Legacy in Motion: Celebrating 90 Years of Black Business Excellence
HOUSTON, TX — November 5, 2025 — The stars of Houston’s business community took center stage on Saturday, November 1, 2025, as the Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) presented the 28th Annual Pinnacle Awards & Gala at the Bayou Event Center.
Themed “Legacy in Motion: Celebrating 90 Years of Black Business Excellence,” this landmark event marked GHBC’s 90th anniversary and paid tribute to the innovators, entrepreneurs, and advocates propelling Houston’s Black business community forward.
Hosted by Mia Gradney of KHOU 11 News and KG Smooth of Magic 102.1 FM, the sold-out black-tie gala drew more than 500 distinguished guests, including civic leaders, corporate executives, and community luminaries. Guests were welcomed into an evening of elegance, complete with live music provided by the Tweed Smith and the Community Music Center of Houston, immersive video tributes produced by Superior Video Productions, fine dining, and GHBC’s signature Legacy Hall, presented by Mastercard and Uome, featuring archival exhibits, local vendors, and a curated silent auction.
A Weekend of Wealth and Celebration
The gala capped an extraordinary Pinnacle Weekend that began with the Pinnacle Wealth Forum presented by H-E-B, hosted October 31, 2025, at Rice University. The inaugural forum convened investors, executives, and next-generation entrepreneurs for a full day of programming on wealth creation, investing, retirement planning, and digital assets, advancing GHBC’s mission to close the racial wealth gap and build a sustainable financial future for Black-owned businesses.
The 2025 Pinnacle Award Winners
The evening’s most anticipated moment came as GHBC unveiled its 2025 Pinnacle Award for African American Business Achievement recipients, six outstanding enterprises recognized for excellence, innovation, and community impact:
Troy B. Smith, Troy B. Smith Professional Services
Danny Lovelady, Ark of Safety Security Solutions
Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Nina Thomas, Boatner Logistics
Lori O. Lord, Heist Agency, LLC
Ashley Small, Medley, Inc.
“These honorees represent the embodiment of our 90-year legacy,” said Dr. Asheli S. Atkins, President & CEO of GHBC. “They remind us that our history is alive in every entrepreneur who dares to dream and in every business that turns that dream into lasting impact.”
Special Honors and Legacy Awards
In addition to the Pinnacle Awards, GHBC celebrated extraordinary leaders whose vision and advocacy continue to shape Houston’s business landscape. With the support of Erica Lee Carter and Ashley Turner Captain, GHBC announced two new awards:
Sheila Jackson Lee Legends Award
Percy and Cheryl Creuzot, Frenchy’s
Sylvester Turner Excellence Award
Jeff Nelson, Blavity, Inc.
They also introduced a Legacy Partner Award to Ken Jones of Ken Jones Photography, a longtime partner and vendor of GHBC. Additional honors included:
Larry V. Green Advocate of the Year Award
Martha Castex-Tatum, City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem & City Councilmember
Endurance Award Sponsored by Texas Business Leaders Alliance
Joni Odum, First Line Brands
Mickey Leland Public Leadership Award Sponsored by Texas Southern University Alumni Development
Ingrid Robinson, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council
Mack H. Hannah Jr. Upstart Award Sponsored by AshBritt
Adam Rivon, Window Hero West Houston
William Johnson, W. Johnson Consulting LLC
Rising Star Awards for business owners 18-24 years old. Each winner also received a $1,500 grant sponsored by United Airlines, CenterPoint Energy Foundation, The Astros Foundation, and complimentary CPA services by Frederick Turner CPA. Winners included:
Michael Elizabeth Ewing, Crochet by Mikiee
Asia Jackson, Anjelic Hair Care
Victoria Dixon, Blushed & Bronzed by Victoria Elyse
The Grand Finale: A Legacy Toast to 90 Years
The evening culminated with a champagne Legacy Toast, led by JW Turner Construction and sponsored by Branwar Wines, in honor of the Chamber’s founders and future builders. Guests joined GHBC leaders, past chairs, and honorees in raising a glass to the next 90 years of Black business excellence in Houston.
Honorary Chairs included Wallace Davis, Thomas Jones, and Nicole Handy & Jermeshia Goudeau of Braden Real Estate Group. Gala Co-Chairs Dale Lockett and Carmen Herrera led an exceptional planning committee that transformed the evening into a seamless showcase of heritage, style, and progress.
Thank You to our Sponsors
The Greater Houston Black Chamber appreciates the support of our sponsors including H-E-B, Mastercard, Uome, Wells Fargo, Rice University, Texas Business Leaders Alliance, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Superior Video Productions, Black Restaurant Weeks, United Airlines, UH Downtown, Amegy Bank, AshBritt, JP Morgan Chase, Port Houston, Ken Jones Photography, Strategic Financial Group, Texas Southern University, CenterPoint Energy Foundation, The Astros Foundation, IKE Smart City, J.W. Turner Construction, SirDavis, Daphane Limoncello, Wealth Development Strategies, Wells Fargo, Unity National Bank, PNC, Prosperity, Frost Bank, Woodforest National Bank, Texas First Bank, Wallis Bank, Sysco and Fredrick G. Turner, Jr. Tax & Accounting, Frost Bank, Strategic Financial Group, SouthState Bank, Comcast Business, Houston Galveston-Area Council, Happy Me Tee, The Hive Houston, Houston Food Bank, Majic 102.1, Forward Times, and DMARS.
About the Greater Houston Black Chamber
Founded in 1935 as the Houston Negro Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) is the second-oldest Black chamber of commerce in the United States. GHBC advocates for African American-owned businesses through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and access to capital, empowering entrepreneurs to scale, lead, and thrive.
For more information about Greater Houston Black Chamber’s Pinnacle Wealth Forum and Awards Gala, and to register, please visit Pinnacle Celebration. For more information, visit www.ghbcc.com or follow @HouBlackChamber on social media.
