TNJ's The 25 Influential Black Women in Business Class of 2018

On Friday, March 16, 2018, The Network Journal, New York's leading Black professional and small-business magazine, presented it’s annual Influential Black Women in Business Awards at the New York Marriott Marquis. TNJ's 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards is one of New York City's most prestigious events. For the 20th consecutive year, this Luncheon event has been recognizing most successful Black women.
 
This year's 25 deserving women were chosen from hundreds of nominations from the ranks of professionals and entrepreneurs. They were honored at an exciting program. Multi-Emmy Award winning journalist, Brenda Blackmon, was the Mistress of Ceremonies. TNJ celebrated women who are redefining excellence. As always, there was plenty of humor, anecdotes and the opportunity to renew acquaintances and network. It was an afternoon many won't soon forget!

“The women we honored in the 20th year of the awards span occupations, industries and expertise, and they share the same traits when it comes to their career and community service: passion, drive and focus. We salute them for achieving significant levels of success in their businesses and professional careers and for their myriad contributions to their community,” states TNJ Publisher and CEO Aziz Gueye Adetimirin. 

Former TNJ  40 under Forty honoree and longtime supporter of  TNJ, Genma Stringer Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control and GSH Media, was in the class of  2018 honorees. "When my friend Azia contacted me to share the news, I could only think of my grandmother. I dedicated the honor to her and received it knowing she was there with me in spirit. I was deeply humbled by the recognition and was extremely grateful to be included in this year's class. You could feel the positive energy that flowed between us! I have was in awe of our collective network and how dedicated each one was in their community. I am so thankful to the committee and TNJ for such a wonderful experience," stated Holmes in a recent interview.

The 25 Influential Black Women in Business Class of 2018 are:

Jan M. Adams
President/CEO
JMA Solutions

Vicki R. Brackens, ChFC
President & Financial Planner
Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC

Michele Bryant
Senior Managing Director, Global Chief Procurement Officer
Deloitte Global

Gabrielle Bullock
Director of Global Diversity, Principal
Perkins+Will

Kimberly Y. Chainey
Associate General Counsel, Global M&A, Strategy & Innovation
Avis Budget Group, Inc.

Roxann Thomas Chargois
Co-Owner
JMC Auto Group

Yolanda Conyers
Vice President Global HR and Chief Diversity Officer
Lenovo

Camille Chang Gilmore
VP of HR & Global Chief Diversity Officer
Boston Scientific Corporation

Michelle D. Greene
Vice President , IT Business Partner – Global Functions
Johnson Controls

Genma Stringer Holmes
Owner
Holmes Pest Control

Lesleigh Irish-Underwood
SVP & Chief Marketing Officer
United Way of New York City

Marachel L. Knight
Senior Vice President-Technology Planning & Engineering
AT&T Services, Inc.

Dee C. Marshall
President & CEO
Raise the Bar, LLC 

Ghillaine Reid Melbourne
Partner
McGuireWoods LLP

Gail D. Morales
SVP, US Project Efficiency Executive
TD America's Most Convenient Bank 

Trina Parks, MHA, FACHE
Senior Vice President, Corporate Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
RWJ Barnabas Health

Joy Profet
General Manager
ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Carla Hunter Ramsey
Global Director Corporate Social Responsibility
Global Procurement

Denella Ri'chard
Sr. Director, Trade Communications & Engagement
Holland America Line

Sandra L. Richards
Managing Director
Head of Segment Sales & Engagement Group, Wealth Management 

Morgan Stanley

Nneka Rimmer
SVP, Strategy & Global Enablement
McCormick & Company

Nzinga Shaw
Sr. VP of Community & Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Atlanta Hawks & Philips Arena

Tamika Curry Smith
Head of Diversity & Inclusion
Mercedes-Benz USA

Alicia Thompson, APR
Managing Director
Porter Novelli

Cassandra Carter Wheeler
Regional Director
Georgia Power Company

This select group was profiled in the Spring 2018 issue of the magazine, and was formally honored during Women’s History Month at the 20th Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards Luncheon, presented by Morgan Stanley, on Friday, March 16, 2018. This highly anticipated signature TNJ event was held at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, located at 1535 Broadway in New York City.

This year’s sponsors include Presenting Sponsor Morgan Stanley. Additional sponsors include AT&T and Bronner Brothers. 

About the 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards

Launched in March 1999, The Network Journal's 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards honors women whose professional achievements have significantly impacted an industry or profession, and who also have made an important contribution to her community. A "TNJ25" honoree typically is a business owner, or a partner, president, CEO, board chair, or other senior-management executive with significant decision-making authority in the corporate, nonprofit (including academia and medicine), or government sector.

About The Network Journal

Founded in 1993, The Network Journal (TNJ) is an award-winning magazine published quarterly. It provides news and commentaries on issues that affect the growth of business and the advancement of professionals in the workplace for an audience of predominantly African-American professionals, corporate executives and small-business owners. Engaging more than 98,325 readers per issue, TNJ is distributed nationwide, with a focus on the New York tri-state area, while its daily digital edition at tnj.com reaches a global audience. 

Visit web site at http://www.tnj.com.

Genma Holmes featured in StyleBlue Print

Genma Holmes: FACES of Nashville

StyleBluePrint

Genma Holmes is her own force of nature. Her laugh alone can completely change the mood of anyone around her, as her enthusiasm is completely infectious! And in case you run into Genma, her name is pronounced Jon-ma. But she’ll answer to any pronunciation, with a smile and a laugh. Find out more about this writer, radio host, entrepreneur, actor, model, volunteer, mother, grandmother and more!

 Thank you Liza Graves for the great write up and thank you Ashley Hylbert for the beautiful photographs. See more of Ashley's work at ashleyhylbert.com.

Read the full story here!

Genma Holmes To Speak at Inaugural Art Camp Nashville

I am super honored to share how to help passionate volunteers find their purpose with non-profits. Music City is filled with many hearts who want to serve with their time and talents to help meet the needs of the community and individuals.

With the Middle Tennessee Region being one of the most philanthropic areas of the country, many non-profits look for ways to attract and keep engaged volunteers. Creative volunteers who are servant leaders are often looking for a purpose and do not want to be a "body for a day".

So how do we match non profits' needs with the gifts and talents of strong volunteers? Join me at the Inaugural Art Camp Nashville to hear me share from my treasure chest of ideas that worked and did not work for me as a volunteer. Also hear what I look for in a cause or non-profit to donate too and the various ways I have raised funds for several organizations.

This is going to be a "different" session but very special. I hope to see you. My session is from 2:15-3:20 at Nossi College of Art.

Follow me:
Twitter 
Facebook
#Livingtogivenow

Genma Holmes' Christmas Eve Visit on the Tom Joyner Morning Show

Genma Stringer Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control, author, and host of Living Your Best Life Radio will be on the Tom Joyner Morning Showing's Inside Her Story with Jacque Reid on Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Genma will discuss being Ms. Santa in Nashville for nearly ten years.

Genma started visiting day-cares, elementary schools, and nursing homes that used her pest control services as a fun way to give back to her customers during the holidays as Ms. Santa. As the years passed, she she was invited to visit the sick and shut in in hospitals who were not her customers. When her younger son became a Marine, many military families and the veteran community embraced her during the holidays as well as Ms. Santa.

Genma collects toys for young children, items for seniors and veterans year round from her customers who own businesses. In November and December, Genma visits schools and day-cares reading to them in her Santa Suit to show the spirit Christmas. Urban Outlook with April Eaton, a lifestyle regional CBS affiliate talk show, gives Genma a segment to discuss her work and give practical advice on buying toys for children that actually last beyond the holidays, educational, and age appropriate.

"It is no secret I sing Christmas songs year round," Genma said in a recent interview. She continued, "I am on mission to spread the love we feel, the joy in our hearts, the willingness to serve others at Christmastime year round. I hope it spurs individuals on to give a little more of themselves to help set examples for the next generation.

 

Other small companies and company executives give quietly each year to Genma meet the growing list of needs and wants from children and non-profits. But she has garnered the support of companies like Lamar Advertising Nashville, News Channel 5, Rhealistic Branding, and Mocha Magazine who sponsored billboards showing the non-profit agencies she serves at Christmas and in July by promoting www.livingtogivenow.com.

Tune in to Tom Joyner in your area to hear more about Living To Give Now and why Genma believes Christmas is 365 days a year!

Brown is Genma Holmes New Black

I am known for donning black...often. Ten thousand pairs of black pants, skirts, blazers, and evening dresses galore it seems. I do not recall when the color of black took over my closet but I believe somewhere between raising teens and owning a business, I started wearing black. Lots of black.

After a health scare in the spring of 2013, I took assessment of life and decided to make sure I am doing things that I truly enjoy. Getting back to blogging about great finds for the fashionistas who love clothes and who love great deals has been on my must do list for sometime. I am collector, not a shopper, of timeless pieces that can flow effortlessly from day into evening and would be appropriate in the boardroom, volunteering in a school, in a radio studio, and of course, running a pest control company.

Brown has become my new black. Almond, amber, bay, brandy, bronze, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, copper, mocha, and rich gold tones clothing and accessories have made their way to the check out counter with me since the day after Labor Day. Here is one of my new favorites outfits.

In WTST studios getting ready to interview Travis McVey

The Anne Klein gold silk blouse, the brown leather belt with gold embroidery, and the gold knotted necklace were from a wonderful store called The Sugar Pea in Old Hickory, TN.

The Bergdorf Goodman brown boulce skirt woven with gold metallic thread has a little swing action and can be paired with an evening jacket for a night on the town. This beautiful skirt is from Couture for a Cause in Brentwood, TN. The blouse and skirt look as if they were made for each other. My leopard print velvet tee is over twenty years old and felt brand new when I paired it with the skirt and blouse.

The tan flower bracelet with topaz gemstones peeping from under the cuff of my blouse is from my own line of jewelry that is debuting soon.

At the Southern Region IABC Conference with Diane Chase

I wore a pair of black boots and brown tights with this outfit. Compliments galore!

For more great finds like my ensemble above, visit The Sugar Pea and Couture for Cause. These boutiques are owned by women with wonderful hearts and are on a mission. They champion women with causes and I love them dearly. Tell them Genma sent you!

Pro Photos by Lawrence Taylor of  www.chicagraphyimages.com

Genma Holmes Needs Your Votes for "Dancing With the Nashville Stars"

I am having the time of my life preparing for Feed America First's Dancing with The Nashville Stars. I am enjoying the competion and working hard on my top secret routine. I have gotten more excercise in the last few weeks than I have in months.

The best part of competing in this exciting fundraiser is knowing that the money raised by votes for me helps stamp out hunger in our rural communities. 1 in 5 children go to bed hungry at night. Feed America First has distributed almost 30 million pounds of food to agencies in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and beyond. For every dollar donated, Feed America First has provided 12-15 meals.

So, how does it work? Online Votes are available in 10-vote packages for $10. You may purchase as many 10-vote packages as you would like by simply changing the number in the "Quantity" field and clicking "Update" on the PayPal page. For example, ten 10-vote packages equals 100 votes for $100. Thank you for your valued donation!

You can vote for me here. You can also purchase tickets or buy a table here. Of course, vote early and often! The day of performance date is:

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 * 6:00-9:00 p.m. At Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, TN.

If you prefer to mail in checks, the address is below. Remember to put Genma Holmes (who is your friend, pal, buddy, bff, bug killer, ....) in the memo line.

Mailing Address:
Feed America First
1105 Blue Springs Road
Franklin, TN 37069

Thank you for your support,
Genma

Dancing with the Nashville Stars on Living Your Best Life 10-05-2013
Dancing with the Nashville Stars on Living Your Best Life  10-12-2013

Dancing with The Nashville Stars Updates, Doing Good, and The Passionate Volunteer on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations and leaders who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations and leaders embody "Be the change you want to see in the world".

Throughout 2013 listeners will hear from presidents of organizations who are global change agents. We will also hear from CEOs of social enterprise businesses who are changing communities and college educators who are taking their students out of the classroom and into surrounding neighborhoods to learn and serve others.

Join us to hear updates from Dancing with The Nashville Stars. Clyde C. Harris will share about World Champions Productions partnership with Dancing with the Nashville Stars, a benefit for Feed America First. This benefit is back for its third year of wowing the Middle Tennessee Area with an exciting fundraiser that addresses a serious crisis in America, 1 out of 5 children goes hungry. Clyde, regional director of World Champions Productions will share how dancing benefits the mind, body, and soul. Listen as he talks about he started with World Champions Productions and where his career has taken him around the world. He will also share with us the celebrities he has worked with on the national show, Dancing With the Stars. Genma Holmes is dancing in this years fundraiser and Clyde C. Harris is her partner.

Also on today's show we will hear from Doing Good, an organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism. Kimberly "Brownie" Vaughn will share with us Doing Good's Volunteer of the Month and how Doing Good celebrates the Spirit of Volunteerism by featuring local volunteers making a difference in the community. Kimberly "Brownie" Vaughn will also share how Doing Good inspires, educates, and connects residents to local non-profits. Doing Good shows us how much impact one person has on the future of our community.

We also hear updates from Creativity Moves Dreamers and Doers 2nd Annual Conference held at Vanderbilt Nashville and from Center For Non-Profit Management's Salute to Excellence, the largest non-profit recognition dinner in the country.

 Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires and motivates one to live their BEST life, can heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, on Tune In, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also be aired on the HBCU radio network.

More About World Champion Productions

World Champion Productions stands as a dynamic organization within the community. Their goal is to empower our members with the ability to attain their highest personal best through the love of Ballroom Dancing. WCP wish to serve our members through a wide variety of experiences and opportunities that encourage their growth as dancers, and inspire them to pass on their love of dancing. To see the various groups and organizations that World Champion Productions has performed for, click here.

More About Kimberly "Brownie" Vaughn
 Kimberly “Brownie” Vaughn is a dynamic and energetic woman with magnetic compassion, delivering attractive, power-packed messages that target and hit the bull’s eye of the single woman’s heart. Actually living single in a world that often forgets to celebrate its single women, Brownie holds up the banner for her sisters in singlehood to love their God-given significance. Through speaking engagements and events, she adamantly shares how her journey to joy included pit stops such as bitterness over heartaches, settling for ungodly attraction, searching for validation, and understanding the reasons for rejection in single-hood. Those that are privileged to hear her speak continually rave about her captivating way to connect and empower women with solutions that alter negative thinking and boost self- esteem. To learn more about Kimberly click here.

Dancing with The Nashville Stars and Creativity Moves on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations and leaders who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations and leaders embody "Be the change you want to see in the world".

Throughout 2013 listeners will hear from presidents of organizations who are global change agents. We will also hear from CEOs of social enterprise businesses who are changing communities and college educators who are taking their students out of the classroom and into surrounding neighborhoods to learn and serve others.

 Join us to hear about Dancing with The Nashville Stars and Creativity Moves 2nd Annual Conference. John Philleo will share about Dancing with the Nashville Stars, a benefit for Feed America First. This benefit is back for its third year of wowing the Middle Tennessee Area with an exciting fundraiser that addresses a serious crisis in America, 1 out of 5 children goes hungry. John will share how funds from Dancing with the Nashville Stars are used at Feed America First and ways we can all participate. Genma Holmes is dancing in this years fundraiser.

Jacob Weiss, our number one repeat guest, is back to discuss his 2nd Annual Creativity Moves Conference. Listen as he shares how Creativity Moves Conference will feature inspiration and advice to help you launch big, creative ideas that will make a difference. Learn from creative entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and artists who are using creativity to give back, do well, and inspire their communities.

This show promises to get you up and dancing and start your creative thoughts flowing to do something big project that you have in the back of your mind and in heart to help make our world a better place. (Vote for Genma Holmes online here.)

 Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires and motivates one to live their BEST life, can heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, on Tune In, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also be aired on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network.


More About Dancing with the Nashville Stars 

 The 2013 celebrity cast of Dancing with the Nashville Stars to benefit Feed America First is, from top left, Dr. Enrique Arevalos, Shauna Billingsley, Jennifer Herron, Genma Holmes, Brad Hopkins, Jennifer Kraus, Rodney Mitchell, and Kelly Sutton.

Feed America First is pleased to announce the cast of its 2013 Dancing with the Nashville Stars fundraising banquet. The event features a dance contest between 8 local celebrities paired with professional dance instructors from National Dance Clubs and World Champion Productions.

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, at The Factory at Franklin, in Liberty Hall.

All proceeds from the event benefit Feed America First, a Franklin-based hunger relief charity that operates out of Murfreesboro and serves the Middle Tennessee region. 

“We’re so excited that local celebrities of this stature would choose to align themselves with Feed America First, and in fact share our passion to feed the hungry,” said Tom Henry, founder and executive director of Feed America First. “We have such a broad variety of personalities, which makes us confident that this will be our best event ever.” 

The goal of this event is to provide enough food for half a million meals. The couple that raises the most money for the charity through voting and other revenue streams wins the coveted mirrored-ball trophy. A panel of judges will also give trophies for Artistic Impression and Technical Merit. 





The 2013 DWTNS celebrity dancers and their professional partners are:

· Dr. Enrique Arevalos, radiologist with Williamson Medical Center, paired with pro Khyrstyne Dunaway, of National Dance Clubs, Belle Meade;

· Shauna Billingsley, Franklin City Attorney and former Franklin Breakfast Rotary president, paired with pro Alfred Perratta, of National Dance Clubs, Brentwood;

· Jennifer Herron, WSMV Anchor/Reporter and radio personality, paired with pro Dusty Johnson, of World Champion Productions, Mt. Juliet;

· Genma Holmes, Host of Living Your Best Life Radio and Entrepreneur, paired with pro John Elliot, of World Champion Productions, Mt. Juliet;

· Brad Hopkins, Former Tennessee Titan and Host of First Quarter on 102.5 The Game, paired with pro Audra Ownby, of National Dance Clubs, Belle Meade;

· Jennifer Kraus, NewsChannel 5 Investigative Reporter/Anchor, paired with pro Josh Crenshaw, of National Dance Clubs, Brentwood;

· Rodney Mitchell, Celebrity Stylist and Salon Owner, paired with pro Milly Elkin, of National Dance Clubs, Brentwood; and,

· Kelly Sutton, Emmy-nominated News Anchor and TV Personality, paired with pro Dayshawn Powell, of National Dance Clubs, Belle Meade.



In addition to the celebrity dance contest, the event will include a catered dinner, a silent auction, and open dancing for guests. The general public is invited to attend the event, but seating is limited, so reservations should be made quickly.

Reservations can be made online atwww.feedamericafirst.org or checks may be made payable to Feed America First, 1105 Blue Springs Rd., Franklin, TN 37069.


More About Creativity Moves

Creativity Moves Nashville is a gathering of Nashville's innovative creative leaders, thinkers, and doers who believe in the power of creativity to do good and transform our community.


Founded in 2012, Creativity Moves Nashville is an initiative of Playing By Air Productions, and High-Wired Communities, in partnership with Nashville community leaders. The October 10-12, 2013 conference is made possible by the support of community sponsors and partners including the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy, The Village Fund, Artober, Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, Nashville Creative Group, Beth Inglish Art, The MEPR Agency, Resolve TV, Abrasive Media, Nossi College of Art, Now Playing Nashville, Sam Davidson, David Hutchins, Jody Lentz, Foothill Entertainment Group, Creators’ Freedom Project, No Starving Artist, The Tour of Smiles, The Sing Me a Story Foundation,  The Skillery, Proof Branding, Mothers Digital, Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes, Interactive for Good, and Songs-4-Cause.