Alex Boone headlines Christian Business League program today
The Christian Business League presents another round of its MasterClass Series tonight in a virtual event featuring Alexandria Johnson Boone. Alex is founder and longtime president and CEO of GAP Communications Group, a public relations and special events company. These days she is probably best known as Chairwoman and Founder of the Women of Color Foundation, and publisher of C&L magazine.
Tonight’s program starts at 6p and is available via Zoom. Registration is $15.
TV 5’s Danita Harris will provide a special introduction.
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GCP opens new center to help scale MBEs across the state
Marco Grgurevic, left, director of the new Cleveland MBDA, and Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce. [Photo || Digizoom. Richard Stewart]
The Greater Cleveland Partnership [GCP] has opened Ohio's newest Minority Business Development Agency [MBDA], pursuant to the five-year, $1.9 million federal grant it recently received to create a business center will focus on connecting Ohio minority business enterprises [MBEs] with revenues greater than $500,000 to the work of minority business-related programs that are state-wide and developing an infrastructure to accelerate the growth of those companies.
Last month President Biden permanently authorized the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) through the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Edith Jett McCloud, Associate Director, MBDA, U.S. Department of Commerce, speaking at the opening of the Cleveland MBDA, Nov. 22, 2021 [Photo || Digizoom. Richard Stewart]
“The Department of Commerce and MBDA play a pivotal role in promoting the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves in the November 15 announcement. “This legislation is transformative and signifies a new era in minority business development and progress toward addressing the long-standing racial disparities in access to capital, contracts, and business ecosystems.”
A grand opening for the center was held Nov. 22 at GCP headquarters with Cleveland native Graves in attendance.
Marco Grgurevic was introduced as the inaugural director of the Cleveland-based agency.
Visit ohiombdabusinesscenter.com to learn more, get involved or refer a business to the program.
Darrell McNair, CEO of MVP Group and Eric Seabrook, chief of Minority Business Development for the State of Ohio, were on hand for the launch of the GCP's new business center. [Photo || Digizoom. Richard Stewart]
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Five named to Bibb transition Economic Development sub-committee
The Bibb Transition team earlier this week released the names of more than 75 citizens to serve on its 10 sub-committees and two task forces.
Named to the economic development subcommittee are April M. Boise, Eaton Corp. general counsel; businesswoman Ariane Kirkpatrick, CEO of construction company AKA Enterprises and the only black woman in Ohio licensed to grow and distribute medical marijuana; Dave Gilbert, President & CEO Destination Cleveland and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission; Jade Davis, Vice President of External Affairs at Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority; and Millie I. Caraballo, a senior manager with The Cleveland Industrial Retention Initiative (CIRI).
The sub-committee is charged with creating a report by month’s end to inform Mayor-elect Bibb’s priorities for the first 100 days of his administration. They will also help identify talent for consideration for roles within City Hall or to serve on boards and commissions.
Visit www.teambibb.com to receive updates about the transition and share your ideas. Inquiries about the transition can be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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