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    Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development Hosted 2nd Annual Black Business Advancement Awards  

    Agency honors Black-owned businesses to celebrate National Black Business Month.

    BALTIMORE, MD – In honor of National Black Business Month, the Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D) hosted its 2nd Annual Black Business Advancement Awards on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Baltimore Convention Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More than 250 people attended the black-tie event. 

    Established in 2025, the Black Business Advancement Awards is an annual event created to recognize, celebrate, and elevate black-owned small businesses throughout the Baltimore City market area in honor of National Black Business Month. Each year, SMBA&D selects ten of these businesses for recognition. Selections are based on established criteria within their respective industries and communities.

    Wayne R. Frazier Sr. giving his acceptance speech. Frazier received the inaugural Reginald F. Lewis Titan Award

    SMBA&D gave out 10 awards to businesses that have served, stood the test of time, and made a positive impact on their community.

    The awards were divided into two groups: Rising Stars and Icons. Rising Stars were identified as businesses that show great promise and advancement and have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Icons were identified as businesses that are rooted and entrenched in Baltimore, have weathered the natural cycles of business, yet have maintained a consistent level of impact. These businesses have also been able to provide opportunities, assistance, and mentorship to other local, small, minority, and women-owned businesses in the Baltimore City market area.

    SMBA&D Director Christopher R. Lundy with Sharif Small holding his Icon Visionary award and Mayor’s Certificate of Recognition

    Awardees

    Below is the list of the other awardees in their respective categories:

    Rising Stars 

    • Rising Star Go Getter Award - Root Branch Media Group (Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO)

    • Rising Star Game Changer Award - Réveur Sauvage (Master Captain Chimere Murrill, CEO)

    • Rising Star Resilience Award - Pandora's Box Boutique (Monesha Phillips, Founder)

    • Rising Star Tastemaker Award - Taste This Food Group (Dante Davis and Chef Craig Curbean, Founders)

    Icons

    • Icon Advocacy Award - The Law Office of Robert Fulton Dashiell, Esq. PA (Robert Fulton Dashiell, Esq., Founder [accepted by Senchal Dashiell Barrolle, Esq.])

    • Icon International Connector Award - Island Food Market (Lenny McLean, Owner)

    • Icon Pillar Award - Hardware Plus Inc. (Eddie Lewis Jr., President)

    • Icon Pinnacle Award - The Avenue Bakery (James Hamlin, Owner)

    • Icon Visionary Award - S.J.S. Financial Firm LLC (Sharif J. Small, President and CEO)

    This year, SMBA&D introduced a Titan Award, with the honor going to Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA)'s Wayne R. Frazier Sr. 

    The Reginald F. Lewis Titan Award is given to a small business as a tribute to Baltimore’s own titan Reginald F. Lewis and presented by a member of the Lewis family. Awarded to a business that has been open for over 20 years, embodies all listed awards and has had a historic impact on Baltimore. 

    "It remains a priority for this agency to appreciate, promote, and award Black business leaders. This event is about celebrating our current business stars, icons, and titans, while recognizing that we would not be here without standing on the shoulders of giants," said Christopher R. Lundy, Esq., Director of SMBA&D.  "We honor Baltimore’s legacy of perseverance and business excellence with the presentation of the inaugural Reginald F. Lewis Titan Award to Wayne R. Frazier Sr. Wayne is a constant partner in the work and a true tireless advocate for Black businesses under all circumstances."

    More than 250 people attended the black-tie event.at the Convention Center.

    About SMBA&D

    The Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D) exists to support the various needs of small and minority businesses in Baltimore City. The agency’s duties include (but are not limited to) reviewing all City contracts over $50,000 for MBE/WBE utilization goal setting, reviewing requisitions under $50,000 for award to small & minority businesses, examining contract compliance requests, evaluating new, renewal, and expansion certification applications, and investigating potential violations of the City Code. For more information on SMBA&D, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/smbad

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