EED Legacy Program Book

KENNETH KELLY BLACK WEALTH STREET | SPEAKER BIOS
Chairman and CEO, First Independence Bank
Kenneth Kelly serves as Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank (www. TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
firstindependence.com), a minority depository institution based in Detroit, 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
Michigan. He is a respected leader in the banking community. Kelly serves on the
Board of Directors of the American Bankers Association, is the voice of the nation’s
$20.3 trillion banking industry. The American Bankers Association is composed of
small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people,
safeguard $15.8 trillion in deposits and extend nearly $11 trillion in loans. He served
as chairman of the National Bankers Association 2018-2020. From 2018-2020,
Kelly served on the Federal Reserve of Chicago Bank Seventh District Community
Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC). Kelly was also selected to
become a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman’s
Advisory Committee on Community Banking which is charged with providing
advice and recommendations to the FDIC on a broad range of community banking
policy and regulatory matters. He has testified as an expert witness before the U.S.
Congressional House Financial Services subcommittee and has provided input to
the full committee of House Financial Services during its COVID19 listening session.
Additionally, Kelly provided input and advice to the Secretary of Treasury and White
House Staff during COVID19 on the state of minority banks.
Kelly serves as the chairperson of the Auburn University Engineering Alumni
Council. In this role, he works with a successful group of alumni including many
CEOs to assist the dean of the college with research and development, fundraising,
and academic achievement. In 2019, the dedication of the new Brown Kopel
Engineering Student Achievement Center included the naming of the Kenneth
Kelly Engineering Academic Excellence Program Reception Area. Kelly was Auburn
University’s Commencement Speaker on April 30, 2021.
Prior to banking, Kelly enjoyed a 27-year career as an electric utility business leader
in numerous roles within Southern Company. His last role entailed negotiating
acquisitions of large renewable solar projects valued at $3.4 billion in partnership
value. In 2018, Kelly was inducted as the 137th Distinguished Auburn Engineer. In
February 2020 he was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.
In October 2020, Kelly served as a speaker during the 2020 Milken Global Institute
Forum. The NYSE honored Kelly through the ringing of the opening bell on Dec.
14, 2020 as chairman of Grow Michigan II. In May 2021, Crain’s Detroit named him a
Notable Executive in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Kelly is the author of Prepared
Before I Let Go, and owner of an App to manage your last will, healthcare directive,
and power of attorney named – My Legacy Items.
Kelly grew up in Eufaula, Alabama, received an electrical engineering degree from
Auburn University and completed the executive MBA program at the University
of Alabama.

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ROLAND S. MARTINBLACK WEALTH STREET | SPEAKER BIOS
Host and Managing Editor, #RolandMartinUnfiltered
1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION Over the course of a journalistic career that has seen him interview multiple U.S. presidents
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY to the top athletes and entertainers in Hollywood, Roland S. Martin is a journalist who has
always maintained a clear sense of his calling in this world.
Martin is the host and managing editor of #RolandMartinUnfiltered, the first daily online
show in history focused on news and analysis of politics, entertainment, sports, and culture
from an explicitly African American perspective.
From 2008, and until its final on-air sign-off, Martin was a senior analyst for the Tom Joyner
Morning Show, where his twice-a-week segment is heard by millions of listeners on upwards
of 100 stations. He is the author of three books: Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives
on Faith; Speak, Brother! A Black Man’s View of America; and The First: President Barack
Obama’s Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin.
In his career, Martin has been showered with more than 30 awards for journalistic excellence,
including being named the Journalist of the Year in 2013 by the National Association of
Black Journalists. He is a four-time NAACP Image Award winner. Martin spent six years as a
contributor for CNN, and in 2009, CNN was awarded the Peabody Award for its outstanding
2008 election coverage.
Martin spent 13 years at TV One Network, where he played an integral role in building
the Blackowned network. He previously served as owner/publisher of Dallas-Fort Worth
Heritage, a Christian monthly newspaper. He also has worked as managing editor of the
Houston Defender and the Dallas Weekly. Mr. Martin has worked as morning drive reporter
for KRLD/1080 AM; news director and morning anchor at KKDA-AM in Dallas; city hall
reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and county government and neighbors reporter
for the Austin American-Statesman.
Mr. Martin is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s of science
degree in journalism and a life member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and
a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc..

AERIKA MORRIS
VP, Institutional Client Advisor, BOK Financial
Aerika R. Morris is a VP, Institutional Client Advisor with BOK Financial and has responsibility
for new business development and expert execution of client service delivery and investments
within Retirement Plans and Asset Services. With more two decades of experience in the
financial services industry, Aerika began her career with JPMorgan Chase in 1997, worked
for AIG Retirement Services for 15 years, and was with Lincoln Financial Group for 4 years.
She recently joined BOK Financial in 2019 where she manages client relationships across
the United States.
Aerika has dedicated her career to the very important work of empowering employers to
provide competitive employee benefits and to enhancing their employees’ financial futures.
In 2015, Aerika was recognized as one of nine relationship managers nationally to receive
the PLANSPONSOR Magazine Service Star Award. As a native Texan currently residing in
Houston with her husband Keith, Aerika cherishes her time with her niece, nephew and
godchildren. She also enjoys sports, mentoring, and making others laugh.
When asked about her passion for managing client relationships, she remarks, “My
commitment to the work that I do and the clients I have serviced has been unwavering. I
take great pride in knowing that each year, as participants prepare to end their careers and
transition into retirement, that I have provided them with all the resources that they will need
in order to retire with dignity on their own terms.”

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GEORGE NICHOLS III BLACK WEALTH STREET | SPEAKER BIOS
President & CEO, The American College of Financial Services
George Nichols III currently serves as the 10th President and CEO in the storied TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
history of The American College of Financial Services. His experience in the 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
public and private sector included a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held
principal roles in sales, strategic initiatives, and public policy. He most recently
served as executive vice president in charge of the Office of Governmental
Affairs, which encompasses all of the legislative, regulatory, and public policy
issues at the company.
Prior to joining New York Life, Nichols was Kentucky’s first African-American
insurance commissioner, regulating the state’s $10 billion insurance industry
through his expertise in health insurance reform and financial services
integration. Along with his role as Kentucky’s first African-American insurance
commissioner, Nichols was the first African-American president of the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (2000).
These accolades were born from opportunities that he is passionate about
extending through The College’s diversity initiatives. Because of his bold
leadership in launching a Four Steps Forward plan to promote upward mobility
and wealth creation for Black America, Nichols was recently honored as one of
“The Ten to Watch in 2021” by WealthManagement.com.
Nichols currently sits on the Boards of City Year, a nonprofit organization
committed to partnering with teachers and school leaders in urban areas to
provide high-impact student, classroom, and school-wide support, the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, Main Line Health, Republic Bank & Trust Co., and
Western Kentucky University.

TONY PORTER
Consumer Area Manager (Tulsa), Bank of Oklahoma
Anthony (Tony) Porter has served as an Area Manager for Consumer Banking
in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 2019. Prior to his promotion to Area Manager, Tony
served as the Sr Banking Center Manager at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Brookside
banking center.
Tony has two Bachelor’s Degrees in both Accounting and Business Management
from Ottawa University (KS). Additionally, he also has a Master’s Degree in
Business Administration.
Tony is a member of the Ottawa University Athletic Hall of Fame for Basketball
and Track. He also has been elected to the Ottawa Athletic Hall of Fame
Executive Board and currently holds the seat of Treasurer.
Tony lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. When not working, Tony enjoys running
and spending time with his wife Heidi and children Skyler and Truman.
Favorite Quote: “We can’t change the world unless we change ourselves.” –
Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.)

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NAJAH ROBERTSBLACK WEALTH STREET | SPEAKER BIOS
Chief Visionary Officer, Crypto Blockchain Plug
A self-described serial entrepreneur, Najah (Young Harriet) Roberts is the Founder1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
and CEO of Crypto Blockchain Plug, THE FIRST African-American-owned and 1 ofECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY
only 3 brick-and-mortar cryptocurrency exchanges in the country. She is well known
among the business community for engineering and structuring business ventures
from beginning to success, for changing lives, and making history. Her mission in life?
“To lead her people out of financial slavery.”
Najah prides herself on being a visionary. She sees “What’s Next,” and brings those
opportunities into her world. She loves helping people create a legacy for their
families and continues to help those who want more out of life and are willing to
work hard to get there.
Najah’s vision is to see mass adoption to Crypto and Blockchain and realizes that the
only path there is through education. As Crypto Blockchain Plug takes full shape,
Najah is confident that her positioning in Crypto and Blockchain is essential to the
success of the community.
A highly gifted motivational speaker, mentor, teacher, philanthropist, and author, as
well as a proven leader in the Relationship Marketing industry, Najah Roberts has
made it her personal goal through her organization, to change the world crypto by
crypto, block by block, city by city, state by state, and country by country.
Najah believes Cryptocurrency is the sole way we are going to actually close the
wealth gap that exists in this country. “It pays to know ME!”

KRISTI RODRIGUEZ
Senior Vice President, Nationwide Retirement Institute, Nationwide Financial
Kristi Martin Rodriguez currently serves as Senior Vice President of the Nationwide
Retirement Institute® for Nationwide Financial, leading the teams responsible for
advocating for and educating members, partners and industry leaders on issues
impacting their ability to have a secure financial future.
In her current role, Kristi oversees an extensive network of knowledgeable
professionals who provide hands-on consultation to develop client strategies and
address the major concerns America’s workers face when planning for retirement.
Kristi has over 20 years of extensive experience in business-to-business and direct-to-
consumer strategies and building high-performing teams. She joined Nationwide in
2015 as the Vice President of Marketing for Nationwide’s retirement plans business.
Before joining Nationwide, Kristi held marketing and business leader roles at Aetna
and UnitedHealth Group. Her experience includes functioning as the enterprise
program lead of health care reform for United Healthcare. She has a bachelor’s
degree in Finance from Hampton University as well as a Series 6 and 26 securities
registrations.
Kristi was one of the founding members of the Ohio chapter of The National
Association of Securities Professionals (NASP). She also serves as a board member
for Kindway, a non-profit organization dedicated to the successful re-entry of
incarcerated men and women into the community.

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E. PAUL SAMUELS BLACK WEALTH STREET | SPEAKER BIOS
Senior Vice President-Wealth Management Morgan Stanley
Paul has dedicated his career to serving the financial needs of Individuals, Families, TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
Foundations, Business Owners and Corporate Executives. His comprehensive 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
approach includes financial/Estate planning, liquidity creation, customized strategic
solutions and a commitment to building strong client relationships.
Paul earned a Bachelor of Science from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio,
and also completed the Senior Financial Advisor Program, The Wharton School.
He has received professional honors including the Morgan Stanley President’s
Club award, Masters Club Award, National Sales Director’s Award, and has been
appointed to serve on Morgan Stanley’s Financial Advisor Council, Diversity Council
and Multicultural Steering Committee. In addition, Paul has received recognition
and named one of Forbes Top Wealth Advisors 2021.
Over the years, Paul has given significant time and energy to improving the Tulsa
community – particularly in the areas of youth and education. His dedication and
leadership has provided the opportunity to serve on the boards of the YMCA of
Greater Tulsa, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Booker T. Washington High
School Foundation for Excellence, Youth Services of Tulsa, 1st Oklahoma Bank
Board of Directors, Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Tulsa Community College Foundation,
Friends of Finance, University of Tulsa and Metropolitan Baptist Church Trustee
Board.
Paul is a native of Tulsa. He and his wife, Patricia, have a son, Paul II and daughter,
Paige.

LAMAR WILSON
Founder, Wilsondom LLC
Lamar Wilson started his entrepreneurial career with the purchase of two Cold
Stone Creamery locations at the age of twenty-five after graduating from the
University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Finance. It was during this time that Lamar
taught himself to develop and created the company, 212ths, an enterprise media
and software development firm. His enthusiasm for learning while at 212ths, led
him to develop Pheeva, a mobile bitcoin wallet; at the time the only bitcoin wallet
that could be distributed on the Apple iPhone. Continuing to pursue opportunities
centered around blockchain technology Lamar started, ventured-backed Hijro and
merged his love for finance and technology.
Hijro, the world’s first trade finance blockchain network, powers solutions
designed to optimize working capital for businesses and streamline supply chain
operations. Currently, Lamar serves as the CETO (Chief Executive and Technology
Officer) of Hijro and is heavily involved with the architecture of the software to the
day-to-day operations. A frequent speaker at fintech conferences nationally and
internationally, such as Money 20/20, Consensus and Eurofinance, to name a few.
Lamar is passionate about technology and endless possibilities it can provide. He
loves to share his knowledge of blockchain finance and engage in discussion where
the future can be realized.

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1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONBENEFICIARIES
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY
Proceeds will benefit the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Fund, administered as a donor-designated
fund through the Tulsa Community Foundation. Specific priorities to be funded included:

Tulsa Economic Development Corporation

www.tedcnet.com
About TEDC: TEDC was founded in 1979 as Tulsa Economic
Development Corporation, an organization charged with
promoting and sustaining small business growth in Tulsa.
Initiative: Access to Capital for Black Businesses and partnerships
through the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation

Skys the Limit

www.skysthelimit.org
About Skys the Limit: Empowers underrepresented young
entrepreneurs by providing one-on-one support, resources, and
mentors so that job seekers become job creators who can help
build a stronger economy for everyone.
Initiative: Internship development programs for Black Youth
through partnerships with Sky’s the limit

MORTAR

www.wearemortar.com
About MORTAR: Since 2014, MORTAR aims to create diverse
communities by enabling historically marginalized entrepreneurs
to access the resources needed to start & run successful
businesses.
Initiative: Support of Economic Development planning and
Entrepreneurship funding for Historic Greenwood with MORTAR.

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PRESENTING SPONSORS

57 TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

58 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY

GOLD SPONSORS

BRAND

SILVER SPONSORS

59 TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

60 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY

BRONZE SPONSORS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS EVENT PRODUCERS

TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH Tammy Dickerson, CMP
1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONCarlotta Baker
Charon James
Jill Hawkins
Judy Neyman

www.tbg-events.com

Audio Visual and Technology Partner
AEE Productions | www.aeeproductions.com

Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission (TRMCC)
Cox Business Convention Center Event Team
Joy Ruiz Design
Los Angeles Business Printing
Event 1 Productions
Cetera Marketing
The Mayo Hotel
In The Raw

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SUPPORTING LOCAL TULSA
BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES

1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PUBLIC RELATIONS & PHOTOGRAPHY
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY EVENT MANAGEMENT
High Frequency
Avenu PR Noah Kelly
Charity Marcus www.highfrequencyco.com
www.avenupr.com [email protected]
[email protected]
VIDEOGRAPHY
DISC JOCKEY
Inspire Vision
Enhanced Sound Xavier Beasley
Ramal Brown www.weinspirevision.com
www.enhancedsounddj.com [email protected]
323-790-2154
FOOD - BAKERY - CATER
PHOTOGRAPHY
Onifade’s Cookie Company
Forever Young Photos Onifade Colbert & Ifaseyi Fagbenro-Amusan
Cory Young www.onifadescookieco.com
www.fyphotostulsa.com [email protected]
[email protected]
WINERY
PHOTOGRAPHY
Arri’bin Hills Winery
Finally Focus Gloria Corbin & Patrice Corbin
William Edward www.arribinhillswinery.com
www.instagram.com/finallyfocusphotography [email protected]
[email protected]

MASKS SPONSORED BY

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Community.
It Demands Full Attention.

From financial support to volunteering time and resources to developing valuable
programs, we’re fully, intricately immersed in making our community the best it can be.

www.bankofoklahoma.com

Bank of Oklahoma is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender . ©2021 BOKF, NA.

© 2021 JPMorgan Chase & Co. Combating the racial
wealth divide

JPMorgan Chase is proud to support the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
Centennial Commission.
We know that far too many Black Americans have missed out on our
country’s economic growth and prosperity.
That is why JPMorgan Chase is investing in the Oklahoma community to
help close the racial wealth gap and build a more equitable future for all.
We are committed to take actions that will drive inclusion, increase
financial stability and help create a pathway to build wealth for you
and your family.

jpmorganchase.com/pathforward