Margaret NyamumboMargaret Nyamumbo is the founder and CEO of Kahawa 1893 —the first nationally distributed Black, and woman-owned coffee company in the United States. Kahawa 1893 sources specialty-grade coffee beans from woman-owned farming cooperatives in Africa and gives back to support them. Margaret grew up on her grandfather’s coffee farm in Kenya and saw firsthand that women provided majority of labor on the farm, about 90%, but they weren’t always compensated. She founded Kahawa 1893 to empower them.
Kahawa 1893’s packaging contains a QR code that enables consumers to digitally tip the farmers, enabling them to invest in their micro-businesses, families, and community. Kahawa 1893 has been featured on The TV show Shark Tank, The Today Show, and can be found in retailers like Target and Sprouts. Margaret is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Smith College. |
Razvan Dominic IOnescuRazvan Dominic Ionescu serves as Director of Global Markets for the Citizens Bank Mid-Atlantic region. In his role, Razvan works with executives in multinational companies in designing risk management policies, transacting cross-border, and implementing currency hedging strategies. A published author and frequent speaker at industry events and treasury conferences, Razvan holds a Masters in Finance from London Business School and BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. Previously with KPMG and Chatham Financial Corp., Razvan is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Treasury Professional.
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Michael NewmuisIn 2026, the United States of America will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Philadelphia — the city where the nation was born — serves a significant position in this historic milestone. Responsibility for aligning all events, opportunities and seminal moments that will honor the U.S. Semiquincentennial falls under the portfolio of Michael Newmuis as 2026 Director for the City of Philadelphia, Office of the Mayor.
Michael Newmuis is a solutions-driven executive with a 16-year track record across for-profit and non-profit sectors. He most recently served as Head of Impact at FS Investments, a global asset manager with $76 billion in assets, and Executive Director of the FS Foundation. In this role, Michael supported the firm’s philanthropic and civic engagement efforts in United States. |
Melinda EmersonMelinda. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social media selling, and marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. She has an online school www.smallbizladyuniversity.com to teach online marketing skills to business owners and she has published more than 5000 articles on business success strategies on her blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. In addition to being a former New York Times columnist, she is frequently quoted by media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, Fortune, USA Today, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC News, Entrepreneur, Inc., Essence and Black Enterprise. HubSpot named her one of the top business coaches in America. LinkedIn named her a Top Voice for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Forbes magazine named her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.
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Lou Ann GleasonAn experienced brand marketer, Lou Ann co-founded Gelli Arts LLC in 2011. The maker of a unique printing plate for a variety of artists and teachers is a fast-growing business. Gelli started when Lou Ann’s partner had a great idea. Clever manufacturing, savvy marketing and a deep focus on getting the little things right—especially when it comes to customer service—have turned a good idea into a brand with an expanding customer base in more than 15 countries.
Lou Ann also has her own consulting business, which provides strategic brand marketing counsel to Fortune 500 companies. Prior to launching that, she was chief marketing officer for Scout Real Estate Capital, a developer of international resort properties. Before that, she had a 15-year career at Procter Gamble, where she managed a variety of leading brands including Cascade, Dawn, Joy and Cheer. At P&G, she also was lucky enough to spend several years researching and developing new products—an experience that proved a big asset when she embarked on creating Gelli Arts. Born and raised in Michigan, Lou Ann graduated from Michigan State University with a retail administration degree. After a few years working as a buyer for a department-store chain and then in retail banking, she returned to graduate school at University of Michigan and received an MBA. Lou Ann is married and has two children, a son who is getting his own MBA and a daughter who recently graduated with her Masters Degree. |
Alex Bassett strangeAlex Strange, born on January 22, 1992, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has a rich connection to Bassetts Ice Cream Company. Alex is the Great Great Great Grandson of Bassetts Ice Cream founder, Lewis Dubois Bassett.
During his college years at Northern Michigan University, Alex immersed himself in the world of ice cream. His summers were spent scooping at the Bassetts Ice Cream Store in Philadelphia’s iconic Reading Terminal Market. He also gained firsthand experience by driving the Bassetts Ice Cream trucks on wholesale delivery routes and contributing to production and office operations. After graduating with a B.S. in Business Management (Magna Cum Laude), Alex ventured beyond ice cream. He worked as a production manager at Hormel Foods in Osceola, Iowa. However, the irresistible allure of Bassetts Ice Cream drew him back to Philadelphia. Today, Alex serves as the Executive Vice President of Bassetts Ice Cream Company. His passion for quality and creativity continues to shape the company’s offerings. And when it comes to personal favorites, Alex’s heart belongs to Peanut Butter Swirl—a timeless classic that echoes the family tradition. Bassetts Ice Cream, America’s oldest ice cream brand, thrives under Alex’s leadership. With over 160 years of history, the silky mouthfeel and delightful flavors remain a testament to the Bassett family’s dedication |
Senator Sharif StreetSenator Sharif Street, elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2016, represents the Third Senatorial District of Philadelphia, which encompasses a population of over 240,000 people in North Philadelphia, Nicetown, Lower Germantown, Logan, Olney, Fern Rock, Crescentville, East Oak Lane, East Wyoming, East Hunting Park, Francisville, Fairmont, Lawncrest and Melrose Park Garden.
An attorney by profession, Sharif began his public career as a community activist organizing a Town Watch group while in law school. He graduated cum laude from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, where he served as president of the Penn Law Democrats. He is currently a member of the American, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and National Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Philadelphia Barristers Association, for which he served as a board member in 2002. Before being elected Senator, Sharif worked as a staffer for the Pennsylvania Senate, serving as the Chief Legislative Advisor to the Democratic Chair of the Housing and Urban Development Committee and had the primary responsibility for overseeing legislative, housing, environmental and economic development initiatives. During this time, he facilitated the creation of Philadelphia Green Communities, the first environmental educational program of its kind implemented in a major U.S. city. Sharif helped to found and served on the Board of Directors of Urban Solutions, a non-profit corporation created to address the health needs of traditionally under-served communities. Sharif currently serves as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. |
Jennifer blackAs the Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s Export Development Program, Jennifer plans and directs the Commonwealth’s export promotion and international trade initiatives. Pennsylvania’s Export Development team offers a wide range of programs and services designed to enhance the global reach and export capacity of Pennsylvania’s business community. The team includes 13 authorized trade representatives worldwide, 10 in-state regional export partners and 3 program managers in the Harrisburg headquarters.
Last year, Pennsylvania’s Export Development team assisted 643 companies and helped support more than 3,800 jobs. As a result of the assistance they received, clients of the program reported more than $584.6 million in export sales. Jennifer also manages the activities and provides oversight of Pennsylvania’s authorized trade representative office in India. Prior to serving as Executive Director, she worked with Pennsylvania’s authorized trade representatives in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, among others, as a program manager. Jennifer is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and holds a Master’s Degree in Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from the University of Pittsburgh. |
Florence Torson-HartFlorence Torson-Hart is the current President of the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Philadelphia PA. The Chamber is dedicated to the facilitation and promotion of trade &investment, economic growth, increasing business opportunities and advocacy on behalf of its membership in both countries.
She also leads a Wealth Management Team at Merrill Lynch and is a Certified Financial Planner. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch; Florence was the CEO and Founder of a successful multi-media company. She has extensive experience in Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing, Publishing and TV Content Programming. She is a graduate of Drexel University with a Dual MBA concentration in Financial Management and Accounting and holds a BA in Publishing with a Marketing and Editing specialization. Florence is a member of several charitable organizations and has a passion for fitness. Originally from Ghana, West Africa Florence currently lives in Philadelphia, PA with her family |
Numa St. LouisCurrently, Numa serves as a District Representative and Policy Advisor in the United States House of Representatives, representing U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03) on community, city, and state matters. He was recently appointed to the transition team of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, furthering his commitment to shaping impactful urban policy. Numa's dedication extends beyond his professional roles; he actively contributes to numerous advocacy agencies and associations, including Americans for Democratic Action and the African Family Health Organization. As an elected member of the Democratic Ward Executive Committee in Philadelphia, he remains engaged with local neighborhood and civic organizations, including his role as a founding member of the Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia.
Educationally, Numa holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Temple University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Global and International Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego. He has further honed his expertise with certificates from the Harvard School of Government in Public Policy and American Government Foundations. Additionally, Numa is a trained mediator in conflict resolution and is fluent in English, French, and Haitian Creole. Numa and his wife, Natalie, are the proud parents of baby girls, Nia and Nora. They live in Mt. Airy along with their dog Niko. In his personal time, Numa enjoys traveling, reading, playing basketball, swimming, coaching youth soccer and mentoring. Numa St. Louis has dedicated his life to public service, community advocacy, and political activism, serving as a seasoned professional in various roles including director, founder, and advisor. With a passion for positive change, Numa has led efforts for humanitarian aid organizations, nonprofits, elected officials, and political action committees, uniting diverse coalitions to drive legislative transformations that empower communities. |
David WebsterDavid M. Webster is currently CEO of Webster Marketing International LLC. Webster Marketing International LLC represents several major international companies in the areas of agriculture, energy, hotel and resort development, telecommunications, medical devices, and housing.
He has over 35 years of senior level management experience in sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, and international trade. It includes skills in budgeting, forecasting, sales, and marketing manual development; international, national trade and key account sales presentations, product development and promotional strategies. In the area of advertising, he was personally responsible for the creation, copy, design, and layout of many leading and award-winning ads for large national and international clients. Webster has also been a guest speaker or seminar leader at numerous national and international conventions and seminars. David Webster is also the President & Founder of a Non-Profit called Classroom Donations International, (www.classroomdonations.org.) This Non-Profit collects used classroom equipment, books, pencils, crayons and teaching aids and ships them to schools in need overseas |
Brian k. OglesbyBrian K. Oglesby is the President/CEO of the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) as of July 11, 2022. He returns to EMSDC, where he previously served as Vice President, after several years in private practice as a consultant and a partner in a startup.
A Philadelphia native, Brian has a career that spans multiple industries, government, public service, economic and Workforce Development, and the founding of a private consulting practice as an economist and business developer and planner. Known for formulating strategies and solutions that draw from a broad range of disciplines, Brian has had the privilege of engaging organizations at all levels and creating long-standing relationships. He has always been driven by the pursuit of equality and equity through economics, business development, policy, and civic engagement. An avid recreational athlete and “outdoorsy” type, you’ll probably run into Brian running, hanging in a gym, playing in any number of local sports leagues, hiking, or cycling along the riverfront. When not playing, Brian roots for all things Philly. Brian resides in Suburban Philadelphia with his son, who just may be the greatest and smartest kid ever. Most of the time, and most importantly, he is simply known as “Miles’s Dad.” |