RALPH COOK

As the product of two entrepreneurial parents from Birmingham, AL, Robb Jones sustained their legacy of entrepreneurship upon graduating from Morehouse College in 1996. At the age of 22, he co-founded an apparel company that designed, manufactured and marketed fashionable and high-end apparel in college bookstores and department stores. From there, he went on to establish two additional successful companies before earning his MBA from the Clark Atlanta University School of Business, graduating in 2001.

Additionally in 2001, Robb became one of three owners of an in-town homebuilding company (JLW Homes & Communities), where he managed strategic growth and planning, operational infrastructure and brand marketing initiatives of the company. He success-fully established the company brand as a thriving force in real estate within Atlanta's in-town market and strategically positioned it for growth upward of 40 million dollars in revenue.

In 2009, Robb joined forces with his childhood friend Ralph Cook, Jr. as a Partner within Handprint Group. Handprint has established itself as a sustainable boutique professional service consulting firm providing a range of services that fall under three distinctive business units: Handprint Capital Group — corporate investment solutions; Handprint Strategy Group - strategic business solutions; and Handprint Government Affairs - government and public affairs. Handprint has several key growth areas under its capital and strategy unit.: energy, healthcare, infrastructure, government contracting and entertainment.

With offices in Atlanta, Birmingham and D.C, Handprint has grown its practice regionally from Mississippi to South Carolina in cities along the 1-20 corridor. Due to strong key relationships, Handprint is uniquely situated for further expansion in the Southeast. In addition, the partners at Handprint are the architects of BYC, which is a specialized organization and program (established as a 501 (C)(3), for urban cities that works with key government leadership to establish its banner initiative of Build Your "City, County, or Country". This initiative assesses, develops and implements a comprehensive strategic plan that focuses on efficiently implementing government directives and key areas of government responsibility.

Handprint utilizes high-level local political and business relationships to drive business opportunities to its company business units. In doing so, Mr. Jones provides leadership across the company's core competencies, while focusing on managing the company's operational growth and brand. He regularly monitor's the corporate business practices, creates internal infrastructure and maintains operational efficiencies. His responsibilities also include identifying and developing business opportunities, implementing strategic plans and coordinating efforts to maximize existing and future opportunities.

His vision, in conjunction with his business savvy, management and client relation skills, and marketing expertise, has proven to be an invaluable asset to the company. As an integral part of the firm's management team, Robb has demonstrated tremendous leadership and has facilitated corporate growth.

Among his accomplishments, he is the recipient of the Phoenix Award, an honor bestowed upon the Protégé of the Year of the Georgia's Governor's Mentor Protégé Program, Pacesetters Award (Atlanta Business Chronicle) and Inner City 100, as well as a Professionalism Award from Greater Atlanta Homebuilders. As a serial entrepreneur, he has been featured in several publications, including Black Enterprise, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Building News, Builder Magazine, Creative Loafing, and Atlanta Journal & Constitution.

Jones has been active in the community as a volunteer for of the United Way Volunteer Involvement Program, Morehouse Mentoring Program, and Habitat for Humanity, and Hands on Atlanta. Jones has also held seats on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations: Park Pride and Georgia Conservation Voters and is currently on the Board of Advisors for Atlanta Beltline. He has mentored young men through Morehouse College, Boys II Men (non-profit) and Cascade United Methodist Church Mentoring Programs, and regularly inspires young people through speaking engagements and serves on empowerment panels. In addition, he is a member of National Black MBA Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has been a long time resident of Atlanta where he is a proud husband and father of two children.

Shantel Gilbert M.S. is a doctoral candidate in Industrial Organizational Psychology and Founder / CEO of PLI Consulting Group, an international logistics management, organizational development and relationship management firm. PLI’s consulting team works with international governments, businesses and organizations to address the world’s most complex challenges. With a core group of experienced professionals and a team approach to most consulting projects, PLI offers a more balanced, personalized service that many of their competitors miss. 

The idea of starting a firm that manages entities of corporate social responsibility, community based organizations and government projects behind the scenes, stems from Shantel’s passion of service and providing support to those who reach the masses. Her clientele base share her vision of development for urban and underserved communities of color and enhancing the lives of citizens and enlighten the youth of tomorrow. As a world traveler she saw that communities of color around the globe have the same unfair disadvantages and made it her goal to work with clients with the power to do something about it. Ms. Gilbert provides her project management, I/O psychology, marketing and organizational development background to ensure the collective vision stays the course.

Over the past seven years, Ms. Gilbert has lead in providing technical assistance, redevelopment tools, cutting-edge research and essential best practices for process performance to businesses, organizations, government leaders and agencies to overcome the grappling issues that have eroded the vitality and sustainability of underserved communities locally and abroad.

Lalohni (LA) Campbell is founder and President of Per Se Media Group, an integrated communications agency specializing in strategic planning, sales enablement and reputation management. Based in Atlanta, Per Se works with a mix of clients ranging from technology and manufacturing companies to entertainers and public officials. Notable accounts include Allied Aerofoam, the Atlanta Beltline, Bronner Bros. Int’l and Colgate.

With a career that began in NYC at Time Warner’s Essence Magazine, LA brings a keen understanding of both sides of the media landscape to her client’s business. She is a former news reporter for the Tom Joyner Morning Show, which reigned as America’s #1 urban radio program during her tenure. After returning to Atlanta, LA earned her sea legs at top agencies like Ketchum Worldwide and WestWayne (22Squared), where she launched global campaigns for Fortune 500s such as The Coca-Cola Company, Ford Motor Co., Procter & Gamble and UPS. A voracious reader - from Kerouac to vsb.com – LA’s creative approach to storytelling has landed client features on Oprah, in The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, to name a few.

Dedicated to advancing the arts and building stronger communities, LA co-created “FeedingATL,” an annual initative that feeds more than 4,000 families in need. Most recently, she was named an International Women’s Day Ambassador by the Deputy Minister of South Africa.

LA is a graduate of Duke University, where she received a BA in Public Policy as a distinguished US Junior Fellow. She also attended Clark Atlanta University's School of Business for her executive MBA.

Flo Flowers is a Project Manager at Per Se Media Group, an integrated communications agency specializing in strategic planning, sales enablement and reputation management. Based in Atlanta, Per Se works with a mix of clients ranging from technology and manufacturing companies to entertainers and public officials. Notable accounts include Allied Aerofoam, the Atlanta Beltline, Bronner Bros. Int’l and Colgate.

Flo is a graduate of University of Tennessee, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business. She also attended Georgia State University for her MBA in Marketing & International Business. Flo is also a certified Project Management Professional, receiving her certification from the industry leading Project Management Institute.