(CALIFORNIA, MD) — The 2026 Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, Center Hall (Building 2), located at 44219 Airport Road in California, Maryland. This year’s Southern Maryland edition is dedicated to the memory of Doris Jean Cammack Spencer, the visionary founder, former President, and Chairwoman Emeritus of the Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce (SMMCOC), who passed away on December 30, 2024, at age 84.
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A retired federal senior executive, former President of the Alexandria Chapter of the NAACP, and lifelong civil rights advocate, Spencer devoted decades to promoting equality, supporting minority-owned small businesses, and demanding parity and equal treatment across Southern Maryland and beyond. Her leadership helped lay the foundation for the very community of entrepreneurs and professionals being celebrated at this event.
“We are particularly pleased to host this event in honor of Doris Cammack Spencer,” said Doni Glover, founder of BMORENews.com and the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. “She was of the ilk of a Harriet Tubman. Fearless, determined, and a strategic fighter for her people.”
“This program shines a powerful light on the extraordinary talent, leadership, and innovation within our Southern Maryland business community,” said Edsel Brown, Esq., Chairman of the SMMCOC. “By honoring these individuals and organizations, we are reinforcing the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and ensuring their contributions are recognized as vital to our region’s growth and prosperity.”
Presented by BMORENews.com, the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards continue a tradition that began in 2011 — honoring Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and the allies who support them. To date, more than 3,000 individuals have been recognized across nine major U.S. cities.
The Southern Maryland edition will spotlight leaders who are making measurable impact in business, government, finance, faith, and community development.
Serving as host for the evening is Alexis Solis, Vice President of Tryfacta, published author, small business owner, and advocate for entrepreneurship and community empowerment. With deep experience in government contracting and workforce development, Solis is a fitting guide for an evening celebrating ownership, excellence, and economic empowerment.
“As a small business owner myself, I know what it takes — the late nights, the personal sacrifices, the moments when you wonder if anyone sees the work you’re putting in,” said Solis. “That’s why evenings like this matter so much. These honorees aren’t just building businesses — they’re building futures for their families and their communities, often without a safety net. It’s an honor to stand with them and celebrate what they’ve accomplished.”
Honorees include:
Wynne Briscoe — DMV Christian Chamber of Commerce
Cynthia Thorne-Carter, M.B.A. — Smart Ride
Bishop Dr. Frank A. Clinton — Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Southern Maryland Region
Tiffany W. Davis, P.A., MSM, Doctoral Candidate — Washington & Co.
Kathy Guzman — Charles County Chamber of Commerce
B.J. Hall — Reach Back and Lift 1
Pamela Minor — Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce (SMMCOC)
Kendall Selby — Selby’s Grab and Go
Shareese & Danny Strong — Strong Fitness
Dawn L. Tucker, C.P.A. (Non-Practicing) — Lord and Tucker Management Consultants
Drs. Tracy & Vaughn Wallace — Hennessy Creek
Tonya P. Wilkerson, M.E.M. — National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) CASH Chapter
The Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards celebrate ownership, excellence, and economic empowerment. While rooted in the tradition of uplifting Black enterprise, the awards also recognize individuals of all backgrounds who invest in and support Black business growth.
BMORENews.com remains committed to telling the stories of builders — the entrepreneurs creating jobs, the professionals breaking barriers, and the community leaders strengthening Southern Maryland’s economic future.
For more information about the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, visit BMORENews.com.
