Once again the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce is honoring the Quest for Success award recipients: four entrepreneurs and four nonprofit organization leaders. The recipients were unveiled at this year’s virtual event where Dallas Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall was the speaker.
Dr. Candace Brown-Evans
Lead Dentist and CEO of Fresh Dentistry
Dr. Evans grew up in Dallas and attended Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD. She then went to Baylor University to pursue a degree in B.S in Family and Consumer Sciences. On her campus, she was involved in organizations and served as president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also received her DDS at Baylor. She is now an active member of the Texas Dental Association and serves as a committee member for the Urban League of Greater Dallas Young Professionals.
Joseph Akintolayo
CEO of Renaissance Payments, Inc.
Akintolayo is the founder and CEO of Renaissance Payments, Inc, a Dallas financial technology startup, and created the MyCARESAct app. The app helped more than 120 businesses connect to find funding for the establishments. This included 80 members of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce.
Ira Molayo
I Am A Golfer Foundation, Founder and Vice-Chairman
Molayo is the Director of Golf at the Cedar Crest Golf Course. Molayo graduated from David W. Carter High School and attended Southern A&M University in Baton Rouge, LA. He furthered his education at Amberton University in Dallas, before attaining PGA membership in 2007. He also volunteered his time to his PGA section and served on the Northern Texas PGA Board of Directors as an At-Large Director from 2013 to 2018. Molayo was inducted into the African American Golf Hall of Fame in 2017. He has been instructing youth and helping them to perfect their skills for more than 20 years.
Kenya Mobley
On Track Truck Driving School
On Track Truck Driving School is located in Arlington, TX where Mobley offers services for people to learn how to drive trucks and to enhance the transportation industry. She also has online classes available. Mobley motivates Texans to start their career through her driving school.
Phillipa Williams
Executive Director of ilooklikeLOVE
Williams launched the blog ilooklikeLOVE in 2015 to be a space for motherhood. ilooklikeLOVE is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, providing resources and empowerment opportunities through its community pop-up diaper pantry and mentoring for single mothers. She has partnered with Dallas WIC as a provider of diapers and other well-baby items through her monthly “Diaper Day at WIC” events. In 2018, 38,150 diapers were distributed to 616 families.
Lady Jade
Founder of Project 16
Lady Jade is known by her voice as part of the syndicated show, DeDe In The Morning. The radio personality has a passion for children and she has also dedicated her time to foundations, recreation centers, and foster facilities. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Lady Jade recently started a nonprofit organization, Project 16, which serves the underprivileged youth by giving support and instilling basic life skills.
Debra Nixon Bowles
Director of Women Called Moses Coalition and Outreach
Debra Nixon Bowles works with survivors of domestic violence and provides shelter resources through her nonprofit organization. Bowles is committed to helping individuals overcoming obstacles. In her childhood, and in relationships, Bowles suffered abuse and understands what it takes to get out of harmful situations.
Taylor Toynes
Founder of For Oak Cliff
Toynes grew up in the Oak Cliff area where many of the locals would go to jail rather than college. Toynes is passionate and committed to helping people not become a statistic. Toynes graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Political Science and Government and then went and pursued his Master’s at Southern Methodist University. Toynes is widely respected in the area and known for the event Back to School Festival for Oak Cliff, where students receive backpacks with school supplies.
