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The National Professional Men's Network

MEET OUR 2025 OUTSTANDING BLACK MEN IN BUSINESS

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Reginald Howard

Reggie Howard, a proud native of Grand Rapids, graduated from Creston High School before embarking on 11 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Navy, where he earned an Honorable Discharge. In 2007, Reggie faced personal challenges with substance abuse and mental health, which led to his admission at the Battle Creek Veterans Medical Center. With the guidance and support of VA staff, he found stability through housing, therapy, and a recovery journey that he embraces every single day.

Now, 17 years into his recovery, Reggie is deeply grateful for his transformed life. His passion lies in paying it forward, helping fellow veterans reclaim their lives just as he did. Founding Hero’s Corner in 2022 has been one of his greatest joys, creating a safe and welcoming space for veterans to feel at home. Above all, Reggie cherishes his roles as a husband, father, brother, and friend. Each day, he strives to brighten lives with a smile and a kind word, spreading positivity and encouraging others to pass it along.

Professional Summary

Certified Peer Specialist with over 16 years of experience at the Veterans Affairs Administration, specializing in mentoring and supporting veterans on their recovery journeys. Proficient in advocacy, vocational assistance, and navigating community resources. Skilled in group facilitation, one-on-one mentoring, and fostering resilience among veterans.

Hero’s Corner Grand Rapids was started in February 2022 after I shared my vision with a group of veterans about why we needed a place for veterans and their families that provides a substance-free and mentally healthy safe space. We began meeting once a week at Marge’s Donut Den, but as more veterans expressed how much they enjoyed the camaraderie and wanted to meet more often, we decided to rent a space in a commercial building. Since then, we’ve continued to grow, with veterans attending on a daily basis.

In May 2024, we reached an incredible milestone and purchased our own location at 4809 Eastern SE. Hero’s Corner has become a true “Place for Veterans to Feel at Home.” The services and resources we provide have been life-changing for both veterans and their families. As we keep serving our veterans and community, we see the need for these services growing every single day.

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Kareem Scales

At Scales Consulting LLC, our mission is to empower organizations and communities to achieve sustainable growth and equity-driven leadership through innovative coaching, comprehensive facilitation, and impactful solutions. We are dedicated to fostering inclusive environments, advancing environmental and social justice, and building resilient, forward-thinking leaders who can navigate complex challenges with clarity, confidence, and integrity.”

Thank you to the National Professional Men’s Network and National Professional Women’s Network for this esteemed recognition as an Outstanding Man in Business. I am deeply honored to receive this award, which serves as a testament to the resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment that drives my work each day. This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the incredible teams and communities with whom I’ve had the privilege to collaborate. Together, we continue to push boundaries, foster innovation, and champion meaningful change.

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Daryl Hines

I’m a self-driven family guy who focuses on inspiring those around me by leading from example. This small trait that I’ve acquired over time is now a standard that I apply to my day-to-day life. Having a personality to always wanting to continue to learn has been a key factor in my success.

In 2017, I began my journey as an independent insurance adjuster who assisted homeowners with getting their homes back to normal after the reported loss. To be the most effective construction company, having an overstanding for residential and commercial knowledge comes at a minimum. Over the course of my adjuster career, I noticed countless homes were not being constructed properly. After speaking with families over time, the consensus was there was a need for a business who takes pride in their work while putting people first.

As the owner and developer of Hinesight Construction LLC, my initial mission is to help each customer like it was myself or a family member on the other side of the door. Once we have an agreement to work with a customer, our mission is then to build their vision for the task at hand. We have an understanding that this is our customer’s home and not just a job or a personal project. Once the job is completed to their satisfaction, our mission is to then have each customer share their experience with someone they know.

Hinesight Construction was established in 2023 and now has a DBA name of Hinesight Roofing and Restoration. Our team are all professionals that are dedicated to making sure each job is completed to a standard of perfection. We take pride as a general contracting company with every job that we receive. Our home services include but are not limited to: Repairs or a complete removal/replacement of dwelling exterior and interior materials including the roof and repairs or a complete removal/replacement of any other structure such as a shed or fence. We also offer mitigation services for whenever there is water loss inside of your home. This service is to prevent mold from forming and to get your home ready for repairs.

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet James Bryant Jr.

Established in 2023, Hine Sight Roofing and Restoration has grown into one of the leading roofing service providers in the Shreveport NLA, East TX., and DFW areas. With over 6 years of experience, we specialize in delivering top-quality residential and commercial roofing solutions. Our team of certified professionals is dedicated to using the best materials and latest techniques to ensure that your roof is durable, long-lasting and capable of withstanding the toughest weather conditions.

HineSight Roofing and Restoration takes pride in providing both residential and commercial roofing services including installation, repairs, replacements, and inspections. We do this with the most qualified, long standing, workmanship and total transparency. Our client's vision is our mission, along with building long-term relationships with our clients as well as the community. Here at HineSight, we inspect what we expect, customer satisfaction is our goal with every project we take on.

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Rev. Willie Anderson

Rev. Willie has over 40+ years in security and is now the Owner and CEO of My Brother’s Keeper Security Solutions LLC, A License Security Company, Firearm CPL Training Company and the First Black Owned Firearm Store in Grand Rapids MI, He is also a USCCA Certified Instructor for Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals, Basic Pistol Instructor with Security License in State of Illinois and New York. He is a Real-World Combat System Certified Self Defense Instructor.

Rev. Willie Anderson is a graduate with a BA Theology/Sociology, BS Biblical Counseling/Psychology and Master Level Training in Crisis Counseling, Teaching Diploma, Certified in Special Education/ Emotional Behavior Disorder.

Rev. Willie is also Certified as a Minneapolis Police Department Crisis Counselor/ Chaplain with the Deadly Force Encounters Training. He was also NRA Trained and MN Private Detective Protective Agent, Certified Firearm, Protection & Loss Prevention, Certified Basic PPCT Defensive Tactics Trainer, Personal Protection Inside and Outside the Home, and is a Certified Baton, Handcuff and OC Trainer.

Mission Statement:

My Brother's Keeper Security Solutions LLC is dedicated to empowering the Black and Brown community with comprehensive firearm safety education and training, delivered with a commitment to excellence. We believe that lack of knowledge contributes to unnecessary loss of life, and we are committed to providing our community with the essential tools and expertise to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. With over 40 years of experience in security and a deep passion for our city's residents, we strive to impart essential safety skills and knowledge to ensure that our community members are equipped to protect themselves responsibly.

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Amsie Wright

Amsie Wright is an Elite Personal Trainer certified by ISSA (International Sports Science Association) in nutrition and youth and group training. He takes pride in his craft and has used his expertise to provide excellent coaching and mentoring to several diverse individuals for the past 10 years. He established Body by ZEEK (his nickname) as an LLC in 2019 and is currently training clients at Royal Body Athletics in Wyoming, Michigan.

He has a passion for physical fitness and helping people learn about nutrition. His mission is to educate everyone he encounters on how to live a healthy lifestyle. He is invested in the lives of those he serves and continues to give back to his community by keeping his hourly rate affordable, offering varying levels of training and varying hours of service, and volunteering to mentor and train youth on good health.

NPMN Business to Watch

Meet Trenton Belton

Trenton Belton is a 14 year old Freshman of East Kentwood HS and his clothing brand Originality is taking the city by storm. His business began in July of 2023 and since then he’s been unstoppable. Originality has sold over 180 items by word of mouth, online website, and pop up vending events. Trenton says he owes his recent success to God who makes everything possible. He also recognizes the support of his parents Ricky and Tamara Belton (from whom he obtained his ambition) and his many mentors like Henry Sapp, Alvin “AJ” Hills and Dondrea Brown who believed in him and provided him with many opportunities. Belton’s mission with his clothing brand is to provide a positive message with every piece he sells. Trenton plans to attend Howard University and majoring in Business and Marketing. Trenton is very pleased with his work but says this is only the beginning that mixed with his always growing hunger for success makes him one of our up and coming entrepreneurs to watch.

“In a world of duplicates always be one of one.”

- Trenton Belton

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Greg Morris

Hello, my name is Greg Morris and I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a proud father and husband, I pride myself in saying that out loud because I very much love my city. As a product of Grand Rapids Public Schools and being a Creston Polar Bear, I truly pride myself building small business here in our city. In the past 20 years, I have partnered up with some partners to create platforms such as Morrgood entertainment which sole purpose was to expand the entertainment opportunities here in GR in the form of night life events, charities, and education. Being able to open a Nail Salon with my wife was also a bonus and super fun. Currently, I supervise a team of counselors that work closely with at risk youth. The program I work for understands the current need for youth development socially and in the work force. My almost 15 years in this field I have met some amazing people in our community who really thrive with an entrepreneur spirit. As someone with that same spirit I was able to assist the small business community here in Grand Rapids. I created a social media platform called The Vendor GR. This platformed was mainly created to help cultivate the small business community during our time during Covid. Covid affected our community by temporally closing down businesses and shops all over the nation. This ultimately stopped a lot of income coming into our homes. As the city shifted many people engaged in creating businesses that provided all sorts of goods and service. Well the Vendor GR welcomed all entrepreneurs a space to offer those goods and services. Rather it be a local pop up shop or just using The Vendor GR as a listing on a digital rolodex it was very impactful and helped a lot of people in our city create a second income.

Currently my wife and I are working on a new business called Grand La Foi Event Planning. Grand La Foi (which means Keeping The Faith in French) is an event planning company designed to assist in all your event needs whether it be a wedding, corporate event, or just an important moment in our customers life. The great thing about Grand La Foi is there are many services that you can acquire just a single service as small as hosting to a single item such as king and queen chairs. We are very exited to see what the future holds for Grand La Foi and other businesses that we are involved in.

If I was to give any advice it would be, "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t; You're right, if you believe you can you will, if you believe you can’t, then it will never happen!" - Greg Morris

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet Michael Buxton

Mr. Load a Spud himself, Michael Buxton was born in the 80’s and raised on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The youngest of his mother’s three children, Michael endured a lot of hardship and pain growing up, which caused him to turn his life around and sparked the desire to succeed. Michael is an activist and a pillar in the community laying the groundwork for positive and effective change. For the last 10 years, Michael and his team “TMG” have organized free backpack giveaways, free Easter events giving away Easter basket, free and safe Halloween events for kids, and the Southside Christmas dinner, where they feed the community and giveaway hundreds of gifts to children. Michael is a philanthropist by all accounts, as well as a serial entrepreneur owning multiple businesses and properties throughout Grand Rapids; his reach also extends beyond the city limits, also owning businesses in Kalamazoo and Chicago. He has also embarked upon a career in the film industry, staring in, executive producing and co directing his first film Making Moves in 2018. Michael’s future goal is to continue moving mountains in every industry he steps into, breaking all generational curses that stand before him, leavening an impactful legacy for his children to follow.

Outstanding Black Man In Business

Meet André Dandridge

André Dandridge, JD, Executive Director at NIA Centre, brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare science and intellectual property. Holding a B.S. in Medical Technology and a J.D. from MSU College of Law, he has been recognized as a "game changer" by NewsOne.

André has diverse roles in biomedical labs, law firms, and community development, featured in publications like B.L.A.C. Detroit. His expertise, combined with academic roles at Keiser University and Michigan State University, enriches NIA Centre's cultural arts, entrepreneurship, and health awareness mission.

Visit www.niacentregr.org to learn more about NIA Centre.

Our Mission:

We aspire to be a nationally recognized nonprofit cultural center that celebrates Black Excellence.

Our Vision:

To live in a world where African Americans have equitable financial, business, health, and cultural opportunities that lead to achieving success.

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