Abraham has a degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois. Abraham is an experienced executive with a background in metropolitan planning and urban affairs. He is currently the Director of the Far South Side Development Corporation.

Abraham has also provided business development and project management support to local chambers of commerce and Chicagoland special service areas. Additionally, he is experienced at leading teams through redevelopment plans, most recently the 119th Street Halsted Corridor and the revitalization of West Pullman through the Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP).

Brian is a global business development professional fluent in Spanish and Portuguese who has bridged the gap between US manufacturers and the international market by establishing and developing overseas distribution networks via dealers, distributors, sales/service agents, and joint venture partners. He has specialized in the Latin American and Caribbean markets having done business in 20 countries throughout this region. This has included extensive travel as well as local assignments while living in Colombia, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Haiti. However, he has also done business with Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

He established the Latin American department for the Chamberlain Group (garage door openers, gate operators, and access controls), managed the Latin American sales for Fluid Management (IDEX) which manufacturers paint mixers and paint dispensers for retailers and OEM’s, and managed the Latin American business for the Braun Corporation (BraunAbility) which is the leading manufacturer of wheel chair lifts for vans and buses as well as of wheel chair accessible minivans and SUV’s. In addition, Brian was an Illinois International Trade Center Director at the Illinois SBDC (Small Business Development Center) at NORBIC/AIM assisting small and medium sized businesses in developing their export plans via market research, company visits, export presentations, and connecting them with state, federal, and private resources and programs in order to execute their international business plans.

Brian has undergraduate degrees in International Business and Spanish from Benedictine University (Lisle, IL) and an international MBA from the ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona.

Melissa Duff Brown is the Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center and Dean of the Small Business Program at the Joseph Business School. Melissa is an expert on small business start-up, business development, and has consulted on brand awareness, internet marketing, and social media aspects of more than 300 companies.

Melissa began her career in accounting as a small business accountant in a CPA firm and held positions in the banking, construction, and electronics industries. Melissa also served in the public sector in local government as a legislative aide and chief of staff. She is an award-winning Director of Sales & Marketing with over twenty years in the hospitality industry with a proven ability to manage multi-functional teams and multi-million dollar budgets.

Melissa also holds a degree in Digital Media Production, is a Six Sigma Green Belt, an Adobe Certified Education Trainer, and a Certified Business Development Advisor. She is GrowthWheel Elite User. She is in the top 40 of over 2,000 advisors in 29 countries certified to use GrowthWheel, a tool to help small and medium businesses focus and take action to grow their businesses. She is further distinguished as a graduate of the Living Word School of Ministry, was recently re-elected as the President of the Illinois Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth Association, a member of the America’s SBDC Professional Development Committee that is responsible for the annual training conferences for the over 1,000 Small Business Development Centers across the country.

In 2017, Melissa was named to the State of Illinois 18-member Project Reimagine Committee as Chair of the Minority Business Development Sub-Committee. As a result of that project Melissa now chairs the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network Assistance for Minority and Underserved Communities Strategic Planning Group. This year, Melissa was honored at America’s SBDC national convention as the 2018 Illinois SBDC State Star because of her outstanding leadership, guidance, engagement, and support provided within the Illinois SBDC Network.

David Ramseur is the Dean of the Joseph Business School's Business & Entrepreneurship Program. In addition to his responsibilities as the Dean of the school, he teaches Feasibility Planning, Financial Analysis and Selling at the school. Mr. Ramseur is an outstanding sales professional with more than 15 years of sales experience in the computer and technology industries. He has achieved the highest level of sales recognition within every organization for which he has worked. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He has worked for IBM, Computer Associates International, Datalogix / Oracle Corp., and Synquest, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Ramseur is currently President of an investment firm.

Ms. Jenelle A. Alexander teaches Promotions at the Joseph Business School. Ms. Alexander has a MBA with concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Planning. Ms. Alexander worked as a Solutions Specialist at IBM; and has taught business and mentored business owners for a decade. She is the author of the book Christian-preneur: The Christian’s Guide to Starting a Business and its companion online magazine 'Christian-preneur: THE Resource for Christian Entrepreneurs'. Ms. Alexander is also the Chief of Staff for a state legislator.

Victoria L. Arrington teaches Eliminating Chance and Financial Literacy for JBS and has been with the JBS since 1998. Ms. Arrington is a highly experienced underwriting and mortgage banking professional with over 30 years of service in the industry. She was an Assistant Vice President/senior level credit officer for Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation, where she worked for 13 years. Ms. Arrington is a Quality Control Analyst currently with Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation. In her academic and professional career, Victoria has received numerous awards and honors. Some of them include: the Wall Street Journal Award; Who's Who of American Women distinction; Outstanding Young Women of America distinction and a Chase Manhattan Bank Excalibur Award nominee. She's also served as past Treasurer of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NANBPW), Chicago Area Club; member of the Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society in business administration; and was nominated MI Underwriter of the Year by the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association for the year 2000. Ms. Arrington graduated with honors from Eastern Illinois University with a BS degree in finance. She also has an AS degree in accounting and business administration.

Ivy H. Bennett teaches the Marketing Courses at JBS. Ms. Bennett is a successful marketing executive with more than 30 years of brand management accomplishments at Fortune 500 U.S. corporations. She holds a bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from Hampton University, a master's in public health administration from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business. Ms. Bennett has achieved certification as a project management professional ( PMP- PMI.org). In addition to teaching at the Joseph Business School, Ms. Bennett is currently a visiting professor at DeVry University, Chicago.

Kelvin C. Bulger, is an attorney with over 20 years of legal litigation experience. Mr. Bulger is owner of KCB & Associates, a law firm practicing in the areas of business, entertainment, litigation and real estate. Earning a law degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, with a Masters degree in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and a Bachelors degree in Public Administration from Fisk University. Having also attended Oxford University, University College in the United Kingdom where he studied Shakespearean Literature and the Reformation and graced the halls of Simon’s Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Having previously worked as a Commercial Litigation Associate at Much Shelist, Mr. Bulger served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Blanche M. Manning, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, as an Appellate Law Clerk Illinois Appellate Court, First District and with Judicial Research Division for the Cook County Circuit Courts.

Mr. Bulger is a member of the Association of Corporate Growth, Chicago Chapter, an Executive Producer of “The Good Time Kids” a national television show, a Signatory Agent with the Writers Guild of America, East, a member of the Forbes Advisory Counsel and Business Week Market Advisory Board. For the past 13 years Mr. Bulger has taught courses in Types of Ownership and Legal Issues at the Joseph Business, where he is currently an instructor.

Edna Chapman teaches Financial Analysis. Edna is currently a manager of budgeting and planning for Living Word Christian Center. Edna has worked with business owners to clarify their strategies and develop models to determine the financial value of these strategies. She also supports business owners in developing customer bids, provides profitability analyses, business services and accounting services. Edna has MBA and BSBA from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Kim L. Clay teaches Promotions at JBS. Ms. Clay has more than 22 years of experience in corporate public relations, media relations, and marketing communications. During her career, she has been responsible for managing communication programs for issues management, employee communications, and new product launches. A graduate of Wellesley College, Ms. Clay has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master's degree in public health from the University of Michigan.

Attorney Evans began her career with Amnesty International and matriculated to the Federal Appellate Defenders Office in 1998. Her legal clerkship with The Law Office of Ted Stein, in employment discrimination, landed her first attorney position with Samuel's & Associates, a general law practice in the Chicago Loop practicing civil, corporate, contractual and employment discrimination. At the Law Office of Standish E. Willis she prosecuted 1983 violations and later litigated federal criminal matters as a Federal Public Defender Panel Attorney. Attorney Evans has acted as 1st chair on discrimination, conspiracy, personal injury, bankruptcy and breach of contract cases. Her experience spans over 18 year. In 2009 she founded the TEIL Firms where she currently focuses on business transactions, local and international, corporate formation, contracts, negotiation, mergers, intellectual property and appellate work. These areas have flourished and are considered a majority of the work product of the firm. In addition she is an arbitrator for the County of Cook Mandatory Arbitration Program and Trustee for the Westchester Library Board.

Diane is the owner of DBG and Associates, LLC, a consulting business emphasizing the importance of creating a powerful intermeshing of individual and organizational images in the marketplace. Diane has created and delivered seminars focusing on leadership development and assisting individuals in attaining their personal and professional goals by identifying and enhancing their gifts, talents, and aspirations through assessments and coaching.
As a consummate and successful human resources executive, Diane uses her competencies to improve the competitive advantages of organizational and individual desires, by connecting mutual goals and objectives for the good of the business enterprise.
In her function as a human resources practitioner Diane is responsible for succession planning, talent management and engagement, leadership development, executive coaching, retention strategies, compensation and benefits, and creating total rewards and recognitions programs.
Diane has certifications in mediation, international business, Human Capital Management (HCM) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Economics and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development with an emphasis in organizational communication. She is also a member of the International Mentors Association and membership in the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Tanesha D. House-Pittman, Ed.D, M.B.A. drtaneshadh@universalkenterprises.com Dr. Tanesha D. House Pittman, affectionately known as Dr. Tanesha, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree from Keller Graduate School of Management and achieved her Doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change at Benedictine University. She also has Life and Health Licenses from the State of Illinois.

Dr. Tanesha has over 20 years of broad-based experiences in academic, government, business and faith-based sectors. Leadership, Talent Development, Adult Education, and Financial Literacy are Dr. Tanesha’s areas of expertise. As a global educator, trainer and inspirational speaker, she has taught Business Management & Leadership, Ethical Leadership and Globalization (in Beijing and Xian, China), Managing Organizational Diversity and Financial Wellness.

Dr. Tanesha is currently the Managing Principal Consultant of Universal Kingdom Enterprises, LLC (UKE), a personal and professional development training business, that helps educate, challenge and inspire individuals to unearth and leverage their value. She develops and leads a myriad of distinctive talent and leadership development programs that empower people and organizations to achieve desired change.

Dr. Tanesha is very people oriented and possesses great optimism for global economic and community development. She is often described as a universal leader, change optimizer, natural community organizer, encourager, multi-talented, tenacious and conscientious, as well as, proficient in her professions. She is the recipient of many accolades, including the 2015 Bethel AME Global Citizen Award, 2013 Top Ladies of Distinction Orchid Award for Literacy Advocacy, 2013 100 Black Men Pathways to Success Outstanding Mentor, 2012 Women President's Organization and 100 Black Men Woman of Color Award, 2012 Chicago Defender’s Top 50 Women of Excellence and 2011 Diversity MBA Top 100 Executive Leaders Under 50, just to name a few.

Jacqueline V. Hall-Ashton teaches Customer Credit at JBS. Ms. Hall-Ashton is an accomplished training consultant and banker with more than 35 years of human resources experience with major financial institutions. She is also president and CEO of The Structure Hall Group, a strategic consulting firm offering organizational development, training, and personal organizing services to companies worldwide.

Coming Soon

Symeria T. Hudson teaches Business Opportunities at the JBS and has over 18 years of operations, marketing, finance, and strategy experience. Ms. Hudson has a unique combination of practical operational experience and general management skills which she gained while working with leading Fortune 500 Companies: Ralston Purina Company, Kraft Foods, Mead Corporation, Household International, and Aon Corporation. Ms. Hudson is currently General Manager, Medication Management Systems at Hospira Worldwide. Prior to that she was Assistant VP at Aon Corporation – Corporate Planning and Analysis Group. Ms. Hudson received a B.S. from Atlanta A&M University and an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business.

Serving as an instructor and business adviser at JBS, Patience Nelson guides business leaders through the process of creating concise Vision/Mission/Value statements that convey the framework for what drives their companies. Her sage business advice is sought after by SBDC clients. Unlike some speakers, Patience does not merely impart information but rather facilitates audience interaction in applying new skills and offers insightful feedback that can be immediately implemented.

Patience is an attorney turned human resources consultant and speaker. She owns a HR consultancy, Training Solutions At Work, which specializes in training and leadership development. Over the past 15 years, Patience has partnered with Fortune 100 companies to drive change initiatives and increase organization effectiveness by delivering company-wide compliance training. Prior to launching her consultancy Patience practiced employment and environmental law. She graduated cum laude from Hampton University with a BS degree in Marketing and cum laude from Howard University School of Law receiving a Juris Doctorate in 1991. Patience is married has two adult sons and is an avid runner completing multiple marathons.

Hiram Peacock is a part of the legal team that teaches the Types of Ownership and Legal Issues classes. Mr. Peacock is a solo practitioner and registered patent attorney, whose practice focuses on preparing and prosecuting patent applications, providing prior art searches and opinions, as well as providing an enterprise level perspective of intellectual property assets. In addition, Hiram's areas of practice include civil litigation, real estate, business planning, and start-up services including the preparation and negotiation of various business contracts including licensing agreements, consulting agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.

Hiram works with a diverse client base of entrepreneurs, small and large businesses, and even individuals to bring their God given business ideas and inventions to the market.

Hiram is a native of Illinois. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science in 1994 and Juris Doctor in 2000 from DePaul University. He has been a member of the U.S. Patent bar since 2003. Prior to passing the Patent Bar and Illinois bar, Hiram gained over 15 years of business experience with several Fortune 500 companies in the areas of computers, engineering, and project management. Hiram has a beautiful wife, and six lovely children.

Darryl is an adjunct professor of business with Trinity International University teaching classes in marketing, finance, communications and business strategy. He is also a small business consultant. Throughout his career he has been a groundbreaking and innovative business professional in marketing and communications, working for both small start-up firms and major corporations.
Darryl has also twice taken on the challenge of entrepreneurship. Along with a partner, he managed a start up Marketing Services Company. His second entrepreneurial venture was an Information Technology Solutions Company located in Chicago.
He is also an Instructor and Business Advisor at the Joseph School of Business helping entrepreneurs start, grow and make their businesses more productive. He has earned two degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Bachelors of Art in Communications and a Masters in Business Administration.
Darryl is married with four children, three sons and a daughter and lives with his family in Chicago.

Mr. Melzie Robinson has more than 25 years of business and consulting experience. He has strong management consulting capabilities in Strategy, Innovation, and Leadership Development for Fortune 500 companies and their suppliers. His career includes senior leadership positions at Deliotte Consulting, A.T. Kearney, and Procter & Gamble. He has led or participated in over 100 consulting engagements with top tier companies. He has B.E. in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt and MBA from the University of Chicago. He has been an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology's MBA program. He is married to Dianne and they have 3 children (Nechelle, Gabrielle, and Nicholas). He is a Marketplace Minister and Partner at management consulting firm, Gibson Consulting LLC.

Bonnie Sims is a CPA who co-teaches recording-keeping at JBS. She currently serves as the Director of Finance and Information for a mid-sized not for profit organization in Chicago. Her experience in the accounting field spans more than 35 years developed in public accounting, manufacturing, insurance and 501 c(3) based not-for profit organizations. She has worked as a Controller and manager of process improvement projects, general accounting and reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, consolidations, statutory reporting, cost accounting and tax-exempt compliance reporting at Allstate Insurance Company, Motorola, Rotary International, and Goodwill Industries to name a few. Bonnie received a BS degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, she worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen & Co. and became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) shortly thereafter.

Dr. Bobbiette Turner is a grant-winning educator, and artist and poet.

Dr. Turner received her BA and MA degrees from Roosevelt University and awarded a Doctorate of Education from Illinois State University in 1996. Bobbiette received National Board Certification in 2001.

While lecturing college age graduate and undergraduate students, she identified a need for more intense training in special education for general and special education teachers. Dr. Turner developed courses and wrote curriculum for diversity learners.

Through her endeavors to champion supports for students with special needs, Dr. Turner became one of the first lecturers employed by the Jacqueline Vaughn Graduate School for Teacher Leadership. Dr. Turner presented at conferences sponsored by the Council of Exceptional Children.

In 2004, the Concerned Citizens of East Garfield presented Dr. Turner with the Community of Champions Award for Exemplary Achievement in Public and Special Education and awarded Educator of the Year by Phi Delta Kappa, Chicago State University Division.

One of her foundation scriptures is Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto to you”.

Bobbiette is a blessed mother and a grandmother.

Tiffany K. Jordan is the Prayer Network Manager of The Joseph Center® and serves as a faculty member of the Joseph Business School. Tiffany has provided prayer training, spiritual consulting, strategic planning, leadership development and serves as an advisor to ministries, business leaders and organizations worldwide.

Tiffany answered the call into ministry while working for a prestigious law firm in downtown Chicago. After starting a Bible study during lunch hour, which led many to develop a more intimate relationship with God, signs, wonders and miracles followed the Word.

Tiffany is a licensed minister and graduate of Living Word Bible Training Center School of Ministry’s ministerial training program. She is also a graduate of the Joseph Business School and formerly the Prayer Ministry Coordinator of Living Word Christian Center under the leadership of Dr. Bill Winston.

Tiffany is also the published author of Life Without Limits: 52 Biblical Principles to Reach Your Prophetic Destiny.

Through Tiffany’s transformational leadership, teachings and prophetic counsel, she has catapulted many lives and organizations into greater positions of influence, productivity, and profitability.

Tiffany resides in the Chicagoland area, and is the mother of two daughters.

Cheryl Dixon teaches Human Resources at the Joseph Business School. Cheryl is the Director of Human Resources at Living Word Christian Center responsible for company policy, training, employment, performance management and recognition programs.

With over 20 years of experience in human resources, Cheryl has created and delivered various training, seminars, and leadership development for both profit and nonprofit industries. She has received several awards and recognition for her work.

Cheryl is a graduate of Dominican University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Cheryl is also a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Clinton L. Wilhight III teaches Feasibility Study at the Joseph Business School. He has a diverse business background with over 25 years of Fortune 500 corporate experience. Clinton has worked in various management roles including product management and development, marketing, sales and finance with companies such as IBM, General Electric, Illinois Bell – Ameritech, NEC and PepsiCo. He is currently involved in an entrepreneurial partnership start-up venture. Clinton received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management and MBA both from the Krannert Business School of Management at Purdue University.

Clinton is a Board Member on the Westchester Park District Citizens Advisory Board and is married to Carolyn and they have two college age children, Clinton IV and Christy.

LaTasha Battle currently teaches Recordkeeping and also Financing the Business and Customer Credit. LaTasha has over 20 years of profit and industry experience in general and regulatory accounting, financial analysis and reporting, auditing, leadership development and training, human resource and benefit administration. She lead the Accounting Department at Living Word Christian Center for 11 years as Controller, Director of Finance and lastly as its CFO. She has worked in auditing and/or accounting positions at both Goldman Sachs and Dean Witter. Mrs. Battle is a Certified Public Accountant and received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Florida A&M University and her MBA from the University of Chicago. She's taught classes on Investing, Financial Empowerment and conducted Personal Financial workshops. She is currently the founder and president of WeSolve Consulting, LLC specializing in accounting and process improvement for small to midsize companies. Additionally, she's enrolled in the American College of Financial Professionals in preparation for the Certified Financial Planner's Exam. She enjoys reading, traveling and helping individuals and companies improve their bottom lines. Mrs. Battle is married with 2 kids and resides in the Chicagoland area.

Pierre Dunagan teaches the Financial Literacy class for the Joseph Business School. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry in various roles and capacities. He began his career as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley where he worked for 10 years. He then went on to form his own financial advisory firm and mortgage company. He is currently the President of The Dunagan Company an executive search firm which provides staffing and placement services for Hedge Funds, Investment Banks and Private Equity Firms. He has been frequently quoted in Black Enterprise Magazine and Bloomberg Finance Radio. He has a Bachelors of Arts from North Park University in Organizational Management and Leadership. He is very passionate about economic development and entrepreneurship.

Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1976, and has been an accounting professional for more than 35 years; with more than 22 years in manufacturing and 13 years in Not-for-Profit. Lee is also a CPA. His credentials outside of the accounting and finance arena includes having earned a Master of Arts in Community Development Degree from North Park University in Chicago.

He has worked as a corporate controller overseeing the accounting and financial operations for both manufacturing and not-for-profit organizations for most of his career, overseeing multi-million dollar budgets. Lee has also worked in public accounting performing audit and tax work. Lee has also served as the Chief Finance Officer for a nationally known private school. Also, Budget Director for a charter school organization overseeing the budgets for fifteen schools.

Lee has used his business experience by training small business owners and entrepreneurs in Haiti and Kenya over the last several years. Additionally, he facilitates small group coaching sessions for Chicago-area insurance professionals. Lee primarily teaches the Record Keeping course in the JBS Business Entrepreneurship program and additionally serves as a Faculty Advisor.

Tareema Jean-Baptiste teaches Business Etiquette at the Joseph Business School. Tareema is the CEO and Founder of Lady Jean-Baptiste School of Etiquette and Social Development. She is an accomplished property manager, realtor and director with expertise in speaking, sales and human resources. She is equipped with a unique combination of international business and etiquette knowledge and uses it to coach students to develop the skills necessary to conduct themselves in business and social settings. Tareema’s education was acquired at University of Rochester, Dale Carnegie, The Protocol School of Washington and the Joseph Business School.

Wendy Ryce Smith is a gifted Financier who discovered her passion banking and finance at an earlier age. By age 36, she was the first African American to be appointed Senior Vice President/Market Sales Manager/Officer and awarded a three year Executive Management scholarship to attend the Stonier School of Banking at Georgetown University by the 13 Billion Financial Institution she served for 11 years.

As a Financier, Wendy helps business leaders acquire the financing the need to fund growth through acquisitions.

In her current assignment, Wendy is accountable for the growth and performance of a 28 Million Commercial Mortgage Portfolio at one of the nation’s largest minority owned Community Development Financial Institutions.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Wendy has enjoyed 24 years of marriage to David Smith and is the proud mother of a gifted Daughter and Scholar Artist Raven Smith.

Coming Soon!