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37 B M & T ••• March/April 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com MICHAEL V. ROBERTS is the clas- sic American entrepreneur. Born to middle class hard working parents, educated in the St. Louis public school system, he worked his way through college and law school to become one of St. Louis' leading businessmen. Throughout his rise in business, Roberts maintained a strong commit- ment to the African-American com- munity from which he came. Locating his headquarters in the heart of this community, his endeavors over the last forty years have created thousands of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, raised the level of economic activity and enhanced the quality of life for the African-American community. Roberts' broad range of professional knowledge and experi- ence developed as both a business owner and public official (St. Louis Board of Aldermen, 1977-1985) encompasses t he applica- tion of innovative financing strategies for large public projects, pub- lic-private sector development negotiation strategies, and success- ful management techniques for urban commercial properties. His leadership in the creation of innovative strategies for financing of redevelopment projects propelled the City into a major redevelop- ment phase that lasted throughout the 1980s. In the decad es that followed, Roberts used his extraordinary and creative leadership abilities to build a business empire that encompasses television and quasi-governmental agencies, and pri- vate owners in the management of all phases of a construction project, including the design and management of programs to ensure the participation of Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Local Small Businesses. RR&A has served as consultant to a wide variety of public and private sector clients over the past 29 years, managing MBE/WBE participation as construction contractors, vendors and suppliers in projects throughout the country whose cumulative cost exceeds $30 billion. CHERYL RICHARDS serves as sen- ior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Dallas CVB). The Dallas CVB is the only tourism bureau in the nation with a dedicated diversity and inclusion department, aimed at elevating Dallas as a leader in the industry and building new partnerships that will drive busi- ness to the city. R. DONAHUE PEEBLES, recog- nized as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the nation, is the owner of The Peebles Corporation, the country's largest African-American real estate development company with a $4 billion development portfolio of luxury hotels, high-rise residential and Class A commercial properties and developments in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami Beach. Donahue, who has been featured in numerous publications and appears regularly on CNN, CNBC and FOX, is also a top- selling author. His first book, The Peebles Principles, distills the lessons he learned on the road to building his successful company and personal fortune. His first-person accounts of his most intrigu- ing deals illustrate the principles that guide Mr. Peebles in all of his transactions. His second book, The Peebles Path to Real Estate Wealth, released in September 2008, outlines the fundamental tools for real estate investing and details how to make money in any market. Peebles currently serves on th e National Finance Committee of President Barack Obama. JOHN ROLFE was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. Since March 2012, John has served as the chief operating officer of the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GHCVB). With the 2014 alignment of Houston First Corpora-tion and the GHCVB, Rolfe assumed the role of chief administrative officer of Houston First Corporation. Before joining the GHCVB, Rolfe As president and CEO, O'Dell oversees Events DC's three lines of business: Conventions and Meetings, Sports and Entertainment, and Special Events. His primary responsibilities include oversight of the development and promotion of hospitali- ty, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities that generate eco- nomic and community benefits for the residents and businesses of District of Columbia. Prior to the me rger, O'Dell served as chief executive officer and general manager of the Washington Convention Center Authority, where he was responsible for the operations of the 2.3- million-sq. ft. Convention Center, an award-winning facility that sees approximately one million visitors each year and has generat- ed nearly $3 billion in direct delegate spending since opening in 2003. O'Dell was also responsible fo r the Authority's develop- ment efforts, having led negotiations with the selected private developer in the $520 million public-private partnership for the 1,175-room, 46-suite Washington Marriott Marquis Convention Center hotel, which broke ground in November 2010. Richards' goal is to imbed diversity into the fabric of the Dallas CVB, which she has accomplished by developing creative pro- grams and par tnerships to honor diversity of all kinds. The Diversity and Inclusion team focuses on high levels of attendee customization for a variety of special groups. In 2015 alone, Richards and her department has been honored with the Texas Diversity Council 2015 Corporate Achievement award at the Annual Greater Dallas Best Practices and DiversityFIRST Awards Luncheon, the 2015 Driving Diversity Award by the Gr eater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and the 2015 APEX Award by Black Meetings & Tourism.