BPACF Black Professional of the Year - 2026
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Black Professional of the Year – 2026

For more than four decades, the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF) has honored individuals whose professional excellence, civic leadership, and personal integrity have made a lasting impact on our community.

BPACF’s mission is to create opportunities for Black professionals through scholarship, leadership, and career development. Central to that mission is elevating leaders whose lives and careers model what is possible—individuals who have not only achieved distinction in their fields, but who have also demonstrated a sustained commitment to service, mentorship, and community advancement.

The Black Professional of the Year represents the highest standard of leadership along the professional career continuum. Through their influence, example, and lived values, the Black Professional of the Year inspires us all.

The 2026 Black Professional of the Year will be saluted on November 7, 2026, at the 46th Annual BPACF Scholarship and Awards Gala.

Nomination Deadline: January 31, 2026

https://bpacf.org/

Nominee Criteria

The Black Professional of the Year should be an engaged member of the Northeast Ohio community, with high standards of professionalism that are in line with the mission of BPACF. More specifically, the individual must be committed to excellence and demonstrate outstanding qualities in the following areas of his/her life:

1.Professional Contributions: Serve in a leadership role within his/her field of endeavor and demonstrate outstanding achievements in his/her chosen profession (15-25 Years).

2.Civic Contributions: Demonstrate leadership, active civic engagement and a commitment to service within the community that goes above and beyond his/her professional obligations.

3.Personal Standards and Contributions: Have high moral and ethical standards with a strong commitment to excellence. Has achieved personal/professional accomplishments that mirror the goals and mission of BPACF (scholarship, education, leadership, career advancement and youth development).

4.Visibility: Be a recognized member of the community, able to attract a diverse selection of groups from Northeast Ohio (business, government, civic, education and religious). Have the ability, capacity or connections to assist in attracting sponsorships and donations ($300,000 - $400,000) for the BPACF Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala & Black Professional of the Year Salute. This signature fundraiser supports 40-45 scholarships,  internship stipends and supportive Emerging Professionals programs.

Restrictions on Eligibility:

The candidate cannot be a current member of the BPACF Board of Trustees.

The candidate must curently reside in Northeast Ohio.