Nominate Change-Makers: BOBE's Leadership Awards & Speaker Opportunities at the 2026 Symposium
In the landscape of business excellence and community leadership, few initiatives capture the spirit of innovation, investment, and influence quite like the Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) organization's annual awards program. As we approach the nomination period for their Seventh Annual Community and Business Leadership Awards, Seattle Colleges recognizes the profound impact this recognition has on strengthening our regional business ecosystem and fostering entrepreneurial excellence across Washington State.
A Legacy of Recognition and Impact
The BOBE Community and Business Leadership Awards have evolved into a statewide celebration of achievement, drawing attention from prominent publications including the Seattle Medium and FACTS Newspaper. This recognition reflects more than ceremonial acknowledgment: it represents a systematic approach to identifying, celebrating, and amplifying the voices of leaders who are breaking barriers and building bridges within the Black business community.
The awards program encompasses seven distinct categories, each designed to honor different aspects of leadership and business excellence:
Award Categories That Matter
Rising Visionary recognizes emerging leaders who demonstrate exceptional potential and innovative thinking in their early career stages. These individuals represent the next generation of business leadership, bringing fresh perspectives and bold solutions to complex challenges.
Elijah L. Lewis "Boundless Advocate" honors those who work tirelessly to break down systemic barriers and create pathways for others. Named after a pioneering advocate, this award celebrates individuals whose work extends beyond personal success to community empowerment.
Trailblazer acknowledges established business leaders who have carved new paths in their industries, creating opportunities and setting standards for excellence that inspire others to follow.
Ecosystem Champion celebrates individuals or organizations that strengthen the broader business environment through mentorship, resource sharing, or infrastructure development that benefits multiple enterprises.
Lewis Rudd Legacy in Business pays tribute to sustained business excellence and the lasting impact of leadership that spans generations, honoring those whose work creates enduring value for their communities.
Living Legacy recognizes senior leaders whose ongoing contributions continue to shape industries and inspire new generations of entrepreneurs and business professionals.
Ally in Action acknowledges non-Black individuals and organizations whose sustained commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs demonstrates genuine partnership in advancing equity and opportunity.
Six of these seven categories include $1,000 grant awards, providing not just recognition but tangible support for continued growth and impact. This financial component underscores BOBE's commitment to moving beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful investment in business development.
The Power of Nomination
The nomination process itself represents a crucial community function. When individuals and organizations take time to identify and nominate deserving leaders, they participate in a collective act of recognition that strengthens professional networks and validates excellence that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Nominations can be submitted through the dedicated portal at http://bit.ly/43ExomJ, making the process accessible to community members, colleagues, and industry partners who wish to highlight exceptional leadership. The statewide scope of these awards means that excellence in Spokane, Tacoma, Bellingham, and rural communities receives equal consideration alongside Seattle-based achievements.
Beyond Recognition: The 2026 Symposium
The awards ceremony serves as the centerpiece of a larger gathering: the annual BOBE Symposium. The 2026 event, scheduled for February 1st, carries the theme "Power Moves: Beyond Boundaries : From Vision to Legacy." This theme reflects both the current moment's challenges and the transformative potential of strategic thinking and collaborative action.
Four Pillars of Excellence
The 2026 Symposium organizes its programming around four strategic pillars that address critical areas of business development:
Capital & Capacity focuses on funding mechanisms, investment strategies, and organizational development that enable businesses to scale effectively. Sessions under this pillar typically address venture capital access, banking relationships, and alternative funding models that have proven successful for Black-owned enterprises.
Scale & Sustain examines growth strategies that maintain organizational values and community connections while expanding market reach. This pillar addresses the unique challenges faced by businesses that grow from local community anchors to regional or national operations.
Innovation & Digital Evolution recognizes that technological advancement and creative problem-solving drive competitive advantage in contemporary markets. Programming under this pillar explores emerging technologies, digital marketing strategies, and innovative service delivery models.
Leadership & Legacy addresses succession planning, mentorship systems, and the development of future business leaders. This pillar acknowledges that sustainable business success requires intentional cultivation of next-generation leadership.
Speaker and Partnership Opportunities
The symposium actively seeks speakers and panelists who can contribute expertise across these four pillars. Speaking opportunities range from keynote presentations to panel discussions, workshops, and informal networking sessions. The application process welcomes both established thought leaders and emerging voices who can share practical insights and innovative approaches.
Organizations interested in partnership opportunities can contribute in multiple ways: sponsoring specific tracks, providing speakers or panelists, offering expertise on specialized topics, or supporting overall event logistics. The symposium's track record of attracting 500+ entrepreneurs, leaders, and resource partners statewide creates valuable networking and visibility opportunities for partners.
Financial institutions, educational organizations, and professional service providers often find symposium partnership particularly aligned with their community development and professional development objectives. Seattle Colleges recognizes the symposium as an important regional convening that brings together diverse perspectives on business development and community leadership.
The Educational Connection
For educational institutions like Seattle Colleges, events like the BOBE Symposium represent crucial bridges between academic programming and real-world business application. The symposium's focus on innovation, digital evolution, and capacity building aligns closely with workforce development priorities and continuing education objectives.
Students and faculty benefit from exposure to successful business models, leadership strategies, and industry trends shared by symposium participants. The diversity of speakers and attendees provides perspectives that enrich classroom discussions and inform curriculum development across business, entrepreneurship, and leadership programs.
The awards program also highlights career pathways that may not be immediately visible to students considering their post-graduation options. Seeing local and regional leaders recognized for excellence in categories like "Rising Visionary" and "Ecosystem Champion" helps students understand the breadth of opportunities available within the Black business community and the broader regional economy.
A Moment of Momentum
Current media coverage in publications like the Seattle Medium and FACTS Newspaper indicates growing recognition of BOBE's statewide impact. This visibility reflects not just successful marketing but genuine community response to programming that addresses real needs and creates measurable outcomes.
The organization's ability to attract partnership interest from established financial institutions demonstrates credibility and alignment with broader economic development priorities. When organizations like BECU engage as strategic partners, it signals recognition that BOBE's work contributes to regional economic strength and community development objectives.
Taking Action
The nomination period for the Seventh Annual Community and Business Leadership Awards represents an opportunity for community members to participate in recognizing excellence and supporting continued growth within the Black business ecosystem. Whether nominating a colleague, mentor, business partner, or community leader, each nomination contributes to a collective portrait of achievement and potential.
Similarly, speaker applications for the February 1, 2026 symposium offer professionals an opportunity to share expertise, build networks, and contribute to conversations that shape regional business development strategies.
For Seattle Colleges community members: students, faculty, staff, and alumni: engagement with BOBE's programming offers professional development opportunities, networking possibilities, and insights into regional business trends that inform both academic and career planning decisions.
The intersection of recognition, education, and economic development that BOBE represents aligns closely with Seattle Colleges' mission to serve diverse communities and support student success across multiple pathways. As we approach the 2026 symposium and awards ceremony, we encourage our community to consider how they might engage with this important regional initiative, whether through nominations, attendance, or partnership exploration.
