Board of Directors
Meet the proud Board of Directors for the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce. We are all professionals committed to the progression of Black Owned Enterprises.
Keith Anderson
CEO, KLA Development Group
Coming Soon!
Denise Rolark Barnes
Publisher, The Washington Informer
Denise Rolark Barnes is the publisher of The Washington Informer, the award-winning weekly newspaper serving the African American community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She is a second-generation publisher, succeeding her father, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, who published the first issue on October 16, 1964.
Under Rolark Barnes’ leadership, The Washington Informer has expanded to an online publication, including a weekly e-newsletter, and a broad social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Additionally, she oversees a staff of nearly 25 full and part-time employees, as well as freelancers who produce monthly issue-oriented special editions on topics including Homeownership, Financial Literacy, Sustainability and the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference issue. Most recently, she launched WI Bridge, a monthly publication targeting millennials, and WIN-TV, a weekly video broadcast on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram covering local and national topics and conversations with officials along with everyday people.
Rolark-Barnes also maintains The Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy and sponsors internship opportunities, writing competitions and scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. The Washington Informer Charities is the official sponsor of the annual D.C. City-Wide Spelling Bee, and the Prince George’s Spelling Bee. Winners from both represent their respective jurisdictions in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Rolark Barnes is a dedicated community servant who has launched a variety of local initiatives serving underserved youths in the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas. She coordinated an effort to erect an anti-gang mural project in Southeast, D.C.; as well as a day of social and personal development for girls at Ballou Senior High School called Girl Talk. She re-established the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Peace Walk and Parade in Ward 8 now in its 14th year. She also established the Annual Washington Informer African American Heritage Tour that attracts nearly 300 participants each year.
Rolark Barnes is chair emeritus of the National Newspaper Publishers Association – the Black Press of America. She serves on the boards of several local non-profit, community and municipal organizations, including the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (Events DC), the DC Martin Luther King Holiday Commission, the Maryland, Delaware, DC Press Association (MDDC), the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and Leadership Greater Washington. Most recently she joined the board of the Greater Washington Black Chamber. She is an inductee in the D.C. Hall of Fame, and a recipient of numerous awards including the Generous Heart Award presented by the Jack H. Olender Foundation.
Rolark-Barnes is a graduate of Howard University where she received a BA degree in journalism and a JD degree from Howard University School of Law. She lives in the District of Columbia with her husband, Lafayette Barnes. They have two adult sons.
Dionne Bussey-Reeder
Executive Director, Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
Dionne Bussey-Reeder brings over twenty-five years of expertise as a thought leader in social, economic development, and community capacity building, with a dedicated focus on the District of Columbia and nationwide. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, a Washington DC-based community non-profit organization, Dionne recently orchestrated a groundbreaking deal to introduce a new amenity and restaurant. Notably, she ensured that the non-profit, under her leadership, would co-own this venture, fostering an equity partnership for its existing staff. Dionne is particularly proud that by extending these opportunities to east of the river, she is contributing to creating a positive impact on the community. Her servant leadership philosophy revolves around prioritizing holistic human development and economic opportunities, safeguarding the right of District residents to lead thriving, productive lives on their path to independence.
Throughout her career, Dionne has collaborated with community leaders to achieve significant milestones. Her accomplishments span the development and implementation of a college preparation program, the successful closure of open-air drug markets in Southeast Washington, D.C., and her prior role as the appointed Chairperson of the District of Columbia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Beyond her role in the non-profit sector, Dionne is also the Co-Owner of Dionne’s Good Food—a family-owned, woman-led restaurant and catering company. Recognizing the transformative power of access to eateries in shaping communities, she leverages her business acumen as a restaurateur to champion holistic human development and economic opportunity. For Dionne, food is not just sustenance; it is an avenue to ensure that District residents can lead thriving, productive lives while pursuing independence.
Kelvin Caple
Program Manager, Clark Construction
Coming Soon!
Antwayne Ford
President/CEO of Enlightened, Inc.
Antwanye E. Ford is President & Chief Executive Officer of Enlightened, Inc., a leading Information Technology and Management Consulting firm founded in 2000. Enlightened serves federal, state, and local government agencies and provides cybersecurity, software development and integration, cloud services and management consulting. In 2016, the Company expanded its service offerings to support the transportation and healthcare sectors. As co-founder of Enlightened, Antwanye has led the Company’s growth from a start-up business to a diverse organization with over 200 employees. He continually leads the Company’s corporate vision, strategic planning, and innovation efforts. As a thought leader with a keen eye on emerging trends, his passion is developing and delivering business solutions to global,
national, and local problems. Antwanye is also a Managing Partner of Prolightened, LLC., a commercial real-estate development firm focused on development in the inner-city core.
Prior to Enlightened, Antwanye served as Director of Applications Support for INTELSAT, leading the business unit’s development of applications, consulting projects and document management
infrastructure. He served as a Development Project Manager at MCI, responsible for designing, building and delivering systems that invoiced MCI’s largest customer, and as Product Manager for the Company’s Flagship Friends and Family product.
Antwanye Ford is the Vice-Chair of the US Black Chambers, Inc. a national organization that provides leadership and support for over 175 Black Chambers throughout the US and focuses on developing and growing Black enterprises. In January 2018, Antwanye was appointed Board Chair of the District of Columbia Workforce Investment Council (WIC). Antwanye is a board member of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), a national organization dedicated to continuously improving work in the
workforce development industry. Antwanye was one of the founders of The Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (“GWBCC”), the leading Voice for Black Business in the Greater Washington Area. Antwanye also serves as the Board Chair of the - CyberSecurity Education & Research Center at Howard University. Antwanye serves as a Trustee for the Federal City Council, where he leads the Hire Local DC workforce strategies. He also serves on the City Works DC Board and is a Latin American Youth Center Career Academy board member. In addition, He is a former Board Chair of the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
In 2023, Antwanye received the distinguished and highly coveted "President Joseph R. Biden President’s Lifetime Achievement Award” because of his exemplary volunteer service to the United States of America. Also, in 2023, Antwanye was inducted into the George Washington University Business Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame inaugural class, which recognizes innovative alumni and faculty who have significantly contributed to entrepreneurial excellence in communities across the United States and worldwide.
An advocate for community investment, youth mentorship and corporate philanthropy, Antwanye’s personal and faith philosophy is “To whom much is given, much is required.” He spends much of his
time mentoring youth and overseeing the management of a robust and award-winning internship and apprenticeship program at Enlightened. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Howard University School of Business, Information Systems. He has authored several chapters in business books on leadership and life’s challenges.
A native Washingtonian, Antwanye earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University with honors. In June 2019, he
obtained an MS. in Divinity from Lancaster Bible College, June 2019 (Summa Cum Laude).
Stephen Glaude
President/CEO of the Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED)
Stephen Glaude is President and CEO of the Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development CNHED). CNHED services a network of over 100 non-profit organizations and 65 mission driven for-profit companies who provide affordable housing, workforce development, small business development and human services to District of Columbia neighborhoods and residents.
Prior to CNHED Stephen served as Director of Community Affairs for the District of Columbia. Stephen is an experienced Non-Profit leader but also has vast federal government experience. His non-profit management service includes serving as CEO of three national non-profit organizations, The National Association of Neighborhoods, The National Congress for Community Economic Development and Men Can Stop Rape. His Federal government positions include Deputy Undersecretary for Intergovernmental Relations and Special Assistant to the President in the Office of National Drug Control Policy at the White House Stephen is a native Washingtonian and a proud graduate of Morgan State University.
Corey Arnez Griffin
President and CEO, Global Government and Industry Partners, LLC
Corey Arnez Griffin has spent more than 20 years in international development, technology, management consulting and government. Griffin was appointed by President Obama to the Peace Corps as Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships in 2012, where he served until 2015. Prior, Griffin was appointed as Chief of Staff by Council Member Kenyan McDuffie in the District of Columbia, where he served as chief political advisor and strategist on the full range of municipal government operations and legislation. Griffin spent 14 plus years at Microsoft Corporation working in various roles and leadership positions, including roles in consulting, operations, and sales. As Director of International Development, Griffin had responsibility for Microsoft’s strategy for aid, trade and finance agencies. Griffin is noted for brokering a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Microsoft, USAID, PEPFAR and the MCC that facilitated broader, cross-agency ICT partnerships around the world.
He has served on the board of directors for the United States Global Leadership Campaign, the Society for International Development, and Greater Washington Urban League. In 2008 Griffin was appointed by the former USAID Administrator, Henrietta H. Fore, to serve on the Advisory Committee for Voluntary Foreign Aid. He currently serves on the board of the National Peace Corps Association, the Technology and Innovation Inclusion Council and the St Elizabeth East Advisory Board for the District of Columbia.
Griffin was named by the Washington Business Journal as one of the region’s top minority business leaders of the year for 2008 and one of the top 40 International Development professionals under 40 by the Devex Group in 2010. Griffin is a Leadership Greater Washington graduate of the class of 2007 and a fellow with the American Council for Technology – Industry Advisory Council.
Specialties: Public, Private Partnership, International Development, Sales, Management, Non Profit Leadership, Public Sector Engagement
Sabrina James
CEO, AccounTAXstic
Coming Soon!
Nicole Martin
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
With more than two decades of experience in corporate finance and home lending, [Name] brings a deep understanding of financial strategy, business growth, and long-term planning to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. After beginning her career in corporate finance and spending over eleven years in home lending, she transitioned into financial advisory work with a focus on building meaningful, long-term relationships and helping individuals and small business leaders navigate key financial decisions.
Her professional focus includes supporting small business owners and career professionals as they manage transitions, growth opportunities, and long-term financial stability. She is passionate about creating structured, repeatable planning processes that promote clarity, organization, and risk management.
Beyond her professional work, she is committed to youth financial literacy and actively partners with local schools to help students build strong financial foundations. She and her family are active in the community and enjoy supporting their daughters’ activities and local programs.
As a member of the GWBCC Board, she is dedicated to strengthening financial empowerment initiatives and supporting the growth and sustainability of Black-owned businesses across the region.
B. Doyle Mitchell Jr.
President and CEO, Industrial Bank
B. Doyle Mitchell Jr., President and CEO of Industrial Bank, leads the largest and oldest minority-owned commercial bank in the Washington Metropolitan area and the fourth largest African American owned financial institution in the country (recognized in Black Enterprise Magazine’s 2019 BE 100s).
Mr. Mitchell is the third generation president of Industrial Bank, which was founded by his grandfather Jesse H. Mitchell in 1934. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University in 1984, he began a full-time career at Industrial. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1990 and succeeded his father as president in 1993. Industrial Bank has remained strong because of its mission to promote the financial and economic empowerment of its diverse communities. The Bank provides a full range of quality banking and financial services including residential, commercial, small business and SBA loans. Industrial Bank has seven branches in Washington, DC and Prince George’s County, Maryland, two branches in New Jersey, and one branch in New York. Mr. Mitchell and Industrial Bank are dedicated to serving our communities through high quality financial services and employees that really care.
Mr. Mitchell serves on several boards, including the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce; the National Bankers Association (NBA), which represents the nation’s minority banks and the Independent Community Bankers of America, Legislative Issues Committee. He has testified before several United States House of Representative Committees on a variety of community banking issues. Mr. Mitchell is passionately committed to communities less served by mainstream institutions, and he believes community-based banks provide great under-recognized value. Mr. Mitchell has received numerous awards from his peers and the community.
Jamila White
Principal Conspirator, blakQuity
Jamila White is an International Development and Humanitarian expert with 15 years of experience managing, designing and implementing more than 100 million dollars in complex economic and social development initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas. Raised in Virginia and Southeast D.C., Jamila’s life's work has been focused on opening doors, creating access, and supporting Black, Indigenous and people of color worldwide.
Jamila holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Hampton University and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Economic Development and International Affairs from Indiana University. She was also elected to local office in Washington D.C. and was sworn in as a Commissioner in January 2021 to a two-year term.
Previously, Jamila was the Senior Africa Representative for Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians who partner with communities, corporations and governments to transform lives around the world by alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression to help people build secure, productive and just communities. Jamila drove implementation of Mercy Corps Africa’s strategy to: Champion and Empower the Young African Leader and co-chairs Mercy Corps DC based People of Color Affinity Group.
Jamila is the co- founder of the Geraldine N. Coleman “a Seat at the Kitchen Table” College Scholarship Fund (a family fund she created to honor the legacy of her late grandmother who championed women's rights, education, and economic freedom), a fellow with the Aspen Institute International Career Advancement Program (ICAP), Board Advisor at the Africa Summit, Co-Chair of the Society for International Development's Young Professional Network where she uses her platform to increase the equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the industry by hosting discussions and events focused on #metoo, LGBTQI and sexual minorities, young professionals breaking into the industry, and racial diversity in foreign affairs. In addition, Jamila is a volunteer mentor with College Bound, Strategic Advisor for One World Exchange, Atlas Corps Volunteer, and works with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to develop the next pipeline of Black leaders in Foreign Affairs.
Jamila resides in Washington D.C. and enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, the Arts, meditation, shopping, and decorating in her free time.