11.01.21
James A. Bailey to Keynote The NIIC Annual Signature Event
Tammy Allen, Director | Marketing & Programs, The NIIC
Inspiring through the Exponential Power of Inclusive Prosperity: Advancing Black Entrepreneurs
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind.—Change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur, and emerging philanthropist James (Jay) A. Bailey will keynote the Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work Event on February 23, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. Register or sponsor here. Bailey is committed to living his personal motto, “Build As We Climb.” He serves as the President, CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) in Atlanta, GA, created to support black entrepreneurs in overcoming the unique barriers they face in building thriving businesses.
“The opportunity to partner with The NIIC to empower such a dynamic group of entrepreneurs supports our commitment to ensure all small businesses and underrepresented founders are valued, given equal opportunities, and positioned for greatness. I’m excited to share some life-changing insights and true examples of how founders can always position themselves to win, no matter what stage, challenge, or situation they currently face,” stated Bailey.
Change goes hand-in-hand with innovation and entrepreneurship. Ted A. Baker, NIIC Interim President and CEO, stated, “We are ecstatic about the message and energy Jay will bring to this year’s event. We are honored to have someone of Jay’s distinction as our keynote speaker. Three U.S. Presidents have recognized him for his leadership, including being honored at the White House as a ‘Champion on Change: following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..’”
“We look forward to an in-person event. Our annual event inspires and celebrates Northeast Indiana’s commitment to business building, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We invite the entrepreneurial community, educators, business leaders, and investors to join us at this year’s event,” said Baker. Seating is limited. Click here to purchase an individual ticket/register. https://niic.net/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2020/10/2022-Ideas@Work-Sponsorship-Form_10-20-21.pdf
A highlight of the annual event is the presentation of awards recognizing Northeast Indiana business builders.
The Mirro Founders Award— The award honors an entrepreneur who personifies core traits of personal excellence, energy, passion, and making a lasting community impact. It is named in honor of Dr. Mike Mirro, a prominent physician, researcher, visionary, entrepreneur, community leader, and founding Board Chair of The NIIC.
WEOC WBC Accelerator Award—recognizes an outstanding participant of each current cohort, demonstrated by outstanding results in starting their businesses. The program serves as an accelerator for women who want to start, grow, and accelerate their digital, e-commerce, mobile app or web-based businesses and focuses on mentoring, growth resources, and capital.
WEOC Founder’s Cup Award— is funded through Ideas@Work sponsorships and helps provide access to capital to WEOC WBC business builders. One founder is selected from each cohort to receive the $500 award.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2021 Dr. Daryl Yost Ideas@Work event online at https://niic.net/ideasatwork.
About James (Jay) Bailey, President and CEO, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)
Committed to living by his personal motto, “Build As We Climb,” change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur, and emerging philanthropist, James M. Bailey has dedicated his life to serving others.
James serves as President and CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE). Honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., he will lead the development of the largest center in America, driven by impact, dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners; over 50,000 square feet designed to inspire ideas, create jobs, grow companies, and increase wealth in the community.
An Atlanta native and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a proven track record of success, recognized by 3 U.S. Presidents for his leadership and community efforts. In 2012, James was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Dedicated to service, James is a National Point of Light Award and Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award recipient. James has served on numerous boards, including the Metro Atlanta and the Georgia Chamber Board of Directors, the Atlanta Beltline TAD Advisory Committee, a Georgia Forestry Foundation Trustee, and Chairman of Citizens Trust Bank’s Next Generation Advisory Board.
A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, James was also named to both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Best and Brightest Leaders of the Future”. He is a recipient of the coveted Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, a New Leaders Council Fellow, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
James and his wife, NBC news correspondent Blayne Alexander, currently reside in East Atlanta
About The NIIC
499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to $100.4 million in grants and capital.
The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community that supports entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures by moving ideas into action. The NIIC’s 55-acre campus is a U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone and a designated Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. The NIIC received global recognition in 2020 as the International Business Innovation Association’s (InBIA) Mixed-Use Entrepreneur Center of the Year and recipient of the prestigious Dinah Adkins Award, one of InBIA’s top two honors. TheNIIC.org.
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