The Heartland Wichita Black Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for their annual Black-and-White Ball to include their business hall of fame recognition, scholarship awards and two additional special recognitions.
The ball, which includes dinner, will be held on Sat., April 27, at the Wichita Marriot. For tickets, contact Gregory Cole at 316-644-9276 or email heartlandbccwichita@gmail.com
This year’s class of Black Business Hall of Fame inductees includes:
Lorenza Breckenridge Sr., George T. Johnson, and Donna Wright.
After 25 years as a beloved educator in the Wichita Public Schools, Lorenza Breckenridge Sr. retired to another career as owner and operator of Breckco Construction Company. In the 1970s, he was approved as a Small Business Administration 8(a) contractor, a recognition he propelled to receive numerous Federal contracts including work on the Veteran Center Administration Building in Wichita. The firm completed new-build work on several high-profile Wichita projects including the Maya Angelou Library, Save-A-Lot Grocery Store, Saint Mark UMC Family Life Center and Greater St. Mary’s MBC Family Life Center. Their renovation work included numerous remodels and additions for Wichita Public Schools, Wichita State University, and Lawrence Dumont Stadium.
George T. Johnson, a Vietnam War veteran, was a decorated Army Aviator who returned home to Wichita to a professional business and entrepreneurial career. He successfully established Diversified Educational Training and Manufacturing Company (DETMAC), building it into a nationally known and successful job training business. DETMAC trained thousands of underrepresented students to skilled permanent position in Wichita’s aviation Industry. For this work, he received numerous national recognitions including recognitions national Welfare to Work Small Business Owner of the Year and recognition from the State of Kansas with a Small Business Owner Award.
From 2006-2015, Donna Wright served as Regional Vice President of the MidAmerica Minority Supplier Development Council, where she developed over 150 programs and/or events geared toward increasing minority business growth in Wichita. She also served as the Minority Business Enterprise certification manager for Kansas and Missouri. Before her tenure with the Supplier Development Council, Donna spent 15 years with the Boeing Company-Wichita Division as the Supplier Diversity Specialist. She is currently Managing Principal of Kansas Business Services LLC, a business development and organizational management support services firm for under-served communities, non-profits, corporations and government entities.
The Chamber will also recognize Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle, Wichita State University, with their Big Apple Award, and Junetta Everett, Delta Dental, with their Shining Star Award.
Dr. Marché Fleming-Randle is the first African-American Female Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement at Wichita State University. She joined WSU in 2007 as the Asst. Dean for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She was promoted in Nov. 2015 to Asst. to the President for Diversity, and in August 2017 to her current position. In this role, she serves as the Chief Diversity Officer, oversees the President’s Diversity Council, monitors institutional equity and compliance issues, and serves as the university liaison for community engagement – both within the university and on regional and national levels.
Since 1995, Junetta Everett has served as the Vice President of Professional Relations for Delta Dental of Kansas. In addition, she serves as an opinion leader within the community, the marketplace and participates in relevant community activities. In addition to her responsibilities at DDKS, Everett is very involved in the community and serves on several boards including the Kansas Health Foundation, Wesley Hospital, WSU College of Health Profession Dean’s Advisory Board, WSU National Advisory Council, City Council District Advisory Board, and the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce of which she is currently serving as Chair elect and Vice-Chair of Diversity and Inclusion.
This will be the fourth year Heartland Wichita has awarded their renewable college scholarships. This year’s recipients are: Sydney Mansaw, Northeast Magnet; Dejuan McPhaul, East High; Chelsea James, Northeast Magnet; MaKayla Knox, East High; and Briaja Tucker, Northwest High.