Nikki Purvis
Chief Equity Officer, City of Milwaukee
Nikki Purvis is the City of Milwaukee’s first Chief Equity Officer and oversees the newly created Office of Equity and Inclusion. In this role, she leads the City’s efforts to advance and achieve racial equity and inclusion. Under her leadership, the Office will administer GARE initiatives, equity and inclusion data analytics and performance measures, advance equity and inclusion policies, improve accessibility and support equal rights. As Chief Equity Officer, she is the primary liaison for City departments and the Equal Rights Commission. In addition, Ms. Purvis provides strategic direction and oversight for the City’s business inclusion program which promotes economic development for small disadvantaged businesses, as well as, the workforce development program that connects city residents to employment opportunities on certain city-funded private development projects.

Her passion for service permeates beyond her public service career path as evidenced in her numerous community leadership roles. Ms. Purvis currently serves as; Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin; President of the Board of Directors of the Urban Economic Development Association; Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Social Development Commission; and is on the Board of Directors of the Legacy Redevelopment Corporation.

Ms. Purvis is a native Milwaukeean and alumna of Milwaukee Public Schools Riverside University High School. She graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, and Cardinal Stritch University with a Master of Science Degree in Management. She also received a certificate of completion from the African American Leadership Program at Cardinal Stritch University, a Contract Compliance Administrator certification from Morgan State University, and a certificate of completion for the Promoting Racial Equity in the Workplace Program from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education.

Dr. Deborah N. Allen
President and CEO, DNA Network LLC

Dr. Deborah N. Allen is an accomplished entrepreneur and forward-thinking business executive. Allen has over 30 years of experience driving business sales, increasing revenue, and cultivating talent to achieve organizational goals. Dr. Allen honed her skills in service quality, organizational process improvement and change management at a public utility company serving alongside C-suite executives to communicate and deliver process improvement initiatives. During the latter part of her career, she became an entrepreneur. As President and CEO of Nevada Corporation, DBA McDonald’s, Dr. Allen purchased ten McDonald’s franchise restaurants within eight years. In addition, she managed $15M in annual sales, negotiated large vendor contracts, developed strategic business plans, and led a workforce of over 700 employees.

As an experienced entrepreneur, Dr. Allen is committed to mentoring current and future entrepreneurs. Through her organization, The DNA Network, LLC, Allen coaches Black Business Owners and provides financial resources and advice to prospective Wisconsin entrepreneurs on the television show Project Pitch It. She values education, innovation and believes everyone can make a contribution to better our society. Dr. Allen is a sought-after motivational speaker to corporate and small business executives, women’s leadership groups, and educational and faith-based organizations.

Dr. Allen received a Bachelor Degree (BA) in Management and Communication from Concordia University in Mequon, WI; a Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI; and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Allen has served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Cardinal Stritch University and a Co-Instructor at Marquette University.

Committee Engagement:
Strategic Business Planning (Corporate and Entrepreneurial), Governance, Fund Development, Finance, Community Involvement, Executive Talent Acquisition (CEO Search), Leadership Development.

Key Awards/Recognition:
Business Journal – Women of Influence, Central City Business Award; Milwaukee Times – Black Excellence Award (Women in Business); Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) – Volunteer of the Year Award; Abundant Faith Church of Integrity – Leadership Award.

A Banner Vision (ABV) CEO, David Banner is an internationally recognized Grammy Award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, activist, and actor with over 26 films under his belt. The Mississippi native is an entrepreneur dedicated to preserving culture, economic empowerment and freedom of expression.

Clients including Pepsi, Gatorade, Paramount Pictures, Marvel, Capcom and Mercedes- Benz have trusted ABV to produce captivating, culturally relevant, insightful content that engages audiences and builds brands. With a team of creative intellectuals and music producers that regularly work with today’s top music superstars, A Banner Vision brings this same level of expertise to its brand clients.

Banner’s outspoken point-of-view inspires, informs, and galvanizes audiences as is demonstrated in his numerous CNN appearances, social engagement and the over 10,000 subscribers to The David Banner Podcast, which is currently in production. Launching this year, The David Banner Podcast features bold and unapologetic conversations that will make you laugh, push your thinking, liberate your mind and move you to disrupt the status quo.

Collectively, ABV strives to deliver avant-garde creative direction, sound strategic insight and business intelligence that connects brands to movements, movements to culture and culture to community. Banner’s commitment to community, love for humanity and passion for justice are embodied in his foundation, Heal the Hood Inc., which provides clothing and other necessities to families during the holidays.

Having earned a Business Degree from Southern University (Baton Rouge) prior to embarking on his career in entertainment, Banner encourages under-served youth and creative minds to pursue professions “behind the scenes”. He leverages his affluence and influence to help leave the world in a better place than he found it.