truthseekersjournal
By Milton Kirby| Atlanta, GA – November 22, 2024
The Atlanta Business League (ABL), founded in 1933, has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s Black Business community for more than 91 years.
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the ABL hosted a stellar event, its 91st Annual Meeting. A highlight of the event was the induction of Albert G. Edwards, Corporate Environmental Risk Management, LLC (CERM), Dydra Virgil, and Delphyne Lomax Taylor, V&L Research & Consulting, Inc., into the ABL Hall of Fame.
Honoring Excellence in Business
The Hall of Fame inductees represent the best of the best of Atlanta businesses. The ABL selects members for its Hall of Fame primarily by considering individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, significant community contributions through philanthropy and volunteerism, and a lasting positive impact on the Atlanta business landscape, with a particular focus on recognizing Black-owned businesses and leaders within the community; their selection process usually involves a review of nominations based on criteria like professional achievements, community involvement, and business longevity.
Albert G. Edwards: A Legacy of Integrity and Innovation
Albert G. Edwards, founder, and CEO of CERM, delivered a moving acceptance speech, reflecting on his journey and the pivotal role of his late business partner, Marcus Reese, who he met and befriended in high school.
The pain of the loss of his friend was clear to the audience as Mr. Edwards labored to get the words from his heart to his lips and to the audience’s ears. “The man who helped me build the company and who really changed my life as a friend, business partner, essentially a brother in everything except blood, went home to be with the Lord on November 21, 2017, seven years ago today.
CERM started in the South DeKalb Business incubator; today, it is one of the largest minority-owned and operated engineering and program management firms in the United States. CERM works on multi-million dollar projects across this region and across the southeast.
“Another reason that this day is made more special is that one of our leaders, DJ Keffler, and his wife delivered a baby girl today, November 21, 2024, at 12:54. DJ is one of the first success stories of our shadowing program. He has been with CERM for 10 years”.
CERM has over 120 staff, with offices in Atlanta, GA; Mobile, AL; Orlando, FL; and Tampa, FL. Leadership attributes the firm’s success to the dedication of its talented team, its clients’ loyalty, and the local community’s ongoing support.
Each project reflects the values that inspired Al and Marcus to start the company: integrity, service, and a deep respect for the community.
Dydra Virgil and Delphyne Lomax Taylor: Trailblazers in Market Research
V& L Research and Consulting, Inc., founded on November 1, 1991, has grown to be one of the top market research firms certified by the American Marketing Association.
For more than three decades, V&L has empowered hundreds of clients by providing vital insights to enhance, develop, and assess their services through comprehensive data analysis, focus groups, surveys, and other innovative research methodologies.
The firms take particular pride in their role in developing the internationally recognized public safety initiative, “If You See Something, Say Something.”
Throughout their 30 years, V&L has conducted hundreds of studies to uncover key consumer insights and assess public perceptions.
V & L provides their clients with reliable research services and continuous support: their ultimate goal is customer satisfaction. V&L takes pride in their responsiveness to client requests and their ability to provide personal attention to detail. V & L works as a part of their client’s team, respecting their views, objectives, and budget constraints.
Dydra Virgil, who spoke on behalf of the duo, credited ABL for playing a pivotal role in their early success. “One of the first professional business organizations that we joined was ABL. Through our membership in ABL, we were able to land one of our biggest projects for such a small company, Cox Communications.”
Since then, their partnership with ABL has been instrumental in building a portfolio of private sector clients, including but not limited to Bank of America, McDonald’s, Delta Airlines, Grady Hospital, and Coca-Cola.
In the public sector, V&L has provided services for the US Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Keynote Address by Michael L. Thurmond
The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Michael L. Thurmond, Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County, GA, since 2017, former, DeKalb County School Superintendent, former State Legislator, and Labor Commissioner.
“Congratulations to the ABL for your leadership, dedication, your unwavering belief in the power and talent and abilities of the men and women who have demonstrated the courage and vision to do what many have dreamed about but few have had the opportunity to achieve: to become business owners, to be entrepreneurs, to take their gifts they have and transform them into jobs, profit, dividends, and most importantly, service to individuals and communities across the country.”
A Proud Legacy
The National Business League is the first and largest trade organization for Black businesses in the world. The Atlanta Business League was established in 1933 as an affiliate of the National Business League, which was founded by Dr. Booker T. Washington in 1900.
Congratulations to the 2024 inductees for their remarkable achievements and lasting contributions to Atlanta’s business and community landscape.
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