OhioMBE Awards Marks a Decade of Celebrating Ohio’s Leading SmallBusinesses and Advocates
Sharon S Gordon 
Ronda Barber of Ohio MBE
COLUMBUS—The 10th Annual OhioMBE Awards was held at Huntington Park in downtown Columbus, gathering Ohio’s top small business owners, supplier diversity professionals, and community supporters to honor outstanding achievements among minority-, female-, veteran-, and family-owned businesses. Hosted by Ronda Watson Barber, founder and publisher of OhioMBE, the event was a remarkable celebration of business success,
community advocacy, and resilience.
“Celebrating the success of our small businesses and recognizing their resilience and commitment to growth is what the OhioMBE Awards is all about,” said Barber. “This year’s honorees and awardees exemplify the
spirit and strength of Ohio’s business community, and I’m deeply honored to celebrate these outstanding businesses and individuals.”
OhioMBE Honorees included:
• Business Legends: Peggy Jenkins, Peggy’s Monogramming & Embroidery; Dr. Iris Cooper, JustAskIris!
• Frank W. Watson Advocacy Award Honorees: DaWanna Allen; Duane Parks
• Economic Empowerment Award Honorees: Shaundretta Boykins; Adelphi Bank
• Community Engagement Award Honorees: Black Girl Rising; Ubuntu Leadership Institute
Top Business Awards were presented across several categories:
• Top MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), presented by Elford, Inc.: Net Auto Glass, Corporate Cleaning Inc., and Rath Builders Supply, Inc.
• Top FBE (Female Business Enterprise): Sylvia A. Garrett & Associates and Ncrease Financial Services, LLC
• Top Veteran Business: GOFS
• Top Family Business: Accelerated Laboratory Logistics and Hubert Farms
Winners of the People’s Choice Awards included:
• Top Family Business: 1st Place: Hubert Farms; 2nd Place: Sylvia Garrett & Associates
• Top MBE: 1st Place: Serene’s Sweet Spot; 2nd Place: Rath Builders Supply
• Top FBE: 1st Place: Serene’s Sweet Spot; 2nd Place: Sylvia Garrett & Associates
Attendees were inspired by keynote speaker Franklin County Chief Diversity Officer Damika Withers, who addressed economic empowerment and inclusion. OSU Basketball Legend Dennis Hopson shared reflections on the characteristics of success, emphasizing perseverance, resilience, and vision as keys to entrepreneurial achievement. His luxury mobile cigar lounge, the Havanna & Rye Mobile Cigar Bar, also provided a VIP
networking experience for guests.
The event raised funds for the Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC), which has been instrumental in supporting 423 businesses with professional training and coaching since February 2024. Notable OBDC
initiatives include the OBDC Construction Academy, Women in the Construction Industry Networking Lunch, Small Business Legal Aid, Financial Foundations Coaching, and Build Smart Coaching.
Congratulations to all honorees, award winners, and sponsors who made the 10th Annual OhioMBE Awards a true success!
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