UpwardAction Salutes Travers J. Bell, Jr.

UpwardAction Salutes Travers J. Bell, Jr.

Travers J. Bell, Jr. was born in 1946 and grew up in the Ida B. Wells public housing project on the south side of Chicago. He set a goal of owning an investment bank and he made it happen. Mr. Bell began his career as a messenger in the Chicago…
UpwardAction Salutes Power Networker George Fraser

UpwardAction Salutes Power Networker George Fraser

George C. Fraser is Chairman and CEO of FraserNet, Inc., the company he founded more than 25 years ago with a vision to build a global networking movement that increased opportunities for people of African descent. He has done that and so much more. “To lead a global networking movement…
UpwardAction Salutes Emma Chappell

UpwardAction Salutes Emma Chappell

A trailblazer in African American commerce, Emma Chappell was born in Philadelphia, PA.  She was the first female vice president of a major bank in Pennsylvania.  On March 23, 1992, she became the CEO of United Bank of Philadelphia - after helping to raise more than 6 million dollars in…
UpwardAction Salutes Janice Bryant Howroyd

UpwardAction Salutes Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to build a billion dollar company.  She is the founder and CEO of Act 1 Group. Under her leadership, Act 1 Group has transitioned from its humble beginnings of a single office operation to become the largest…