Oct 24, 2017 Press Release 0 comment

Greater Houston Black Chamber Pinnacle Award Winners Announced!

HOUSTON, TEXAS – October 23, 2017 – On Saturday, October 21 the Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) hosted the 23rd annual Pinnacle Awards at the regal Marriott Marquis. The black-tie gala hosted over 600 guests including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Honoring local businesses run by African-American entrepreneurs that have achieved the height of success and positively impacted their communities, GHBC’s Board Chair Courtney Johnson Rose ushered in the evening’s festivities and awarded the highly anticipated accolades.

From this year’s impressive finalists the winners are: She’s Happy Hair, Sterling Staffing Solutions, Taylor Construction LLC, and The Imani School.

She’s Happy Hair has reached international acclaim celebrating 5 years of success in providing quality hair products. Not only has Warren Broadnax built the company into the #1 supplier of virgin hair in the US, She’s Happy Hair gives back to the community by supporting women and making them feel beautiful. Each year they host “The Happy Experience”, a day filled with pampering-massages, hair treatments, food, and entertainment as well as the chance to audition for the company’s next national television commercial.

Meanwhile, twin brothers Stephen and Sterling, who had recently served in the US army, were combining their two specialties, business management, and clinical expertise, into the company that is now Sterling Staffing Solutions. Founded in 2011, the company has now grown to over 800 licensed clinicians who have completed over 4,567 rehabilitative visits in disciplines from occupational therapy to laboratory technicians and medical specialists.

According to Kelley Taylor, at Taylor Construction Management LLC “We want to make our customers’ businesses our absolute top priority with the hope that they will in turn value our ethics, dedication, innovation, and industry knowledge when they have future project opportunities.” The husband and wife team, Troi and Kelly Taylor, head the global construction company that blends technical acumen with leadership capabilities to creatively respond to any project need. Based in Houston, they have developed a multi-million dollar, award-winning construction firm that drives the economy and gives back to the community.

“Since TCM was founded in 2011, we have been devoted to breaking down barriers as African-American entrepreneurs,” said Kelley Taylor, CEO of Taylor Construction Management.  Troi added, “We are honored to lead the way for other emerging minority-owned businesses who stand out among the competition by executing projects to perfection.”

With more than 30 years of experience as an educator, Patricia Hogan channeled her knowledge into creating The Imani School. What began as a preschool for 25 children has become the largest independent private, predominately African American school in the nation, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. For her commitment to improving the lives of children and youth, Patricia has won many awards and can now add a Pinnacle to that list.

The Upstart Award winner is Valesco Raymond and Solan James of Kaliber Choice LLC. Combining traditional concepts with leading technologies, they provide e-commerce and fulfillment solutions with a strong focus on innovation.

Other honorees included Tom Joyner who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Carl McGowan for Advocate of the Year, and Marlon Mitchell for the Mickey Leland Public Service Award.

“It was an honor to be in a room filled with so many members of our community who have really strived to make a difference,” said Courtney Johnson Rose. “Every year our awards committee faces a challenge only choosing 4 winners but this year may have been the toughest yet!”

The evening was hosted by Tamar Davis, best known for co-lead vocals on Prince’s Grammy-nominated “Beautiful, Loved and Blessed”, against a backdrop of music by Indiepocket, a local favorite band.

The GHBC will be hosting our Women in Business Conference on November 10, 2017. For a complete list of upcoming GHBC events please visit: www.GHBCC.com.