Jay is a dynamic force committed to his unwavering motto, "Build As We Climb." As the President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses. In just four years, under Jay's visionary leadership, RICE supports over 500 entrepreneurs full time, generating an impressive $184 million in annual revenues, sustaining 2,153 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $478 million of new economic impact in the Metro Atlanta area. Jay and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.An Atlanta native, three-time TED Talker, and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, Jay has a proven track record of success. His leadership and commitment to the community have been recognized by three U.S. Presidents. In 2012, he was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."Jay has been recognized with the prestigious National Point of Light Award, named one of Atlanta's "Most Admired CEOs" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranked on Atlanta Magazine's "POWER 100" list of the most dynamic leaders in the city, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential” leaders in the State.He is a devoted member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, dedicated to the motto "Service Above Self." His remarkable board service includes roles on the Georgia Chamber and Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves as a Board Director for both the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Invest Atlanta Foundation, as well as the founding Chairman of Citizens Trust Bank's Next Generation Advisory Board.Focused on education, he serves on the University of Georgia Board of Visitors, as an Agnes Scott College Trustee, a Board Director for the Atlanta Speech School, and the Executive Board of the Veritas School of Social Sciences. Jay is a nationally recognized landowner and serves as a trustee for the Georgia Forestry Foundation.Jay, a graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, has earned numerous accolades. Among them are the Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, the Maynard Jackson Community Impact Award, and the Bernie Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award. Additionally, he takes great pride in being a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
Listed skills include Leadership, Nonprofits, Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, and 46 others.