John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award
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 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
2025 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award: Janasha "Jay" Bradford, Mahogany & Friends
2024 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award: Khalilah Jones, Chic & Classy Image Consulting
2023 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award: Antwon Brinson, Culinary Concepts AB, and Sabrina Feggans, Beyond Fitness with Sabrina