The Black Business Association Of Oregon Expands Leadership Team With Three Influential Community Leaders To Propel Support For Black-Owned Businesses Statewide (Photo) -01/18/24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2024
The Black Business Association of Oregon Expands Leadership Team with Three Influential Community Leaders to Propel Support for Black-Owned Businesses Statewide
805 SW Broadway, Suite 2470
Portland, Oregon 97205
Portland, Ore.: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) announces the addition of three prominent community leaders to its staff and board to assist and empower Black-owned businesses across Oregon. Dr. Robin Beavers, Kennedy Fleming, and Marquita Jaramillo bring experience and expertise to their respective roles, improving the BBAO's ability to drive positive change within the community.
"As the first executive director, my goal is to build an organization with the most knowledgeable, influential, and well-connected board of directors ever assembled and a team of extremely talented individuals who collaboratively meet our objectives," says Lance Randall, Executive Director of the Black Business Association of Oregon.
"The BBAO mission to elevate current and bring new Black businesses to Portland inspired me to be on the board," says Dr. Robin Beavers, Vice President of Community and Social Impact for the Portland Timbers. "Being Black and born & raised in Portland cultivating Black businesses is crucial not only to help the Black community thrive but also to help contribute to our state's economy." Beavers brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and aims to leverage her expertise to contribute to the organization's strategic vision and impactful initiatives.
To identify top-tier talent, the BBAO collaborated with Motus Recruiting, led by Founder and CEO Orlando Williams, also a BBAO board member. "Identifying the right talent for the BBAO is a business imperative. We searched for leaders who understand the economic development goals in the Black community and how working collaboratively with all communities leads to better outcomes for all. Passionate people enthusiastically implement the policies that change the future." Williams spearheaded an intensive search, recruiting Kennedy Fleming as the Executive Assistant and Office Manager and Marquita Jaramillo as the Director of Business Retention and Expansion.
Kennedy Fleming, a seasoned administrative professional with a proven track record in executive support, leadership, and operational management, assumes the role of Executive Assistant and Office Manager. "My role is to facilitate efficient utilization of spaces and benefits for members, ensuring a smooth and productive work environment while addressing their needs," says Fleming. She plans to use her skills and experience to support the organization's operations and ensure smooth functionality.
"The thing that excites me most about my new role is the opportunities to influence and reimagine traditionally oppressive systems, "says Marquita Jaramillo, selected Business Retention and Expansion Director. "When we say 'economic development is community development,' this highlights the real work our entire team embodies." In her role, Jaramillo will provide strategic planning assistance, entrepreneurial development, and business retention and expansion services for Black-owned businesses throughout Oregon. Her background includes notable contributions to organizations such as the Portland Incubator Experiment, NuProject, and The BFM Fund. "Through authentic community building, we can support one another at the right time with the appropriate relationships and resources," says Jaramillo.
The BBAO is now staffed and anticipates supporting new Black-owned businesses across Oregon, assisting in business retention, expansion, workforce development, and personalized sessions with our experienced staff and subject matter experts to ensure the success of members' businesses. "With the addition of Dr. Robin Beavers to our board and Kennedy Fleming and Marquita Jaramillo to our team, our organization is well equipped to fulfill the objectives of the Black Economic Prosperity Agenda and bring equity to Black-owned businesses and residents in Oregon," says Randall.
Black-owned businesses are encouraged to join to access full benefits and resources. The first year of membership is free, and the registration can be found at bbaoregon.org/membership.
About MOTUS Recruiting: Founded in 2006, Motus Recruiting and Staffing is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. For more information, visit motusrecruiting.com
About Black Business Association of Oregon: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) is an economic development organization striving to achieve economic equity that is sustainable and lasting for Black-owned businesses in Oregon. For more information, visit bbaoregon.org.
BBA-Oregon
805 SW Broadway, Suite 2470
Portland, Oregon 97205
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Media Contact:
Sommer Martin, Communications Director
Black Business Association of Oregon
Office: (503)770-0016
