When fashion designer Chris Christmas stood at the podium after receiving the Chairman’s Award at the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Dinner, he made a point to recognize those who had helped and inspired him. His onstage gift to Odell Barry, retiring CBCC chairman, and Wellington Webb, president and chairman elect, was a ceramic watch from his new jewelry collection. Christmas’s award, and this gesture, summed up the evening’s festivities, which recognized three of Denver’s up and coming entrepreneurs while also honoring six local leaders who have succeeded in the community for some time.  

The theme of this year’s event, which took place on the evening of Oct. 24, at the Denver Marriot City Center Hotel, was The Next Generation, a reflection of the CBCC’s recent efforts to promote business knowledge and growth in Denver’s youth. This year, the CBCC graduated its second Chamber Connect Leadership Development Program (a business mentoring program), awarded $16,000 in college scholarships to four Denver college students, and continued its work with the Junior Black Chamber of Commerce. 

Hosted by local comedian Shed G, the evening was filled with comedic dialogue and a variety of video presentations including interviewing several grade school children about entrepreneurship.

The night’s theme was evident from the start as 10-year old Marissa Murdock sang both the American and Negro National Anthems. The CBCC then honored three young entrepreneurs – Miles Louison, 7, Briana LaBrie, 13, and Alexandria Pierce, 18 – for their early achievements in business.

Louison started The Dessert Company in March of 2008, which sells candy sushi he makes himself. To date, the fifth grader at Fox Hollow elementary school has sold over 100 orders of the mock sushi – made of rice crispies, marshmallow, and gummy candies encased in a fruit rollup – with plans to sell 1,000 more in the next five years. LaBrie started her company, Bri’s Bubble Gum and Vending, six years ago at the age of eight. She is a student at the Stanley British Primary school and has spoken on the subject of entrepreneurship at the 2007 Colorado Black Pages Summit and the 2008 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Miss Fashionetta Gala. Pierce, an East High School senior, made her first handbag from an old belt and pair of jeans, a concept that would lead to her company, Bags by Alex P. She shops for her materials at thrift stores in order to tell a unique story with each piece and hopes to launch an accessories line next year. All three young entrepreneurs were recognized through a video presentation and onstage ceremony.

The awards presentations were then kicked off with Christmas, Chief Creative Officer of Chris Christmas LLC., receiving the Chairman’s Award. “We thought he set the tone for being a young entrepreneur,” said current CBCC president, Webb. “He has a Long history of being a black business man.” Christmas’s designs have graced celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles, Shaquille O’Neal and most recently, on signature apparel for this year’s DNC.

The President’s Award was given to Leo and Susan Kiely for their contributions to both the CBCC and the community. Leo is the CEO of Miller Coors and Susan is a chaplain and project manager at Sunset Park Senior Center, a Volunteers of America facility. Moses brewer, director of corporate relations at Molson Coors, accepted the award on behalf of the Kielys who could not attend the event.

The Wellington E. Webb Public Service Award went to Terrance Carroll, state representative for House District 7, and as of early November, recently elected speaker of the house. “Our giving him this award predated him becoming speaker of the house,” said Webb. “So it shows his peers believe this as well.” Carroll, who was born in the poverty and violence laden Anacostia neighborhood of Washington D.C., has become the first Black speaker in Colorado history.

Kaiser Permanente received the award for large corporation of the year, with Donna Lynn, president of Kaiser Permanente Colorado, accepting the honor. Kaiser was awarded for being a leader in the healthcare industry, for promoting healthy habits, for their cooperation with chamber health fares, and for their financial support of the CBCC.

The CBCC Partnership Award went to John Wright, President and CEO of the Asian Chamber of Commerce. “John Wright works with all of the chambers, coordinates meetings and get information out,” said Webb.  “He is the linebacker that does all the blocking while everyone else gets the awards.”  With Wright unable to attend the ceremonies, Sylvia Smith, a member of the Asian chamber’s board and an outreach specialist at the Office of Economic Development, accepted the award on his behalf.

The Clara Brown Award, which goes to a pioneer in business who exemplifies community service and charitable giving in the community, was given to Rosalind “Bee” Harris, publisher of the Denver Urban Spectrum. “Bee is an icon in the Denver community,” said Webb. “She shows outstanding leadership through her different publications and keeps the community together as a real connection point.”

Mack and Daisy Shead, owners of M&D Café, a fish and barbecue restaurant located at 2000 E. 28th Ave., received the Small Business of the Year Award. This award goes to a small business whose knowledge, perseverance and determination have been key contributions to the business’ success as well as support for community initiatives as a part of its daily business acumen. Webb called M&D Café an, “institution in the community.” Adding, “They started with nothing and worked their way up to a successful family restaurant.” The Sheads invited their three children Rena, Deborah and Mack Shead, who all work at the restaurant, onstage to share in the evening’ last award.

Keynote speaker Marshawn Evans capped off the night by offering her own take on what it means to be part of the next generation of young entrepreneurs by highlighting her own story. After graduating debt free from Georgetown University Law Center, Evans founded the corporate life-enrichment firm MEU Consulting and became president of EDGE 3M Sports & Entertainment, an entertainment brand management company with clients in the NFL and NBA. She is also known for being a contestant on NBC’s The Apprentice and for placing in the top five at the Miss America Pageant. She stressed networking and thinking outside of the box as essentials to entrepreneurial success.

The evening ended with the presentation of two signature bronze sculptor s by Denver artist Ed Dwight to both Berry and Webb for their service to the CBCC. Berry will be stepping down after three years as CBCC board chairman, and Webb, who was recently elected into the role, will leave his position as president and become chairman in January; ushering in a new era of board leadership. “What I’ve been trying to do as president and now chair elect, and you can see this in the makeup of the board officers and the leadership programs we’re putting in place, is to prepare for the next generation,” said Webb.