Keeana Barber

CEO

WBD Marketing/Printing

Communications Sector

Nakhia Crossley

Senior Manager, Public Policy

Sunrun, Inc.

Energy Sector

Arielle R. Johnson

CEO & Founder

Fierce Staffing Services

Professional Services Sector

Blake-Anthony Johnson

CEO

Chicago Sinfonietta

Non-Profit Sector

Shaunte Robinson

VP Commercial Banking
Diverse, Women and Veterans Businesses

Chase Bank

Banking and Finance Sector

Jackie Shropshire

Senior Vice President

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

Construction Industry/Related Professionals Sector

Corey Taliaferro

Executive Director

Illinois Medicare/Medicaid Plan (IV) CVS/AETNA

Healthcare Sector

Ramel Terry

2nd Vice President

Chicago Westside NAACP

Non-Profit Sector

Mario Short

President & CEO

Syte Corporation

Raised by a single mother of four in Chicago’s Englewood community, Mario Short struggled to find meaning as a youth but eventually found his way into SIU Carbondale. While at SIU, Mario felt the pull of military service and joined the U.S. Marines in 1986. Military service allowed Mario to see the world and nurture his dream to start his own construction company. That dream is now reality with SYTE Corporation, a national firm with offices in four states, employing 23 full-time employees and an additional 30 more for seasonal work.

From multiple attempts at various business ventures throughout the late 90’s, Mario began to accumulate what is now more than 25 years of construction experience. Starting as a “fix and flip” developer in 1991, he transitioned from residential construction to become a licensed Commercial General Construction and Public Utilities Contractor in North Carolina in the late 1990. Returning to his roots in Chicago in 2003, Mario worked as a commercial general contractor in the Auburn Gresham community.

“I owe my life to my mom, -- her resilience and intestinal fortitude,” Short says, “Having grown up in Englewood and after serving my country in the Marines, one thing is abundantly clear-- no one succeeds alone. We must create opportunities to uplift everyone.”

“My life’s work is the Community Pipeline—an Incubator designed to develop African American Diverse suppliers and support skillbuilding for people of color in construction and construction management. Community Pipeline is set to open Spring 2022 in the 20^th Ward on Chicago’s South Side,” says Short. “I envision a community that supports growth, nurturing and development of the men, women, and children within.” 

Short’s goal is to create jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for disadvantaged urban and rural communities. “We aim to be an example for others (especially for young African American men and women), and to contribute to a cause that is bigger than ourselves.”

Mario was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps with a service-related injury. He studied electrical engineering at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and received his executive education at Dartmouth University, Tuck School of Business.

His experience spans the commercial, industrial, healthcare, and the heavy civil construction sectors. He leads highly productive project and contract management teams but has continued to excel at client and subcontractor relationship management.

Gavin. R. Jackson

&

Syreeta D. Nuckolls 

The Jackson Nuckolls Group

Gavin R. Jackson is a business leader, investor, restauranteur, and author. He is a co-owner of the Jackson Nuckolls Group, a Chicago-based multi-million-dollar hospitality enterprise. Gavin also serves as Chief Operating Officer of one of Chicago's largest and most historic ministries. He is the author of Mind+Grind: A Thinker’s Guide to Practical Spirituality, now in its second printing, which teaches how the application of spiritual principles can guide you to a path of achievement, positive transformation, and personal breakthrough.

Gavin earned his Bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law. After working as a Wall Street Investment Banker and Trader, Gavin sought a higher work-life balance, and returned to Chicago to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer at Christ Universal Temple. Gavin grew up under the teachings of The Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon, and felt privileged to take on this new leadership role.

Above all, Gavin prioritizes family time with his wife Christina, and their two sons. He considers himself a lifelong student and teacher of the principles of elevated thinking plus intelligent works. In all of these roles, he is committed to demonstrating the realities of superior achievement, experiencing health, love, joy, and victory in your everyday life.

Syreeta Nuckolls is a proven entrepreneur with experience leading operations, marketing, and finance for complex business ventures. In 2018, Syreeta led the purchase of a large restaurant and entertainment venue which she has cultivated into a multi-million-dollar operation. Together, the brother-sister team of Gavin and Syreeta are the principals of the Jackson Nuckolls Group, a real estate development and hospitality investment company.Syreeta oversees daily operations and continues to explore growth and profit opportunities.

Syreeta’s professional career includes consulting with national and local food chains to establish themed eateries in select Chicago neighborhoods. Her vast restaurant knowledge and experience have led Syreeta to build a successful track record as a restaurateur and entrepreneur. She takes pride in working directly with business owners to invest in and directly contribute to the success of their companies.

Syreeta’s investments in residential real estate since 2007 have also proven successful. Her keen eye for design and business savvy were instrumental in her purchase, renovation, rental, and flip of single- and multi-family housing.

Previously, Syreeta served as an operations manager at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), where she successfully managed building improvements and construction projects, cost reduction through alternative models, and administered operational budgets of up to $20 million.

Syreeta holds an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor’s degree from Hampton University. Her business strengths are planning and strategy, data analysis, audits, compliance, and unearthing hidden profit potential.. In 2019, she was named among Business Mogul’s Power 25 List.