history is amazing,” said Recorder Media Group President and CEO Robert Shegog.
Ramon Ray, the Celebrity CEO, announces the award recipients.
Twenty people and organizations received different awards throughout the night, including the previous Newfields President and CEO Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, who received the Breaking Barriers Award with a standing ovation.
Pierce Burnette was brought to tears during her standing ovation, appreciative of the support she has received after recently stepping down from her role.
Haskell (Danny) D. Portee, president and CEO of Professional Management Enterprises, received the William G. Mays Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award presented by the late Williams G. Mays’ wife.
Diversity and inclusion
“This is why having this event is so important. Many people don’t get accolades or their flowers. Danny Portee said he met Mr. Mays many years ago, and Mr. Mays even helped him with fighting for diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Shegog.
“If it wasn’t for Mr. Mays and others pushing things forward, we would be stuck in our old ways, and doing the same things, and getting the same results.”
Children’s Museum President and CEO Jennifer Pace Robinson is presented with the President’s Choice Award.
Carolene Mays received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom award and was given a standing ovation before and after her speech.
CIO of the Indiana Department of Child Services, Anushree M. Bag, received the Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award, and her powerful speech touched on the work Parks did for civil rights and what work needs to be done today.
“I’m really appreciative of our staff. I always tell people we’re small but mighty. I also want to thank our sponsors. We [the Indianapolis Recorder] turn 129 years old this year,” said Shegog.
Sponsors included Northwest Bank, Mays Chemical and JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at (317) 762-7853 or by email JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
Nyla Nova STEMversity is nurturing Indiana’s new generation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) leaders.
Nyla Nova STEMversity’s philosophy revolves around interactive learning experiences, going beyond traditional classroom settings to spark a passion for exploration. Their programs, catering to ages four and up (including adults), encompass diverse offerings, from engaging after-school programs and weekend workshops to exciting summer camps and birthday parties. Whether building robots, dissecting ecosystems or coding creative video games, every activity is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills.
“We originally started as children’s book authors. We have always wanted to make learning fun,” founder and CEO Nakeisha Washington said.
More on Nyla Nova and STEM education
Founder and CEO Nakeisha Washington. (Photo provided/Nyla Nova STEMversity)
These series of books first depicted the Nyla Nova character, “a STEM Superhero with the ability to solve mysteries using her STEM powers,” Washington said. “Their mission is to encourage girls, especially girls of color, to believe in themselves and to develop confidence and skills in the areas of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.”
Washington, a former science teacher and assistant principal, understands the impact of STEM programs on developing minds.
“Our programs are designed to resolve a lack of interest and awareness in STEM, access to differentiated educational programs, and cultural inclusivity by increasing problem-solving and critical thinking skills to help students make better decisions in all aspects of life,” Washington said.
Nyla Nova maintains a commitment to inclusivity and education. Recognizing the underrepresentation of minorities in STEM fields, it actively strives to provide access to diverse students. Through scholarships, community outreach programs and collaborations with local organizations, the company is breaking barriers and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, can explore the wonders of STEM.
Founder of Brave Youth Before and After School Program Mary Caldwell commends Washington’s work on revitalizing the interest in STEM among youth.
“She [Washington] has been doing some great things with Nyla Nova STEMversity,” Caldwell said.
As Indianapolis embraces its growing reputation as a tech hub, local schools are partnering with the organization for enrichment programs, nurturing the next generation of innovators, inventors and changemakers.
For more information on programs from Nyla Nova STEMversity, contact them here or at 317-910-2559.
Mary C. Moore is a Registered Nurse (RN) and Living Benefits Specialist with over 16 years of experience. As a home health nurse, Mary said she witnessed too many individuals who lacked adequate care in their homes and too many instances of elder, emotional, and mental abuse, especially of veterans and seniors.
As a way to combat the misdeeds of this vulnerable population and restore compassion and care, Mary started MRLM in 2021. MRLM is a residential personal care agency that fulfills the growing needs of an aging community and provides exceptional, loving care specializing in uplifting and building up the geriatric population, veterans, and individuals with chronic physical and mental illnesses.
MRLM is not just another residential assisted living home care agency, according to Mary. “It is a unique establishment designed for those needing assistance with daily tasks. Residents do not just receive health care services; they experience them in a satisfying, comfortable environment that encourages individuality, independence, and social interactions. Our caring associates are there daily to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, meal preparation, housekeeping, daily transportation, and 24-hour supervision.”
The inspiration behind the name is a close one. Mary utilizes her children’s initials as a legacy reminder, as both children have significant roles in the company. She expressed, “Leaving a legacy and providing exemplary services are the legs the MRLM family stands on.”
This minority business highlight was composed by Tasha Jones, the Reginald L. Jones is a fellow at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at (317) 617 – 7288 or via email at iam@iamtashajones.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Casey Ross Jr., also known as Casey The Icon, is the creator and artist behind Icon Studios, a graphic design and marketing company that Ross hopes to make a household name in the future.
He started his business shortly after college when a lot of his friends were starting to make businesses of their own. Ross noticed the need for creative and memorable logos for his friend’s brands, and he knew he had the skill set to create them.
As the business began to grow, he put more effort and time into his design process, becoming more organized about what he was creating and continuously getting better equipment to improve his art.
He currently creates logos, produces mockups of T-shirts and clothing, and designs flyers for various companies. He gets inspiration from different places, including everyday life, the creative style of 70s and 80s, and Black advertisements in movies, products, shows and more.
“Just the fonts they used, the vibe they had would be one of my biggest inspirations,” Ross said.
In the future, he wants to create everything associated with marketing for companies. From Instagram and social media posts to full-blown marketing campaigns with logos, pictures and the company’s creative vision all done by him.
“My plans for the future are to make Icon Studios a full-blown animation, marketing and production company,” Ross said.
To see some of Ross’s work, you can follow him on Instagram @CaseytheIcon, and to contact him for potential work, you can email him at caseyrossjr@yahoo.com
This minority business highlight was composed by Garrett Simms at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at [317-762-7847] or via email at [garretts@indyrecorder.com]. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Nestled in the heart of Indianapolis Fountain Square, Black House Café is more than just an average coffee shop. Housed in a historical district near Indy’s southside, Black House Café has transformed its space into an atmospheric haven for caffeine enthusiasts and fans of the macabre.
Last summer, owner Mari Reyes Ramirez put together many pieces for the Black House Café, including its location, theme and spooky menu.
Upon entry, patrons are greeted by brick walls decorated with local artwork, vintage furniture and a warm, inviting ambiance. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fraternizes with the scent of house-baked pastries, creating a tantalizing experience for the senses that is as enticing as it is morbid.
Black House Café’s menu boasts a handcrafted selection of coffee, teas and specialty beverages. This café has everything from bold espressos and frothy lattes to unique concoctions. Pair your drink with a mouthwatering pastry, like a flaky croissant, decadent brownie or seasonal quiche, and you’ve got yourself the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
But Black House Café is more than just a coffee shop; it is also a community hub. Local artists frequently showcase their work on the café walls, and the intimate setting fosters a sense of connection and creativity. Whether catching up with friends, working on your laptop or simply seeking a quiet escape, Black House Café provides a welcoming space for all.
The spooky Café is a haven for those seeking a distinctive and slightly spooky experience. The quirky aesthetic adds to the café’s charm and stands out in the Indianapolis coffee scene.
Rooted with Ruby, an Indianapolis-based houseplant nursery, was founded in 2020 by owner, plant lover and product alchemist Ruby Proctor.
The Black- and woman-owned plant boutique is located in east Indy and offers an array of house plants, products and services.
“I’ve come to inner-stand value in the journey of life, plants, nature, growing and being present. All of which are rooted in healing!” Proctor states on her website. “My goal is to share this journey with you, my community as we heal generations current & past and learn to care for ourselves as it relates with plants.”
Rooted with Ruby carries a variety of houseplants from beginner friendly to more advanced care, as well as planter boxes, Royal Roots fertilizer and grow bags.
In addition to plants and plant care products, Rooted with Ruby also offers a variety of plant care services, such as plant assistance and house-calls, residential and commercial plant interior design, and Monstera Mediation, or holistic healing through caring for houseplants and other events.
Rooted with Ruby is located at 6356 Guilford Ave. for more information about products, services or events, visitrootedwithruby.com. To get in contact, email Ruby@RootedWithRuby.comor call (317) 732-8709.
This minority business highlight was composed by CHLOE McGOWAN at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at 317-762-7848 or via email at chloegm@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Performance expectations remain high despite labor and inflation challenges
New insight from Innovation Economy leaders finds increased optimism, but concerns around raising capital remain
New York – January 4, 2024 – Following a year marked by banking industry disruption, geopolitical risks and sustained macroeconomic challenges, small and midsize business leaders are sharing a more balanced outlook heading into 2024, while pulling back from previous predictions of a near-term recession, according to JPMorgan Chase’s 2024 Business Leaders Outlook survey released today.
Expectations for a recession, widely held by both small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2023, have moderated following a year of better-than-expected economic growth. In the new survey, 40% of midsize and 51% of small business leaders anticipate a recession in 2024, or believe we’re already in one, down from 65% and 61% respectively, one year ago. However, almost as many midsize business leaders (38%) say they don’t anticipate a recession in the year ahead as those that do, while 30% of small business leaders don’t anticipate a recession.
Amidst mixed economic signals, midsize business leaders are nearly evenly split in their outlook on the national economy, with 31% optimistic, 34% pessimistic and 36% remaining neutral. While this year’s optimism is higher than the 22% reported a year ago, it remains at historically low levels for the survey. When it comes to the local/regional economy, the outlook is rosier but still mixed, with 44% expressing optimism and 35% remaining neutral. For small business leaders, optimism for the national economy slightly dipped from 49% one year ago to 43% today, and perspectives on the local economy followed suit with 46% expressing optimism compared to 50% previously.
Optimistic
Neutral
Pessimistic
Middle Market Business Leaders
National Economy
31%
36%
34%
Local/Regional Economy
44%
35%
20%
Small Business Leaders
National Economy
43%
25%
32%
Local/Regional Economy
46%
29%
25%
“Despite the volatility of 2023, it has been encouraging to see the resilience of US businesses and the firm pace of US consumer spending growth that has contributed to the year’s stronger economic picture,” said Ginger Chambless, Head of Research, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “Over the last few years, business leaders have not only become adept at managing through tough times and recovering from speedbumps, but confident in their ability to manage and lead through crises given how practiced they’ve become. These learnings will set them up well to weather future uncertainty.”
Business leaders are maintaining upbeat projections for their own companies in the year ahead with more than two-thirds of small and midsize business leaders optimistic about their company’s performance. The majority of midsize business leaders are expecting increased revenue/sales (61%), though these expectations are more tempered compared to previous years. Meanwhile, the 69% of small business leaders expecting increased revenue/sales is in-line with the highest levels recorded by the survey. Both small and midsize leaders anticipate greater profits (66% and 55%, respectively).
Optimistic
Neutral
Pessimistic
Middle Market Business Leaders
Company Performance
67%
24%
10%
Small Business Leaders
Company Performance
69%
21%
10%
Labor and inflation top list of concerns
Small and midsize businesses continue to be vexed by some of the key issues they’ve faced for years, namely labor and inflation, even as they have tried to adapt and solve for these challenges. More than half of midsize business leaders (54%) cite labor-related issues—including shortages, retaining, recruiting and hiring—as one of their most significant challenges, followed by uncertain economic conditions (47%), revenue/sales growth (39%) and rising interest rates (36%). The labor challenges come as 86% of midsize business leaders say they expect to add to or maintain their current headcount in the next 12 months.
“Today’s business leaders are not strangers to the challenges before them, and have remained nimble and primed for opportunities despite continued uncertainty,” said John Simmons, Head of Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “The most resilient leaders focus on continuous improvement, iterating with each challenge to make strategic investments in their operations, adopt new technologies and focus on their people to move their business forward.”
More than one-third of small business leaders (35%) report inflation as one of their most significant challenges, with rising taxes (19%) and the ability to grow sales/revenue (18%) also top concerns. The inflation worries persist as 90% of small business leaders say it has had at least some impact on their expenses, and the majority expect rising costs in areas like labor, energy and materials to continue. Despite this, 41% of small business leaders said that inflation will motivate them to accelerate their business plans, rather than scale back on (26%) or maintain (33%) current operations.
“Small business owners continue to demonstrate resilience, proving time and time again why they are the lifeblood of the US economy,” said Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business. “Despite nagging inflation and concerns of recession, the majority of small business owners feel like they can weather any storm, and even expect to increase in revenue in 2024.”
Warming up to AI
While businesses’ adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as generative AI and language processing software, is not yet widespread, business leaders are giving more consideration to them to support a growing number of functions. Of the 46% of midsize businesses currently using or considering adopting AI, popular applications for the technology include business operations (69%) and internal/external communications (63%). Nearly half are currently or considering using AI for financial management/accounting (48%) and human resources/training purposes (47%).
While small businesses find social media tools, virtual meeting platforms and cloud technologies more essential to their business than AI, it ranks as the technology they’re most likely to add in the coming year, with 46% of small businesses planning to do so.
Innovation Economy companies remain optimistic
US-based founders, CEOs and CFOs of Innovation Economy (IE) businesses were also tapped for their insights. The participating IE businesses consisted of high-growth, venture-backed, founder-led startups and companies in the Technology, Disruptive Commerce & Internet, Life Sciences, HealthTech and Climate Tech industries.
Founders and entrepreneurs are resilient and optimistic by nature, which is reflected in the IE survey findings: 43% are optimistic about the national economy in the year ahead and 50% are optimistic about the local/regional economy. Similarly, IE business leaders are bullish on their prospects, with 74% expressing optimism for their company’s performance.
While the majority of IE business leaders (67%) note that declining tech valuations have had a negative impact on their ability to raise capital, most (54%) are confident they have raised enough capital to hold off on raising additional funds over the next year. Twenty-four percent note they plan to raise new equity in 2024.
Despite this optimism, IE business leaders do anticipate challenges in the year ahead, including the availability of capital and credit (52%). They are also confronting the same challenges as midsize business leaders related to revenue and sales growth (48%) and uncertain economic conditions (46%).
When asked about their long-term vision or goal for their company, 50% of IE respondents say it is to be acquired and 15% expect to go public via an initial public offering (IPO).
Sports Ventures International (SVI) Sportswear is a company based in Indianapolis, IN, that provides clothing for over 120 AAU programs and 100 schools across 14 states. SVI has athletic clients in the NBA and NFL. SVI recently signed a multi-venue deal with Card & Associates to create an official partnership.
As part of this deal, SVI will have office space inside Mojo Up Sports Complex and retail pop-up stores on the weekends. They will create gear for their in-house programs such as Go Time, Showtime, Prime Time, and other athletic and sports programs.
SVI aims to help companies and programs “Create your adventure” in sportswear. They are a certified minority-owned company that is building a family legacy. Anthony Leach is the CEO, and his son Grant Leach is the COO and head of Marketing and Sales.
If you’re looking to create your adventure in sportswear, let Sports Ventures Sportswear help you today!
Sports Ventures Sportswear is a Sports Ventures International (SVI) division that specializes in high-quality, custom sportswear for schools, teams, and leagues. SVI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, at 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Suite 250. They can be reached at orders@svisportswear.com. Follow them at @svisportswear on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at SVI Sportswear.
Camike Jones, Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper editor-in-chief, and 2023 Champions of Diversity award winner, Dr. Toby Malichi, stopped by the All Indiana show at WISH-TV to discuss the upcoming awards ceremony. The Champions of Diversity awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have demonstrated dedication to the causes of diversity, equity and inclusion. The event will be held on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis.
Jasnee Norwood started baking cookies and desserts during the COVID-19 lockdown when she ran out of things to do. She started mixing different ingredients together, and her treats immediately received positive reviews from family and friends.
From that hobby, Norwood created Sweet Ventures, an independently owned and operated sweets business.
“It just sounded like the right thing to do was start a side hustle. So, we came up with some reasonable prices, people started buying, more people started buying, and then the orders just never stopped coming in. Things just kind of took off from there, and we’ve been rolling ever since,” Norwood said.
Norwood said nothing about being a business owner is easy, but she keeps the original love that started Sweet Ventures alive by remaining creative with her baking and always coming up with new products.
The name Sweet Ventures itself is a play on the journey the company has taken Norwood and her clients on.
“Think of an airport and flights rolling in on a steady basis. That’s how Sweet Ventures started off; everything was non-stop. It’s a first-class taste. Each cookie has its own flavor, and each flavor is based on a destination across the world,” said Norwood.
Join the journey and try Sweet Ventures today! See Norwood’s treats on Instagram @sweeetventures and place an order via email @sweeetventures@gmail.com or phone (317)-679-9969.
This minority business highlight was composed by Garrett Simms at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at 317-762-7847 or via email at garretts@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!”
