LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL MINORITY BUSINESS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Key Persons
Calvin Mills Jr. is an award-winning Serial Tech Entrepreneur and native of New Orleans, La. and is a Computer Science and Business graduate of The Southern University A&M college in Baton Rouge, La. Succeeding as the Founder, CEO and President of CMC Technology Solutions, and SLT Technology, Inc Calvin has focused his pursuit on making a people-focused mark in his industry, and today, as a dynamic speaker, mentor and author, he continues to make a great difference in the lives of the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through his companies Calvin is changing the dynamics of the Technology Workforce in Louisiana by helping to create the States first Apprenticeship program for Information Technology as well as offering one of a kind training to individuals looking to find employment in the Technology field. Calvin is the ONLY company in Louisiana to be backed by the global software company Oracle for workforce development making him a force to be reckoned with in his field. Outside of his position at SLT Technology, Mr. Mills is highly involved in his community. As a volunteer, speaker, and mentor, he is involved with many youth development programs, including Young Entrepreneurs Academy, The Futures Fund, and BizTech Challenge HBCU entrepreneurship program. Mr. Mills has also created his own Non Profit CLIMB (Changing Lives Is My Business) to help underprivileged kids gain access to technology and financial education. Mr. Mills is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for NexusLA the parent organization for the Louisiana Technology Park which provides entrepreneurial assistance to individuals in the baton rouge community and surrounding parish. Additionally, Mr. Mills often speaks to local students and educators about the ever-increasing importance and relevance of STEM education. Besides leading his efforts on the local level, Mr. Mills was appointed to the National Small Business Board of Directors in Washington DC to help continue the fight for small business across this great nation. Because of this fight Mr. Mills was selected as the National Small Business Association's Lewis Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year in 2019. Mr. Mills has also been recognized for his work by the Small Business Administration with the SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year and the SBA Small Business District Capitol Region award. Mills shares his story of struggle and perseverance in his new book "No Secrets to Elevation " looking to uplift those looking for just the right kick. Calvin Mills has been recognized not only on the local level but also nationally as one of the brightest and best in small business.
He is the recipient of the following:
2006 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Small Business Achievement Award
2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana Minority Small Business Statewide Champion of the Year
2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana Minority Small Business Statewide Champion of the Year
2016 1 of 50 Business Leader Invited to the White House Business Summit
2017 Southern University Excellence in Leadership Award
2018 Black Enterprise Magazine BE 100 Modern Man
2019 National Small Business Association Board of Trustees Appointment
2019 Lew Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year
2019 Certificate of Commendation from Mayor Sharon Broome of the City Of Baton Rouge
2019 Louisiana State Senate Resolution to commend Calvin Mills jr being recognized as the NSBA Small Business Advocate of the Year
2019 Louisiana State House of Representatives Resolution commend Calvin Mills Jr being recognized as the NSBA Small Business Advocate of the Year to name a few.
Joseph Robins is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a 2009 graduate of Scotlandville Magnet High School, and a 2014 graduate of the College of Business at Southern University and A&M College. While at Southern, Joseph was actively involved in various organizations such as BEEP, Pi Sigma Epsilon, Beta Gamma Sigma, the College of Business Student Leadership Council, a four-year member of the Southern University "Human JukeBoxx" Marching Band, and a Spring 2013 initiate of the Beta Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. Joseph graduated as Chief Marshall of the College of Business with Latin Honors and dual degrees in Accounting and Finance. Upon graduation Joseph received full time employment as a staff auditor at a local accounting firm. While employed at the firm Joseph obtained a significant amount of knowledge regarding audit and assurance services and was also able to pass all four required sections of the Certified Public Accounting Examination. Joseph was officially licensed in December of 2015 making him the youngest practicing African American CPA at the firm. In 2017 Joseph decided to leave the firm and start a new career as a dual professional in the financial services industry. Joseph is currently the Owner/President of J. Robins CPA, LLC and is also a FINRA licensed Financial Professional with Equitable Advisors. Within these roles Joseph provides small business bookkeeping/accounting, business consultation, individual/business tax planning and preparation, retirement planning, investment planning, and insurance planning. In recognition for his achievements, Joseph was inducted into the Southern University Alumni Federation 40 under 40 inaugural cohorts in 2018! Joseph also currently serves as a Senior Vice President and Affiliate Owner of the Florida Territory for Global Tax Centers Inc. and is also the Vice President of OLU Investments Inc. Most recently Joseph was also recognized as a contributing author in the best-selling book, the "HBCU Experience: Southern University System Edition". As he continues to grow his practice and influence Joseph plans to use his various platforms to continue providing sound financial advice and services to clients and aims to positively impact
Job Titles:
- President
- Owner and President of Greenup Industries, LLC
Rodney Greenup Jr. is the owner and President of Greenup Industries, LLC, headquartered in Kenner, Louisiana. Mr. Greenup is a mechanical engineer by trade with a Master's Degree in Engineering Management, both from the University of New Orleans. Rodney's career began at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers while in college. After more than 16 years of government service, Mr. Greenup opened the first of many small businesses and began a career as a consultant, engineer, planner, surveyor, facility maintenance specialist and most recently a construction contractor. Mr. Greenup's ambitions are to help other small businesses to grow and succeed as prime contractors.
Tyra Banks is a published author, speaker, and financial coach. She is a graduate of the LSU College of Business and has served hundreds of families, companies and non-profits through her training classes and consulting.
Her public service spirit was born at a young age, leading her to complete an internship at the Center for Progressive Leadership in Washington, DC where she was later a fully funded fellow. During her time there, Tyra worked as Staff Assistant at a national public policy think-tank, Staff Assistant to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on Capitol Hill, and Account Manager at a progressive political firm.
After completing a fellowship at the Ford Foundation, Tyra studied the racial wealth gap and pursued licenses in financial services to expand the services she offers to non-profits, businesses, and families. She currently holds a Louisiana Insurance Producers License and a Series 6 Investment License. She did all of this while finishing her Master's degree and nursing a newborn. Tyra credit's her success to discovering her purpose and creating a day planner that helped her maximize execution.
For her 30th birthday, she published her first book, The Purpose Filled Woman to encourage women to honor their journey and live in their purpose.