BLACK BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
instructor highlights
Applications are currently being accepted.
Central Virginia African American Foundation’s BBAP program is a commitment to six sessions on Wednesday evenings from 7:00PM – 8:30PM. Specific dates are provided in the application link.
The program ends with a culminating certificate awarding and networking session.
Click to Apply
Empowering Black Businesses in Central Virginia
Instructors | Content Expert
The Black Business Accelerator Program is a signature program of the Central Virginia African American Foundation. The program recruits highly qualified, industry leading instructors who serve as experts in their field. They are committed to not only instructing, but mentoring business owners through the course to strengthen their knowledge to progress in each subject area.
Fall 2026
September 2026 – November 2026
Matthew Ho
Chief Credit Officer, Bridging Virginia
Daniel Paster
Daniel Paster Senior Director, HR Business Partner, Altria
Anissa Turner-Randolph
Marketing Director, Radio One Richmond
Summer 2026
May 2026 – July 2026
Jamal Hasan
Vice President Business Banking Relationship Manager, Fulton Bank
Rikki Stone-Hickson
Training and Organizational Development Manager, Live! Casino & Hotel
Ashly Richards
Marketing Director, 12 On Your Side/ CW Richmond
Zahra Hosseini
Senior Media Planner, Gray Media, 12 on Your Side Richmond
Winter 2026
January 2026 – March 2026
Wanda Goode
Business Banking Relationship Manager, M&T Bank
Sydney Lartigue Fameni
Founder and CEO, Rise Enterprise Group
Daniel Paster
Daniel Paster Senior Director, HR Business Partner, Altria
Fall 2025
September 2025 – November 2025
Jamal Hasan
Senior Small Business Development Representative, Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo
Dorian Cunion
Executive Strategist, Your Path Coaching and Consulting
Anissa Turner-Randolph
Marketing Director, Radio One Richmond
Summer 2025
May 2025 – July 2025
Charese Chambers
Owner, Financial Fancy LLC
Dorian Cunion
Executive Strategist, Your Path Coaching and Consulting
Anissa Turner-Randolph
Marketing Director, Radio One Richmond
Winter 2025
January 2025 – March 2025
Jamal Hasan
Senior Small Business Development Representative, Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo
Kaisha McCrea, MBA, ACC, CCTC
Career & Leadership Coach, Author, Radio Personality and Consultant / CEO & Founder-Growing Perspectives Career Consulting
Karon Nivens
Secondary Education, Business/Marketing, Founder of The Heart of K&K, Owner of K&K Travel and K&K Cuisine, KNS Podcast
Fall 2024
September 2024 – November 2024
Dr. Dwayne Whitehead
President, The Whitehead Group (TWG)
Ebony Wilkins, SHRM-SCP
Owner and Principal Conversationalist, The Power of One Consulting
Janna M. Joyner
Marketing Communications Executive
Spring 2024
May 2024 – July 2024
Dr. Dwayne Whitehead
President, The Whitehead Group (TWG)
Ebony Wilkins, SHRM-SCP
Owner and Principal Conversationalist, The Power of One Consulting
Janna M. Joyner
Marketing Communications Executive
Winter 2024
January 2024 – March 2024
Jamal Hasan
Senior Small Business Development Representative, Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo
Calvin Callahan II
Strategic Human Resources Professional, Founder and CPO of Chartwood Consulting, LLC
Circle S Studio
A Consulting, Branding, and Digital Agency
Fall 2023
September 2023 – November 2023
Jamal Hasan
Senior Small Business Development Representative, Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo
Shaletha A. Dyson, SHRM-CP
Deputy Director of Human Resources, City of Richmond
Quiana Johnson
Life and Brand Architect, Owner of Quiana J.
Summer 2023
May 2023 – August 2023
Wendy Chambliss Shoniregun
Vice President of Fair Lending and Complaints - Sr. Compliance Officer at Primis Bank, CEO of Glow & Co and Founder of Onyx Investment Group
Calvin Callahan II
Strategic Human Resources Professional, Founder and CPO of Chartwood Consulting, LLC
The Martin Agency Team
Ad Age's 2023 Agency of the Year
Winter 2023
January 2023 – March 2023
Harrol Christian
Finance and Budget Leader, Expert in Business Development, Mortgage and Banking
Carol Reese
President, ReeSources, Inc.
Quiana Johnson
Life and Brand Architect, Owner of Quiana J.
Fall 2022
Exclusive Sneak Peek Series
October 2022 – November 2022
Randy N. Cooper
President and CEO, Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union
Carol Reese
President, ReeSources, Inc.
Quiana Johnson
Life and Brand Architect, Owner of Quiana J.
Summer 2022
July 2022 – September 2022
Charese Chambers
Owner, Financial Fancy LLC
Chandra Hurst
Vice President and Economic Equity Small Business Loan Officer, Virginia Community Capital
Patrick Patrong
Patrong Enterprises, Inc. President / Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Chief Diversity Officer
Alicia Lamb
Corporate Brands, Graphic Designer / Performance, Foodservice
Spring 2022
March 2022 – May 2022
David Wilson
FundUuP, Managing Principal
Karen Gulliford, M.Ed., PCC
Great Workplaces, LLC, Executive Coach, Human Resources Consultant
The Martin Agency Team
Kristen Cavallo: CEO Jordan Muse: Director and Head of Accounts Matt Swieca: Executive Producer Elle Bass: Director, Social Creative
Fall 2021
September 2021 – October 2021
Brian Taylor
Atlantic Union Bank, Business Banking Market Manager
Ron Carey
Tilt Creative + Production, Founder/CEO
Shaletha A. Dyson, SHRM-CP
Deputy Director of Human Resources, City of Richmond
Join Us in Making a Difference
Become a vital part of our mission to empower Black businesses in Central Virginia. Whether you choose to volunteer your time, attend our impactful events, or contribute financially, your support is crucial. Together, we can create a thriving economic community that uplifts and sustains our local entrepreneurs.