They come from pulpits and policy rooms, classrooms and courtrooms, boardrooms and creative studios. Together, Sacramento’s ONYX 25 represent the pulse of modern Black leadership — a dynamic, interwoven tapestry of visionaries who are redefining what influence means in their city.
Each honoree carries a distinct story, but when you listen closely, a pattern emerges: service before self, integrity above convenience, unity over division, resilience in adversity, and an unshakable commitment to the next generation.
These are not just titles and résumés. They’re blueprints for transformation — and the ONYX 25 are drafting Sacramento’s future in real time.
Service As Power
For many of the ONYX 25, leadership starts not with ambition but with service. Bishop Parnell M. Lovelace Jr., often called “The People’s Bishop,” leads by a principle as old as it is radical: power means serving others with care and respect.
Dr. Dawnté Early, President and CEO of United Way California Capital Region, shares that belief. “Leadership,” she says, “isn’t about being in charge — it’s about taking responsibility for others’ well-being.” Jay King, who heads the California Black Chamber of Commerce, puts it simply: his mission is to always think “community-first.”
Whether they’re shepherding congregations, advocating for equity, or creating economic pathways, these leaders see service not as charity, but as duty — the engine that moves collective progress forward.
The Integrity Imperative
Integrity is the quiet force behind the ONYX 25’s influence. It’s not flashy, but it’s everything.
For Lynette Hall, Community Engagement Manager for the City of Sacramento, integrity means staying grounded in truth — especially when the easy route is the wrong one. “Accountability,” she says, “has to guide every decision, even when it costs you something.”
Myesha Jackson, Policy Director in the State Assembly Speaker’s Office, adds another layer: humility. “If you can’t meet people where they are,” she says, “you can’t move them anywhere.”
And Regina Brown Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, reminds us that leadership is as much about what’s unseen as what’s public. “Do what’s right,” she says, “even when no one’s watching.”
It’s this moral clarity that has built a foundation of trust strong enough to sustain change that lasts.
Bridge Builders And Barrier Breakers
Every one of the ONYX 25 understands that progress is a team effort. Influence, they say, is not about holding the mic — it’s about sharing it.
Hon. Bunmi O. Awoniyi, Presiding Judge of the Sacramento Superior Court, calls it “creating visibility and opportunity” — ensuring that the Black community not only has a seat at the table but also a say in the conversation.
James “Jay” Robinson III, Senior Vice President at Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan, uses his platform to connect worlds that rarely intersect: corporate, civic, and grassroots. And for Teri Holoman, Associate Executive Director of the California Teachers Association, empowerment is a relay, not a race. “The mission,” she says, “has to continue long after you’re gone.”
Their message is clear: unity doesn’t mean sameness. It means building bridges strong enough to carry everyone across.
The Fire That Doesn’t Fade
No journey toward justice and equity is without resistance — and yet, the ONYX 25 wear resilience like armor.
Kevin Johnson, CEO of Seven Management Inc., has faced his share of critics, but he believes pushback is proof of purpose. “If you’re not meeting opposition,” he says, “you’re probably not changing anything.”
Margaret Fortune, President and CEO of Fortune School, knows that transformation takes time. Her fight for educational justice has been years in the making, fueled by discipline and an unrelenting belief in what’s possible. “Consistency and persistence,” she says, “that’s how you build a legacy.”
Through their persistence, these leaders remind us that resilience isn’t just surviving the storm — it’s learning to build in the rain.
Lifting As They Climb
If there’s one thread that ties the ONYX 25 together most tightly, it’s this: none of them walk alone.
Thomas Donaldson, Owner of Donaldson Properties and Florin Square Plaza, sees mentorship as a sacred responsibility. “The people who poured into me,” he says, “deserve to see that investment multiply.”
California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber has built her life’s work around that same idea — championing scholars, organizers, and truth-tellers across the country.
And for Faith J. McKinnie, Founding Director of the Black Artist Foundry, mentorship means access. “I don’t believe in gatekeeping,” she says. “We open doors — that’s how culture grows.”
For the ONYX 25, leadership isn’t complete until it’s shared.
A Living Blueprint For Change
Together, the ONYX 25 are more than honorees; they are architects — drafting a more just, inclusive, and inspired Sacramento.
They lead not from ego, but from purpose. They measure success not in accolades, but in impact. And they move with a collective understanding that the truest mark of leadership is what — and who — comes after you.
In their voices, we hear not just the story of Black excellence, but a call to action for every generation to come.
