BOARD MEMBERS
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Board Members Back Row Pictured Left to Right: Robert Wattley III, Tracy Marbury, Hanna-Lore Gambrell, Anup Gupta, Cristina Torrence, Ron Paydo, Rachel Bridenstine, Sue Lacy, and Ike Samson-Akpan Sr. Front Row Pictured Left to Right: Misty E. Beasley (Vice President and Co-Founder of BCCSC), Judi Hill, Co-Chair, Robert DeJournett (President and Co-Founder of BCCSC), and Dr. Leia' Love Not Pictured: Rita McNeil-Danish and Monaqui Porter |
Board members |
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
| Judi Hill Akron NAACP President Akron, Oh Judi Hill, a native of Oberlin, Ohio, is a graduate of The University of Akron and Youngstown State University. She spent over 30 years with Akron Public Schools as a teacher, curriculum designer, and administrator. Now retired, Judi is deeply involved in her community, serving as President of the Akron NAACP and on boards including Leadership Akron, Towpath Credit Union, and Akron Christ Child Society. She also serves on the City of Akron's Racial Equity and Social Justice Taskforce and volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem for Summit County. Her honors include the Akron Urban League Pioneer Award and The University of Akron Alumni Award. Judi is a proud wife, mother of four, and grandmother of nine, enjoying travel, reading, and family time. |
BOARD SECRETARY / TREASURER
| Cristina Torrence United Way Stark County Akron, Ohio Cristina D. Torrence, CEO of Butterfly Consulting Solutions, LLC, is a servant leader with over 20 years of experience in public accounting, non-profit, and corporate finance. A graduate of Ashland University with a BS in Business Administration, she specializes in financial oversight, strategic planning, tax compliance, and IT system implementation for organizations with revenues up to $50 million. An affiliate of the AICPA, Ohio Society of CPAs, and TEGE Exempt Organizations Council, Cristina leverages her diverse expertise to transform chaotic finances into clear stories of performance. A devoted mother, grandmother, and wife, she actively gives back through her church, volunteering, and non-profit board service. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Rachel Bridenstine Development Financial Authority of Summit County Akron, Ohio Rachel Bridenstine manages operations at the Development Finance Authority of Summit County (DFA) and leads programs improving capital access for communities and businesses in Northern Ohio. She oversees over $200M in investments for small businesses, non-profits, and large-scale developments. A frequent speaker on economic and community development, she also provides training on financial management and funding. With nearly 20 years of experience, Rachel has structured innovative funding programs and specializes in tax credits, bond financing, small business lending, and federal funding initiatives. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Hanna-Lore Gambrell The Law Offices of H. Gambrell Akron, Ohio Hanne-Lore earned her JD/MBA from The University of Akron, where she excelled as Associate Editor for the Akron Law Review and President of the Black Law Students Association, winning multiple awards. She has practiced law since 2018, contributing to significant cases, including one reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court, and has argued in the 9th District Court of Appeals. An active community leader, Hanne-Lore serves on various boards, including OPEN M and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and mentors aspiring attorneys. She is a 2023 Ohio State Bar Association Fellow, working to advance Trauma-Informed Lawyering. A passionate volunteer, she also teaches as an adjunct professor and has founded a mentorship program for African American attorneys. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Anup Gupta AG ConsultingUSA Akron, Ohio After running his multi-award-winning marketing services firm for 26 years, Anup Gupta exited the business in 2022. As the President of AG ConsultingUSA, he is a speaker, author, and consultant dedicated to helping small business owners grow their businesses with a focus on profitability and successfully exiting on their terms. His work has been featured in various local, regional, and national publications. In addition to running his consulting business, he volunteers with S.C.O.R.E. and mentors fellow entrepreneurs. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Sue Lacy Round River Consulting Akron, Ohio With 30 years of experience, I specialize in community engagement, organizational development, and fostering strategic partnerships across neighborhoods, interfaith groups, non-profits, and government sectors. As the founder of Round River Consulting, I focus on building trust through authentic relationships, guiding clients in strategic planning, capacity building, and inclusive collaboration to achieve meaningful change. My approach emphasizes active listening, addressing biases, and embracing conflict to inspire innovation. I design processes that ensure all voices have equal footing, leading to better outcomes. Past roles include training over 1,000 leaders with the Gamaliel Foundation and organizing impactful environmental campaigns with the Ohio Public Interest Campaign. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Dr. Leia' Love Leia Love Hair and Nail Salon Akron, Ohio Dr. Leia' Love has dedicated her career to redefining conventional boundaries and championing holistic approaches to beauty for the last 20 years of her career. She is the ChiefBeauty Officer of Leia' Love Salon, a TV host on PBS Forum 360 and very active in the community sitting on various boards and volunteering for organizations that empower and service women, individuals experiencing cancer and small business development. |
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BOARD MEMBER
| Tracy Marbury Alpha Personal Care Akron, Ohio Tracy Marbury is the founder of Alpha Personal Care, a home healthcare agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities since 2006. Her leadership fosters compassionate, high-quality care, empowering clients to live with dignity and independence. A Walsh University graduate, Tracy has completed programs like Elite America's Executive Coaching and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. She was honored with the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Business Award for her dedication to community-focused care. Tracy's visionary leadership has made Alpha Personal Care a trusted name in the industry. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Rita McNeil-Danish Signal Ohio Akron, Ohio Rita McNeil Danish is the CEO of Signal Ohio, a nonprofit media organization focused on civic engagement through community-centered journalism. She leads efforts to establish newsrooms across Ohio and serves as the inaugural CEO of the largest Black-led nonprofit news organization in the U.S. With over 30 years in law, McNeil Danish has served as a Magistrate, Judge, Section Chief for the Ohio Attorney General’s Civil Rights Section, and City Attorney for Dayton and Cincinnati, where she led police reforms. She has also been a partner at Taft Law. Recognized nationally for her leadership, she has served on numerous boards, including the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and the National Civic League. Her accolades include being a Best Lawyers in America honoree and a Columbus Monthly cover feature. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Ron Paydo Huntington Bank Akron, Ohio Ron is the Market President for Huntington Bank’s Akron/Canton area, driving the bank’s vision as a ‘People-First, Digitally Powered’ institution. Since starting his banking career as a Management Trainee at FirstMerit Bank in 1987, Ron has held leadership roles, including Regional President at FirstMerit and Area Manager for Canton, Akron, and Mahoning Valley after its merger with Huntington. A dedicated community leader, Ron serves on numerous boards, including the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Greater Akron Chamber, and United Way of Summit & Medina, among others. He is also a founder of Blue Coats and Downtown Wadsworth organizations. Committed to fostering and mentoring youth, Ron and his wife Kathleen have fostered over 190 children and hosted seven Rotary exchange students. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Ike Samson-Akpan Sr. SAF, Inc Akron, Ohio Ike Samson-Akpan Sr. - Ike is the President and founder of SAF, Inc., a general construction company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with additional offices in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Established in 2007, SAF specializes in federal projects, leveraging Samson-Akpan's extensive expertise in construction and engineering. An immigrant from Nigeria, Samson-Akpan built SAF after years of working with leading engineering and construction firms, where he gained invaluable insight into the industry. His focus on federal projects reflects his strategic vision for navigating challenges and delivering excellence. Under his leadership, SAF has become a trusted name in construction, known for quality, reliability, and innovation. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Robert Wattley III General Services Administration (GSA) Akron, Ohio Robert D. Wattley III is an accomplished operations leader and U.S. Army veteran with over a decade of expertise in logistics, supply chain management, and process optimization. Currently serving as a Process Coach at Ford Motor Company, Robert implements innovative strategies to enhance productivity, mentor diverse teams, and drive sustainable growth. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he is deeply committed to operational excellence and fostering collaborative environments that deliver measurable results. Robert’s passion for serving on the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce board stems from his deep belief in the power of economic empowerment to transform communities. He is dedicated to creating pathways for Black-owned businesses to thrive by providing access to resources, mentorship, and strategic opportunities. Robert sees the Chamber as a vital force for fostering equity and innovation and is honored to contribute to its mission of building a stronger economic future for Summit County. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Eta Tau Lambda Chapter, Robert values servant leadership and collaboration. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Supervision from The University of Akron and an MBA in Project Management from Ashland University. With a steadfast commitment to community development and economic impact, Robert is proud to support the Chamber’s work in empowering local entrepreneurs and businesses. |
BOARD MEMBER
| Monaqui Porter Young MPGlobal Connect Akron, Ohio Monaqui Porter Young is the Founder and CEO of MPGlobal Connect Inc., creator of the SRINA® brand. Since 2002, she has developed and distributed organic products globally, opening Srina Tea House & Café in Akron, Ohio, to support sustainable growth. A Wright State University graduate, Monaqui is a certified holistic health practitioner and studied international trade at Pace University. She chairs Worldview Development USA, promotes sustainability, and represents Worldview International Foundation at the United Nations, where she has also lectured. |
