By Zack Frink

Come celebrate with The Dayton Young Black Professionals (DYBP) as they host their inaugural Black Excellence Weekend from Nov. 7-10, 2019. The four-day weekend is geared toward community enrichment, professional growth and the recognition of service and philanthropy.

“We want to give people the platform to use their gifts to empower others,” said Daj’za Demmings, founder and president of DYBP. “What better way to empower than to celebrate everything we are and everything we do?”

There are 21 sponsors for Black Excellence Weekend, including Miami Valley Golf Club, but the festivities were largely organized by DYBP.

“We all sat down and asked, ‘What’s a dope way to celebrate black excellence, and what our peers are accomplishing in the city?’” said Natasha Ivery, DYBP communications director. “We wanted something fun and opulent for the city.”

The organization plans to distribute awards during their Black Excellence Gala on Nov. 9. The seven awards to be given out are based on DYBP’s 7 Pillars of Excellence.

“I wanted a way to celebrate everyone’s wins in the community in a fun and spectacular way, so the gala was born,” said Demmings.

The awards are influenced by pop culture and personal references to DYBP. For example, the Village Award is inspired by the timeless saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

In addition to the awards, DYBP will present five Dayton high school students with Dr. Emma Jean Jackson Scholarship Fund awards. The fund was named after Demmings’ late grandmother, who was an advocate for education. Each student will receive $500.

“Black Excellence Weekend will be a premier event that Dayton has never seen,” added Ivery. “I’m not only excited about the lives DYBP will touch and interact with, but I’m also excited to be at the helm of such a vital time in Dayton.”

Tickets for Black Excellence Weekend can be purchased on Eventbrite. Email DYBP at [email protected] if your business or organization is interested in a partnership or sponsorship opportunity.

Schedule of events

Nov. 7: The EP Open Mic; Dayton Taste, 2555 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood, Ohio 45426; 7-10 p.m.

Nov. 8: The Hospitality Suite; Picture Perfect Paint Parties, 123 North Ludlow St., Dayton, Ohio 45402; 6-7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8: Artistic Bliss: A Curated Experience; Picture Perfect Paint Parties, 123 North Ludlow St., Dayton, Ohio45402; 7-9 p.m.

Nov. 9: Jail Voting Registration Training; The Entrepreneurs Center, 714 East Monument Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45402; 9-11 a.m.

Nov. 9: Black Business Hop Scavenger Hunt; Businesses to be announced; 1:30–3:30 p.m.

Nov. 9: The Black Excellence Gala; Miami Valley Golf Club, 3311 Salem Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45406; 7 p.m. to midnight

Nov. 10: The Church Hop; McKinley United Methodist Church, 196 Hawthorn St., Dayton, Ohio 45402; 11 a.m.

Nov. 10: The Creatives Brunch; Miami Valley Golf Club, 3311 Salem Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45406; 1:30–5 p.m.