2025 Black Power Players

Love Malone is a visionary leader transforming the creative industry through innovation and technology. As CEO and founder of Malone Creative Group, she leads an award-winning advertising and media placement agency. She pioneered The Gradient technology, empowering thousands of creatives with jobs and opportunities. A former executive at Ogilvy & Mather and BBDO, Love has led campaigns for top brands like Mars, Merck, BlackRock, New York City, and the NBA. An alumna of the University of Illinois, she continues to drive change from New York City.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is my grandmother, a natural entrepreneur whose impact I didn’t fully appreciate as a child. Whether cleaning offices after practice or watching my grandmother help others earn an income, I later realized these moments were part of a thriving business. While my grandfather shaped my drive and resilience, my grandmother’s quiet leadership taught me the power of creating opportunities – something I now strive to do every day.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I would like to proudly spotlight The Titan Executive Network, an organization I co-founded to support top Black executive women. Titan brings together hundreds of leaders, providing insights on health, wealth, and career empowerment. Success is never achieved alone – it requires a strong network of support from those who understand the unique challenges faced. Through Titan, Black executives gain the resources and community needed to thrive in their careers and beyond.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
With hundreds of commercials to my name, I am most proud of founding The Gradient Group, a platform transforming the creative industry. Passionate about opening doors for others, I have helped thousands secure opportunities in the field I love. I am grateful to founding partners like BBDO, Ogilvy, Edelman, and Apple for their support. As The Gradient expands, I remain committed to ensuring access and equity in the advertising capital of the world.

Gregorio Mayers, a seasoned professional with 20+ years of diverse experience, serves as president of GM Consulting. Formerly a senior policy advisor to Mayor Bloomberg overseeing NYC agencies, Mayers, chief architect of the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises law Local Law 1, successfully elected candidates to the judiciary and legislature. Mayers was appointed to the CUNY Law School Board of Visitors, appointed by Governor Hochul to The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp Board, and appointed as a commissioner of the Local Conditional Release Commission. Holding degrees from Medgar Evers College and City University School of Law, Mayers brings extensive expertise in law, government, and campaign consulting.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Vernon Jordan, a former civil rights attorney. He masterfully addressed the issue of civil rights with the political establishment

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
McCormack Enterprise. It was founded by Mr. Jimmy McCormack who serves the MWBE and immigrant community by empowering them to grow successfully.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
Being one of the invited student leaders to open up for Nelson Mandela during his NYC visit.

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks is the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee. Elected in 1998, Rep. Meeks represents Southeast Queens and parts of Nassau County. Before Congress, he served in the NY State Assembly and worked as a Queens County assistant district attorney. Rep. Meeks is the co-chair of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My parents were and are everything to me. Without their guidance, love, and sacrifice, I would not be here today. Thurgood Marshall is also pivotal because he inspired me to become a lawyer. He demonstrated that through the law you can change society for the better, especially for marginalized communities. Nelson Mandela’s commitment to making humankind better is also hugely inspiring. Finally, MLK’s example guides many of the decisions I make to this day. 

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
The Nourish Spot is one of my favorite restaurants to visit in Queens. This establishment offers healthy food options to fuel the community. I am very impressed by the growth of this small business because they are expanding and will soon be available at JFK Airport. The wraps and smoothies are delicious! 

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
I serve as the co-chair of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council which is tasked with transforming the JFK Airport into a world-class global gateway for New York travelers and visitors. Through our intentionality, the project has achieved a historic milestone with a record-breaking $2.3 billion in contracts awarded to Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). I am so proud that these companies are helping to transform our airport.

Roger Milliner, chief growth officer at MetroPlusHealth, has been in the healthcare industry since 1990. He oversees three departments and 350+ employees. Since 2000, he has increased membership by 930% to nearly 700k. Roger fosters relationships with community leaders and organizations to promote MetroPlusHealth. He holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph’s College and is a Certified Health Care Insurance Executive (CHIE) from AHIP.

Musa Moore has been one of the top campaign managers and consultants in New York for the past two decades. Based in Brooklyn, Musa has been able to guide many elected officials and Judges and maintain a winning streak that is hard to match. 

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, Congressman John Lewis, Sam Cooke, President Barack Obama, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Berry Gordy Jr (Motown Records), and others. I understand that as I continue to make history the next generation is watching. 

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
NAACP as they continue to fight for our advancement. 

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
Standing with District Attorney Ken Thompson, electing three Brooklyn Surrogate Court Judges, electing Judge Linda Wilson, Judge Pat Hayes Torres, and Judge Janice Robinson, winning back-to-back campaigns in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 against major opposition. Serving as a district leader, New York State committeeman, chairman of a community board, and working with state workers (PEF).  The past 25 years have been a blessing and I am thankful.

Tia Morris is an advocate for equity, dedicating nearly 30 years to improving educational opportunities for young people. In 1998, she began her teaching career in Harlem through Teach For America and returned in 2020 as executive director. Tia has served as executive director for Teach For America NJ, helped found a network of schools, and held chief level central office positions in multiple school systems. Tia continues to give back through nonprofit board service.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Shirley Chisholm is the personification of strength, vision, and tenacity. Born in Brooklyn in the 1920s, Ms. Chisholm started her career as an educator before transitioning to politics. She demonstrated courage in the face of impossible odds and never let anyone’s limited imagination define her. Instead, she boldly forged an audacious path, including serving as the first Black woman in the U.S. Congress and the first Black candidate to run for United States president.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is an international organization of over 350,000 college-educated women who have dedicated their lives to sisterhood, service, scholarship, and social action. The sorority has been a staple in advancing civil rights, educational attainment, and economic advancement for the Black community. Since its founding in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta has boldly served the community, and I am proud to call myself a member of this dynamic sisterhood.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
My first years of teaching sparked a question that would carry me throughout my career: “What would it mean to not just change my classroom, but to radically transform the systems preventing student learning and lifetime success?” All the decisions I’ve made since then have been to expand the impact I could have on students. This includes the proud moment I helped found a network of schools in my home state of New Jersey.

Violet is a partner at Bolton-St. Johns. She is also president and founder of Obsidian Strategists, LLC, which provides communications and media guidance. Spanning more than 20 years, Violet began her career at the New York State Assembly as a member of the program and counsel staff. In December 2020, Violet graduated magna cum laude with a master’s degree in urban policy and leadership from Hunter College.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My father is my biggest inspiration. He has been a motivating factor in my life. My dad has overcome great odds to be a man of strength and character. I would not be the person I am without him.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I would like to spotlight Hair Rules, a salon owned by Dickey. Dickey has styled the heads of some of the biggest celebrities but cares about everyone. He has pioneered groundbreaking hair techniques and even developed his own hair care line.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
My proudest moment was graduating with my master’s degree.

Since assuming leadership of Borough of Manhattan Community College in September 2020, President Anthony E. Munroe has galvanized college-wide initiatives to build equity and inclusion, support students’ basic needs and increase their academic and career opportunities. One of his first actions at BMCC was to create the Race, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee. He also established the President’s Fund for Excellence and Innovation, which builds student engagement and open conversations vital to the BMCC mission.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspirations are my two sons Ari’el, affectionately known as Ari and Rafa’el, who is affectionately known as Rafa. They work hard at giving their best in everything and are caring, giving, fun, intelligent boys who are always thinking about, and praying for other people.

Is there a Black-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
There are many Black-owned businesses and organizations that do incredible work. The impact they have made across various fields makes it difficult to spotlight just one.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
The proudest moment in my career has been witnessing students walk across the graduation stage, many of whom are the first in their families to do so. Recognizing the sacrifices they’ve made and the new opportunities that await them inspires me to continue developing unique partnerships such as the BMCC-Morehouse College Leadership Scholars Dual Admission Program, the Aspen Transfer Scholars Network, Women in STEM initiatives, the BMCC-Columbia NYC Scholars Program, and more.

Suzette Noble is CEO of LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private entity selected by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to manage and redevelop LaGuardia’s new award-winning Terminal B.Suzette is an experienced leader with more than 20 years of experience developing and operating transformational guest experiences at companies recognized for customer service excellence and brand loyalty, including Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts and Krispy Kreme.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
|I had the extreme honor of meeting Rosa Parks at a Black History event in the 90s. I thanked her for standing up for equality and she said “it’s our responsibility.”  Her words have always stayed with me as a reminder that we all have a duty to model inclusivity and influence positive change. As CEO of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, I strive to embody these principles every day.

What is the proudest moment in your career so far?
I’m extremely proud of the recognition our new terminal has received since the completion of the Terminal B redevelopment project. Airport rating firm Skytrax not only awarded Terminal B its highest global 5-star rating, but also named it the world’s best new airport terminal. The facility is world-renowned on many levels, but these accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without our Terminal B community’s unified focus on delivering excellence each and every day.

Dr. Philip Ozuah is a distinguished physician, scientist, and leader. He is the president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine – one of the nation’s preeminent academic health systems and research institutions – comprising the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Health System’s 14 member hospitals and 300 ambulatory sites. He leads more than 10,000 physicians and 53,000 employees across the organization, who see over 7.5 million patient interactions a year with $8 billion in annual revenues.