Get to know CWRU alumni who double as Black business owners and entrepreneurs
August is National Black Business Month—an annual reminder to support Black-owned businesses. Earlier this year, members of the Case Western Reserve community had an opportunity to explore such businesses in Cleveland at the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement’s inaugural Black Business Expo, which featured a variety of stores, consulting firms and other ventures, including Belle’s Beauty Boutique, BOC Fitness and BridgePort Group Global Solutions.
Want to discover more local Black-owned businesses? Read on to meet three CWRU alumni who double as Black business owners and entrepreneurs.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Kevin Russell (CWR ’14)
Creator of The Zillenial Advisors, an investment advisory firm that works with Gen Z and millennials on strategies for debt management, budgeting, investing and financial planning.
What are you most proud of having accomplished through your business so far?
I created The Zillenial Advisors because I think access to financial services like budgeting, retirement planning and investing should not be dictated by your zip code, socioeconomic status or net worth. I am incredibly proud that our team has built a model that works for (and with) Gen Z and millennials. However, on an industry level, our team still has much work to do. True success for us is building a model that forces the larger financial services industry to transform existing models to ones that are more inclusive.
How did your CWRU experience prepare you to work in business?
During my time as a student, I was a part of many initiatives [and organizations] to help reduce some of the issues students of color faced.
These experiences provided me with the leadership skills, real-world insight and mission-driven mindset needed to build The Zillenial Advisors.
What is your biggest challenge(s) as a Black business owner/entrepreneur?
For me, staying focused on our mission and detached from the financial outcomes has been the biggest challenge.
What advice do you have for others hoping to become a Black business owner/entrepreneur?
Trust your instincts. Be bold, courageous, authentic and persistent—don’t be scared to bet on yourself.
Andrea Campbell (CWR ’93; GRS ’96, environmental engineering; MGT ’99)
Founder of Vybrant Living LLC, an executive coaching and consulting company based in Cleveland that aims to help individuals enhance their ability to lead at personal, team and organizational levels.
What are you most proud of having accomplished through your business so far?
I am most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to inspire and empower many people to live lives they love, desire and deserve.
How did your CWRU experience prepare you to work in business?
As a Cleveland native, I grew up knowing Case Western Reserve University was one of the best schools in the country, especially for engineering. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship that allowed me to earn my bachelor’s and master's degrees in engineering.
Eventually, I received my MBA from Weatherhead School of Management, and the tools and skills I learned while there helped prepare me for my entrepreneurial journey.
What is your biggest challenge(s) as a Black business owner/entrepreneur?
One of my biggest challenges as a Black entrepreneur is finding other Black women who are doing similar things and have walked in my shoes.
Having [a mentor and coach] can save years of learning and shorten the learning curve to becoming successful.
What advice do you have for others hoping to become a Black business owner/entrepreneur?
If you desire to be an entrepreneur, I would say go for it! The worst that could happen is that you fail, and if you do, then you’ve learned what not to do. I truly believe if you’re given a dream, it’s for you. Dream big and work hard to make it come true.
LaLisa Anthony, PhD (CWR ’95, SAS ’07)
Founder and CEO of Building Lives Through Sports Network, an organization that promotes youth development and empowerment through sports.
What are you most proud of having accomplished through your business so far?
I am proud that we have clients we genuinely care about and support. [One of our first clients] has been with us for about 15 years. We continue to work with them to grow and develop their organization that was once just an idea.
How did your CWRU experience prepare you to work in business?
My entire educational experience prepared me for today. I was a professional working for a national positive youth development through sports program when I returned for my master’s degree. It was with my studies at [Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences] that I embraced the research and concepts of building infrastructures and communities to apply the same information to building people.
What is your biggest challenge(s) as a Black business owner/entrepreneur?
My challenges are twofold as a Black business owner and woman.
In my roles [at the National Football Foundation and National Football League], I was always the only woman at the table. I was often mistaken as the parent, administrative assistant or recorder—not the person in charge. It was because of these challenges that I returned to school to obtain a PhD in public policy [at Walden University].
What advice do you have for others hoping to become a Black business owner/entrepreneur?
To become anything takes almost all that you have. Oftentimes, it takes more than you ever thought you had. You will learn new meanings to the word sacrifice. If it is truly what you desire, it will be the thing in your thoughts when you lay your head to rest. It will also be the thing that keeps you awake. Always, stay true to your ‘why’ and carry on.