Yvonne Allmond Executive Vice President & Community Financial Engagement Officer at TowneBank
Yvonne Allmond Executive Vice President & Community Financial Engagement Officer at TowneBank Yvonne T. Allmond is an Executive Vice President & Community Financial Engagement Officer with TowneBank. She was previously a Senior Vice President in the Private Banking Group in TowneBank’s Norfolk Corporate Offices for more than 15 years. She has over 30 years of financial experience, primarily in banking but also to include serving as an Investment Associate with the Economic Development Finance Corporation in Washington D.C and an assessment auditor with the FDIC, also in Washington, D.C. Yvonne received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The George Washington University in Washington DC and since then has graduated from the Hampton Roads Civic Leadership Institute in 2006; was a recipient of the 2014 NAACP Presidential Award; 2014 YWCA Women of Distinction award; the 2019 Inside Business’ Women in Business Achievement award, and is a 2021 recipient of the Humanitarian Award presented by Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. She is involved in many civic activities, community initiatives and organizations to include: - Board of Visitors member, Old Dominion University - Board member, Norfolk State University Foundation Board - Board member, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities - Board member, Board of Trustees of the Norfolk Employees Retirement System - Board member, The Norfolk NATO Festival - Board member and President of The Town Scholarship Foundation (not related to TowneBank) - Board member, Slover Library Foundation - Board member, Norfolk Police Foundation - Corporate Board member, Assistant Treasurer, YMCA of Hampton Roads - Board member, Barry Art Museum - Board member WHRO - Former Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the VHDA (Virginia Housing Development Authority) - Member of the VHDA’s Minority Business Advisory Council - Sentara Brock Cancer Center Leadership Cabinet Member She regularly conducts credit seminars and business financing seminars for many local colleges, schools, churches and community groups, sharing the wealth of financial knowledge accumulated throughout her career.
Darius Davenport Partner at Crenshaw, Ware, & Martin, PLC Darius iDavenport s a partner and Chairman of the Government and Public Sector and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Groups of Crenshaw, Ware & Martin. His practice focuses on data privacy laws and helping clients mitigate cyber risk. Darius also provides a wide variety of legal services to political subdivisions and other governmental entities on matters relating to the governance and administration of public agencies to include procurement, economic development, ethics, and freedom of information. As a former U.S. Army JAG attorney, he has provided legal advice and counsel to senior government officials on a wide variety of legal issues. As a member of our Commercial Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights Practice Group, Darius also represents national and local banks, financial institutions, lending institutions, and secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy situations. Darius’ practice also includes complex litigation in state and federal courts with an emphasis on insurance defense matters.
Anthony Epps CEO/ President of Apex Financial Group of Virginia Anthony C. Epps is the CEO/ President of Apex Financial Group of VA, Inc. with over three decades of experience in business and financial planning. A graduate of Norfolk State University, Mr. Epps received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He also has obtained the Life Underwriting Training Council Fellowship (LUTCF) designation. Mr. Epps is a qualified member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Norfolk State University Alumni Association, the Association Black Insurance Professionals (ABIP), The Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (NAIFA), and former trustee of The Moments of Truth Ministry.
Michael Gray Apex Financial Group of Virginia Rev. Michael L. Gray, Vice President/Marketing Director of Apex Financial Group of VA, Inc. with over 25 years of experience in business management and marketing. A graduate of Norfolk State University, where he received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Management and Marketing. Michael, is a former member of MDRT, and former member of ABIP. Michael has given several informative and beneficial seminars, to the public through several Hampton Road Church's on "Biblical Stewardship". Michael is the Founder of The Moments of Truth Ministry, and the Pastor of St Stephens A.M.E. Church.
Clarence Harris Owner at ACG Financial
Clarence Harris Owner at ACG Financial Clarence earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at NSU and a Master of Science in Accounting from ODU. His expertise includes providing financial and tax strategies to Business Startups, Home Based Businesses and MLM Businesses. He also provides financial management strategies for Real Estate Professionals, music professionals and entertainment firms. Clarence also holds the following professional designations which include CPA (Certified Public Accountant), EA (Enrolled Agent), CTRS (Certified Tax Resolution Specialist), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CFM (Certified Financial Manager) and CIA (Certified Internal Auditor). Clarence grew up in Chesapeake, VA and graduated from Indian River High School and attended Norfolk State University where he was a member of the Marching “Spartan Legion” Band. Clarence is a co-founder at both ACG Financial Group, a local CPA firm operated out of Chesapeake, VA and Hampton Roads Tax & Accounting. He is a member of several other groups including the Institute of Management Accountants, Business Network International (BNI) and the Alumni Band Chapter of the Norfolk State Alumni Association. He is an adjunct faculty member for Strayer University where he teaches accounting to undergraduate and graduate students. He also teaches various accounting classes for NSU and often holds training seminars for Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center. With all of his accomplishments, nothing gives him more joy than spending time with his lovely and talented daughter Maddison who is an aspiring gymnast. Clarence works with the Board at the Jazz Legacy Foundation, a non profit organization that assists in providing scholarships and funding for High School student musicians and Music progra
Malaika Karriem Owner at Karriem PR
Malaika Karriem Owner at Karriem PR Malaika Karriem is an award-winning public relations professional and founder of Malaika Karriem Public Relations, a public relations boutique that specializes in consulting, creative services, media training, and event marketing. For the last six years, Malaika has had the pleasure of working with clients in both the public and private sectors. She specializes in brand management, storytelling, social media, and marketing. Prior to launching her public relations boutique, Malaika worked in local government for four years serving the residents of the City of Norfolk. During her time in Norfolk’s City Hall, she was an Account Manager and communications lead for five city departments and an outside agency to include the departments of Transit, Public Works, Neighborhood Development, Emergency Operations Center, Norfolk Community Services Board and Norfolk Public Schools. During her time in the Communications Department, she provided marketing and communications support to departments and the City Manager’s Office on specific projects developed and implemented an award-winning state-wide campaign and provided multi-media support as a social media manager and co-host of the City’s lifestyle television show, Inside Scoop. She has a Master of Strategic Public Relations from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Arts from the George Mason University.
Jennifer Lacey
Jennifer Lacey Jennifer C. Lacey,Esq.received her B.A from the University of Virginia and her J.D. from Stanford Law School. Ms.Lacey helps local businesses by providing corporate law services to small businesses and entrepreneurs, and non-profit legal services to community charities. She was previously awarded a contract with the City of Norfolk, Virginia to provide legal services to the businesses located within the City’s Empowerment Zones. Ms. Lacey has spoken at various business seminars conducted by local nonprofit organizations in the Hampton Roads area and for the Small Business Administration(SBA) throughout the State. In addition to helping businesses, she also assists individuals with family law services, including child custody, child and spousal support, and divorce. She has served as a Guardian AdLitem in child custody,visitation,support,neglect,and truancy cases. Ms.Lacey is active in her church and the local community and enjoys working out in Mixxed Fit classes. She is the founder of a local non-profit organization,Mirrors of Me,Inc. That helps individuals heal from their wounds of the past. She is also an Advisor to the Board of Directors for Virginia Housing & Community Development Corporation that educates individuals and minority business owners to build wealth, access capital and credit, and achieve homeownership.
Deonna Lindsay-Lewis Owner at Brand Smash Studio Deonna Lindsay-Lewis is the owner of BrandSmash Studio: a company on a mission to help limited edition creatives and niche businesses build black sheep brands. The approach: helping companies spin the elements that make them undeniable into 100-proof brands that are unforgettable and sellable from the very start. Her signature program, The Black Sheep Brand Plan, helps brands to reimagine the ways they show up and make money in an increasingly online world-from creative naming while building irresistible services or sponsorships to logos and websites that start all of the right conversations. With 13 years of marketing and branding experience, Deonna has worked with hundreds of small businesses, nonprofits, and corporations- helping them to lean into what makes them one-of-a-kind in order to build brands and campaigns that people care deeply about and fall in love with.
James Young Vice President at CLP Financial Group, Inc.
James Young Vice President at CLP Financial Group, Inc. James A. Young is the Vice President and Director of Tax and Accounting Services at CLP Financial Group. Through the business James and his team provide financial planning, assessment management, and insurance planning services to the public. Shortly after his time in the Navy, James enrolled in school earning his degree from Norfolk State University and then went on to Old Dominion University, earning his Master of Business and Master of Accountancy. James has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and is a United States Navy veteran.