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On Saturday, August 27,
Black and the TAACC hosted a gala at the Ramada Inn Secor
and attendees were treated to a keynote address by Jeffrey
Johnson, chief of the Minority Business Development Division
of the Ohio Development Services Agency. The audience was
also informed that Jay Black will be resigning as president.
Black is not going far,
however. He recently was appointed to lead the northwest
Ohio regional Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC)
and, as such, will continue his efforts to provide counsel
and help for local businesses.
Johnson, a former vice
president of Government and Non Profit Lending at JP Morgan
& Chase where he provided expertise on bonds, loans and tax
credits, works closely with the Ohio Minority Business
Advisory Council and seven MBACs around the state.
“Do you want to grow?”
Johnson said he asks minority business owners who seek help
from his agency. “You are not going to be successful waiting
for a knock on the door.”
Johnson told the attendees
that there are two things he tries to convey: “One, I care
enough to help and, two, there are opportunities out there
if you are willing to work … Seek me out, seek Jay out, and
let us know what we can do to help you out.”
Tom Cole of BCSN served as
the master of ceremonies for the evening and he introduced
Creston Tarrant, president and CEO of C & M Medical Supply,
as the incoming president of TAACC.
After dinner, Black
presented the Harry Alford Outstanding Business Professional
Awards to Tiffany Reynolds of Tiffany Reynolds Co. and
Fletcher Word of The Sojourner’s Truth. He also presented a
special award to Chamber Treasurer Art Jones for his
contributions to the work of TAACC, his advocacy of the
Bethany House and his community activism.
The other officers of
TAACC are Roy Hodges, vice president and Jenai C. Hicklin,
secretary and event /membership coordinator.
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