Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is proud to highlight Black Excellence in Sustainability, recognizing Black and African American professionals who are leading the way in sustainability and sustainable business.
These leaders are shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and just future for Michigan. Each honoree has played a pivotal role in advancing climate leadership, social justice, and the circular economy—core priorities of our mission.
2026 Honorees
Damany Head (In Memoriam)
Founder and Managing Partner – Essential Recycling
jøn kent
Co-Founder – Sanctuary Farms
Taylor Mitchell
Sustainability Manager – Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Eleanor Moreno
Strategy Manager – Kent County Food Policy Council
James Moyer
Former Associate Vice President – Grand Valley State University
Caleb Rutledge
President & CEO – Goodwill’s Green Works
Angel Squalls
Program Manager -Community Economic Development Association of Michigan
Ricardo Tavárez
Executive Director – New City Neighbors
2025 Honorees
Alex Little
City Manager – City of Benton Harbor
J. Moore
Founder – Grow the Earth
Crystal Scott-Tunstall
Affiliate Professor – Grand Valley State University
Regina R. Strong
Environmental Justice Public Advocate – Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Jemel Thompson
Environmental Engineer – Fishbeck
Madeline Walker-Miller
CEO – Nextiles
Renee Wallace
CEO – Doers Edge
2024 Honorees
Ned Andree
Project Coordinator – Community Collaboration on Climate Change
Belinda Barnes
Chief Recycling Officer – GreenBeings Recycling
Robert Cloy II
Environmental & Climate Justice Specialist – City of Grand Rapids
Wardell Frazier Jr.
Founder & Executive Director – S.W.A.G.: Succeeding While Achieving Greatness Inc.
Ashley A. Hines
Executive Director –
Benton Harbor Community Development Corp.
Synia Jordan
Cosmetologist, CEO, & Realtor – Samaria J’s Salon
Alita Kelly
Founder & Alchemist at Jade Rabbit
Vickie Lewis
President/CEO – VMX International
Darren Riley
CEO – JustAir
Kareem Scales
Founder and CEO –
Scales Consulting LLC
Zach Verhulst
Founder & CEO – Pure Architects
Floyd Wilson III
Senior Client Advisor – Foresight Management
Jonathan Wilson
Regional Manager – DTE Energy
