Local Mentors
Blair Durham with Black Brand
Blair Durham is the president and co-founder of Black BRAND, Hampton Roads Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. Durham received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech and her Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Before co-founding Black BRAND in 2016 with her husband, Durham held several positions within education, social work, mental health counseling and retail management. Durham uses her experience to create and manage platforms, whose goals is the develop, grow, and exposure, excellence within the black entrepreneurship community.
Antione Hines with Veteran’s Home Front
Antione D. Hines is the CEO of Veteran's Home Front (VHF). VHF is a coalition to end veteran homelessness, suicide, and domestic violence. The organization seeks to help support the veteran community. Hines is a Navy veteran who saw the need for services like those provided by VHF when he was honorably discharged from service in 2009. Hines used his experience volunteering with various organizations and education to become an expert in building community and interpersonal relationships. He advances the initiative of the VHF by partnering with volunteers, churches, non-profits, and other organizations.
Sharon Scannell with Strome Entrepreneurial Center
Sharon Scannell is well-known for her ability to drive growth and profits, while dealing with complex market conditions. However, her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Michigan, Master of Business Administration from William & Mary, and rich work experience give her an exceptional leg up when it comes to consulting business owners. Scannell's diverse background includes positions within finance, operations, consulting, client development, marketing, and leadership.
George Berry with Berry Food Trucking
George Berry is the owner of Berry-Good Trucking. The company has been providing heavy duty trucking services within the Hampton Roads Region for over 15 years. Berry also founded For Truckers by Truckers in 2014. As the executive director, Berry orchestrates regular meetings designed to connect and inform truckers in the Tidewater Region.
Benicia Hernandez with Life’s Journey
Benicia Hernandez is the CEO of Life's Journey, a full-service mental health agency in Norfolk, VA. Hernandez is also a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, and Certified Life Coach. In addition to Life's Journey, Hernandez, runs a blog that encourages readers in the areas of wellness, entrepreneurship, and other helpful topics. Hernandez is well-known for her transformational approach to speaking and customized workshops.
Aazia Mickens-Dessaso with Techstars
Aazia Mickens-Dessaso leads community programming for 757 entrepreneurs as the Executive Director of Ecosystem Development at Techstars, a global early stage startup investment company. Aaz is also the Director of the Office of Innovation for Hampton-based Zel Technologies and the former founder of Hampton-based mobile messaging startup Freeping. She is a CIVIC alum class of 2019, incoming Board member for Versability, and an early stage startup consultant for the ODU TempO program. Aaz studied Economics, Policy and Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Art Direction and Digital Development at the Miami Ad School, and was a Foreign Languages and Area Studies Fellow at the University of Florida.