August Coffee and Conversations

Join us at A Place at the Table on Friday, August 21st at 9:00 AM for an inspiring conversation on National Black Business Month!

Moderator: Lekesha R. Shaw

Lekesha Shaw currently serves as the Business Engagement & Opportunities Program (BEOP) Manager for the City of Raleigh, where she leads strategic initiatives to expand access and opportunity for small, growing, emerging and under-capitalized businesses. In this leadership role, Ms. Shaw is instrumental in driving efforts aimed at increasing awareness of BEOP services and highlighting contracting opportunities available within the City.

With a career grounded in empowerment and community impact, Ms. Shaw joined the City of Raleigh in 2019, bringing a strong foundation in economic development and stakeholder engagement. Prior to her role with the City, she served as Executive Director and Vice President of the Raleigh Area Development Authority (RADA), where she led transformative supportive housing initiatives and advanced the organization’s mission of economic inclusion and growth for underserved communities. Her professional journey reflects a deep-rooted commitment to removing barriers, creating opportunity, and empowering the business community.

Tamara L Terry

Tamara is the President and CEO of FDW Strategic Solutions, where she activates vision, empowers talent, and transforms communities through strategic clarity, leadership development, and statewide ecosystem building. She is a seasoned Engagement Executive, Principal Strategist, and research scientist with more than 20 years of experience steering transformational strategy across the social sciences, higher education, industry, and nonprofit sectors.

A trusted executive leader, Tamara guides institutions through complex challenges with a focus on scalable solutions and human‑centered growth. Her expertise spans executive client management, workforce development, performance optimization, and strategic convening, while her research background ensures precision in both process and outcomes.

Tamara is widely recognized for cultivating mission‑driven partnerships and leading cross‑functional teams with care, integrity, and intent. She builds trust across disciplines and champions collaborative execution, helping organizations align strategic goals with meaningful, measurable progress.

Rolonda Hernandez

Chapter Chair, SCORE Raleigh | Founder, Advance Wake

Rolonda Hernandez serves as Chapter Chair of SCORE Raleigh, leading one of the region's most active small business mentorship networks for Wake County and eastern NC. Over 20 years, she has personally supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs across North Carolina and internationally, including programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.

A two-time globally recognized leader, named Top 100 Global Leader in Real Estate and Construction and Brainz 500 Global Award recipient, Rolonda brings enterprise-level systems experience into practical frameworks for founders at every stage. She is the founder of Advance Wake, an AI Business Solutions platform and Entrepreneurial Support Connector for North Carolina.

To work with Rolonda, visit advancewake.com.