The victory carries a triple first for Georgia. Bottoms will be the state’s first Black governor, its first woman governor, and its first Democratic governor since Roy Barnes left office in 2003 — ending 24 years of Republican control of the governor’s office. She succeeds term-limited Governor Brian Kemp and takes office in January.

The Associated Press called the race at approximately 9:24 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 3, with Bottoms holding a commanding lead of roughly ten points as returns came in. She carried the ticket on a night that swept Georgia Democrats to major wins, including the re-election of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, and that delivered control of both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate to the Democratic Party.

From Atlanta City Hall to the Governor’s Office

Bottoms, an Atlanta native and attorney, is no stranger to executive office. She served as the 60th mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, leading the city through the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of national reckoning on policing and public safety. She is the only mayor in Atlanta’s history to have served in all three branches of city government, having previously worked as a judge and as a member of the Atlanta City Council.

After leaving City Hall, she moved to the White House, serving as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement from 2022 to 2023, where she was one of the administration’s principal liaisons to state and local leaders, business organizations, and community groups across the country.

She won the Democratic nomination in May with more than 57 percent of the primary vote, then faced Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive, in one of the most closely watched governor’s races in the nation. Pre-election polling had shown a tight contest; the result on Tuesday was not close.

A Barrier More Than Two Centuries in the Making

Since the founding of the republic, roughly 2,300 people have served as governor of an American state. Only a handful have been Black, and no Black woman had ever won the office — until Tuesday night. Bottoms’s election closes one of the longest-standing gaps in American political leadership.

Georgia is a fitting state for the breakthrough. It is home to Atlanta, widely regarded as a capital of Black business in America, with one of the largest concentrations of Black-owned firms, Black corporate leadership, and Black wealth-building institutions in the nation. The state that produced Maynard Jackson, the first Black mayor of a major Southern city, has now produced the first Black woman governor in American history.

What Georgia’s Business Community Will Be Watching

For Black business owners in Georgia, the transition in the governor’s office raises immediate practical questions. State government is one of the largest buyers of goods and services in Georgia, and the governor sets the tone — and the targets — for who gets access to that spending. Procurement policy, supplier diversity in state contracting, small-business lending programs, and appointments to the boards that oversee economic development will all be early signals of the new administration’s priorities.

Bottoms built her mayoral administration in a city where Black entrepreneurs are central to the economy, and her time in the White House put her in direct contact with business organizations in every state. Georgia’s Black business community — from Atlanta’s established firms to the growing corridors in Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon — will be watching her first appointments and her first budget for evidence that the state’s economic agenda includes the businesses that have too often been last in line for state opportunity.

She will also govern with a national tailwind and a national spotlight. Democrats’ capture of both chambers of Congress means Georgia’s new governor takes office at the same moment her party returns to power in Washington — a combination that could move federal infrastructure, broadband, and small-business dollars toward states whose leadership is positioned to receive them.

The Road Ahead

Bottoms inherits a state with a strong economy, a growing population, and persistent gaps in wealth, health outcomes, and business ownership between its communities. Her campaign now gives way to a transition, with an inauguration set for January and a first legislative session that will test how quickly an historic candidacy becomes a governing record.

On Tuesday night, though, the moment belonged to history. A daughter of Atlanta — a judge, a councilmember, a mayor, and a White House advisor — became the first Black woman elected governor in the history of the United States.

Results: Associated Press (AP). Read Black Business Review’s full election coverage at blackbusinessreview.net.

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Western Air Limited, the largest privately owned airline in The Bahamas and one of the largest Black-owned and operated airlines in the world, is flying into its next era under second-generation leadership. Sherrexcia “Rexy” Rolle, Esq. serves as President, CEO & Accountable Manager of Western Air — the airline her parents, Captain Rex J. Rolle and Shandrice Woodside-Rolle, established in September 2000 and built into a carrier valued at over US$90 million.

A Second Generation Takes the Controls

Rolle stepped into the top job on January 1, 2024, becoming the first woman President & CEO in the airline’s history and joining the roughly 8 percent of airline CEOs worldwide who are women. She succeeded her father, Captain Rex Rolle, who led the company from its inception and now serves as Chairman of the Board, bringing more than four decades of aviation experience to the role. Her mother, co-founder Shandrice Woodside-Rolle, serves as Vice-President & COO.

The promotion was earned from the inside. An aviation and corporate attorney licensed in California, Washington, D.C. and The Bahamas, Rolle spent more than nine years as Western Air’s VP of Operations & General Counsel — and started her career at the airline in baggage claim. On taking the role her father held for 23 years, she called it “truly an honor to step into the role that my Dad served for so long.”

Built From One Route Between Nassau and San Andros

Western Air began with a single idea: the people of The Bahamas’ outer islands deserved reliable air service. The Rolles started with Fairchild Metro III aircraft on one route, between Nassau and San Andros, and the consistency of that service created demand from island to island.

Under Rexy Rolle’s operational leadership, the airline retired its turboprops for a uniform fleet of Embraer ERJ145 50-seat jets, opened its own passenger terminal and full-service maintenance facility in Freeport, Grand Bahama — a facility she spearheaded in 2015 and reopened rebuilt after Hurricane Dorian and the Covid-19 pandemic — and launched the airline’s first U.S. route, between Nassau and Fort Lauderdale, in 2022.

The Operation Today

Today Western Air operates daily jet service between Nassau and Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Exuma, Cat Island, Bimini, Congo Town, San Andros and Fort Lauderdale, plus on-demand charters throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America and the United States. The airline employs more than 230 people, operates its own passenger terminals and maintenance facilities at San Andros and Grand Bahama, and holds what the company describes as the best on-time record in the region. Its customer-first policies include tickets that stay usable for a full year, with no change or cancellation fees.

Headquartered at San Andros Airport on Andros Island, Western Air stands as proof of what Black family ownership can build in one of the world’s most capital-intensive industries — a story that belongs alongside the global builders BBR has spotlighted in its Black Entrepreneurs Worldwide coverage.

About Western Air

Founded in September 2000, Western Air is the largest privately owned airline in The Bahamas, operating a uniform fleet of Embraer EMB145LR & XR 50-seat jets with 230+ employees. The airline operates daily jet service across The Bahamas and to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as on-demand charters throughout the Caribbean, Central & South America and the United States, from its own passenger terminals and maintenance facilities in San Andros and Grand Bahama. For more information, visit westernairbahamas.com.

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JAY-Z. Photo via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

The announcement, made October 26, puts the 25-time Grammy Award winner on the biggest stage in entertainment — a stage his own company has run for years.

Inside the JAY-Z Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show

Since 2019, Roc Nation — the entertainment company JAY-Z founded — has partnered with the NFL as its live music entertainment strategist, shaping every halftime show of the modern era. Roc Nation will executive produce the Super Bowl LXI telecast and serve as strategic entertainment advisor for the performance, with Hamish Hamilton directing.

In other words, after years of selecting the headliners, JAY-Z has selected himself.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted that when the league first reached its agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, his one request was that JAY-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him.

The run of shows under Roc Nation’s watch has defined the modern halftime era: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre and friends, Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar and, most recently, Bad Bunny.

A 30-Year Run to the Biggest Stage

The moment arrives in a milestone year. JAY-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, turns 30 in 2026, and the halftime performance caps a run that has made him one of the most successful businessmen in entertainment history — a billionaire whose Roc Nation empire spans music, sports and live events.

“From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, this has been a journey,” JAY-Z said in the announcement. “Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.”

The bar is high — and his own company set it. Last year’s Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, starring Bad Bunny and executive produced by Roc Nation, won seven Emmy Awards, the most in halftime show history.

The announcement adds another chapter to a year of milestone moments for Black entertainment’s power players, including Mara Brock Akil, whose debut novel became a national bestseller in 2026.

How to Watch

The JAY-Z Super Bowl LXI halftime show airs during Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027, on ESPN and ABC, streaming on Disney+ and NFL+. Spanish-language coverage will run on ESPN Deportes and Univision.

Join Orbit — where Black professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders connect, collaborate and turn opportunities into action. https://orbit.blackbusinessreview.net/

WASHINGTON, DC — MelaninCon, the Washington, DC-based summit for Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals, today announced it is taking the conference model apart and rebuilding it on its own terms. As corporate sponsorship dollars retreat from Black events nationwide, MelaninCon is moving away from the sponsor-dependent model entirely — going virtual-first, making its 2026 programming 100% free, and replacing its single annual gala with smaller gatherings that put real investment directly into founders’ hands.

The rebuilt model runs year-round. Through the ECHO Amplified program, MelaninCon hosts free monthly virtual workshops on entrepreneurship, branding, mental wellness, leadership, and political engagement — and every session is converted into a free, self-paced course on the MelaninCon platform, turning panels into permanent programs. The ECHO year also brings hybrid programming across six cities — Louisville, Baltimore, Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, and Philadelphia — building toward MelaninCon’s full in-person return in 2027.

“Too many Black professionals were spending money they did not have to attend conferences that sent them home motivated but still broke,” said Donovan Woodberry, Founder and Executive Director of MelaninCon and Chief Operating Officer of A Celebration of Us, Inc. “The support economy for Black events is changing, so we changed with it, on purpose and on our own terms. We are done waiting for permission to invest in ourselves.”

The new model’s proof point arrived this summer. Champagne Reign, held June 28, 2026 at Realm Rooftop Bar and Lounge in Washington’s Shaw neighborhood, drew more than 500 registered guests and featured the ECHO Pulse Pitch Competition — three DC-based Black tech founders pitching live, with $2,250 in prizes and funding awarded to the winner on the spot.

“In a climate built to make us smaller, intention is resistance,” Woodberry added. “We have all the resources in our community, we just have an allocation problem. This is bigger than one organization. It is about whether our community will let someone else’s budget decide what we are allowed to build. We decided it will not.”

Founded in 2021, MelaninCon has grown from 200 attendees at its debut summit to more than 800, and received a Mayoral Commendation from the Office of the Mayor of Washington, DC, recognizing its community impact. Read Black Business Review’s full feature on the rebuild: Donovan Woodberry Is Rebuilding MelaninCon’s Business Model — Without Waiting on Corporate Sponsors.

CANTER | The Art of Living Well — Pre-order the launch capsule.

About MelaninCon

MelaninCon is a Black professional development and entrepreneurship summit based in Washington, DC, produced by A Celebration of Us, Inc. Its programming spans live events, digital content, and the year-round ECHO Amplified virtual workshop series, which converts live panels into self-paced courses available to the broader community. Learn more at melanincon.com.

About A Celebration of Us, Inc.

A Celebration of Us, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on Black professional development, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment, reaching a combined digital audience of more than 351,000 followers and a 40,000-subscriber email newsletter across the MelaninCon and The Posh Standard Media Group brands.

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October 20, 2026 | Black Business Review

Latriece Watkins has reached a historic milestone in corporate America, becoming the first African American woman to serve as president and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club U.S., effective February 1, 2026.

Latriece Watkins is paving the way for future generations through her groundbreaking achievements.

This appointment of Latriece Watkins signifies a shift in corporate culture, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Watkins’ unique perspective as a Black woman adds tremendous value to the Sam’s Club leadership team.

Her appointment represents more than a significant career achievement. It marks an important moment for Black women in corporate leadership and highlights the value of developing executive talent from within an organization.

Watkins’ journey from a Walmart intern to the executive suite spans nearly three decades, illustrating how consistency, adaptability and a deep understanding of business operations can create opportunities at the highest levels of corporate America.

Latriece Watkins exemplifies how determination and hard work can lead to significant milestones in corporate America.

From College Graduate to Corporate Executive

Watkins’ professional foundation began with a strong academic background.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College, the historically Black women’s college in Atlanta known for developing generations of accomplished leaders.

She subsequently earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law, adding legal training to an educational foundation that would prove valuable throughout her business career.

In 1997, Watkins began her professional journey at Walmart as an intern.

What started as an early career opportunity eventually developed into a nearly 30-year relationship with one of the world’s largest retail organizations.

Latriece Watkins: A Trailblazer in Corporate Leadership

Rather than following a single management track, Watkins gained experience across several critical areas of Walmart’s operations, including real estate, merchandising, people management and Sam’s Club operations.

That broad exposure helped prepare her for the complexities of leading a major retail business.

Building Leadership Experience Across Walmart

Watkins’ career reflects the importance of understanding a company from multiple perspectives.

Her work in real estate provided experience with the physical infrastructure and strategic investments necessary to support a nationwide retail operation.

Her leadership responsibilities in merchandising exposed her to product selection, customer demand, supplier relationships and the commercial decisions that influence retail performance.

Meanwhile, her experience in people management and operations strengthened her understanding of organizational leadership, workforce development and customer service.

These experiences are particularly relevant in the warehouse club industry, where success depends on balancing competitive pricing, merchandise quality, membership value and operational efficiency.

By developing expertise across different business functions, Watkins positioned herself to understand not simply how individual departments operate, but how they contribute to the overall performance of a large enterprise.

A Historic Moment for Black Women in Business

Watkins’ appointment carries significance beyond Sam’s Club.

Black women have historically faced barriers to advancement into senior corporate leadership, particularly at the chief executive level of major American businesses.

Her rise demonstrates the potential impact of sustained professional development, executive sponsorship, organizational opportunity and demonstrated business leadership.

With Latriece Watkins at the helm, Sam’s Club is poised to excel in meeting customer needs and expectations.

It also reinforces the importance of representation in positions where strategic decisions are made.

For aspiring executives, entrepreneurs and young professionals, Watkins’ career offers a powerful example of what long-term career development can produce.

Her path did not depend on becoming an overnight success. Instead, it was built through years of professional experience, increasing responsibility and exposure to different areas of business.

Leading Sam’s Club Into Its Next Chapter

As president and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S., Watkins assumes responsibility for a major membership-based retail business operating in a highly competitive industry.

The company competes through a business model built around membership loyalty, merchandise value, convenience and operational efficiency.

The warehouse club sector continues to evolve as consumers demand competitive prices, seamless digital shopping experiences and greater convenience.

For Watkins, the leadership challenge involves strengthening the company’s competitive position while maintaining the membership experience that supports its business model.

Her background in merchandising, operations and workforce leadership provides experience relevant to those priorities.

Her appointment also reflects the potential advantages of promoting leaders who understand an organization’s culture, operational systems and customers through years of direct experience.

The Business Lesson: Consistency Creates Opportunity

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Watkins’ story is the length and breadth of her professional journey.

Beginning as an intern in 1997 and reaching the CEO position in 2026 represents approximately 29 years of career development.

During that period, she built experience across multiple disciplines rather than limiting herself to one specialty.

For professionals seeking executive leadership positions, her journey offers several lessons: develop expertise, embrace challenging assignments, understand how the entire business operates and remain prepared for opportunities to assume greater responsibility.

For companies, her career highlights the strategic importance of internal leadership development and creating pathways for talented employees to advance.

As she leads Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins’ commitment to excellence will shine through in every aspect of the business.

Latriece Watkins’ journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring leaders across all industries.

Watkins’ story also challenges the idea that professional success must happen quickly.

Some of the most consequential leadership achievements emerge through decades of preparation.

A Legacy Still Being Written

Latriece Watkins’ appointment as the first Black woman to lead Sam’s Club U.S. is both a personal milestone and a significant moment in the broader story of corporate leadership.

Her progression from intern to president and CEO demonstrates how education, professional discipline and broad operational experience can intersect to create extraordinary career opportunities.

As she leads Sam’s Club into its next chapter, her performance will ultimately be measured by the company’s business results, competitive position and ability to deliver value to its members.

But the historical significance of her appointment is already clear.

For the next generation of Black women entering corporate America, Watkins’ career provides a visible example of leadership possibilities at the highest levels of business.

From intern to CEO, Latriece Watkins’ journey is a reminder that leadership is not simply about reaching the top. It is about the years of preparation that make reaching the top possible.

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That is a ~$4.4 billion gain in roughly eight weeks. And it may be the most instructive deal a Black founder has executed in public markets this decade.

The David Grain SpaceX Spectrum Deal

On October 8, 2026, SpaceX announced a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Grain Management’s nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio — the David Grain SpaceX spectrum deal — up to 14 MHz of paired low-band frequencies covering the 817–824 MHz and 862–869 MHz ranges. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported the cash price at approximately $8 billion. The companies themselves did not disclose financial terms.

The spectrum fills the missing piece in SpaceX’s plan to turn Starlink into a full-fledged U.S. mobile carrier. Low-band 800 MHz airwaves travel long distances and penetrate buildings — exactly what satellite-only service cannot do. In SpaceX’s words, the deal “will pave the way for Starlink to become a major mobile carrier in the U.S.,” combining a next-generation satellite fleet with terrestrial towers for direct-to-device service that works everywhere, indoors included.

The transaction requires Federal Communications Commission approval and other customary closing conditions before it can close.

The Flip Nobody Saw Coming

What makes the David Grain SpaceX spectrum deal remarkable is the timeline. Grain Management only acquired this exact 800 MHz portfolio from T-Mobile in August 2026 — paying $2.9 billion in cash plus the firm’s entire 600 MHz holdings. T-Mobile had agreed to the transfer in early 2025, and the deal closed in August.

Weeks later, Grain reportedly put the portfolio up for bid seeking around $6 billion, drawing preliminary interest from SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile. SpaceX landed it at roughly $8 billion — more than double Grain’s all-in cost, in about two months.

Telecom stocks felt it immediately: the announcement triggered a one-day, $39 billion wipeout across Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile shares, as markets priced in a serious new competitor.

Who Is David Grain

David Grain is the founder and CEO of Grain Management, the private investment firm he started in 2007 that specializes in digital infrastructure — spectrum, fiber, towers, and data centers. Forbes puts his net worth at approximately $2.3 billion, making him one of a small group of Black billionaires in global finance.

His path ran through Wall Street — Drexel Burnham Lambert, then Morgan Stanley — before he turned around a bankrupt tower company, growing it from 2,000 to more than 11,000 sites. His first fund took 185 meetings to raise. For nearly two decades, as he put it in the company’s statement on the SpaceX deal, Grain has “built Grain to see opportunity where others see complexity.”

“Our spectrum expertise allows us to connect the strategic value of these assets with the technologies and operators that can realize their potential,” Grain said. “This agreement with SpaceX brings that capability to bear at extraordinary scale, with the potential to change where and how Americans connect.”

The Playbook: 5 Lessons From the $8 Billion Flip

1. Buy from a motivated seller. T-Mobile was required to move the spectrum. A prior auction process fell short. Grain stayed ready — and bought at a price that left enormous room to run.

2. Use what you own as currency. Grain didn’t just pay cash — it traded 600 MHz licenses T-Mobile was already leasing. The deal currency was strategic, not just financial.

3. Buy with more than one exit. Before SpaceX ever called, utilities were already signing letters of intent around the spectrum. Grain wasn’t betting on a single buyer.

4. Own the missing piece. SpaceX had satellites but needed signal that reaches inside buildings. Grain owned the fix — and strategic buyers pay premiums for the piece they can’t build themselves.

5. The “2 months” took years. The T-Mobile transaction was announced in March 2025 and closed in August 2026. The flip looked fast; the positioning took nearly two decades. Patience built the premium.

What Happens Next

The David Grain SpaceX spectrum deal now goes to the FCC, a process that took roughly eight months on SpaceX’s earlier EchoStar transaction. If approved, SpaceX will hold a formidable spectrum position — on top of the $17 billion EchoStar purchase the FCC approved in May 2026 — as it builds Starlink Mobile into a genuine rival to the national carriers.

For Black business, the bigger story is the blueprint: deep sector expertise, patient capital, and the discipline to buy complexity at a discount and sell clarity at a premium. As Grain’s own career shows — and as Black entrepreneurs building worldwide keep proving — the biggest wins go to those who see the opportunity others walk past.

Join Orbit — where Black professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders connect, collaborate and turn opportunities into action. https://orbit.blackbusinessreview.net/

Veteran banker’s appointment took effect October 5 following Central Bank of Kenya approval; he will lead the Tier 1 lender’s digital, SME and regional growth push

NAIROBI, Kenya (BlackBusinessReview.com) — Abdi Mohamed has formally assumed office as Chief Executive Officer of I&M Bank Limited, Kenya, following approval of his appointment by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). The Abdi Mohamed I&M Bank appointment took effect on October 5, 2026, closing a four-month transition that began when I&M Group PLC named him incoming CEO on June 29.

Mohamed arrives from Absa Bank Kenya, where he served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer from May 2023 until his resignation took effect on June 30, 2026. The move ends a 32-year career within the Absa Group and its Barclays heritage — a career that began in 1994, when Mohamed joined Barclays Bank Kenya as a teller in Garissa.

From that starting point, Mohamed rose through operations and retail banking roles in Kenya and Zambia, served as Chief Operating Officer of Barclays Bank Kenya, and later as Managing Executive for Retail and Business Banking across Absa’s Africa Regional Operations. He went on to lead Absa Bank Tanzania as Managing Director and CEO, guiding the institution through its historic rebrand from Barclays to Absa and a sweeping business transformation, before returning to Nairobi in May 2023 to take the helm at Absa Bank Kenya.

“The Board is pleased to welcome Abdi to I&M Group and is confident that his extensive banking experience, strong leadership credentials and deep understanding of the Kenyan and regional financial services landscape will be instrumental in leading the Bank through its next phase of growth,” said Sarit Raja Shah, Group Executive Director, I&M Group.

“I am deeply honored to join I&M Bank Kenya and to be part of an institution with such a strong heritage, talented people and deep customer relationships,” said Mohamed. “I look forward to working closely with the team, our customers and our partners as we build on the Bank’s achievements and pursue the opportunities ahead. This is a journey we will undertake together, with a continued focus on creating meaningful value for our customers, colleagues and stakeholders.”

Mohamed inherits a lender gathering speed. I&M Group’s half-year results to June 2026 showed net profit up 20.3 percent to KES 9.31 billion, profit before tax up 16.2 percent to KES 13.13 billion, and total equity up 12.1 percent to KES 119.4 billion. Customer numbers were up 42 percent year on year in the first quarter, the group opened 12 new branches, and roughly 90 percent of its retail customers are now digitally active — with about 25,000 new accounts opened each month without a branch visit.

His mandate centers on converting that digital scale into stronger returns: deepening transaction relationships, growing deposits efficiently, expanding SME and retail lending with disciplined underwriting, and extending the group’s regional footprint across Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Mauritius, where subsidiaries contributed 33 percent of group profit before tax in the first half of 2026.

The appointment also sharpens one of East Africa’s most watched banking rivalries. I&M Bank Kenya, with approximately KES 550 billion in assets, is closing the scale gap with Absa Bank Kenya — the institution Mohamed led until weeks ago — at a moment when both banks are racing to build digital ecosystems around the customer’s everyday financial life.

Following Mohamed’s appointment, Kihara Maina — who served as interim CEO of I&M Bank Limited — resumes his role as Regional CEO of I&M Group.

Beyond his executive duties, Mohamed chairs the UN Global Compact Network Kenya, sits on the Kenya Bankers Association Governing Council, and serves on the boards of Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL) and Touch Health.

About I&M Bank Limited

I&M Bank Limited is a Tier 1 lender and the Kenyan flagship of I&M Group PLC, with more than five decades of operations across corporate, business and personal banking. The group operates in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Mauritius, serving customers through branches, digital channels and regional subsidiaries.

About Black Business Review

Black Business Review is the premier online destination for news, information and resources on Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship, covering the leaders, companies and deals shaping Black economic power worldwide.

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• From NBA Paychecks to Bank Ownership: Harrison Barnes Invests $25 Million to Build Financial Infrastructure

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-END-

A professional press release is how businesses get seen. It’s how a local win becomes a regional headline, how a launch becomes a conversation, and how credibility gets built in public. And for Black businesses competing in crowded markets, visibility isn’t vanity — it’s revenue.

Why Press Releases Still Work

Social media posts disappear in hours. A press release lives on. When your announcement is written in proper press release format — with a real headline, dateline, quotes, and boilerplate — it gets picked up by news outlets, indexed by Google News, and referenced for years. Journalists still work from press releases. Partners Google you before signing deals. Customers check your credibility before spending money. A published press release answers all of that at once.

What Separates a Real Press Release from an Announcement

Anyone can post ‘we’re excited to announce.’ A real press release follows a format the media trusts: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, a contact block, an all-caps headline that states the news, a city dateline, a narrative body with quotable quotes, and About sections that tell your story. Get the format wrong and editors delete it. Get it right and your news travels.

The Cost of Staying Invisible

Here’s what invisibility costs: the partnership that went to the competitor with press coverage. The grant application that looked thin without media validation. The customer who chose the business Google showed them. Every milestone you don’t publicize is marketing you didn’t do — and marketing you didn’t do is money you left behind.

BBR Press Studio: Your Story, Written Right

That’s why we built BBR Press Studio. You give us up to 10 facts about your business and a photo. Our team writes your professional press release — proper format, under 1,400 words, delivered as a polished PDF within 48 hours. $79.

Want it published as a feature article on Black Business Review, in front of our full audience? $158 covers the release plus the feature.

No writing. No formatting headaches. No guessing what journalists want. You bring the news; we make it headline-ready.

What Happens After You Order

It’s concierge, start to finish. Fill out the order form at BBR Press Studio with your facts, upload your photo, and we take it from there. Your release lands in your inbox within 48 hours — ready to send to media outlets, post on your site, and share everywhere. Feature-tier orders get queued as a published article on BBR.

Your business is doing the work. Let the world know about it.

Order your press release today →

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Mellody Hobson‘s Vision for Cultural Storytelling

Mellody Hobson’s impact on the museum signifies the importance of diverse narratives.

LOS ANGELES — Mellody Hobson and George Lucas have opened the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, turning an ambitious cultural vision into a public institution dedicated to the images that shape how people see themselves and one another.

Mellody Hobson’s commitment to storytelling is evident in every aspect of the museum.

The museum welcomed its first public visitors Sept. 22 in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park. The approximately $1 billion project brings together the business leader and the filmmaker behind “Star Wars” in an undertaking that connects personal collecting, philanthropy and public access to art. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

For Black business leaders and creative entrepreneurs, the opening offers a compelling example of how influence can extend beyond a company or career. It also raises a larger question: Who gets to decide which stories are preserved, displayed and passed to the next generation?

Mellody Hobson aims to inspire future generations through cultural engagement.

Guided by Mellody Hobson, the museum celebrates the richness of cultural narratives.

Through Mellody Hobson’s leadership, the museum will serve as a beacon of inclusivity.

In storytelling, Mellody Hobson emphasizes connection and understanding among cultures.

Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments, has helped build an institution whose stated purpose places belonging at its center. At Ariel, her responsibilities include management, strategic planning and growth outside research and portfolio management. Her role as a museum co-founder carries that leadership into a different arena: the stewardship of cultural memory. Ariel Investments

At the opening, Hobson described the founders’ desire for visitors from every background to recognize themselves and their humanity in the galleries. That ambition gives the museum significance beyond its scale or celebrity connections. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

The 300,000-square-foot building, designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with Stantec, contains more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space across more than 30 galleries. Its inaugural exhibitions feature more than 1,300 works, according to the museum’s opening announcement.

The organizing idea is narrative art: images that tell stories. Paintings, illustrations, comics, photography and cinematic materials share a broader conversation about how visual culture communicates experience, imagination and belief.

Thanks to Mellody Hobson, the museum’s mission resonates with many communities.

That approach challenges the boundaries that often separate popular entertainment from art worthy of serious study. A comic-book drawing or film illustration can carry emotional and historical weight alongside a painting. For audiences who first encountered art through magazines, movies or illustrated books, the approach offers a familiar point of entry. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

The collection includes work by Black artists Jacob Lawrence, Charles White and Robert Colescott, alongside figures such as Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell and comic-book artist Jack Kirby. The range allows visitors to encounter different traditions of storytelling within one institution. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Creative stories are brought to life through Mellody Hobson’s vision.

Mellody Hobson believes in the transformative power of storytelling in communities.

The presence of Black artists within that larger narrative matters. Their work can help audiences consider who appears in America’s visual record, whose experiences receive attention and how artists challenge inherited ideas about identity and history. Representation in a permanent institution also creates opportunities for continued discovery beyond a single exhibition or cultural moment.

The museum houses the Lucas Archives, including film props, costumes, artwork and other materials spanning decades of Lucasfilm productions. The holdings include materials from the first six “Star Wars” films, the first four “Indiana Jones” adventures and productions including “Red Tails.” Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Students were inspired by Mellody Hobson’s dedication to cultural storytelling.

With Mellody Hobson at the forefront, the museum holds promise for the future.

Mellody Hobson’s influence will shape the narrative of the museum.

The legacy of Mellody Hobson will inspire countless future storytellers.

For creative entrepreneurs, those archives offer another way to understand the business of storytelling. The finished film is only one part of a larger creative process. Drawings, costumes and production materials reveal the work that turns an idea into a world audiences recognize.

Community access is another important part of the museum’s model. Its LM37 program provides free admission for residents of the surrounding 90037 ZIP code. Eligible passholders can reserve tickets for themselves and one guest, and the museum has committed a dedicated ticket allotment to the program.

“Storytelling has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community,” museum CEO Tracey Bates said when the neighborhood initiative was announced. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

“Storytelling has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community,” museum CEO Tracey Bates said when the neighborhood initiative was announced. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

“Storytelling has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community,” museum CEO Tracey Bates said when the neighborhood initiative was announced. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

The opening program also welcomed more than 100 students from institutions including USC, Los Angeles City College, Otis College of Art and Design and the Los Angeles Technology Center. The students received free tickets, and Hobson and Lucas greeted the first 100 visitors through the doors. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Those measures give substance to the founders’ emphasis on belonging. A major cultural destination can attract worldwide attention while still needing to earn a place in its own neighborhood. Local access provides a starting point; sustained participation will be an important measure of its public value.

For Black Business Review’s audience, the broader significance lies in institution building. Business success can support organizations that preserve creative work, broaden public knowledge and remain useful long after an opening celebration.

Hobson and Lucas have created the physical space. The museum’s next chapter will be written through the people who enter it, the stories they discover and the possibilities those encounters inspire.

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Black Business Review | September 23, 2026

Aliko Dangote’s refinery is inviting public investors into one of Africa’s most consequential industrial ventures, opening a share sale, the Dangote Refinery IPO, that tests both confidence in Nigerian manufacturing and the reach of the country’s capital markets. This Dangote Refinery IPO is a significant opportunity for many investors.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE opened its initial public offering September 14, with subscriptions scheduled to close October 13. The offer comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares at 525 naira each, with a minimum application of 10 shares, or 5,250 naira. At full subscription, the base offering would raise approximately 2.15 trillion naira before expenses. [1]

Ultimately, the Dangote Refinery IPO will serve as a bellwether for future industrial investments in the region.

Investors interested in the Dangote Refinery IPO should carefully assess the potential returns on their investment.

The Dangote Refinery IPO has generated considerable excitement among investors looking to enter the African market.

The distinction matters: the IPO is open for applications, but that does not mean the shares are already trading on the Nigerian Exchange. Listing follows the offering process.

For Black entrepreneurs and investors watching Africa’s industrial development, the transaction presents a larger question: Can ownership of major productive assets become more accessible while maintaining the financial discipline investors deserve?

The industrial business behind the shares

Understanding the Dangote Refinery IPO

The issuer is the refinery and petrochemicals enterprise, rather than the entire Dangote conglomerate. Its proposed public ownership therefore concerns a specific operating business.

Reuters reported that the company plans a $14.3 billion expansion to lift processing capacity to 1.4 million barrels a day by 2029. The IPO proceeds would help support expansion, although the proposed share sale alone would not cover that investment. [2]

Aliko Dangote is the industrial sponsor whose name drives public recognition. Refinery chief executive David Bird carries responsibility for translating the operating strategy into performance. Bird has pointed to international supply disruptions and constrained refining capacity as factors shaping the business’s outlook. [3]

Those conditions can support refining profitability, but investors should distinguish a favorable market cycle from earnings that can be sustained over many years.

Why Meristem is involved

The social media post highlighting Meristem points to a real transaction role. Meristem Stockbrokers Limited serves as lead stockbroker, while Meristem Capital Limited is a joint issuing house. MeriTrade is among the electronic application channels identified for the offering, according to Nairametrics. [4]

These are distinct functions. A broker supports investors’ access to securities and market infrastructure. An issuing house helps organize the capital-raising transaction.

Vetiva Advisory Services Limited is the lead issuing house. The broader syndicate includes FirstCap, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Chapel Hill Denham Advisory and other Nigerian investment banking firms. [5]

Stanbic IBTC describes its participation as joint lead issuing house, joint stockbroker and receiving bank. That combination illustrates how different businesses within one financial group can contribute to arranging the offer, processing participation and receiving subscription funds. [1]

The Dangote Refinery IPO represents a new phase in African investment opportunities.

The Dangote Refinery IPO is designed to engage a broader base of investors from diverse backgrounds.

The institutional money behind the offering

As the Dangote Refinery IPO unfolds, investors should stay updated on market developments and potential changes.

Public subscriptions are only one part of the financing story.

Dangote Industries announced in August a $1 billion backing programme structured by Marob Strategies and Consulting DIFC Ltd and Lilium Capital Group. It comprised a funded $600 million private placement and a separate $400 million underwriting commitment supporting the IPO. Pan-African Refinery Investment SPV, a Lilium subsidiary, funded the placement and provided the commitment. [6]

For investors considering the Dangote Refinery IPO, thorough research is essential before making decisions.

Investing in the Dangote Refinery IPO could be a unique opportunity for those looking to diversify their portfolios.

The figures should not be confused with $1 billion already raised from public IPO subscribers.

Through the Dangote Refinery IPO, the company aims to foster a more inclusive investment environment in Nigeria.

Benedict Okey Oramah chairs Marob Strategies, while Simon Tiemtoré chairs Lilium Capital. Their firms are connecting the transaction with institutional capital, including potential participation from African and Caribbean governments, sovereign wealth funds and other eligible investors. [6]

The institutions that make ownership work

The excitement surrounding the Dangote Refinery IPO highlights the growing interest in African enterprises.

The Dangote Refinery IPO is more than just a financial opportunity; it represents a chance to support local industry.

Participation in the Dangote Refinery IPO is seen as a step towards enhancing economic growth in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Exchange provides the intended listing venue. Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission oversees the offering’s regulatory framework. Banks, brokers, lawyers, accountants and the registrar support the transaction around them.

Their participation does not eliminate investment risk. Neither a familiar banking brand nor regulatory clearance guarantees that the share price will rise.

The SEC has specifically warned investors to verify subscription channels, avoid unauthorized payment requests and distrust unsolicited messages promising preferential allocations. That warning is particularly relevant when investment promotions spread rapidly through social media. [7]

Demand has also tested distribution infrastructure. Reuters reported disruptions at investment platforms including Bamboo, Cowrywise and InvestNaija as retail interest surged. The episode shows why digital access must be matched by reliable processing and clear investor communications. [8]

For many, the Dangote Refinery IPO could signify the beginning of a fruitful investment journey.

What the opportunity means for Black investors

For many, investing in the Dangote Refinery IPO could be a pivotal moment in their investment strategy.

The broader significance is ownership: participation in a business that processes resources and sells finished products. Yet cultural pride and commercial judgment must travel together. Investors still need to evaluate valuation, debt, operating reliability, expansion funding and the effect of currency movements on their returns.

For African American readers, eligibility requires particular attention. Stanbic’s offer notice says the securities are unregistered under U.S. securities law and that there will be no U.S. offering. A Nigerian subscription website should not be treated as proof that a U.S. resident can participate. [1]

Dangote’s IPO can become a milestone in African capital formation. Its lasting success, however, will depend on what follows the subscription campaign: transparent reporting, dependable operations and financial results that justify investors’ trust.

Join the conversation on Orbit. Connect with entrepreneurs and professionals discussing business, ownership and opportunity at orbit.blackbusinessreview.net.

As discussions around the Dangote Refinery IPO continue, stakeholder engagement will be key to its success.

Transaction party roster

Names below are shortened for readability. Roles are drawn from the offer materials; distribution platforms are a separate category from formal advisers.

Sources: [1], [5], [6].

Source: [9], statutory and general information, printed pages 165–170. Meristem’s lead stockbroker designation is separately confirmed in [4].

Sources

1. Stanbic IBTC: IPO opens for subscription
2. Reuters: Refinery expansion and IPO documents, September 7
3. Reuters: David Bird on refining outlook, September 8
4. Nairametrics: Meristem’s roles, September 21
5. AIICO Capital: Offer application and issuing houses
6. Dangote Industries: Institutional backing programme, August 18
7. SEC Nigeria: IPO investor notice, September 14
8. Reuters: IPO demand tests investment platforms, September 17
9. Prospectus dated September 7, 2026

Investors should look to the Dangote Refinery IPO as a chance to be part of a transformative project.

The Dangote Refinery IPO illustrates the potential for growth in the African industrial sector.

Editorial image note: The supplied social media screenshot is labeled “AI content.” It should not be presented as documentary evidence of an actual meeting or used to identify the people pictured.

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