On a night filled with sequins, laughter, and long embraces, Montgomery County’s Black business community gathered at the Doubletree Hotel in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Nov. 20, for an evening that felt less like an awards ceremony and more like a family reunion.
The inaugural Black in Business Awards, hosted by the Montgomery County Black Business Council in partnership with MBA Growth Partners, honored 15 entrepreneurs whose resilience, collaboration, and leadership have reshaped what Black business success looks like in the county.
But the deeper story – the one many in the room felt in their bones – is how this community came to be.
Five Years of Intentional Community Building
Over the past half-decade, the Montgomery County Black Business Database (BBD) has become a connective tissue for hundreds of entrepreneurs.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, three organizations became an essential lifeline – the Black Business Council, initiators of the BBD; the Black Collective, which houses the AMBER accelerator program; and the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce – coming together to offer training, mentoring, and a sense of shared purpose. Owners who once built in isolation now collaborate, cross-refer clients, meet for professional development, and celebrate each other’s milestones.
The result is a close-knit, steadily growing ecosystem. Many of this year’s finalists are AMBER graduates. Several received county-supported training or incubation support. All have contributed to a community that has learned to grow together.
Last night’s celebration was, in many ways, a recognition of what collective investment makes possible.
Honoring the Work – and the Workers
Fifteen finalists were honored, representing businesses in hospitality, IT, government contracting, consumer services, and professional consulting, sectors where Black entrepreneurs have historically faced barriers to capital and market access.
Five stood out as this year’s winners:
- Michael J. Charles – SolutionsMET
- Melissa Daley – Orca Intelligence
- Tiffany Nesfield – Nesfield Performance
- Hyacinth Tucker – The Laundry Basket LLC
- Sharon Jackson Wilder – The Oaks Hospitality Group
Keynote speaker Jeff Cherry, of Conscious Venture Lab, spoke directly to the evening’s deeper meaning.
“We are creating the ‘purpose economy,’” he said, “where your business creates value for society.”
His message, that economic growth and community well-being are inseparable, resonated throughout the room.
The ceremony’s emcee, Ike Nwaneri, blended humor with heartfelt recognition, keeping the energy bright while honoring the significance of the moment.
A Night of Pride, Progress, and Possibility
The sparkle of the awards was more than aesthetic. For many attendees, the night represented an affirmation that the county’s Black businesses are not only surviving but scaling, hiring, and strengthening the region.
It was also a reminder that this community built itself through connection: late-night problem-solving sessions, shared trainings, referrals, workshops, and the steady presence of organizations designed to ensure Black entrepreneurs can thrive.
As Montgomery County continues to invest in its local business ecosystem, the Black in Business Awards mark both a celebration and a declaration: Black businesses here are growing, and they’re doing it together.