05/07/2026
The Massey Center’s 3rd Annual Illuminating Futures Gala showcased RMU’s entrepreneurial excellence of the past and present! Combined with the 6th Annual Rockwell Symposium for the first time, this all-inclusive celebration convened an audience of 120 people to elevate our student innovators, our trailblazing alumni, and leaders who advance innovative thinking through their words and actions.
Many thanks to our phenomenal Rockwell Keynote Speaker Danielle Parson
, CEO and Founder of Professional Women Network, who ignited the crowd with the reminder that the rewarding “craziness” of the entrepreneurial mindset demands creating one’s own path and rules. She encouraged so many to move forward with their unique paths.
A heartfelt congratulations to our alumni Sonya D. Ford, CAP-OM (Program Manager, CMU Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship), Denise Brzezinski (Franchise Owner, Nothing Bundt Cakes), Juanita Lomax, MS (CEO and Founder, Hit Like a Girl), and Eric Linn (Director and Co-Founder, Agriwater Uganda) for being recipients of the Massey Center’s new Blue and Silver Icons Awards.
We are so proud of the many student honorees representing every facet of our growing ecosystem. Congratulations to our Rockwell Fellows Class of 2026, the Derrick L. Maultsby, Jr. Microgrant Award recipients, our 14 New Founder Awardees, the Entrepreneurship Certificate Graduates, and the PR and Advertising Capstone Featured Entrepreneurs!
And finally, the Massey Center is a reflection of the brilliance of our student entrepreneurs. They drive every element of program, and collectively convey RMU’s unique contribution to the region’s entrepreneurial space. Many thanks to our very own
Kadin Riddle (Founder of Pinnacle Key LLC) for the amazing event planning and coordination,
Darius Vance (Founder of Inspired Youth LLC) for the commemorative digital storytelling, and 10 year logo design by him and Spencer Jackson (Founder of Cer J Designs LLC),
Shayna Cunnard (Founder of Urban Artistry LLC) and Kyle Le (Founder of Kyle Le Captures LLC) for steering the program as great MCs.
A’Janae Monroe (Founder of Beauty by A’J) and Kenny Buckley (Massey Center Incubator Lead) for serving as Gala Host and steering logistics.
And we are grateful to Dean Daria Crawley and Provost Joe Zimmer for their ongoing support.
Director Eliada Wosu Griffin-EL, PhD and the entire Massey Team thank all who were a part of this memorable experience. Here’s to more wonderful years of entrepreneurship education at RMU!
