December 2023 marked a historic milestone as BECA hosted its Inaugural Graduation Ceremony for C’23 Future Leaders.
In NYC, Future Leaders C’23, BECA Members, special guests and sponsors converged for the The BECA Playbook Inaugural Graduation, a celebration marking the commencement of the first cohort. These graduates, armed with impactful skills and inspiration from The BECA Playbook, are set to excel as they continue their journey to the C-suite.
Ambiance
The BECA Playbook C’23 Yearbook
The BECA Playbook Inaugural Graduation – Table and Decor
Graduation program
The BECA Playbook – Graduation Plaques
The BECA Playbook Graduation Menu
Discover key moments from The BECA Playbook’s inaugural C’23 Future Leaders. BECA commemorated this first graduation with a beautiful yearbook featuring cover art from multidisciplinary artist Stephen Arboite.
View The BECA Playbook | Future Leader C’23 Yearbook and explore the highlights from their two-year journey.
Mix and Mingle
Future Leaders, BECA Members, sponsors, and guests arrived at Paramount HQ in Times Square, NYC for a night of connection and celebration. From the warm greetings to the shared laughter and meaningful conversations, each snapshot reflects the spirit of unity that defines our BECA family.
(From L to R): Founding Member Paul Alexander and Member DeLu Jackson.
(From L to R): Future Leaders C’23 Graduates
Curtis Reed, Charles F. Chapman, and
Juanita Slappy.
Future Leader C’23 Graduate Tiffany Anthony.
(From L to R): Ray Goulbourne and Louis Carr.
(From L to R): Michelle Miller and Muna Moushien.
(From L to R): BECA Member’s guest, Member Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, and Sanyu Dillon.
(From L to R): Future Leader C’23 Graduate Jamila Epps, Kellie Streat, Founding Member Gail Peterson, and Future Leader C’23 Graduates Omar Moore, Michael Craig, Charisse Williams, and Tatiana Taylor.
(From L to R): Founding Member Julie Spencer Washington and Future Leader C‘25 Souhail Gaboute.
(From L to R): BECA Future Leader C’24 Turkessa Simmons, Future Leader C‘25 Stephen Hewitt, and Mark Brown (Starbucks).
(From L to R): Future Leader C’23 Graduate Kellie Streat, Member Shannon Watkins, Future Leaders C’23 Graduates Juanita Slappy, Jamila Epps, Lami Ibrahim, Omar Moore, Tasha Hilton, and Eric Austin.
(From L to R): Founding Member Jacqueline Woods, ###, and ###.
(From L to R): Sampson Yimer (Momentum Worldwide) and Danny Robinson.
(From L to R): Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, and Louis Carr.
(From L to R): Future Leaders C’23 Graduates Jeff Brea, Curtis Reed, Charles F. Chapman, and Logan Gill.
Welcome Reception
BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige
Speaker Louis Carr
Graduation Program
C’23 Commencement Speaker Carla A. Harris.
(From L to R): Founding Member Kevin Warren and Founder Jerri DeVard.
Commencement Speaker Muna Moushien
BECA Founding Member Kevin Warren
(From L to R): Future Leaders C’23 Graduates Curtis Reed, Logan Gill, Jeff Brea, Jamar Palmer, Casey Williams, Tiffany Anthony, Charisse Williams, and Eric Austin, Future Leader C‘24 Turkessa Simmons, Future Leader C’23 Graduates Kellie Streat, Sade Balogun, Omar Moore, Founding Member Esi Eggleston Bracey, and Future Leader C’23 Graduate Lami Ibrahim.
BECA Founding Member Julie Spencer Washington
BECA Founding Member Kevin Warren
BECA Founder Jerri DeVard
(From L to R): Robyn Coles, BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, and Karen Phillips.
(From L to R): Members Kenny Mitchell, Rudy Wilson, and Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, Founding Members Julie Spencer Washington and Janice Tennant, and Member Sanyu Dillon.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Members Bozoma Saint John and Ralph Santana, Founder Jerri DeVard, Member Kenny Mitchell, and Founding Member Remi Kent.
Graduation Ceremony
The C’23 Future Leaders proudly walked across the stage to receive their well-deserved graduation plaques. Every photo captures the spirit of accomplishment, reflecting the culmination of years filled with dedication in the completion of The BECA Playbook. The radiant smiles on our graduates’ faces showcase a sense of achievement, marking a promising new chapter in their professional journey.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kevin Warren, Founder Jerri DeVard, and Founding Member Kimber E. Paige.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Charles F. Chapman, Mark Tatum, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kevin Warren, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Michael Craig, Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Jamila Epps, Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige.
(From L to R): BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Lami Ibrahim, Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Eric Austin, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Omar Moore, Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige.
(From L to R): BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Sade Balogun, Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kevin Warren, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Charisse Williams, Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kevin Warren, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Tatiana Taylor, Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Curtis Reed, Mark Tatum, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Juanita Slappy, Mark Tatum, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Logan Gill, Robbin Mitchell, and Founder Jerri DeVard.
(From L to R): BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Chanel Gant, Founding Members Kevin Warren and Kimberly E. Paige.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Jamar Palmer, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Casey Williams, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Christina Marshall-Valdez, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Mark Tatum, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Kellie Streat, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Tiffany Anthony, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kimberly E. Paige, Founder Jerri DeVard, Future Leader C’23 Graduate Jeff Brea, and Founding Member Kevin Warren.
Auction
Enjoy this beautiful collage “Big Good Angel” – a captivating masterpiece by the talented multidisciplinary artist Stephen Arboite – featured as The BECA Playbook 2023 Yearbook Cover Art.
This piece took center stage in our exciting auction.
(From L to R): Martha Ribieoo, Maria Roda, and Muna Moushien.
(From L to R): Martha Ribieoo, Maria Roda, Muna Moushien, and Jumaane N’Namdi
(From L to R): Martha Ribieoo, Maria Roda, and Muna Moushien.
Surprise Performance by Myles Frost
As the night came to an end, we were treated to an amazing grand finale surprise – a dazzling performance by Myles Frost, the Tony Award Winner and star of MJ the Musical! Myles graced the stage, captivating the audience with his mesmerizing talent and leaving us all enchanted.
Musician Myles Frost
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Sharon Harris, Karen Phillips, Member Shannon Watkins, Founding Members Paul Alexander, Gail Peterson, ###, Lauren Kelly, and Jacqueline Woods, Event waiter, Mark Brown, Founding Members Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Vicky Free Sistrunk, and Susan Somersille Johnson.
Musician Myles Frost
Performance by Musician Myles Frost.
(From L to R): BECA Future Leaders C’23 Graduates Christina Marshall-Valdez and Chanel Gant, Musician Myles Frost, and Future Leaders C’23 Graduate Jamila Epps.
(From L to R): BECA Member Shannon Watkins, Founding Members Susan Somersille Johnson, Will Smith, Gail Peterson, Jacqueline Woods, Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, and Vicky Free Sistrunk, and Event waitress.
(From L to R): BECA Member Damaune Y. Journey, Founding Member Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, and Member Shannon Watkins.
Musician Myles Frost
BECA Members
In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, attendees gathered to extend their support to Future Leaders.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Kirk McDonald and Future Leader Graduate Jamila Epps
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Paul Alexander, Member Damaune Y. Journey, Founding Member Sharon Harris, Member Diane Primo, Founding Member Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Members DeLu Jackson and Shannon Watkins, and Founding Members Lauren Kelly and Will Smith.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Sharon Harris and Future Leader C’24 attendee Michele Peters.
(From L to R): BECA Founding Member Esi Eggleston Bracey and Future Leader C’23 Graduate Lami Ibrahim.
(From L to R): BECA Future Leader C’23 Graduate Casey Williams and Founding Member Anton Vincent.
(From L to R): BECA Future Leader C’23 Graduates Kellie Streat, Founding Member Janice Tennant, and Future Leader C’23 Graduate Tasha Hilton.
(From L to R): BECA Member Shannon Watkins and Future Leader C’23 Graduate Kellie Streat.
Congratulations to the
Class of 2023!
