2018 Honorees

Oct. 25, 2018
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Africa Event Center

The following were recognized:

  • Supplier Diversity – Kokokosing Industrial
  • Frank W. Watson Advocate Award – City of Columbus Department of Development
  • Top Advocate Monique Moore – Ohio Secretary of State
  • The Publisher’s Award was presented to Attorney Greg Williams and Fran Fraizer
  • ECDI will receive the Economic Development Award
  • The Civil Rights Award went to Nana Watson, president of the Columbus Branch of the NAACP

Congratulations to the following businesses for being nominated for a 2018 OhioMBE Award. (Winners are in bold.)

Top MBE:

  • Total Technology Solutions – Columbus; MLII Productions – Michael Lillie – Akron; Wright Behavioral Health Group – Beavercreek
  • Corporate Cleaning, Inc. – Columbus; Surefire Innovations – Robert Luft –  Cincinnati; A-Men Pest Controls – Medina; Ozone Cleaners – Parma; Monique’s Events – Middletown; Elevar Design Group – Cincinnati; Final Moments Concierge Services – Cleveland; Flairsoft, ltd – Columbus; HKI – Columbus; Dove Building Services – Columbus; HM1 Trucking – Columbus; See Columbus – Antonio Sears – Columbus

Top FBE:

  •  Young Achievers – Rita Jackson – Cleveland; Momentuum, LLC  – Kathi Howard Primes – Cleveland; Swath Design, LLC – Sandi Lange – Cincinnati; Critical Ops – Chelsea Treboniak – Westlake; First Invest – Omelia Thornton – Cleveland; Contempo Design & Communication – Renne Deluca Dolan – Cleveland; Colbert Painting and Reconstruction – Kamala Colbert – Columbus

Top Family Business:

  • Battiste La Fleur Galleria  – LaShawnda Battiste  – Columbus; Spotlight of Columbus – Columbus; Outreach Promotional Solutions – Nevin Bansal – Columbus; Computer Data Services – Tina Thornton – Bedford; Hightower Petroleum Company – Stephen Hightower – Middletown; Screenpointe, Inc. – Hillary Belshe – Columbus; LARS Painting – Lavita Stokes – Columbus

  • 2018 OhioMBE Awards Honorees
    2018 OhioMBE Awards Honorees
  • City of Columbus Department of Development received the Frank W. Watson Advocacy Award
    City of Columbus Department of Development received the Frank W. Watson Advocacy Award
  • Rob Scott (center) from the SBA welcomed attendees at the 2018 OhioMBE Awards.
    Rob Scott (center) from the SBA welcomed attendees at the 2018 OhioMBE Awards.
  • ODOT's Terry Boyden - introduces the Top MBEs.
    ODOT's Terry Boyden - introduces the Top MBEs.
  • Top FBE Rita Jackson offers words of thankfulness and encouragement.
    Top FBE Rita Jackson offers words of thankfulness and encouragement.
  • Top FBE Camala Colbert
    Top FBE Camala Colbert
  • Top MBE Michael Lillie
    Top MBE Michael Lillie
  • Top Family Business Lavita Stokes - Lars Painting
    Top Family Business Lavita Stokes - Lars Painting
  • Top Family Business - Battiste La Fleur Galleria 
    Top Family Business - Battiste La Fleur Galleria 
  • OhioMBE Publisher Ronda Barber introduces Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown.
    OhioMBE Publisher Ronda Barber introduces Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown.
  • Special guest from the Downtown High Schools
    Special guest from the Downtown High Schools
  • Ohio State Treasurer Candidate Rob Richardson speaks at the 2018 OhioMBE Awards
    Ohio State Treasurer Candidate Rob Richardson speaks at the 2018 OhioMBE Awards
  • Attorney Greg Williams receives the Publisher's Award.
    Attorney Greg Williams receives the Publisher's Award.
  • Publisher's Award honoree Fran Frazier
    Publisher's Award honoree Fran Frazier
  • Rev. John Coates & Joy Bivens present the Civil Rights Award to Nana Watson.
    Rev. John Coates & Joy Bivens present the Civil Rights Award to Nana Watson.
  • Rev. John Coates & Joy Bivens present the Civil Rights Award to Nana Watson.
    Rev. John Coates & Joy Bivens present the Civil Rights Award to Nana Watson.
  • Rev. John Coates & Joy Bivens present the Civil Rights Award to Nana Watson.
    Rev. John Coates & Joy Bivens present the Civil Rights Award to Nana Watson.
  • 2018 Frank W. Watson Scholar Michael Lewis Jr.
    2018 Frank W. Watson Scholar Michael Lewis Jr.
  • 2018 OhioMBE Awards Honorees
    2018 OhioMBE Awards Honorees
  • Businessman Ron Stokes was a special speaker at the 2018 OhioMBE Awards
    Businessman Ron Stokes was a special speaker at the 2018 OhioMBE Awards


Frank W. Watson Scholarship Application

2018 Frank W. Watson Scholars

  • Michael Lewis – Columbus East High School/Downtown High Schools
  • Zipporah Moore – Canton GlenOak High School of Business