Antoinette Ball is a dynamic leader with a distinguished career in academic and nonprofit program development. With a passion for creating opportunities and breaking barriers, she has spent over two decades designing and implementing transformative programs that empower underserved communities. A visionary founder of WEOP (Women's Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project), Antoinette has been at the forefront of pioneering initiatives that uplift and support women in business. She has been instrumental in launching groundbreaking programs that educate women about government contracting, facilitate coalition building, and foster strategic partnerships. Under her leadership, WEOP has established strong relationships with corporate and private sector partners, ensuring sustainable support and growth for women entrepreneurs.

Her influence extends beyond program development—Antoinette is a sought-after author and thought leader. She wrote "Women-Owned Small Business Guide to Winning Contracts" and served as editor of A Woman’s Perspective magazine. Her thought leadership has been featured in numerous publications, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in women’s economic empowerment. Recognized for her social impact work, Antoinette has received numerous awards and proclamations for her innovative programs and dedication to uplifting marginalized communities. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from the University of Southern California (USC), equipping her with the expertise to drive policy change and programmatic excellence.

Pedro Cherry is president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas. Cherry oversees all aspects of operations for the two southern region natural gas utilities, which serve approximately 1.8 million customers in two states.

Formerly executive vice president of Customer Service and Operations (CSO) for Georgia Power, Cherry led 5,000-plus employees in the CSO organization with responsibility for the company’s customer service efforts, power delivery, sales, pricing and planning, regional external affairs, renewable development, and corporate services.

Cherry is a member of the board of directors of Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, Rotary Club of Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, the board of trustees for Boys and Girls Club of America – Southeast Region, board of trustees for the Georgia Chamber and board of Councilors of The Carter Center. He is also a member of the board of directors for Synovous. Cherry is the immediate part Chairman of the Georgia Chamber.

He holds a NACD Directorship Certification and is a CFA charterholder. In addition, Cherry also chairs the Georgia Allies.
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Bianca Frails
Program Management | Community Engagement | Workforce Development | Marketing

Bianca Frails is an Atlanta based program manager supporting small businesses and non-profits across Georgia. As dedicated Marketing and Community Engagement Consultant for Corporate Environmental Risk Management (CERM) and CERM’s Legacy Foundation, she champions diversity in A/E/C workforce and creates meaningful engagement opportunities for students and young professionals pursuing careers in the industry. She also leads strategic efforts to share CERM's rich history and achievements, as a leading minority-owned civil and environmental engineering firm based in DeKalb County, Georgia. Bianca is committed to ensuring that CERM’s message reflects its strong commitment to community, a legacy of excellent technical service, and its vision for the future.

Bianca has also partnered with Georgia AIM Project 3 to serve as a Community Engagement Specialist under the Russell Center. In this role she supports the advancement of AI-driven solutions for small businesses, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for the underserved in the manufacturing field. Bianca also provides marketing and program management to Startup Runway, a pitch competition offering women and minority founders to access grants to scale their ventures.

Her dedication to service extends beyond her professional roles, as she contributes her expertise as a Board Member for Second Helpings Atlanta and as a Marketing Committee Member for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

Her core values of creativity, compassion, curiosity, and community are a consistent thread in all these initiatives. Bianca’s work is rooted in her belief in the power of creativity to solve challenges, compassion to build inclusive communities, curiosity to drive innovation, and a commitment to uplifting others.

Yolanda White, an accomplished executive leader with over two decades of experience in
steering billion-dollar brands across the cosmetic, automotive, food, and beverage sectors,
currently stands at the forefront of fashion innovation as the visionary founder and CEO of DAYO
loungewear.

Yolanda's unwavering commitment and leadership have sustained DAYO in the highly
competitive fashion industry. Under her guidance, the brand has achieved consistent year-over year
revenue growth through strategic collaborations with local boutiques and national
retailers. Yolanda's foresight has not only led to the successful launch of multiple collections but
also the creation of a transformative self-love diary and proprietary self-love experiences.

Yolanda has orchestrated impactful partnerships with global brands, secured a celebrated
celebrity icon, Chilli of TLC, as the face of DAYO, and established international manufacturing
capabilities. Her innovative spirit, resilience, and inspirational leadership serve as a guiding force
in business development and female empowerment.

Yolanda's trailblazing achievements have earned her recognition, notably from Black Enterprise,
where she was honored as one of the top fifty African American women in Advertising and
Marketing. DAYO has been featured in prestigious fashion and lifestyle publications such as
Essence and People, further highlighting its style and commitment to self-love.

Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Yolanda was a celebrated podcast host for Inc.
Magazine, sharing her extensive business knowledge, and served as an Adjunct Professor at the
University of Mississippi. Her multifaceted contributions to business and education were also
showcased in the BET documentary "About Her Business."

A devoted mother of two sons, Yolanda remains actively engaged in the community, lending
her expertise to various boards and speaking engagements with national-profit and non-profit
organizations. Her holistic approach to success encompasses not only business triumphs but
also a deep commitment to community service and the empowerment of women.

Entrepreneur, Mark A. Wilson is the President and CEO of Chime Solutions, Inc. based in Atlanta, GA. Chime Solutions is a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, primarily focused on customer care.

Wilson has over 25 years of experience in the business information services industry and has held senior-level sales and operations management positions with companies such as D&B, ABF Freight Systems, and Whirlpool Corporation. Wilson also served in roles responsible for strategic marketing, service process improvement, and customer service within the call center and business information services industries.

Wilson’s success as an entrepreneur has been highlighted most recently by his leadership with eVerifile. After acquiring eVerifile, a contractor screening company, in 2012 Wilson was responsible for driving double-digit growth while making significant technology changes within the company. Wilson was also responsible for establishing eVerifile CS, a subsidiary that was focused on BPO services. Wilson acquired eVerifile CS in May of 2016 and merged the operation with Chime Solutions.

Prior to acquiring eVerifile, Wilson founded RYLA Teleservices Inc. a true start-up launched in his basement and named after his two children Ryan and Lauren. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he established RYLA as a nationally recognized customer support and contact center with more than 3,000 employees and revenues of over $100 million. Wilson sold the company in 2010.

Beyond growing his businesses from an operational perspective, Wilson focuses on building an employee-centric culture seeking to provide “the best job you’ve ever had.”

Wilson’s vision and leadership have earned him several prestigious honors, including Ernst& Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award ® for 2010, TiE Atlanta’s 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year, and induction into the Hall of Fame for the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University in 2014. His latest accomplishment includes the recognition of The 2016 Small Business Person of the Year by The Atlanta Business Chronicle, for his work at Chime Solutions.

Wilson serves on the Georgia Board of Advisors for Kaiser Permanente, Chairman of the Wilberforce University Board of Trustees, and serves on the Kennesaw State University Coles College Advisory Board. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and he also serves on the Steward Board at Turner Chapel AME Church.

A native of Arkansas, Wilson and his family now live in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his degree in Business Administration and Management at Wilberforce University in Wilberforce Ohio. He is a 2016 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Wilberforce University and he is also a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Ryan Wilson is the co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, a private membership
network that serves as a hub for collaboration, connections, and experiences; the
Chief Community Officer of Greenwood, a digital banking services platform for Black
and minority individuals and businesses; and a principal at A3C Conference and
Festival. Ryan and his business partner opened The Gathering Spot in Atlanta in 2016,
and have since expanded nationally. In 2022, The Gathering Spot was acquired by
Greenwood, Inc., creating the largest fintech and community platform for Blacks and
minorities with a combined community of over 1 million people.

A native to Atlanta, Ryan has been named Small Business Person of the Year by the
Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of the 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 under
Forty honorees and one of their 100 Most Powerful leaders, one of Goldman Sach’s
Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, one of the country’s most influential African-
Americans in The Root 100 and the Ebony Power 100, one of Atlanta’s 500 most
powerful by Atlanta Magazine, and has received Atlanta’s highest honor, The Phoenix
Award.

Ryan is currently an active participant in several Atlanta civic and community
organizations. He proudly serves on the boards of Usher's New Look, The Woodruff
Arts Center, The Atlanta Business League, The Community Foundation for Greater
Atlanta, Peace Preparatory Academy, and The Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce.
He is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the 100 Black Men, Atlanta Rotary Club and
has previously served as Co-Chair for Black Men Count Initiative of Fair Count. Ryan
graduated from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center
where he proudly serves on the Board of Regents. He currently resides happily in
Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two children.