The Truth Staff
The second Breaking the Glass Networking Event of 2026 was held on Wednesday evening, August 5, at TolHouse as several dozen minority business owners were given the opportunity to network, to introduce themselves to other business owners they might not have previous known and to celebrate the accomplishments of some notable individuals.
The event, hosted by contractor Blair Johnson, was first held in 2018 but had lapsed during the pandemic. The revival of the event proved to be exciting, and informative, for the attendees.
Johnson opened the evening by handing out sheets filled with questions in the form of bingo cards. Those in attendance were encouraged to speak with others in the room and gain the answers to questions on the bingo sheet such as: find someone who started a business; find someone in a different industry then you; find someone who works with youth; find someone who works in media or marketing.
As Johnson described the evening, “it is an opportunity to connect my peers to my peers.”
Then came the introduction of the evening’s honorees in a ceremony facilitated by La’Shardae Scott, EdD, who was the recipient of June’s Breaking the Barrier Award. This month’s honorees were: Somica Alexander, Ebony Carter, Angela Hanserd and LeQuan McKitrick.
Alexander is a financial consultant and legacy planner and the founder of Smart Minds Smart Moves, LLC. She provides financial fundamentals workshops, debt management, repairing credit, asset protection and legacy planning services.
Carter has just recently resigned her position as the vice president for the Minority Business Assistance Center where her efforts to support the growth and sustainability of small, minority and disadvantaged businesses has been hailed.
Hanserd is the owner of Lavish Me Spa offering an array of services geared toward wellness and aesthetics – IV vitamin therapy. vitamin IM shots, medical weight loss, advanced skincare, body waxing, body contouring, post-op care and more.
McKitric is a licensed HRC/HVAC contractor, an entrepreneur whose strategic vision is turning challenges into opportunities.
Toni Battle Gaines, one of the co-founders of the Black Wall Street Community Development (The Juice 97.3; The Truth; Pursuit magazine, KpK Unlimited), a group that also works with Black business owners, also spoke, emphasizing the need for collaboration and cooperation between minority businesses and groups.
The evening ended with a raffle and more informal networking.
The Breaking the Glass events will continue on a periodic basis. For information contact 567-218-1498 or BreakingTheGlass@gmail.com.