Silver Lining

Leaving a Legacy Gala

Saturday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.,

Tickets for the 25th Anniversary AACC Black Business Hall of Fame celebration are $100 and include food, drinks, and live music. Register www.aaccleavingalegacygala.com.

For 25 years, the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) has worked to improve the economic status of African Americans and the African American community in 17 regional counties. The AACC has advocated on behalf of emerging and established businesses, helped to create new market opportunities, and provided access to capital, and revitalized African American communities, especially during the most challenging times fo the pandemic.

The AACC Black Business Hall of Fame members are chosen for their extraordinary and longstanding commitment to business, their Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky communities and the employment and promotion of African Americans in the region.

Leaving a Legacy Awardee: Jim Clingman

Jim Clingman, businessman, author, and civic leader. He is the founder of the AACC and is a strong advocate of economic empowerment for African Americans. Klingman is a member of the Cincinnati Black Business Association and the Harvest Institute, an African American think tank.

Legacy Leader: Barbara Turner

Legacy Leaders

Barbara Turner, president and CEO, Ohio National Financial Services. In 2018, Ms. Turner became Ohio National’s 11th president and chief operating officer and the first woman and person of color to serve in this role. She has a special passion for mentoring at-risk teenage girls and single mothers, and helping individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency and financial security and independence.

Legacy Leader: Dr. O’dell Owens

Dr. O’dell Owens, retired president and CEO, Interact for Health. Dr. Owens was twice elected Hamilton County coroner and has been an advisor to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine throughout the pandemic. In 1982, Owens established an in vitro fertilization program at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and achieved Cincinnati’s first successful conception and delivery as well as the first pregnancy from a frozen embryo. In 2020, Dr. Owens was recognized as a “Great Living Cincinnatian” by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Emerging Leader: Tarita Preston

Emerging Leaders

Tarita Preston, Chief Coach at Tarita Preston, is a professional life and leadership coach, bringing clients closer to their higher selves. Preston honed her leadership and coaching skills by working in a number of challenging environments as an HRBP at a Fortune 10 company. Preston provided guidance to senior leaders during plant closings and national union negotiations and helped establish a shared services organization. Prior to working in HR, Preston held an array of positions in and outside of the United States, working in London as a Parliamentary Assistant at the UK Parliament.

Emerging Leader: Rico Grant, F

Rico Grant, is the ounder of Paloozanoire, a nonprofit established in 2019 with a focus on support and the growth of people of color in the areas of corporate leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity. Grant is a serial entrepreneur and Cincinnati startup mentor working with Cintrifuse. He founded the wildly success venture CrownMob in 2017 to create a marketplace for Black hair care, garnering more than 46,000 users in two years.

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2021 black business
fall of fame inductees

Gail Billings, Owner, Edibles-n-Such

Judson Pickard, Owner, Pickard Enterprises

Carol Ruffin, Owner, Blossoms Florist

Barbara Smith, Owner and President, Journey Steel

Marvin Smith, Owner, Ollie’s Trolley

Carolyn Wallace, Owner, The Perfect Brew & Promoter, It's Commonly Jazz

“These Black Business Hall of Fame inductees are trailblazers in their respective industries, said Eric Kearney, president and CEO of the AACC. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, your African American Chamber is proud and excited to recognize this impressive group of inductees for its vision, passion and dedication to Black businesses and the communities they serve.”