TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Carlisha Bradley, founder of Women Empowering Nations. Photo Provided
BMe Community recently announced the honorees of its 2024 Vanguard Awards. The local recipients are Rondalyn Abode, director of development at Crossover Community Impact; BerThaddaeus Bailey, managing director of My Brother’s Keeper; Carlisha Bradley, founder of Women Empowering Nations; Nicole Brannon, park manager at Jane A. Malone Center at Chamberlain Park; Marquess Dennis Sr., executive director, Birthright Living Legacy; Dion’trae Hayes, executive director for MET Cares Foundation; Cedric Ikpo, executive director, Thunder Fellows Program at Oklahoma City Thunder; Omare Jimmerson, executive director of Tulsa Birth Equity; Dr. Christopher McNeil, founder and executive director of Youth Medical Mentorship; Tim Newton, executive director of Tulsa Dream; and Mikeal Vaughn, founder and executive director of Urban Coders Guild.
The award is a national honor that provides honorees with $10,000 in unrestricted funds to support their social impact initiatives, along with enrollment in an advanced leadership enrichment program to expand their knowledge, influence, and networks.
“BMe Vanguards come from all walks of life but share one authentic action-oriented love for humanity,” said Trabian Shorters, co-founder and CEO of BMe Community.
The BMe Vanguard program brings inspiring and trusted Black leaders into a community that fosters their well-being, financial empowerment, collaboration, and positive social impact. BMe Vanguard honorees embody the #NextNarrative principle of defining people by their aspirations and contributions, rather than by their limitations or stigmas and are deeply dedicated builders of Black people and all people’s freedoms to Live, Own, Vote, and Excel (L.O.V.E.).
Since its inception in 2013, BMe has given over $4 million in angel grants, launching 260 social impact initiatives and supporting 160 more. On average, those initiatives raised 54 times BMe’s angel investment and collectively serve millions of families across the United States. A total of 43 recipients were recognized in 2024.
Sponsors of the BMe Award are the McKnight Foundation, Ballmer Group, NBA Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, and Interfaith America.
For more information, visit www.bmecommunity.org.
