Business and Leadership Awards Gala
MARCH 14, 2026
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Building Economic Legacy for Our Posterity
Staybridge Suites Oxnard by IHG
2101 W Vineyard Ave,
Oxnard, CA 93036
Business and Leadership Awards Gala Overview
The 2026 Business & Leadership Awards Gala is CCMERA’s premier annual celebration honoring leaders, organizations, and institutions whose work exemplifies excellence, service, and transformative impact across the Central Coast.
By spotlighting these leaders, the Gala:
• Elevates models of effective and inclusive leadership
• Builds visibility for organizations advancing economic and social wellbeing
• Reinforces the belief that success in business and leadership is both attainable and essential to regional prosperity
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GRGzhT7Sg6wJsCq86
HONORING
Spectacular Services
Taniesha & Ranesha Thompson
Community Uplift Champion Award
Sade Champagne Washington
Strategic Community Partnership Award
Clean Power Alliance
Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year
PROJECT50 with Dexter Nunnery
Dynamic Entrepreneur Award
DR. Cozette White
CEO's Choice Award
Ventura County Alumnae Chapter: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Byron K. Ward
- Dr. Darrel B. Gooden
- Zach Parker
- Morgan Clayton
- Erica Ayala
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
Economic Legacy Builder Program
Economic Legacy Builder (ELB) Upper Tiers support both events and include enhanced recognition.
Support the Mission
CCMERA and our regional partners, inviting young people, entrepreneurs, business and community leaders.
Our Partners and Sponsors
Join us at the Virtual EDS and be part of shaping the future of economic development for Black businesses in the tri-counties. By participating, you can:
1
Learn culturally congruent strategies for leveraging collective economic development methodologies.
2
Build relationships with other Black business leaders and community members.
3
Help create a more equitable and prosperous future for Black entrepreneurs in our region.
Virtual Economic Development Summit
Virtual Economic Development Summit Participants List
Dr. Richard Yao
Speaker
Welcome, President, CSU Channel Islands
Lance Triggs
Keynote Speaker
Operation Hope, President, Program Operations, Sr. Executive Vice President
Dr. Irene Pinkard
Speaker
Featured Speaker, CEO, Pinkard Institute
Angela Timmons
Speaker
Session Facilitator, Economic Development Roundtable, Healing Vibrations
Laura Martinez
Speaker
Session Facilitator, Scaling Up For Success, CEO, HR Force
Lisa Brown
Speaker
Session Facilitator, CEO, Platinum Technology Group
Byron K. Ward
Speaker
Host, President, CCMERA
Oscar Edwards
Panelist
President and CEO, Higher Growth Strategies, LLC (HGS
Morgan Clayton
Panelist
Chairman, Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc.
Gloria Martinez
Panelist
Economic Vitality Manager, County of Ventura
Anthony Mireles
Panelist
Business Manager, LiUNA Local 585
Saysha F Davis
Panelist
Business Banker, Mission Bank
Kristin Decas
Panelist
CEO, Port of Hueneme, Oxnard Harbor District
Marvin Boateng
Panelist
Director of Funding, EDC
Kelcey Newman
Panelist
Creative Director, Attain DMC
Dr. Ray Bowman
Panelist
Director, EDC Small Business Development Center
Dr. Darrell Gooden
Panelists
Senior Vice President, Aegir Systems
Jeff McKenzie
Panelist
CEO/President, McKenzie Systems Engineering Associates
Jeff Debrosse
Speaker
Event Moderator, Serial Entrepreneur & Small Business Advocate, The Decor Pros
Bruce Stenslie
Panelist
President and CEO, Economic Development Collaborative
Register Today
Virtual Economic Development Summit
1
8:30 AM-9:00 AM
2
9:00 AM
3
9:15 AM
4
10:00 AM
5
11:00 AM
Sessions
6
11:15 AM
7
12:15 PM
8
1:30 PM
9
2:45 PM
10
3:00 PM
11
3:20
12
3:30 PM
13
4:00 PM
Join us at the EDS and be part of shaping the future of economic development for Black businesses in the tri-counties. By participating, you can:
Commercial Vendor
- Six foot table
- Signage
- One (1) admission
- Meal
Donation $150.00
Non-Profit Vendor
- Six foot table
- Two Chairs
- One (1) admission
Donation $50.00
Bronze Sponsor
- Supporting sponsor
- Logo placement on event
- website and signage
- VIP swag
- One (1) complimentary registration
- Meal
- Exhibit booth or display space and recognition on registration platform
Donation $500
Silver Sponsor
- Supporting sponsor
- Logo placement on event website and signage
- VIP swag
- One (1) complimentary registration
- Meal.
- Exhibit booth or display space and recognition on registration platform
Donation $1,500
Gold Sponsor
- Major sponsor
- Logo placement on all event materials
- Speaking opportunity at event
- Print, SM, and website mentions
- VIP swag
- Two (2) complimentary registrations
- Two meals
- Exhibit booth or display space and recognition on registration platform
Donation $3,000
Platinum Sponsor
- Exclusive title sponsor
- Prominent logo placement on all event materials
- Speaking opportunity at event
- Print, SM, and website mentions
- VIP swag
- Exhibit booth or display space and recognition on registration platform
- Total of four (4) complimentary registrations
- Four meals.
Donation $5,000
Admission Ticket
- One (1) admission Meal Donation $150.00
- (Early Bird discount of $125.00 until November 4, 2024).
Donation $125.00
