Title
To Present Branden Jones and Bruce Jones with the Reese Neader Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship and Social Change
Body
WHEREAS, Reese Neader was a staple of the Columbus community who rallied entrepreneurs to create their own small businesses; and
WHEREAS, Reese founded organizations that connect startups to capital and networking with a long-term goal of creating jobs and improving neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Reese passed away on December 14th, 2016 at the age of 34; and
WHEREAS, to carry on the legacy of Reese Neader and recognize entrepreneurs working towards the common good, Columbus City Council established the Reese Neader Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship and Social Change; and
WHEREAS, the Reese Neader Memorial Award is presented quarterly by the Create Columbus Commission to a small business or entrepreneur working to improve neighborhoods, create jobs, and boost the quality of life for the people of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this quarter’s Reese Neader Memorial Award goes to Branden and Bruce Jones; and
WHEREAS, the Jones brothers have displayed their entrepreneurial spirits since their childhood on the South Side, where they worked a newspaper route; and
WHEREAS, in March 2016, the duo launched Blk Hack, an educational and inspirational monthly event series designed to help African-Americans get into the tech industry and startup space; and
WHEREAS, Blk Hack helps African American entrepreneurs and people of color grow, nurture, and scale their businesses by providing access to an engaged and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby present Branden Jones and Bruce Jones with the Reese Neader Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship and Social Change.