Steve Kalifa, CEO, Capital View General Construction Inc.: Mr. Yimaj Kalifa AKA Steve is Operations Manager /owner of Capital View General Construction Inc dba Mitchell Heating & Cooling (that provides HVAC, plumbing and electrical services). Mr. Kalifa received his degree from Northrop University in Business and Finance, and a degree from American University in Engineering. As the Operation Manger of Capitol View General Construction Inc dba Mitchell Heating and cooling Mr. Kalifa has taken a hands-on approach to ensure quality service. He regularly oversees all bulk purchase of tools and equipment; schedule and verify upcoming projects. Mr. Yimaj’s work in the building industry did not begin as a general contractor. He started early as an apprentice to roofers, flooring contractors, plumbers, and electricians. He was even a lead framer and trim carpenter for three years before starting his own firm. Because of this, Mr. Yimaj works side-by-side with subcontractors and can quickly identify quality processes and remove those that are less than desirable. His expectations are high on every aspect of a home’s assemblage, and with his extensive knowledge and background experience, those who work for him respect his knowledge and meet his standards. In 2016 Mr. Kalifa took on the role of CEO for Mitchell Heating & Cooling when he purchased a well establish company in Colorado under Capital View General Construction Inc.—since then, Mr. Kalifa has been in charge of the day-to-day operations toward building the brand’s presence in DMV area, which entails ensuring that standards and sales targets are being met on a quarterly basis. Even after many years in the building industry, when asked, Mr. Yimaj admits that every part of the building process continues to inspire him with each new project he encounters. He will always enjoy stepping on to a piece of property, though it may be rough and undeveloped, and beginning to imagine, see, and define its underlying potential. Over a period of time, that area is soon developed into a work of art…, a beautiful demonstration of architecture, intriguing landscape, and interesting colors and textures that have come together to make a place of serenity for his customers. A place they can proudly call home. André M. Johnson, VP of Distribution and Sales & Senior Editor, Urban News, Zenger News: Former Washington Post reporter, 18 years of building media distribution networks. Former communications director for Marion Barry, former PR assistant with the (then) Washington Redskins. Grew a newspaper network from 20 outlets to more than 200, creating the nation’s largest network of black newspapers and magazines. Prior to working at Zenger News, Mr. Johnson was the founder of ProImage Communications, LLC., and has more than 20 years of professional communications experience to his credit representing athletes, politicians, small non-profit and for-profit corporations. He brings an extensive background in public relations, public affairs, crisis management communications, social media outreach, campaigning, advertising, and direct response marketing. He is a nationally recognized general and strategic consultant, with an ability to offer clients a strategically sound orientation, detailed planning, and control over campaigns. Mr. Johnson’s history of public service and professional involvement in political affairs is as impressive as it is diverse. He has staffed Members of the House and Senate and served as communications consultant to several District of Columbia Councilmembers, local government campaigns and initiatives in Washington, DC. As a private political consultant, he has also provided services for political campaigns both nationally and internationally. A native Washingtonian, Mr. Johnson graduated from the American University in 1990 receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and has been a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc., since 1986.

Dale Dowdie, CEO, Blackfacts: As a teenaged hacker recruited by NASA in the 80s, Dale Dowdie has been living Diversity and Inclusion in technology for over two decades through running his own technology consulting firm with corporate and public sector clients, and supporting Black Technology entrepreneurs. One of several Black technologists recruited by Ken for the 1996 Inner City Access Project that put Boston's communities of color online, Dale has provided technology infrastructure, design and staffing resources for Blackfacts.com and other Black tech ventures and mainstream businesses ranging from the small business level to Fortune 100, as well as conceived and launched a technology platform for the barbering and beauty industry, one of few where Black entrepreneurs have a significant footprint. As the CEO of Blackfacts, Dale ensures that the platform product / service offerings add significant value to our target stakeholders, and manages the partnerships with other firms that will enable Blackfacts to achieve its objective of 'Putting the Black Community in Control of Our Stories' with our platform of technologies that are not only cutting edge, but are uniquely created, owned and controlled by Black Technologists. Dale is also the architect and manager of Blackfacts' Social Media strategy, which has resulted in a Social Media following of 200,000, including 106,000 on Facebook and 85,000 on Instagram.

Ken Granderson, Chief Technology Officer and Platform Architect, Blackfacts: Ken Granderson has been creating software By, For and About Black people since 1995. A professional software developer and MIT Alumnus who taught himself to code in the early 90s and quit his mainstream tech job by 1993 to focus on 'Bringing Communities of Color Into the Information Age,' Ken's focus on creating technology for Black communities has resulted in visionary cultural technology products and services including a 1995 digital Black History book, Blackfacts.com and Roxbury.com, and the official web site for the government of the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia. As the Chief Technology Officer and Platform Architect for the Blackfacts platform, Ken is building out new features of the platform that will drive content syndication, online presence, e-commerce and other capabilities for organizations and businesses that serve Black communities across the Diaspora at affordable costs and through an affiliate model that will create opportunities for local Black technologists, using technology created and owned by Black people.