Institutes Luncheon: Honoring Innovators, Members and Including the Innovation Whiteboard Challenge®
 The program for the Institutes Luncheon on
Wednesday was packed with recognition of the work and commitment of volunteers, the Atlanta Chapter, the national staff and sponsors that are making this year’s conference possible.Also recognized were NBMBAA members who were honored for their achievements with two national awards. Jesse Tyson, NBMBAA President & CEO, presented the President’s Award to Dr. Kase Lawal, chairman and chief executive officer of CAMAC Energy and previous chairman of CAMAC International, for his commitment to public service and to creating job opportunities throughout his communities. Audrey Dillard Hines, chair of the NBMBAA Board of Directors, presented the Entrepreneurs of the Year Award to Gregory T. Baranco, president and chief executive officer of The Baran Company, and Juanita P. Baranco, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company, which includes Mercedes Benz of Buckhead and Smart Center Buckhead. The three finalists of the Innovation Whiteboard Challenge® pitched their new business ideas to the audience and a panel of judges who asked some tough questions following each presentation. The finalists included an online learning and college prep program titled Educational Technology Web by Edward Tarlton and #SweetCandorTV, a positive entertainment platform that encompasses web and social media outlets as well as online television and live performances, by Enesha Nash and Candace Daniels. Brian Williams, founder of PurchaseBlack, an online store that focuses on African-American-owned businesses and on products created with African-American consumers in mind, was the winner of the Innovation Whiteboard Challenge®. Winning both the fan favorite voting, which included a $500 award, and the judges voting, Williams earned $10,500 to expand his company’s offerings. The NBMBAA Institutes were sponsored by Marriott (Major sponsor) and FedEx Corporation (Supporting Sponsor). |
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