From left are Women of Color Foundation Founder/Executive Producer Alexandria Boone, honoree Sheila A. Mixon of Cincinnati, and WEWS News anchor Danita Harris. Photos by Rodney L. Brown Photography
A local leader, who is instrumental in working with entrepreneurs to turn ideas into multi-million-dollar businesses, has been inducted into the Women of Color Foundation Hall of Fame.
Sheila A. Mixon, senior vice president of Business Development & Entrepreneurship and executive director of Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, was inducted into the prestigious group during the Women of Color Foundation’s 15th Anniversary Celebration and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland on July 20.
This is only the second time in the organization’s history that its held a Hall of Fame Induction and WOCF Founder Alexandria Boone said Mixon’s selfless and continuous advocacy on behalf of entrepreneurs made this a unanimous decision.
“Sheila is noted around the state as being a first-class champion for women leadership and entrepreneurial education,” Boone said.
With more than 35 years of business experience, Mixon is a proven leader. She directs all aspects of the Urban League’s business development initiatives, and strategic direction of the Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council, the Economic Empowerment Center and the Ohio Small Business Development Center.
“This is truly an honor. Not only to be recognized for a mission I have passion for, but also to be in the company of other female leaders dedicated to their communities and helping others succeed,” Mixon said.
Barb Smith, owner of Journey Steel, a certified minority and woman-owned structural and miscellaneous steel fabrication and erection company in Cincinnati, calls Mixon a tenacious advocate for female business owners, minorities and entrepreneurship.
“It’s in her heart. It’s what she does, and I’m so happy others are recognizing her work,” Smith said. “This honor is so well deserved.”
Mixon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, concentration in finance, from The Ohio State University and is a graduate of Leadership Challenge II, an executive training program with Citigroup. She is a graduate of the Greater Cincinnati Urban League’s African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP), Class XVII. She also graduated from the National Urban League’s Emerging Leaders Program.
