Minority Business News USA
(MBN USA) is pleased to recognize up-and-coming minority business enterprises.
These outstanding MBE Rising Stars are making all the right moves to secure
their spots as sustainable diverse suppliers.
To compile the MBE Rising
Stars list, MBN USA asked the National Minority Supplier Development Council
Inc.’s 23 regional affiliates to nominate companies deserving of this
recognition based on the following criteria:
• Active support and
participation in council initiatives.
• Proven ability to
deliver innovative products or services.
• Growth and development
since its founding, as well as impact on its industry or clients.
• Demonstrated commitment
to — and positive impact on — local communities where employees live and work.
“MBN USA is pleased to
recognize the 2023 class of Rising Stars,” said Don McKneely, founder, chairman
and CEO of MBN USA. “The past three
years have been tough for most minority-owned businesses, but our outstanding
Rising Stars found a way to push forward, pivot and survive.”
Congratulations to MBN
USA’s 2023 MBE Rising Stars!
Abaxent LLC
Adonica Randal, president
and CEO
Analyses and assessments,
managed processes, workforce solutions, cyber intelligence, hardware and
software, help desk, incident management
Anton Gunn
Anton J. Gunn, MSW, CDM,
CSP
Keynote speaker,
consulting, bestselling author of “Just Lead: 44 Actions to Break Down
Barriers, Boost Your Retention, and Build a World-Class Culture”
APC Construction LLC
Keith Porta, founder and
president
Construction contractor
Avion Networks Inc.
Kanchana Raman, president
and CEO
Global telecom technology
firm, specializing in converging communications, broadband network services,
solutions
and innovations
Boateng Logistics LLC
William Randall, owner/CEO
Full truckload
transportation, expedited transport service, flatbed trucking,special and
large-scale event equipment transport
Brewster Procurement Group
LLC
Janet Brewster, managing
principal/CEO
Integration of supply
Charleston Gourmet Burger
Co.
Monique and Chevalo
Wilsondebriano, owners
Burger sauces, marinades
and apparel
Complete Dominance
Athletics
Milton Putman, founder and
CEO
facebook.com/groups/573849456886942
Core Technology Corp.
Geoff Foster, president
and CEO
3D printing, precision and
2-shot injection molding, medical cleanroom
Cornerstone Engineering
Inc.
Chella Subram, president
and founder
Award-winning engineering
consulting and construction firm,
Fiber Reinforced Polymer
or FRP strengthening services
CPM PR LLC
Hectór J. Rivera Esq., PE,
president
Project, program and
construction management; environmental, health and safety; aerial inspection;
corrosion and coating inspection; project controls; educational services;
public-private partnerships
Cross Ocean Technologies
Inc.
John C. Short III,
president and CEO
Information technology,
law, light industrial, health care
Dave Scott &
Associates Inc.
Dave Scott, CEO
Space planning,
installation, reconfiguration/relocation, site coordination/project management
Deeply Rooted Produce
Dazmonique Carr, owner
Zero-waste mobile grocery
store with an online and physical presence in Detroit
Diversified Supply Inc.
Dan Anderson, president
Distributor of electrical,
waterworks, plumbing, building materials and safety products
Empresas Ramirez Rivera
Inc.
dba ECONS
Jose Ramirez Rivera,
president
Business process
management: process modeling/design, automation, process improvement,
governance, business intelligence, operation mangement
E.R. Abernathy Industrial
Inc.
Edna Abernathy, president
Local and national
distributor of industrial, safety and construction supplies — including
maintenance, repair and operations and personal protective equipment and
supplies; off-site vendor-managed inventory
Forma Automotive LLC
Rosa Santana, founder and
CEO
Outsourced manufacturing,
new product launch management, quality engineering, product management and
control, finished goods inspection, kitting and sequencing, rework and repair,
N-tier supplier management, product sorting and containment
Fuentes Enterprises Inc.
dba IPCOMM, formerly Interprint Communications
Monica Maldonado,
president and CEO
Communications agency and
printing company: brand strategy; content development; diversity, equity and
inclusion; sustainability, multicultural outreach; print and fulfillment
Gabby Bows
Gabby Goodwin, CEO
Double-snap barrettes,
hair care products and mentoring services
Georgetown Metal
Processing LLC
Kirk Lewis, chairman and
president
Full-service steel
processing center, specializing in blanking
and warehousing
Global Core Strategies
&
Consulting LLC
Ron Harvey, vice president
and partner
Leadership and executive
training, organizational training, cultural/behavioral change, coaching
Guy Brown LLC
Jay Chawan, CEO
Office products; breakroom
and janitorial supplies; promotional merchandise; office furniture; workwear;
maintenance, repair and operations; technology solutions
Informatic Concepts
Derrick Davis, principal
twitter.com/informaticjobs?lang=en
Full-service information
technology staffing
Inphlu Inc.
Joshua Reid, founder and
CEO
Social media management
tool for businesses and nonprofits
JMG Connects LLC
Jacquie Munson Gaines,
president and CEO
Talent management services
Journey Steel Inc.
Barb Smith, president and
majority owner
Steel fabrication and
erection
JT Dillard LLC dba
Zaymat Distributors
Terrell Dillard, founder
and co-owner
Safety, construction and
industrial supplies
Kaul Glove and
Manufacturing Co. dba Choctaw Kaul Distribution Co.
Kenny Tubby, CEO
Safety and personal
protective equipment, hand tools, power tools, janitorial supplies, general
industrial supplies, electrical distribution equipment, pipe valves and
fittings
La Mega Media Inc.
Roland Medrano, CEO
News, music, information,
events and entertainment, digital services and education for the Hispanic
market
Lexico Consulting
Damani Short, founder and
CEO
Full-service
transformation services consultancy including mergers and
acquisitions/divestitures, program recovery, regulatory and compliance, board
priorities, hyper growth, digital, new C-suite leadership and product
development
Lillie’s of Charleston
Tracey Richardson,
co-founder and CEO
Sauces and seasonings
Mays Chemical Co. of
Puerto Rico Inc. dba Mays Ochoa
Rafael Marti, president
Chemical distributor,
cleaning systems and sanitation
Me & the Bees Lemonade
Mikaila Ulmer, founder and
CEO
Honey-based lemonade,
apparel, stickers, lip balm, books
Midwest Alarm Co. Inc.
Marva Mcmillen, CEO
Fire and security systems
Mindful Media LLC
Kara Elyse Henderson,
founder and creative director
Content creation,
photography, graphic design, videography, campaign stipulation
Mitivate
Aaron Petty, founder and
CEO
Health care data
management, patient claim evaluation, resolution of financial inefficiencies
NIMBUS
Stacey Wade, CEO and
executive creative director
Strategic marketing and
communications, web development, packaging, collateral development — brochures
and print materials, photography and videography
Organic Health Labs®
Nahir Luna, president
Natural medicine
alternatives, supplements
Opifex LLC
Stefan Gresham Jr., owner
and CEO
Construction equipment
rental, equipment sales, materials
PMI Energy Solutions
George Williams, chairman,
president and CEO
Overhead and underground
electrical distribution construction and maintenance services, storm
restoration and streetlight installations
Pinnacle Construction
Partners LLC
Cordell Kidd, president
and CEO
Preconstruction planning
and construction management services for the public and private sector
Prime Air Corp.
Iris Vincent, president
and founder
Air freight, ocean
freight, warehousing and distribution, weekend shipments, auctioning,
marshalling, refrigerated and hazardous materials
Procellis Technology Inc.
Damian Young, CEO
Compliance, cybersecurity
and professional services
PROJECTXYZ Inc.
Kimberly Lewis, CEO
linkedin.com/company/
projectxyz-inc-
Scientific Sales Inc.
Vicki Dyer, president and
owner
Small business distributor
of laboratory supplies and equipment, lab chemicals, safety products, law
enforcement products, environmental and industrial supplies
ScriptGuideRX Inc.
Ime Ekpenyong, Ph.D., CEO
Pharmacy services,
prescriber services, drug assistance programs, Medicaid programs
Signature Contingent
Management LLC
Dr. Calvin McCoy, CEO
Vendor management,
workforce management, talent solutions, transportation
Shekinah Smoke Sauces LLC
dba Big Red’s Hot Sauce
Paul Ford, founder
Sauces, snacks, apparel
Softpath System LLC
Sushumna Roy Jalajam,
president
Award-winning technology
consulting, talent management
Storehouse in a Box LLC
Tamira Chapman, president
and CEO
Technology company,
end-to-end product design, manufacturing services, fundraising as a service
Treco Services Inc.
Deborah Trevino, founder
and CEO
Commercial janitorial
services, facility maintenance, construction make-ready, commercial carpet and
floor care, commercial landscaping
WEBMyers Construction LLC
Chondra Webster Myers,
president
Interior general
contracting company
White Holdings Trucking
LLC dba WH Trucking
Carlo White, president and
CEO
Drop trailer capability
for dedicated accounts, hauling, short-haul delivery, long-haul delivery,
expedited delivery
Z Promotions
K. Zulene Adams, CEO
Creative product branding,
brand marketing products corporate apparel, graphic design