Chamber Awards
John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award
Nominations are now closed. Recipient will be honored at MBA's Harlem Nights Black Tie Gala on Friday, September 27.
The Minority Business Alliance (MBA) of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce established the John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award in 2015 to recognize an outstanding business person who actively supports the growing minority business community and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion within the Greater Charlottesville business community. The MBA Vanguard Award is named in honor of John F. Bell Sr., a strong, determined and respected business leader and citizen who established successful businesses and mentored business professionals during a time when the larger society wasn’t welcoming to or supportive of the Black business community.
Criteria for the John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award include a minority* individual who:
- displays high business and personal integrity
- is located within the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle County
- makes significant contributions in the area of business diversity and equity
- understands the importance of community service and is civically engaged
- mentors up and coming Black and Brown entrepreneurs and business professionals in order to develop future business leaders who will contribute to the growth of the minority business community and beyond
This award recognizes an outstanding minority business person or individual who promotes diversity, equity and inclusion within the business community in our Greater Charlottesville area.
Award criteria:
- displays high business and personal integrity
- is located within the Greater Charlottesville area
- makes significant contributions in the area of business diversity
- understands the importance of community service and is civically engaged
- mentors others to develop business leaders who will contribute to diversity in business
2023 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award: Antwon Brinson, Culinary Concepts AB, and Sabrina Feggans, Beyond Fitness with Sabrina
Business Women's Round Table (BWRT) 2024 Women of Excellence Awards
BWRT Woman of Excellence 2024:Â Dr. Tamara W. Dias, Founder, Good Soil Education
Distinguished Mentor Award 2024: Stacy Higgins, Operations Director, OakHeart Financial Group
Emerging Professional Award 2024: Casey Woodzell, REALTOR, ERA Bill May Realty Company
BWRT Excellence Award 2023: Nicole Hawker, Heart and Soul Fitness with Nicole
Mentor of Excellence Award 2023: Jessica A. Harris, Jessica A. Harris LLC
Emerging Professional Award 2023: Nadirah Muhammad, Story House Real Estate
BWRT Woman of Excellence
The recipient of the BWRT Excellence Award is an extraordinary woman in the greater Charlottesville Region who has manifested a legacy that continues to inspire others. She has dedicated her life to the advancement of others and paved the way for the leaders of tomorrow.
Distinguished Mentor Award
The Distinguished Mentor award recognizes a greater Charlottesville Region woman who has a powerful commitment to advising other women and helping them advance.
Emerging Professional Award
The Emerging Professional Award recognizes an up-and-coming professional woman in the greater Charlottesville Region community who makes an impact through her personal involvement in business, community projects, and volunteering while exhibiting exceptional talent as a future business leader.
Best in Business Awards
Chamber Business Leader of the Year Award
This award recognizes outstanding citizen contributions to our Greater Charlottesville communities.
Award criteria:
- Has shown extraordinary leadership in our Greater Charlottesville region through professional practice and community service
- Inspires others to collaborate, innovate, and advocate for a thriving regional community
- Lives or lived in the Greater Charlottesville region
2023 Business Leader of the Year: Tracey Greene, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC)
2022 Business Leader of the Year: Kara Chandeysson, Ting
Christopher Lee Small Business Person of the Year Award
This award recognizes an outstanding business owner who has made a significant contribution to the success of their business and our Greater Charlottesville communities.
Award criteria:
- Is an active owner or co-owner of a Charlottesville area business with 50 or fewer employees
- Is a member in good standing of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Has been in business for three years or longer
2023 Christopher Lee Small Business Person of the Year: John C Vermillion, Charlottesville Sanitary Supply (CSS)
2022 Christopher Lee Small Business Person of the Year: Eddie Karoliussen, Four Corners Real Estate Solutions
Upstanding Award
Award criteria:
- Successfully demonstrates one or more best practices in responsible business, as defined by the US Business Roundtable in 2019 as follows:Â We will deliver value to our customers; invest in our employees; deal fairly and ethically with our suppliers; support the communities in which we work; and generate long-term value for our shareholders.
- Excels in disciplines such as corporate social responsibility, sustainability practices, DEI initiatives, volunteerism and/or other forward-looking approaches to achieving business success
- Is a member in good standing of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
2023 Upstanding Award: WillowTree
2022 Upstanding Award: Van der Linde Recycling