EBANMAN is honored to introduce distinguished and successful Black gay men in business to serve on our Advisory Board. These individuals comprise internationally recognized leaders who bring an invaluable depth of knowledge and leadership to EBANMAN, Inc.
These heavy-hitting additions to the advisory board directly reflect the company’s agile mindset and focus on bringing a wealth of industry experience that reaches nationally across the business, hospitality, community building, entertainment, funding initiatives, Human Resources, and healthcare sectors.
The advisory board brings a diversity of thoughts to the table. Working closely with EBANMAN’s internal leadership team to advise on all matters relating to the company’s growth and deployment of existing initiatives across industries âincluding delivery of future projects to help us further propel our growth and direction.
â Tom Logan, CEO
Gregory L DeShields, CDE, CHE
Greg is the Executive Director of PHL Diversity at The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tourism Diversity Matters.
Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically designed to raise destinations image for diverse, multicultural travel.
Experienced Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) with demonstrated cultural competence. Prepared to strategically position an organization to remove systemic barriers to inclusion, lead culture change, and transform the brand.
Graduate of Johnson & Wales University Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management; and B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management. Professional Development Leadership Graduate: Institute for Diversity Certification, Urban League of Philadelphia, Leadership Forum, Leadership Philadelphia, and Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange.
Awards and Honors: 2021 Event Industry Council: Social Impact Award”, 2020 SkĂ„l USA Chapter of the Year, 2020 Philadelphia Tribune Most Influential African American Leaders, 2020 Meetings Today Trendsetter (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Education), 2020 Funtime Magazine, Philadelphia Icon Award
Professional Affiliations: Past President SkÄl Philadelphia Chapter, board member: AchieveNEXT Global, Blacks in Travel and Tourism, Boy Scouts of American Cradle of Liberty, Center City District, Center City Proprietors Association, COMHAR Inc., Greater Philadelphia Hispanic, African American, Asian-American, and LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Philadelphia Award.
Professional Certifications: Society of Diversity â Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), American Hotel & Lodging Association, Educational Institute â Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), and Asian American Hotel Owners Association â Certified Hotel Owner CHO)
Greg is a longtime Tourism and Hospitality professional, native Philadelphian with a passion for his work, and is dedicated to giving back to the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Frequent presenter, specific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fundamentals: Assessment, Planning, Strategies, and Implementation to reinforce the need for organizations to lead inclusion from the top.
LARRY CARTER II
Larry Carter II is the project manager at the U.S. Census Bureau, one of the most prominent data management government organizations in the United States. Before that, he was the diversity coordinator at the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School and had a Master of Education (MEd) from Georgia State University.
dr. Travis L. Stokes, MPA
Travis was born and raised in Easley, South Carolina, where he was an active student-athlete and leader. In fact, he was awarded the prestigious title of âMr. Easley High School.â Travis left South Carolina for college and completed both his Bachelorâs and Masterâs degrees in Public Administration from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida.
Travis is currently continuing his educational journey by pursuing a doctoral degree (EdD) with a concentration in Organizational Leadership at the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The program caught his imagination because of its focus on educational thought and academic and professional development at the doctoral level.
Throughout his education and career, Travis has served in leadership positions. He has chaired special events for the FIU Student Government Association, ensuring that incoming and current students, as well as faculty and staff, were introduced to the true spirit of FIU, one of pride, integrity, leadership, and honor.
He also served in a number of student leadership positions throughout his time as an undergraduate and graduate student earning a reputation of excellence, consistency, and integrity. Over time, he became known as âMr. FIUâ for his unwavering commitment to spreading school pride both on and off-campus.
Travis has had a transformational career at FIU. Being inspired by the culture of the school as a student, he chose FIU for the formative years of his career. He has served in positions of increasing responsibility and influence within the FIU Athletics Association, the FIU Athletics Marketing Department, and most recently with FIU Parking & Transportation.
Travisâ dedication to going above and beyond his responsibilities for the benefit of the students, faculty, staff, and administration of the University has been recognized multiple times.
In addition to his education and professional experience, Travis has 20 plus years of experience as a Cheerleader, Coach, Consultant, Choreographer, and Judge. Travis has trained over 1,000 athletes with more than five years of coaching and choreography experience. He is a former member of the USASF Field Staff and he is certified and credentialed by both the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators (AACCA) and the United States All-Star Federation (USASF).
He was a Finalist for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2014 HYPE Awards. He was also a member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Leadership Miami Class of 2015-2016. As a co-leader of his team, he helped lead a sustainable and transformational partnership with the PACE Center For Girls Miami. In April of 2017, he was featured in Brickell Magazineâs The Philanthropic Effect for his community engagement throughout South Florida.
The magazine highlighted his community engagement and leadership with the Junior Orange Bowl, where Travis was an Executive Board Member and the Chair of the Parade.
He currently serves on the Miami-Dade County Youth Crime Task Force, United Way of Miami Young Leaders Society Executive Committee, and Co-Chair of Brand Development formerly, the Engagement Committee, and Impact Council School Age-Education. He has a doctorate of education (Ed.D.), Organisational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Dennis L. Carney
During the last four decades, Dennis has worked with a wide range of LGBT voluntary organisations, which include The Pink Paper, Lesbian & Gay Foundation, and GMFA, among others concerned about further engagement with often-overlooked Black LGBTQ communities.
Dennis developed and facilitated a monthly support group, for Black queer men at the LGBT Mental Health charity, PACE, that explored themes around identity, self-esteem, relationships, and sexual health. Dennis also co-founded âLetâ Rapâ, a trailblazing discussion group for Black queer men in the early 1990âs.
He has been the Chair of Stonewall Housing Association, Black Gay Menâs Advisory Group, co-founder of Loving Men, and established Black Connection, a Social Network for Black Queer men who aged are 50+.
Dennis has spoken openly about his experiences as a Black Gay man on a number of radio shows and TV documentaries that include, the Angie Lemar Show, Radio 1Xtra, âThe Black Bag, âReggae, Trainers & Olympicsâ and more recently âPositiveâ, which explores the impact of HIV/AIDS during the 80s/90s and upcoming BET documentary âUnapologeticâ, about the history of Black LGBT communities living in the UK.
Dennis works as a freelance consultant, designing and delivering staff training events for a wide range of satisfied clients that include, Department of Trade & Industry, Choice FM Radio, Social Care Institute for Excellence, NASUWT (The Teachersâ Union), London Borough of Tower Hamlets & Public Health England and many others.
Dennis has also received Black LGBT Community Awards recognising his contribution in raising the profile of Black Queer communities in the UK.
Densil R. Porteous
Densil R. Porteous (he/they) is a “jack of all trades” currently serving as Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus and CEO of Pride Fund 1.
Porteous has extensive engagement as a volunteer and executive leader, at local and national levels, with more than 20 years primarily working with organizations focused on issues of equity and access like Advocates for Youth (former Board Secretary), Human Rights Campaign (Board of Directors; former national Board of Governors), Equitas Health (former Board Vice-Chair), the Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation, and Create Columbus Commission (Chair). Densil has also had a notable career in education administration encompassing a mixture of admissions and enrollment management; strategic marketing and communications; and development/advancement at Kenyon College, Stanford University, Drew School, and Columbus Colleges of Art & Design.
With a keen interest in the tech and startup, Porteous has advised and worked with partners like VarsityBooks.com/The Varsity Group, Zinch acquired by Chegg, Vireo Labs, Ulyngo (acquired by Modo Labs), Acceptd, RaiseMe, Rev1 Ventures, Juggle, TicketFire, GetAccepted (acquired by The Princeton Review), and LEAP.
Victor Anthony Scotti, Jr.
Victor Anthony Scotti, Jr. is a founder, entrepreneur, philanthropist, Black student advocate, and talent developer. He has over a decade of global expertise in crafting community-specific strategies that integrate employee experience and belonging with business outcomes at some of the worldâs best companies, including Google and Netflix. Victor created Moving Mountains, LLC to deepen economic advancement and opportunity for Black men through asset-oriented cultural wealth development.
His approach is a 10-week, entirely virtual, paid Bootcamp curriculum emphasizing agency and choice, equity audits and accountability measures with partner organizations, and scholarship support to eliminate college debt and engender agency in post-grad job opportunities.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, Victor graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Sociology, Urban Education, and Africana Studies and holds a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Loyola University Chicagoâs Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise & Responsibility. Victor is a proud financially-active life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Raymond Pace Alexander Scholarship Foundation, Inc. through his chapter of initiation, Psi.
Victor is an avid reader, writer, traveler, and Black childrenâs book collector. He regularly moderates and speaks on panels and webinars, and his writing coalesces around workplace inclusion and the Black male experience in The Black in HR Magazine, Huffington Post, Jopwellâs The Well, Abernathy, and Mused. He is most passionate about helping Black men and boys define themselves for themselves inside and outside of the workplace.
stacy simmons, jr.
Stacy Simmons, Jr. is a founder, serial entrepreneur, podcast host, and motivational speaker. He has over 15 years of experience helping leaders and organizations create inclusive and healthy cultures and improve their overall structure by helping eliminate inequities in their practices.
He frequently speaks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Hope Without Fear â Unlocking the power within to reveal your true potential | Disrupting the Traditional â How to dismantle bias within your organizationâs infrastructure to achieve growth.
Stacy is the CEO & Founder of Change Makers Consulting Group, LLC, located in Phoenix, Arizona. Change Makers Consulting Group, LLC (CMCG) partners with leaders globally in the private, public, and community sectors to help solve their most complex strategic challenges to achieve radical transformation and sustainable growth. He is also the Founder and Host of the Hope Without Fear podcast. Hope Without Fear is an inspirational podcast with a mission to elevate the voices and experiences of the Black community.
Stacy was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago and now resides in Phoenix. He is an avid reader, art collector, writer, and community connector. He is a devoted follower of Christ and an activist on issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness, homelessness, domestic violence, mental health, and human trafficking. He is very passionate about creating equitable opportunities and spaces for the marginalized.
Professional Affiliations: Aunt Ritaâs Foundation, Advisory Board Member | Teach for America, Board Member
Reginald benbow
Reginald Benbow ran to represent Maryland’s 43rd District A in the State House of Delegates. Additionally, he is a Management Consultant manager and trusted advisor to Fortune 500 leaders. Previously, Reginald served as a Teach for America corps member earned his MBA from Duke University, and worked for Deloitte Consulting LLP.
Outside work, Reginald is passionate about public service, serves as the Treasurer for Baltimore’s Northeast Housing Initiative, Advisory Board Member for Reading Partners Baltimore, and is an avid runner and traveler.
EBANMAN: A curated safe space providing professional resources through cultural and lifestyle diversity while recognizing Black gay men and our experiences.