Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Black & White Boston Celebrates 'Spirit of the Entrepreneur'; Mayor Thomas Menino Joins OneUnited Bank Chairman Kevin Cohee at May 15 Luncheon Honoring African-American Entrepreneurs

Black & White Boston Celebrates 'Spirit of the Entrepreneur'; Mayor Thomas Menino Joins OneUnited Bank Chairman Kevin Cohee at May 15 Luncheon Honoring African-American Entrepreneurs

Published 05-11-06

Submitted by Black & White Boston

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2006--Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will be joined by featured guest speaker Kevin Cohee of OneUnited Bank at the Black &White Boston's "Spirit of the Entrepreneur" business luncheon on Monday, May 15. To be held at the JFK Library, this 16th annual luncheon is a major element in Black & White Boston's ongoing commitment to honoring business successes and collaboration that help improve race relations in the City.

As chairman and CEO, Kevin Cohee has built Boston based OneUnited into the nation's largest black-owned and run bank, and the first black-owned Internet bank. The CEOs of three black-owned and run companies will be also be recognized: AiM&M CEO Keith Barnette; Done Right Building Services CEO Anthony Samuels; and Unity First CEO Janine Fondon.

In addition, The Henry Hampton Award, created in 2001 to honor a minority business with a long and positive history in the community, will be presented to Wally's Cafe CEO Elynor Walcott. Wally's Cafe has become nationally known for providing music to the Jazz-loving audiences of New England since 1947, while providing young music students opportunities to play with professionals.

Presenting "The Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards" with honorary chairman Menino will be Richard Taylor, chairman of Smith Taylor Properties. Presenting The Henry Hampton Award will be Marvin Gilmore, CEO of Community Development Corporation of Boston.

"The luncheon theme 'The Spirit of the Entrepreneur' honors individuals who exemplify that characteristic - the ability to recognize an opportunity and find a way to capitalize on it," said Diddy Cullinane, president, Black & White Boston. She added that this is the 16th year of Black & White Boston's dedication to improving race relations through jobs and economic development in a social context.

During the past 15 years there have been numerous other events and contributions by Black & White Boston Coming Together. For example, each September, proceeds from the annual Black & White on Green Golf Tournament underwrite the inner city Caddie Scholars program. It now has over a 1,000 graduates, and is being emulated this year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where Cullinane will be the guest of honor.

Beyond this educational success, however, the main purpose of the tournament, as with the Black & White Boston's other events, is to link black entrepreneurs with leading CEOs from the white business community.

About Black & White Boston

Black & White Boston Coming Together was created by Diddy Cullinane in order to improve race relations in the City, at the time of the infamous Stuart murder case. One component is the Black & White Boston Coming Together luncheon, celebrating the success of black-owned enterprises. Each September, the organization also hosts the annual Black & White on Green Golf Tournament, which helps to underwrite the inner city Caddie Scholars program.


Copyright Business Wire 2006

Black & White Boston

Black & White Boston

More from Black & White Boston

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox