Power (impact) of the Southside Incubator.

YOUNG HAIR, INC.

South Yellow Springs Street Legacy Award

Patty Gentry Young is a lifelong Springfield, Ohio resident and pioneering entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Inspired by her mother, a beautician who supported their family from a home-based salon, Patty pursued cosmetology after high school, becoming one of the first Black graduates from a predominantly white beauty school in Springfield. She and her mother co-managed the successful Ernestine Gentry's Beauty Salon before Patty opened Gentry’s, the first Black-owned business on its street. Recognizing the unique needs of clients with hair loss, Patty trained in hair replacement services and eventually opened Young Hair, Inc. to offer these services in a more private and supportive setting.

Patty’s expertise and compassion led her to become an instructor in the field and a longtime partner with the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good, Feel Better” program. Her dedication sparked the creation of Sisters’ United for Prevention, a group that raises awareness about cancer disparities in African American communities. She has earned numerous honors, including the Springfield City Schools Alumni of Distinction Award and national recognition from President Joe Biden for promoting COVID-19 vaccination.

REALTOR AND PHILANTHROPIST

Sheila Henry Community Impact Award

Lula M. Cosby is a proud wife, mother, grandmother, and community leader who has broken barriers throughout her life. Born in Gunnison, Mississippi and raised on the South Side of Chicago, she overcame early setbacks in school to rise as a respected leader in business and civic life. She became the first minority Production Supervisor at R.R. Donnelley & Sons and later retired as Director of Human Relations at The Drackett Company. Lula also co-owned a successful men’s boutique, supported Harold Washington’s historic mayoral campaign, and was part of Chicago’s early Soul Train dance scene.

After retiring from corporate life, she became a licensed Realtor and made history again as the first minority President of the Springfield Board of Realtors. Over the years, she has served on dozens of local and national boards, including The Links Incorporated, The Springfield Foundation, and the National Council of Negro Women. Lula is known for her dedication to service, her trailblazing spirit, and her belief that being first means being brave enough to try.

ART NOIRE

Johnny Lytle Innovation Award

Dorian Hunter is a connector, strategist, and cultural innovator whose work is reshaping how Black communities thrive—creatively, economically, and structurally—across the state of Ohio. With a background spanning business development, insurance innovation, and community empowerment, Dorian operates at the intersection of economic growth, cultural expression, and visionary leadership.

He is also the founder of Art Noire, a platform that curates immersive cultural experiences through art, fashion, and storytelling. In just four years, Art Noire has collaborated with over 100 artists and creatives nationwide, partnered with 60+ Black-owned businesses across Southwestern Ohio, and welcomed audiences totaling over 2,000 people from across the country. Through exhibitions, short films, and public installations—including the You Belong Here mural at Springfield’s historic South High School—Dorian and his team have created spaces that both celebrate and challenge the status quo. Art Noire has also consulted with organizations to expand cultural competency and inclusive practices in institutional spaces.

LEERAH’S VEGAN TREATS LLC

Rising Enterprise Award

Leerah’s Vegan Treats LLC is a Black-owned mobile food business founded in 2022 by Camille Buford, a Springfield native with a passion for plant-based living and community wellness. She created Leerah’s to fill a need in the regional health foods market by offering flavorful vegan cuisine made with whole food, plant-based ingredients.

Camille is not only the founder of Leerah’s Vegan Treats, but also a dedicated advocate for small business growth and community empowerment in the Springfield region. Through her leadership with the Young Black Professionals and Businesses of Springfield, full time work as a Business Services Specialist with Dayton Metro Library, and past experience working with the Springfield SBDC through the Community Navigators Pilot Program. Camille actively supports emerging entrepreneurs—especially women and Black-owned startups—by sharing resources, insight, and real-world experience. Her commitment to uplifting others extends beyond the kitchen, helping to strengthen the local economy and foster a more inclusive, thriving small business community.