Southern Georgia Black Chambers honors small businesses at gala
Published 1:01 pm Tuesday, December 30, 2025
VALDOSTA — In an evening that merged the historic glamour of the 1938 Harlem Renaissance with the urgent economic mandate of the future, the Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC) hosted its premier “Harlem Nights” Gala & Awards Ceremony Dec. 20 at The Patterson.
The black-tie affair did not just celebrate the “Year of Execution”—it issued a bold challenge to the region’s business leaders to secure their share of Georgia’s economic success, according to a press release from the chambers.
Against a backdrop of jazz and high-fashion tributes to the Cotton Club era, SGBC President and CEO DeWayne Johnson declared that the time for survival is over.
“In 2025, we didn’t just survive; we expanded. We strengthened. We made sure that Black-owned businesses in South Georgia were not just heard but respected at the decision-making table,” Johnson told the audience of regional leaders, dignitaries, and entrepreneurs.
“Harlem Nights reminds us that when we move in unity, we build legacy. But we cannot rest on spirit alone. 2026 will be the year of execution,” he said.
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson, whose overarching message was that small businesses are not just economic units, but strategic platforms for community development, job creation, and generational wealth building.
“When you succeed, when you hire, when you pay taxes, when you support the local supply chain, and when you transform our communities in our neighborhood, you’re creating generational wealth,” Jackson said. “Your mission is easy. Go build the future.”
The Gala, presented by Infusion Agent (formerly BCA Culture), honored the trailblazers who are redefining commerce in South Georgia. Infusion Agent COO Nazarene Dorsey, a champion of AI integration and wealth building, emphasized that the future belongs to those who adapt:
“If you don’t put AI in your business, your business will be replaced. We are building legacy, and we are doing it with the best tools available,” Dorsey said.
The 2025 Award Recipients:
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Small Business of the Year: Xenquility Therapeutic Massage (Chryon Martin), recognized for bridging holistic wellness with economic growth and creating a mentorship pipeline for aspiring therapists.
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Nonprofit of the Year: I See My Baby, Inc. (Alicia Hurtt), honored for its groundbreaking work in maternal health and the launch of the Women’s Wellness Center in Bainbridge.
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Trailblazer Under 30: Dynasty Myles of Milestone Accounting Solutions, for establishing a “trifecta of impact” through financial literacy, tax authorship, and corporate CFO services.
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Vanguard Award: Dr. Clarissa Alderman of Family Insight LLC, celebrating 18 years of unwavering leadership in mental health services.
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Chamber Partner of the Year: Positive Mindset Counseling Services (Ashley Rhys), for pioneering sound bath healing and integrating local Black-owned vendors into their retreat economy.
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Outstanding Board Member: Alchanda Harrison of Elite Credit and Financial Solutions, for her strategic stewardship and proactive advocacy within the school system and community.
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President’s Choice Award: Darquita Williams, for her fiscal foresight and for spearheading the chamber’s first government inception delegation to Atlanta.
President Johnson used the platform to announce a new, immediate program launch for the 2026 Small Business Academy.
Attendees were also urged to utilize the Chamber’s Small Business Compass Report, a complimentary, AI-generated analysis that provides members with Fortune 500-level data on their company’s performance—a tool credited to Vanguard Award winner Dr. Clarissa Alderman for validating her business as a “cornerstone community asset.”
The event was also supported by Gold Sponsors VocalFlo and King of Pops Valdosta and Media Partner Acknowledgement Magazine, published by Adell Henderson, ensuring that the stories of South Georgia’s business titans reach a statewide audience.
The Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC) is the premier advocacy organization for Black-owned businesses in the region. Dedicated to economic empowerment, public policy advocacy, and community development, the SGBC provides the tools, training, and networks necessary for minority entrepreneurs to thrive.
