Black Event Professionals of America - Arizona Chapter

Exciting Announcement: Brittany Jones Joins Our BEPA Arizona Chapter as Vice President of Business Development! ?? We are thrilled to welcome Brittany Jones to Black Event Professionals as our new Vice President of Business Development! Brittany is an integrity-driven leader with over 17 years of experience and a passion for empowering others and driving success. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Technical Management and has dedicated her career to fostering growth and supporting her community. In 2022, Brittany launched her own business, where she focused on helping other business owners thrive. Her dedication and expertise led to remarkable results—during her second year in business, she helped a client achieve over $100,000 in revenue sales! ??? Brittany is a strong advocate for diversity, equality, and community engagement. She exemplifies the six pillars of character and is deeply committed to making a positive impact. When she’s not driving business success, Brittany is actively involved in community outreach programs and organizing events that bring people together. We are excited to have Brittany’s leadership and vision as part of our team, and we know she will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! ?? ?? We’re Still Onboarding Volunteers! Are you passionate about making a difference? We’re actively seeking board members and volunteers for our Arizona Chapter to join our mission. If you’re interested, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gyvbTDvf or email us at [email protected]. Let’s work together to create meaningful change in the events industry! ?

We are thrilled to spotlight Tamika Williams, our Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Tamika is not only a Real Estate Agent and Aviation Specialist but also the CEO of Wealthy-Concepts, a successful speaking business. With over 20 years of experience in general business and a strong legal background, Tamika brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. Tamika's career in corporate business began early in her life. As she ascended the corporate ladder, she developed efficient solutions that helped each company she worked for improve and thrive. Her ability to adapt to changes in fast-paced and challenging work environments has been a key factor in her success. Throughout her career, Tamika gained experience across various business processes, all while coaching and motivating her team members to excel. Recognized as a top performer, Tamika's dedication opened doors to management and executive roles, allowing her to leverage her business acumen to coach and develop teams. By building strong relationships, she generated significant revenue growth for her companies and empowered her employees. Tamika is now channeling her extensive experience and business concepts into teaching and developing other professionals and entrepreneurs on a national level. Her commitment to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is integral to our mission, and we are excited to see the impact she will continue to make. Join Us! We are actively seeking board members and volunteers for our Arizona Chapter to help us advance our mission. If you’re interested in making a difference, please visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gh_u-dVQ or email us at [email protected]. Let’s work together to create meaningful change in the events industry! ?

Exciting Announcement: Introducing Courtney Johnson as Our New Vice President of Education at Black Event Professionals of America - Arizona Chapter! ?? We are delighted to announce that Courtney Johnson has joined us as the new Vice President of Education for the Arizona Chapter of Black Event Professionals of America! Courtney is a dedicated educator and higher education professional with a strong commitment to empowering diverse communities through knowledge and leadership. Currently, Courtney serves as an adjunct professor in Communication at Maricopa County Community College District and is on the verge of completing her Doctoral degree in Higher Educational Leadership at Clark Atlanta University. She holds an undergraduate degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Special Events Management from Arizona State University, along with two graduate degrees in Psychology and Communication, emphasizing Public Relations. With extensive experience in student affairs, recruitment, and strategic partnerships, Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge in curriculum development, professional training, and mentorship. As the Director of Education for Black Event Professionals Arizona, she is passionate about creating learning opportunities and fostering professional growth for Black event professionals throughout the state and beyond. We are excited to have Courtney's expertise and vision as part of our leadership team, and we are confident that she will play a crucial role in advancing our mission. Please join us in welcoming her to the BEPA family! ?? We’re Still Onboarding Volunteers! Are you passionate about making a difference? We’re actively seeking board members and volunteers for our Arizona Chapter to join our mission. If you’re interested, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gh_u-dVQ or email us at [email protected]. Let’s work together to create meaningful change in the events industry! ?

This past Thursday, BEPA had the privilege of attending the 2025 Black Professionals and Leaders Dinner. Our Founder and President, Timmesse Thompson, along with President-Elect/Vice President Charise King?and Vice President of Business Development Brittany Johnson, represented us at this incredible community event! The keynote by Rachel Frazier Johnson, Esq., was truly inspiring. Our team engaged in discussions about expanding a BEPA ASU chapter and introduced our Generational Curse Breakers Anonymous program, which allows individuals to share their experiences and build a supportive network without the formality of meeting minutes. Hosted by the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in partnership with the PHOENIX AKARAMA FOUNDATION INC, the dinner aimed to connect Black undergraduate students with working professionals. It provided an invaluable platform for networking and learning, featuring a panel discussion and professional headshots. If you're interested in joining our mission, please email us at [email protected] and visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gyvbTDvf. Together, we can make a positive impact in our community! #BEPA #BlackProfessionals #Networking #CommunityImpact #GenerationalCurseBreakers #SupportNetwork

?? Caption this photo of a few of our founding board members! Here's our best attempt: Charise King: "Chile" Timmesse Thompson: "Chile" Brittany Jones: "Just Smile Y'all" In all seriousness, we had a blast this past Thursday! Stay tuned tomorrow for a post launching with more details on our first BEPA board community attending event. If you’re interested in making a positive impact in the community and joining our efforts, reach out to us at [email protected]. Together, we can foster growth, support, and connection. #JoinUs #BEPA #BlackProfessionals #Networking #CommunityImpact

? Attention All Black Event Professionals! ? Let’s stop asking for permission to be great and just be great. It’s time to shift our energy. Instead of exhausting ourselves explaining to others how to create equitable spaces, let’s use that time to impact our community. Imagine taking those hours and creating opportunities—like helping a fellow Black planner obtain their CMP certification. Every hour we spend asking for a seat at someone else’s table is an hour lost that could be spent building our own. It’s time to focus on our growth, our talent, and our vision as event professionals. We don’t need permission to claim what’s already ours. As an American, one of the greatest privileges we have is the ability to move, create, and bring our dreams to life. Dream big, and dream big we shall! Let’s not come together simply because we look alike, but because we understand the collective power we hold within. This isn’t about buzzwords, politics, or reactionary measures—it’s about claiming what we deserve through growth, action, and excellence. ?? Introducing: Black Event Professionals of America! ?? Due to the overwhelming response from Black event planners who are passionate about creating inclusive spaces, we’re proud to announce the launch of our Arizona chapter—the first of many across the country. This is about building a table for ourselves, by ourselves. Together, we’re going to do amazing community work and power some of the best events in the industry. If you’re interested in seeing how far your events can go—or starting a chapter in your city—let’s connect! ?? Reach out to us at [email protected] ?? Visit us at https://lnkd.in/gyvbTDvf Let’s go for everything we deserve. Let’s grow, develop, and uplift each other. Together, we are unstoppable. ??? #BlackEventProfessionals #CommunityOverCompetition #DreamBig #EventPlanning #InclusiveSpaces #BuildOurTable

We are beyond excited to welcome Tizah C. Nettles?as the newest volunteer for the Black Event Professionals of America (BEPA) Arizona Chapter! ?? Tizah will serve as our?Vice President of Special Events & Fundraising, bringing her incredible passion for service and community to this vital role. Tizah is a?dedicated and versatile professional?with a wealth of experience across various industries. Currently working as a?Vacations and Reservations Specialist at American Airlines, she has built a career defined by her organizational skills, creativity, and heartfelt dedication. Her diverse background includes?ministry, notary services, real estate studies, surgery coordination, and reselling, showcasing her ability to excel in multiple fields. Tizah’s past roles as an?artist developer, concert and play promoter, and radio station events coordinator?have honed her ability to connect with people, manage successful projects, and create meaningful experiences. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a?committed homeless advocate, striving to make a positive impact in her community and beyond. In her new role, Tizah will oversee the planning and execution of special events while leading fundraising initiatives to support BEPA Arizona’s mission. Her unique blend of skills and passion will undoubtedly elevate our chapter’s efforts to empower Black meeting and event professionals. Please join us in giving Tizah a warm welcome to the team! We are thrilled to have her on board and can’t wait to see the incredible contributions she will make as we continue to grow and make an impact together. ? Let’s create unforgettable moments and opportunities! ? #WelcomeTizah #BEPAArizona #SpecialEvents #Fundraising #CommunityImpact #EventProfs

We are beyond excited to welcome Julio San Juan to our team as the Director of Membership! Based in Phoenix, AZ, Julio is a passionate and talented photographer who has built a reputation for creating timeless memories through exceptional customer service. As the owner of Photography is unique, Julio leads a dynamic team of six professionals specializing in social events such as weddings and Bat Mitzvahs. His team is also expanding into film and video services for corporate events, showcasing their versatility and commitment to meeting diverse client needs. Julio’s dedication to client relationships ensures that every event is captured with care, creativity, and attention to detail, making each moment truly unforgettable. His leadership and artistic vision will undoubtedly bring fresh energy and innovation to our organization.?? Check out Julio’s work and connect with him on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g3NCW9ek Please join us in giving Julio a warm welcome to the team! We’re thrilled to have him on board as we continue to grow and make an impact together. ? Let’s create unforgettable moments! ?

We are thrilled to announce that Charise King has been named the new President-Elect/Vice President of our organization! ?? Charise is a dynamic and multi-talented leader with an impressive career spanning entrepreneurship, public speaking, emceeing, hosting, voice-over acting, and acting. As the CEO of "What She Said" Productions, Charise has curated captivating experiences that inspire and uplift audiences. Her versatility and creativity shine as she seamlessly transitions between roles, leaving a lasting impact wherever she goes. In addition to her professional achievements, Charise is the creative force behind the popular "Chattin' and Chillin' with Lady Charise" platform, where she continues to empower and connect with her community. Her dedication to fostering meaningful connections is further demonstrated through her involvement with organizations like the Black Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Small Business Association. Charise’s passion for inspiring others is evident in her motivational speaking engagements, her role as an author in the best-selling women’s empowerment book She Said Yes to Herself Unapologetically, and her recent acting debut as "Miss Milkum" in The Slumlord Oops! We are excited to have Charise bring her energy, vision, and leadership to our team as we continue to create meaningful change in the events industry and beyond. ?? We’re Still Onboarding Volunteers! Are you passionate about making a difference? We’re actively seeking board members and volunteers to join our mission. If you’re interested, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/g7YrwmsS or email us at [email protected]. Let’s work together to make an impact! ?

We are thrilled to announce that Steven Price has joined our team as the Senior Vice President of Finance! ?? Steven is an accomplished Accounting and Finance leader with a wealth of experience across diverse industries, including nonprofit healthcare (medical, dental, behavioral health), nonprofit DV shelters, digital print manufacturing, trucking transportation, home building construction, and SaaS start-ups. His expertise spans Managerial Accounting, Budgeting, Projection Modeling, Forecasting, and Financial Planning & Analysis. Beyond his professional achievements, Steven enjoys painting, hiking, and camping in his free time. Connect with Steven on LinkedIn to learn more about his impressive background: https://lnkd.in/geeqkwER ?? We’re Still Onboarding Volunteers! Are you passionate about making a difference? We’re actively seeking board members and volunteers to join our mission. If you’re interested, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/g7YrwmsS or email us at [email protected]. If you’d like to learn more about the different positions we have available, you can always check them out here: https://lnkd.in/grZitf4n. Let’s work together to create meaningful change in the events industry! ?