Josh Maddox, of JM Branding and Marketing, created "Black Excellence" last year to give "appreciation and recognition" to those "whose main focus is changing the narrative and stigma of being from the inner city," he said.
This year he focused on 11 people within the community.
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Bruce Weekes
Bruce Weekes is currently Atlantic City's councilman-at-large.
The lifelong city resident has made it his focus to use his current position as a way to keep residents informed about what's goin on in the city.
He has looked to help local small businesses and nonprofits.
In 2014, he founded Town Hall Ventures, and was recognized as one of the area's Top 40 under 40. Two years later, he came back to Atlantic City full time.
He founded the Northside Entrepreneurship Initiative, which aims to create more Atlantic City small business owners by connecting residents to a structured business education, as well as to financial resources and mentorship.
Nate Evans Jr.
Nate Evans Jr. started giving back to his community years ago, going into schools and trying to help guide youth.
Now the Mays Landing husband and father is an author, podcast host, motivational speaker and mentor who uses his own experiences to educate others.
His "Change What We Normalize" podcast focuses on " focus on "changing norms and breaking stigmas that no longer serve us so we can thrive and live in our purpose."
His mission is to eradicate the stigmas surrounding mental health issues.
He is a sponsored member of the “T-Mobile Magenta Edge Small Business Program,” a "Top 4 Under 40 Distinguished Alumnus of Atlantic Cape Community College," and a member of the "30 Under 35 Top Young African American Leaders in South Jersey."
Samantha 'Nana' Prescott
Samantha Prescott's children pushed her to share her pudding with the world.
Now the owner of Nana's Good Puddin' has her grandchildren as the face of her company.
The Atlantic City native and Pleasantville High School graduate opened her first location at the Hamilton Mall last March.
She has now created more than 20 flavors and is readying to open more locations locally.
She's hoping to eventually expand beyond New Jersey, with city's like Orlando, Baltimore and Atlanta on her "To Do" list.
Christian Ragland
As assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at AtlantiCare, Christian Ragland is responsible for the organization’s transformative diversity strategy.
His duties include partnering with external organizations to promote initiatives that support understanding and inclusion across communities.
The Mays Landing resident founded the Egg Harbor City Community Leadership Academy for young men in grades five through eight.
He also leads a weekly Healthcare Careers program with the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, and serves in a leadership role at Lighthouse Community Church in Pleasantville.
Amanda Buford
Amanda Buford formed Bridge to Beauty last year.
The nonprofit is meant to promote self-love, forgiveness, positivity, integrity and kindness.
She said she started dreaming of it when she was a cheerleading coach for the Pleasantville Jokers. Amid the shared interest of cheering she saw the uniqueness of each personality and wanted to be an advocate for that, she says.
Weekly meetings highlight a range of topics and events cover everything from fishing and small meal preparation to singing, meditation and volunteer opportunities.
Franki Hall-Watson
Franki Hall-Watson developed Faceless Fashion with the idea that your inner self is more valuable than your outer appearance.
She noticed how people are more concerned with how others view them causing them to loose interest in their inner self.
She has also given back to the community with Back to School events and community meal distribution.
Kory Dunn
Kory Dunn always had a passion for cooking.
During the pandemic, he created Kory's Kitchen, which has evolved into full-time catering.
He started "Feeding with Friends" in November. He would travel to local bus terminals and offer food to those in need.
Starting in March, it will be a monthly effort, providing to whoever people nominate.
"I love that I have a platform where I am able to bring us together while doing what I love to do," he said.
Marquel Bridgers
Marquel Bridgers comes from a community activist lineage, which includes Joyce Ragland and Jean Webster.
He started Cozy Clothing Company while a student at Morgan State University in Baltimore, and has now expanded to New Jersey, Texas and Florida, with Arizona coming soon.
The youth is a priority for him, and he works closely with Atlantic City in the Recreation Department and is involved with various organizations as a coach and leader.
His nonprofit Cozy Cares helps support and supply the less fortunate with necessities like food, clothes and shoes.
Sha J. Ham
Pleasantville native Shaheed — who goes by Sha J. Ham — began his venture into photography in 2018.
He shares this vision through MegaPictureVision.
He credits a lot of his creativity to being a devoted father to his daughter. He said it has taught him to capture poignant and profound moments with a creative twist.
Ambershaj Francis
Ambershaj Francis tries to create a safe space for her community to be themselves with no judgement.
The Pleasantville life coach started Review Rewire Reinvent. She conducts various events and workshops designed to encourage individualism and a healthy mindset.
She is passionate about her gift and look forward to the many more life changing experiences she shall create with her community.
She says “Review Rewire Reinvent is not just a business it’s a mindset.”
Ky'shawn 'IAmYoungHitta' Wyman
Ky’shawn “IAmYoungHitta” Wyman recently created a new music platform to increase worldwide exposure to the recordings of many independent artists.
Hit Nation Empire will allow members to host radio shows, do podcasts, share video content, have their music played and arrange for artists to receive payment for their radio spins.
The Hit Nation Empire mobile app was released on June 15.
It's the latest evolution of the Internet radio station he started 11 years ago, Young Hitta Radio.
