Our community is studded with trail-blazing black leaders, Here’s a sample of the ones to watch, from the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce
By Patricia Nugent
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of black pioneers, leaders, thought-makers and action-takers.
“On behalf of the 580-plus members of the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors and my team, we are proud to acknowledge minority business leaders and showcase their organizations and contributions to our community,” says Dana Wolfe, executive director of the WWLCC. “It is exciting to see the continued growth of businesses in Lake County as they support our vision to foster a diverse environment where businesses and residents are proud to work, live and play.”
Biante Beeman, CuttingEdge Medical Solutions
“Now is a time to honor the resilience and brilliance of the contributions black individuals have made throughout history and celebrate their legacy,” says Biante. “They paved the way for way for us to continue to inspire future generations, to dream boldly and to lead fearlessly.”
Business overview: CuttingEdge is a provider of top-tier lifesaving training through on-site group sessions or one-on-one mobile training, in collaboration with the American Heart Association.
Aisha Childers, Create A Space
“Black History Month is an inspiration to anyone who chooses to celebrate diversity and create sustainability and opportunity within their community,” she says.
Business overview: Create A Space is a hotspot of innovation, offering co-working spaces, a business lounge, three content studios for podcasting/music/photography and dance production, two restaurants, a bakery and a juice bar. It also hosts networking mixers and community events.
Kellie Love, Fred Astaire Dance Studio
“February is a time to honor those who came before us and the amazing accomplishments they achieved,” says Kellie. “These figures in history give us a glimpse into what’s possible, show us we can raise the bar and the level of expectations for the future.”
Business overview: Kellie is a multifaceted professional dance artist and choreographer with an extensive creative background ranging from ballet to ballroom. She and her fellow dance instructors work with beginning to champion-level dancers.
Niesha Perry, Triumphant Counseling Services
“To me, Black History Month is a time to reflect on moving past our hurts, such as slavery and injustice, and make progress through the pain,” she says. “In addition to historical figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., I also reflect on people in the present who are impacting the black community—those who are making history today.”
Business overview: A counseling service based on the acronym to raise inner understanding to move past hurt and navigate tomorrow. As a licensed professional clinical counselor, Niesha provides mental health and substance abuse counseling to adults to address depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Val Woods, Val Woods CPR Training
“Black History Month is an opportunity for us to look to national and local legends who took initiative and accomplished things that made us all better as a community and as a society,” she says. “I look to people like Eliza Bryant. In 1897, she opened a residential care facility for older black people who were often left alone because of slavery. Her inspirational story as a local hero really resonates with me.”
Business overview: Along with her husband and three sons, the family-run initiative is geared toward making CPR and heart health knowledge accessible, exciting and empowering for all ages through training, literacy and community events.
The number of WWLCC black-owned businesses grows each year. In addition to these five businesses, others include Beyond The Toybox Event Styling, Biggby Coffee Wickliffe, Boss Bliinks, Care 2 U Health Services, Cre8ivrho Digital, Early Steps Learning Center, Ecclesiastes Business Enterprise, Fate Into Destiny Wellness Center, Jordan Community Resource Center, Kevin P. Davis Insurance Agency, Lake County OH NAACP, Li Pav Consulting, Phoenix Counseling Solution, Safe Harbor Home Healthcare, The Missy Co. and Immaculate Cleaning.
Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce is headquartered at 28 Public Square in Willoughby. Call 440-942-1632 or visit WWLCChamber.com for more information.
