2023 BLACK EXCELLENCE

Bruce E. Weekes was born in Atlantic City, NJ, and is a 2004 graduate of Atlantic City High School. In 2008, Bruce graduated from Howard University, where he received a Bachelor of
Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance.
Bruce’s professional career began in 2008 as Financial Analyst on Wall Street. In 2008, he also founded a scholarship at Atlantic City High School in memory of his late brother, DeVon Wilson-Weekes. To date he has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of ACHS. In 2013, Bruce was accepted into, and graduated from, the LEAD Atlantic City Tomorrow Fellowship program. In 2014, Bruce aspired to help local small businesses and non-profits with fundraising and growth strategies through the founding of Town Hall Ventures and was recognized by the
Greater Atlantic City Jaycees and Atlantic City Weekly as one of the area’s Top 40 under 40. In 2016, Bruce located back to Atlantic City full-time. He is the founder of the Northside Entrepreneurship Initiative, which aims to create more Atlantic City small business owners by connecting residents to a structured business education, as well as to financial resources and mentorship. Bruce currently serves as Councilman-At-Large for the City of Atlantic City. His primary focus is economic justice with a concentration on policies that create and support more equitable opportunities for Atlantic City residents.

Nathan Evans Jr. is first a devoted husband and father. He is an
international speaker, educational consultant, and mental health
advocate. Nate resides in Mays Landing, New Jersey, and uses
his life experiences to cultivate the minds of students and young
people across the country. In addition to his professional endeavors, Nate also supports his local community as a youth
mentor for several schools in Atlantic County. Nate is on a mission to eradicate the stigmas around mental health through his keynote presentations, workshops, books, and podcast. His inspiring testimony establishes an authentic bond with a range of audiences, educating them on the importance of emotional intelligence and sense of self-worth. Nate is a first-generation high school graduate, first-generation college graduate, and the first #1 best-selling author in his community! (I Love You; Letters of Love from Black Men to Black Boys.” He also holds a certification in Adverse Childhood Experiences Early Trauma and Mental Health First-Aid.
Nathan Evans Jr. is a sponsored member of the “T-Mobile Magenta Edge Small Business Program,” a "Top 4 Under 40 Distinguished Alumnus of Atlantic Cape Community College," and a member of the "30 Under 35 Top Young African American Leaders in South Jersey."

 Samantha Prescott is the creator, owner & operator (alongside her family) of Nana’s Good Puddin’. Samantha was born in Atlantic City and raised in both the Atlantic City & Pleasantville area. She is a Pleasantville High School graduate and later attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Campus. Samantha’s children were the driving force behind her development of Nana’s. And her grandchildren serve as the faces and motivation for the brand. Nana’s Good Puddin’s first location opened in Hamilton Mall (Mays Landing, N.J.) in March of 2022. Samantha has created over 20 different flavors and variations of Puddings. She is preparing to open more locations locally. She envisions Nana’s locations in other cities like Orlando, Baltimore and Atlanta over the next few years.

Christian Ragland, MPA, is assistant vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at AtlantiCare. He is responsible for the organization’s transformative diversity strategy, which aligns with AtlantiCare’s strategic plan. He works closely with senior leaders to cultivate an affirming and inclusive organizational culture. In this role, Ragland provides guidance and support to AtlantiCare’s robust Employee Resource Group program and the Equity and Diversity Council. He partners with external organizations to promote initiatives that support
understanding and inclusion across communities. Ragland received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from
Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Walden University in Minneapolis. He earned a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for Human Resources from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Community involvement is one of Ragland’s core values. He is the founder and director of the Egg Harbor
City (New Jersey) Community Leadership Academy for young men in grades 5 through 8. He leads a weekly Healthcare Careers program with the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, and serves in a leadership role at Lighthouse Community Church in Pleasantville. Ragland serves as an executive board member and D, E & I Chair for the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and is a member of AtlantiCare’s Federally Qualified Health Center board of trustees. As an educator, he is an adjunct professor of U.S. History at Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing, New Jersey.
Ragland lives in Mays Landing with his wife and three children. He enjoys traveling with family, exercising and supporting his alma mater.

Amanda Buford was raised in Pleasantville, NJ where she attended school and participated in youth activities. Amanda is a mother of three children, currently a full time Clinical Educator and Infection Preventionist at Our Lady’s Center for Rehabilitation in Pleasantville N.J.. In April of 2022, Amanda formed Bridge to Beauty non-profit organization. Bridge to Beauty is an organization that was created to promote self-love, forgiveness, positivity, integrity and kindness. As exhibited by weekly meetings that include discussions on a range of topics. Art, writing and creating items to provide to those in need. Education provided by entrepreneurs to promote self-growth. A range of events open to the community to improve relationships and social skills with their peers. Life skills such as fishing, small meal preparation nutrition talks and physician education to prepare them for adulthood. Positive self-expressions, singing, meditation and affirmations. Volunteer opportunities that provide credit for further education. Bridge to Beauty is a safe environment to learn, build bonds and most importantly love one another. Beauty on the inside shows on the outside- Judith Holland

Franki Hall-Watson, having more courage than experience, decided to make her dream of building a clothing line a reality. Franki began grabbing the attention of her peers with her unique style and ambitious mind through social media. Faceless Fashion,  is an apparel brand that was created with the idea that your inner self is more valuable than your outer appearance. Franki has seen how body image has changed over the years due to her generation. She noticed how people are more concerned with how others view them causing them to loose interest in their inner self. Mass media such as "Instagram",  has shaped modern popular culture and often influences public opinion. Franki feels that images portrayed by the media tend to influence people to strive to become someone else's idea of "perfect". Franki takes pride in the fact that there is no one else on  earth exactly like herself; or have her identical inner beauty. She believes that her outer beauty makes her differ from everyone else. Besides, wouldn't life be boring if everyone looked exactly the same?

Kory Dunn is  28 year old owner and operator of Kory’s Kitchen. Kory always had a passion for cooking and would joke about being a “Singing Chef” but in 2020 during the pandemic, he realized that he no longer wanted to depend on anyone else to make a living, thus the creation of Kory’s Kitchen. Kory's Kitchen off with selling platters on occasion and now Kory has evolved into a full time caterer. In November of 2022 Kory started “Feeding with Friends” where he would travel to local bus terminals and offered food for those in need. In March of 2023 Kory will be hosting “Feeding with Friends” once a month were he will provide food for others in the community, whether it be staff at school, nurses at a facility, local sports teams, or whomever people nominate. "I love that I have a platform where I am able to bring us together while doing what I love to do." -Kory Dunn
 

Marquel Bridgers, 24 year old entrepreneur & community activist. He is the CEO of Cozy Clothing Company which was started in Baltimore, MD while he was in school at Morgan State University. Marquel has been able to expand his business to NJ, TX, FL, and soon in AZ with his products being sold at various storefronts in these states.  As a community activist, Marquel has his nonprofit organization of Cozy Cares in efforts to support & supply the less fortunate with things they need, i.e food, clothes, shoes, etc. This initiative comes from his lineage of community activists such as Joyce Ragland and Jean Webster. Marquel also has dreams of one day owning & operating his very own recreation center(s). The youth is a priority to him as he works closely with the city of Atlantic City in the recreation department & involves himself with various organizations as a coach and leader for the kids.

Sha J. Ham is an experienced Photographer who is passionate about capturing unique moments with their signature style. Sha began their venture into photography in 2018 and soon became obsessed with the fundamentals that make a great photograph: lighting, balance, composition and use of space. Sha credits a lot of his creativity to being a devoted father to his daughter. It has taught him to capture poignant and profound moments with a creative twist. 

Ambershaj Francis, is a Life Coach and the Owner of Review Rewire Reinvent. Ambershaj aims to Uplift, Educate, Help clients figure out /achieve their goals, and provide necessary advice/tools towards achieving a positive Lifestyle . Whether it be short or long term goals, she meet clients where they are and help get them where they need to be. Ambershaj specialize in Mental Health Support, Life & Communication Skills, Health & Wellness, as well as Goal Setting & Organizing. She creates a safe space for her community to be themselves with no judgement by having various events and workshops designed to encourage individualism and a healthy mindset. She is passionate about her gift and look forward to the many more life changing experiences she shall create with her community. “Review Rewire Reinvent not just a business it’s a Mindset” 

Ky’shawn “IAmYoungHitta” Wyman recently created a new music platform that will provide increased worldwide exposure to the recordings of many independent artists, including those based in South Jersey. The 24-hour, multi-genre streaming platform and application, known as the Hit Nation Empire, will allow members to host radio shows, do podcasts, share video content, have their music played, and arrange for artists to receive payment for their radio spins. The Hit Nation Empire mobile app was released on June 15. “I am working with individuals with the same vision under our umbrella,” said Wyman, of Atlantic City. “I have a hard time relaxing. During the pandemic, I started mapping this all out.”. The genesis of the Hit Nation Empire may have occurred 11 years ago when Wyman had an internet radio station called Young Hitta Radio.

“Local guys sent me music. When I created it, it skyrocketed,” Wyman said. “I knew I wanted radio to be a part of the (Hit Nation Empire) platform. As a DJ, radio is a way to reach people organically.”