Blog Layout

Magazine Publisher Sarah Harris to be Installed as the new President & CEO of the Black Business Association

Kim Anthony • March 2, 2022

Los Angeles, CA -  Befitting of a National Women’s History event, magazine publisher and creative design firm owner, Sarah R. Harris, will take the helm as president & CEO of the Black Business Association (BBA), the oldest active ethnic business support organization in the State of California.


On Thursday, March 3, 2022, the Black Business Association will host its 2022-2024 Board Installation Ceremony to present its new leadership since the recent retirement announcement of the organization’s illustrious longtime president & CEO,    Earl “Skip” Cooper II, who will transition to become Chairman of the Board.


“It is my intention to offer all support to the incoming President-elect, Sarah Harris, in a way that affords her the opportunity to lead without encumbrances. From over 20 years of working with and knowing Ms. Harris, I have personally witnessed her having demonstrated a strong commitment to the BBA which makes me confident in supporting this transition,” says Mr. Cooper.


The virtual presentation will take place at 3:00 p.m. PT via Zoom and streaming on the website at www.bbala.org as well as on Meta (Facebook) and YouTube pages. On program are special guests: Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Karen Bass and Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. The ceremony will be officiated by Alvin D. Stafford Jr., Pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South Los Angeles and Partner/Chief True Office of Think TRUE.


As a valued and trusted friend of the BBA, the Board is pleased to have Sarah Harris, publisher of Suite Life SoCal magazine, step in as the new President-elect. To the degree that Ms. Harris has provided pivotal services for the BBA while working with Mr. Cooper for more than 20 years, the Board is confident she will help usher in the new era of the Black Business Association in a way that both honors what the previous leadership built and makes room for the next phase the organization’s evolution. Ms. Harris comes with many ideas and enjoys the full support of the Board, local business/community leaders and advocates.


Regarding her appointment, Ms. Harris had this to say, “Having worked with Mr. Cooper for more than two decades and embracing the same passion for seeing Black and minority-owned businesses flourish, it is my honor to be entrusted with helping to shape the next chapter of the BBA to realize its full potential and engage with a new generation of business owners. Having the support of the Board and a host of community leaders fills me with an immense amount of gratitude. I am definitely ready to get to work to deliver some amazingly innovative programs and to be a formidable advocate leader for more equitable opportunities for minority and women small business owners.”


Other officers and directors being installed are: Vice Chair - Kim Anthony-Morrow, CEO, Urban Excellence Institute; Treasurer - Rosalind Pennington, CEO, Red River Enterprises, LLC; Secretary - Denise Peoples, CEO, STEMulate Learning; Parliamentarian - Ezekiel “Zeke” Patten, President & CEO, Patten Energy Enterprises, Inc.; and Directors: Brett Byers, CEO, The Byers Group, Nathan Freeman, CEO, Figueroa Media Group, Inc., Debbie E. Lumpkin, CEO, Debbie Lumpkin Consulting, LLC, and Dr. Jan Vanderpool, CEO, DCS-Datatax.


It is in the spirit of continuing to be the change we seek for minority businesses that the BBA is lifting its gaze to a glorious future. A future wherein the Board of Directors welcomes the community’s support and anticipates creating meaningful partnerships and strategic engagement.


The public is invited to join in the celebration. To register or for more information, please visit the BBA’s website at www.bbala.org, email to mail@bbala.org or call the BBA’s office at (323) 291-9334.

Business Resources

Share This Article

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media February 18, 2025
(SACRAMENTO) In celebration of Black History Month, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) recognized 16 honorees at the annual Black Business Brunch on Feb. 10 at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento. The small business owners from every corner of the state were recognized for their entrepreneurship, contributions to their respective communities, and vital roles in improving California's economic landscape. The proprietors were chosen by members of the CLBC and CBCC. They were honored on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol later that afternoon. “We gather here today to honor the incredible African American, small business owners of California,” Jay King, President and CEO of CBCC, told California Black Media. “We have to show them some love because they are the heart and soul of our communities. Their tireless work and unwavering dedication show what it means to be leaders” 
By UBJ Staff February 14, 2025
In the heart of Long Beach, a new initiative is bringing nonprofit leaders, community champions, and changemakers together—one cup of coffee at a time. Denise Peoples and 21st Century STEM are launching a special series of Coffee Meetups, beginning Tuesday, March 4th , at 10:30 AM at Café Lorel , in Long Beach, California. These gatherings aim to foster collaboration, resource-sharing, and innovative problem-solving among nonprofit organizations. Recognizing the challenges that small nonprofits often face—such as limited funding, staffing, and visibility—this initiative provides a space where leaders can exchange ideas, form strategic partnerships, and find collective solutions to common obstacles .
By Kim Anthony February 10, 2025
LOS ANGELES — In the wake of one of the most devastating natural disasters in California history, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the launch of LA Rises, a unified recovery initiative that brings together private sector leaders to support rebuilding efforts led by the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and the State of California. The Governor has enlisted Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, business leader and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Casey Wasserman, LA28 Chairperson and President to lead and recruit others to this private sector and philanthropic effort. To seed this new effort, Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter, the Mark Walter Family Foundation, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have provided an initial commitment of up to $100 million. With plans to raise additional funds through private donations, LA Rises will provide major resources aimed at helping Los Angeles communities most affected by these catastrophic fires recover and rebuild. LA Rises will marshal the full resources of the private sector, augmenting and amplifying local and state resources, to rebuild Altadena, Pasadena, the Pacific Palisades, and all impacted communities. As part of the unified effort, city and county leaders are crafting recovery plans for their communities. The state is mobilizing its resources and scale, coordinating with the federal government, and removing red tape. LA Rises will galvanize the private sector to unlock additional capital and find new and innovative tools to help communities build back faster and stronger. “Los Angeles will rise again — stronger, more united, and more resilient than ever. Just as California came together to fight the fires, we’ll work together to rebuild. With Mark, Earvin and Casey’s proven leadership and deep commitment to Los Angeles, we’ll tap into the enormous creativity, experience, and resources of the private sector, alongside local, state, and federal efforts, to deliver a recovery that benefits all Angelenos," said Newsom “The LA fires have wreaked havoc on LA’s neighborhoods. It’s time for those with means to come forward and make a positive impact to build back better,” Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter “This is a time for bold action. We’re bringing together the best resources and biggest hearts across California to ensure that every Angeleno — no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or neighborhood — has a chance to rebuild and thrive. This isn’t just about recovery; it’s about restoring communities while also making them more resilient and better than before,” Earvin “Magic” Johnson “I’ve been a lifelong Angeleno, and what I admire most about this city is its resilience and unity. There’s nothing Los Angeles can’t achieve. LA Rises will channel the unmatched creativity, resources, and generosity of the private sector to rebuild our city and pave the way for a stronger future," said LA 28 President Casey Wasserman “Given the scale and scope of damage and destruction the Eaton wildfire has left in its wake, I wholeheartedly welcome all the support from the state as well as the private sector as part of this initiative. By corralling and coordinating the work of philanthropy and private industry, this can complement our local recovery and rebuilding efforts, especially for our marginalized populations in Altadena who have lost everything. When it comes to supporting initiatives — like this one — that look to arm us with the resources to rebuild with a bottom-up approach, I’m all in,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger “Efforts to rebuild are underway in the City of Los Angeles and this announcement will be a vital component of a comprehensive effort to bring Angelenos home. The number one question on the minds of Angelenos is about recovery and rebuilding. I am grateful that the Governor and the LA Rises initiative will be there to partner with us, developing solutions to support our work. In recent days, the strength and resilience of Los Angeles have been felt throughout the state, the nation and the world. I want to thank the Governor for his continued partnership and his collaboration during this difficult time for our city," said Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass How LA Rises will work LA Rises will contribute through collaboration, access to capital and financial tools, leveraging innovation and private-sector investment to drive a faster recovery. It will support the broader recovery efforts by: Fundraising and expanding access to philanthropic and private capital. Formulating financing strategies to close the gap between available resources and the cost to rebuild Collaborating with other philanthropic and community organizations to maximize the impact of ongoing rebuilding and recovery efforts. Supporting unified communication efforts to arm Angelenos with up-to-date, factual information, timelines for rebuilding, and available resources. In addition to the financial commitment from the Mark Walter Family Foundation, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, LA Rises will receive financial support from California Rises, a statewide recovery initiative founded by Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom after the 2018 Camp Fire. A partnership between the Governor’s Office and the California Fire Foundation, California Rises is dedicated to supporting communities impacted by the fires and firefighters and first responders who continue to serve on the frontlines.
Show More
Share by: