Black History Month: Ernisha Hall, VA Black Chamber of Commerce

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Ernisha Hall, President & CEO of the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, for sharing about your journey! Tell us about the VA Black Chamber, and how long you’ve been in your industry. The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce is an organizational hub of empowerment, connection, and support for Black-owned businesses across the […]

Black History Month Spotlight: Rey Banks, Equinix Data Center

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Rey Banks, a Chamber Board Member and team member at Equinix, for answering our questions! Where were you born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. I ended up going to college in Richmond, […]

Black History Month Spotlight: Kevin Watkins, SDL Creative Studios

by Andrea Winey

Thank you Kevin Watkins of SDL Creative Studios for sharing about you and your business! Where were you born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. I moved to Northeast Washington DC at 8 years old. I recently moved to […]

Black History Month Spotlight: Clifton Jackson, FireVibe Web Design

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Clifton Jackson of FireVibe Web Design for answering these questions for Black History Month! Learn more about the Chamber’s DEIA Committee here. Where were you born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born in Takoma Park, MD, and raised in […]

Native American Heritage Month: Frank Watson, RavenTek

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Frank Watson from RavenTek for answering these questions in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Check out the RavenTek website here. To learn more about the Chamber’s DEIA Committee, click here. Where were you born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I […]

National Disability Employment Awareness Spotlight: Didlake – Rachel Payne, PhD

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Rachel Payne, PhD, VP of Advocacy & Public Policy for Didlake, for answering a few questions to spotlight National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Tell us a little about yourself and what you do for work. I am the VP of Advocacy & Public Policy for Didlake, a nonprofit that creates and […]

Hispanic Heritage Month: Leslie Recino

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Leslie Recinos, of Local SEO, for answering our questions for Hispanic Heritage Month! Where were you born and raised, and if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born in Arlington, VA, grew up in Reston, and moved to Loudoun County in 1998 when I […]

Hispanic Heritage Month: Veronica Duckett

by Andrea Winey

Thank you Veronica Ducket of MAVENTRI for answering our questions for Hispanic Heritage Month!  Where were you born and raised, and if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, but I’ve called Loudoun home since 1994 (or was it 1995? That part […]

Hispanic Heritage Month: Cesar Rios-Villena RN

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Cesar Rios-Villena RN, Founder & CEO of VIGEO Physical Therapy, for sharing your story with us! Where were you born and raised, and if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born in Lima, Peru, in 1990. My parents were successful business owners, but like many […]

Hispanic Heritage Month: Beatriz McNelly

by Andrea Winey

Thank you to Beatriz McNelly, Executive Director of Loudoun Literacy Council, for being a spotlight for Hispanic Heritage Month! Where were you born and raised, and if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun? I was born in Argentina, and my family moved to the United States when I was […]