CCEOC Updates
As was shared in our last member meeting, we have wrapped up our strategic planning work with the help of Anthony McIntosh, President & COO of UpRys. Kudos to CCEOC member Keith Stevens, Founder and CEO of UpRys for another successful business! We are grateful for his willingness to donate the first round of work completed with UpRys in 2022 and honored to now be a paying customer along with several other members. If you're in need of strategy work, we highly recommend UpRys!
We are still awaiting official approval for the funding proposal we submitted earlier this year. This large grant would enable us to activate at least two full-time positions which will help us perform the extensive list of internal and external efforts highlighted in our newly developed strategic plan. The delays in our progress with this funding opportunity are due to staffing capacity issues the funder is currently maneuvering.
Meanwhile, we remain fully supported by the Columbus Foundation. I can't stress enough how valuable their support has been because, beyond the fact that they are providing grant dollars, their approach has been to reflect trust and belief in our work without dictating what, how, and when we move forward with various efforts, a departure from traditional funder norms. We will enter year two of our three-year funding commitment from the Columbus Foundation in September. We recently shared this letter of thanks to Doug, Steven, and other Columbus Foundation leaders.
While our work will ramp up significantly once we secure the additional funding, we certainly have not been stagnant as we await approval. We have continued efforts to connect CCEOC members to business opportunities, resources, and value-adding relationships.
Fred Nance joined us for a fireside chat and dinner on May 21st. Fred shared several nuggets of wisdom including his perspective on the importance of leveraging emotional intelligence in negotiating deals and handling conflict. Fred indicated that he starts every negotiation with an exercise focused on identifying where both sides are aligned in their motives and desires. He brings attention back to this point of alignment as the North Star when negotiations get challenging. We also discussed the baffling reality that political candidates who display behavior and ideals that are harmful and divisive are somehow elected. I shared context about research that explains this phenomenon from a book titled "Messengers: Who We Listen To, Who We Don't, and Why." I highly recommend you explore this content as a business leader.
From his perspective as an attorney and Global DEI Counsel for Squire Patton Boggs, Mr. Nance indicated that he expects that most corporations will remain committed to DEI efforts
while changing the language they use to describe the work in a manner that minimizes legal risk. His projections align with this article from Bloomberg Law that outlines survey results from a recent survey conducted by Bridge Partners.
That said Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance and Senator Bill Cassiday recently introduced the Dismantle DEI Act, which would rescind executive orders, terminate chief diversity offers, bar critical race theory training and mandatory DEI pledges, and revoke DEI funding for federal agencies including the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security. It would also bar awarding federal contracts and grants to businesses or organizations with DEI policies. Finally, we discussed the power of collaboration and the need for a "tri-C" partnership (Columbus, Cinncinati, Cleveland). Shout out to CCEOC member Jonathan Moody for hosting us at the Moody Nolan headquarters. Unfortunately, Jonathan and David couldn't join us but everyone in attendance felt the energy from being in a space of GENERATIONAL Black Excellence!
Several members joined us for our event in partnership with the Minority Business Development Agency on May 23rd as well as their event in Dayton on June 20th. The MBDA is an important partner as its target demographic aligns with that of CCEOC members. If you are a business owner and have not connected with them yet, I recommend you do so. They offer free consulting and customized support in all things scaling including M&A.
The MBDA is among the stakeholders who partner with us in the work we are leading to connect more MBEs with opportunities to do business with Intel. Along with Cheif Momack of the State of Ohio Department of Minority Business Development, Belinda Matthews Stenson who leads the Minority Business Partnership and Minority Business Assistance Center in Dayton, Carl Satterwhite of the RCF Group and President of the African American CEO Roundtable, and George Simms and James Price from OMSDC, we continue to meet monthly to collaboratively address barriers to access for CCEOC members and other MBEs. I am working hard to be present for events and meetings that feature opportunities and information relevant to our members including the above outlined events and MBACs one-year celebration ceremony in Dayton on June 18th.
We hosted Intel representatives along with DEI representatives from Bechtel and Gilbane, the two Tier 1 companies leading the current Intel work in Columbus on June 20th. We had a candid conversation about concerns with Intel's lack of transparency and our inability to know where they stand with their diverse spending. This was followed by a private debriefing conversation with Intel during which they were challenged to do better. We have follow-up meetings scheduled with this group in July and August.
The CCEOC was also present and well-represented at the OMSDC BOE in Cleveland on June 24th and 25th. Former NFL great Josh Cribss and his wife Maria shared a powerful message charting their journey as minority business owners at the opening reception and there were several interesting sessions during the conference. I had an opportunity to facilitate the corporate breakout and will be hosting some follow-up discussions with this group. Of the topics covered, we discussed that most of them have never owned a business just as most minority business owners have never worked in a corporate DEI role. There is a need for better alignment and understanding of the challenges faced in each of these roles so that we can work together to increase diverse spending.
While in Cleveland for the conference, I met with Fred Nance and Carl Satterwhite separately to further discussions about a strategy for Tri-C partnership and alignment. I also met with Mark Cunningham of Gilbane, who agreed to work with us on designing solutions that increase MBEs abilities to take advantage of large RFPs across industries leveraging the model he uses at Gilbane. I am confident that we will soon have a strategy that can be activated to enhance our goal of wealth generation.
Finally, I had the pleasure of connecting with the one and only Fawn Weaver and master distiller Victoria Eady Butler, a fifth-generation descendant of Uncle Nearest over the weekend. I am super excited to share they have agreed to join us in Columbus! Several of our members are Uncle Nearest investors and Fawn's Chief of Staff, Miss Rhona, is from Columbus, so it's very fitting to host them in our city. The event will feature a tasting and every attendee will receive a copy of Fawn's new book Love & Whisky. We are working on the details and expect the event to occur in September or October.
In conclusion, if you're wondering what's the latest with the CCEOC.... A LOT!
So much that I couldn't share it all here. I appreciate your continued support as we finalize the pieces needed to further elevate our member experience and add more events that are scheduled in advance and easy to integrate into your busy schedules.
I want to remind you that I WORK FOR YOU! As the CEO of the Collective, it is my job to ensure that you are in every room I am in. The more I know about you, your business, and your investment interests, the better I can serve you. As always, I encourage you to stay in touch and keep me abreast of what you have going on. For those who are business owners, please send me your Capabilities Statement.
Lastly, I challenge you to do the same for each other. Every member should be showing up to events and meetings thinking of and listening for themselves AND fellow CCEOC members, sharing information, and making connections when appropriate. We are the COLLECTIVE. Doing well to do good starts within our group.
Upcoming CCEOC Events
7/17/24 7 PM - Deal Day - In Partnership with East Chop Capital, we will be hosting another Deal Day featuring Partake Foods' CEO Denise Woodard. I have sent you an invitation and a separate email with details.
8/6/24 7 PM - CCEOC member social - We are excited to partner with member Bo Chilton and the Merry Makers Club for our summer social. We will have tables for CCEOC members and their partner/spouse. You have received a calendar invite and additional details are forthcoming including instructions for RSVP, which will be required to attend.
9/1/24 - Membership Renewal - You will receive renewal information no later than August 1st. We do not expect any changes to the membership renewal process.
CCEOC Member Highlight - Robert "Bo" Chilton, CEO, IMPACTCommunity Action
2022 CEO of the Year (Large Non-Profit - Columbus CEO), Bo Chilton is the CEO of IMPACT Community Action, one of the leading human service agencies fighting poverty in Franklin County. With an annual operating budget of $10 million dollars and agency budget of $51 million, a staff of 106 employees who serve over 30,000 customers annually, IMPACT is on the frontline of the war on poverty and is dedicated to fighting poverty by providing hope-inspiring help and real opportunities for self – sufficiency.
Bo states that the scripture, “to those whom much is given, much is required,” serves as a guiding principle for his life. Bo’s passion for empowering people and building community is reflected in his work as the Chair of the Ohio Urban Resources System (OURS) and board service to the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio, the Ohio Community Development Corporation (CDC), Homeport, and the African American Leadership Academy.
Born in Springfield, Ohio, Bo graduated from Wright State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Education in secondary teaching. He also earned a second Master’s degree in Higher Education from the Ohio State University. Bo is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and a proud member of The Merry Makers Club, Inc. where he serves on the Education Foundation and Social Committee.
His career background includes serving as a middle school and high school teacher in Springfield City Schools, Assistant Director of Career Services at Otterbein College, Academic Counselor and Technology Coordinator for the Arts and Sciences Dept. at The Ohio State University, Legislative Analyst for Columbus City Council, Director of African American Male Initiatives at the Columbus Urban League, and a veteran of the Army Reserves.
Bo and his wife, Audrey are the proud parents of Brandon and Sydney Chilton.
Member Wins
Carrington Carter is celebrating Exit #6 in the East Chop Capital Fund! 24% IRR, 1x equity multiple.
Kevin Lloyd's company MYLE was selected as a 2024 DEI REV 1 Grant Winner.
Derrick Clay continues to have major community impact through his clients including Google who just announced a $2.3 Billion investment in Ohio.
YOUR WIN HERE - Be sure you submit your wins here so that we can shout you out in our next newsletter.
Resources & Information
7/26/24 - Black Angel Forum in Detroit, MI. - This one-day forum will intentionally gather angel investors and industry leaders whose impact and often non-traditional journeys can deepen our investment knowledge, inspire collaboration, and connect us to this vibrant community. You must be an accredited investor to attend.
8/26-28/24 - WBEC ORV Catch the Wave Conference In Cincinnati, Ohio - Regular price registration is happening now through July 31st.
9/26/24 - Columbus Chamber of Commerce 100th Annual Clambake & Feast Feast - Early bird pricing available through July 31st
10/20-23/24 - NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange - Registration is officially open for the NMSDC conference which will be held in Atlanta this year. Early bird prices are available through August 4th ($150 savings for Certified MBEs).
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