DIRECTORS

Jim is the founder and key organizer of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum which is now colocated with the PGA Show held annually in Orlando,FL. This event is considered historic in the golf industry. The EXPO includes participation from many of golfs major institutions, manufacturers, associations and organizations. The event annually brings together golf industry executives and leaders from the African American golf community. 

Jim is also the Executive Editor and a member of the Editorial Board of the African American Golfer’s Digest, the nation’s leading print publication and online portal for African  American

golfers. 

Jim is the founder and president of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures LLC (JBGV) which was founded on the principle of actively promoting and demonstrating the relationship between golf and the local, state, and national economies. The mission of JBGV is to celebrate, educate and inform parties about the economic impact of golf by highlighting job opportunities, careers, and supply chain opportunities. 

Jim is a nationally recognized site selection and economic development . He has been recognized as one of the top 50 consultants in America by the Consultant Connection. He has worked extensively with economic development organizations in developing strategies and implementing marketing programs aimed at attracting jobs and investment. Jim has written several books on economic development including the popular “Technology Led Economic Development manual”, which was published by Verizon and the International Economic Development Council.

He is a contributing writer for several economic development publications and is also a highly
requested speaker on economic development topics throughout the nation. Jim has served on numerous boards and organizations. He has served as Chairman and President of the Omaha Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Urban League of Nebraska ,Chairman of the Durham - Western Heritage Museum, Executive Committee of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce ,Vice- Chairman of the Nebraska Economic Development Commission, Vice Chairman of the United Way of the Midlands and Vice-Chairman of the Omaha Metro Area Transit Authority.

. Jim can be reached at jim@jimbeattygolfventures.golf

R. Shawn Summerville is an entrepreneurial and visionary Black business owner committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in golf. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Shawn founded Ebony GreensTM, LLC, catalyzing a movement of minority golfers. With a proven track record in business development and partnership cultivation, Shawn strategically forges alliances to expand Ebony GreensTM's reach and impact. His adept project management skills, honed during their tenure as a Building and Systems Engineering (B.a.S.E.) Supervisor at UPS, ensure successful execution from inception to completion. Passionate about economic development for underserved communities, Shawn utilizes golf as a pathway tool. By leveraging Ebony GreensTM as a platform, he drives initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized groups through golf, providing opportunities for skill development and community engagement.

Shawn is actively involved in various affiliations including the Black Tourism Advisory Council, African American Golf Expo and Forum, AmeriCorps VISTA, and the National Association of Black Golf Merchandisers, where they advocate for diversity and advancement in the golf community. Committed to advancing the Ebony GreensTM brand, he seeks strategic opportunities to drive sustainable growth and shape a more inclusive future for golf enthusiasts worldwide. Shawn can be reached at shawnofchicago@gmail.com

We mourn the loss of Brother Arnett Gill  who passed on June 7, 2026

Memorials in his honor are accepted via the Membership tab on this website.

In lieu of flowers, cards and contributions can also be sent to the National Association of Black Golf Merchandisers in memory of Arnett Gill who was the founding President. The address for the association is          5623 Willit, Omaha, NE 68152

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Arnett Gill  was the  co owner  with his wife Tabetha Gill of Design Apparel Screen Printing and Embroidery. Located in Nashville, TN, Design Apparel offers screen printing services, embroidery services, sublimation and apparel for both retail and wholesale customers.
As a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in the apparel industry, Gill was known for driving brand growth, maximizing operational excellence and delivering financial performance within budgets. Gill most recently had been a writing contributor to DAV magazine and a regular contributor to Graphics Pro magazine. Prior to this Gill was an executive with Prudential and CIGNA Healthcare for over 20 years.

Arnett holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (HBCU), formally AM&N College and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 

Mr. Littles gained his management and financial consulting experience providing business development and real estate services to majority as well as minority owned business clients. He has successfully managed multiple company offices covering several Counties of New York and New England States, for David J Burgos and Associates, Inc. providing management and financial consulting services.

While serving as Assistant Director of the New York State Small Business Development Centers he supervised 40 professionals in 14 offices in Long Island, New York City's 5 Boroughs and 5 upstate New York Counties. He also has served in the Office of the Dean of the School of Business, Medgar Evers College, the City University of New York, and was responsible for Business and Community Partnerships. He has served as an Economic Development Associate of the Dubois Bunche Center for Public Policy and an adviser to the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at the College.

He was a loaned executive, from the School of Business at Medgar Evers College, to the New York City Council Committee on Economic Development. He reported to the Chairperson as an Economic Development Senior Adviser on the implementation phase of the recommendations from the Disparity Study into new legislation.

As a founding member of the New York State Minority Business Advisory Board, appointed by then New York State Governor Hugh L Carey, Mr. Littles led the Board in the drafting of the legislation that created a State-Wide Minority Business Development program to increase the State's purchasing from Minority Owned businesses.  

Mr. Littles has partnered with major national consulting firms over the last 20 years conducting Disparity Studies for local and state governments around the country including California, New York, 

Georgia Counties to name a few.

Mr. Littles has traveled to the West Indies, including Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica as a business and real estate development consultant. He has traveled to Nigeria and Cameroon, West Africa with a client in the energy and environmental industry exploring opportunities as a guest of a Nigerian Diplomat.

Rodney can be reached at rodlittles1@gmail.com

Tabetha hails from Madisonville, Ky. Being the youngest of 4 children, and being small in physical stature, taught her that sizehas no boundaries. She became an Emergency Medical Technician where she was the only female in her graduating class . 

Tabetha served in the U.S. Army as an Admin Specialist, where she ran the Company Mailroom, and the Company Orderly Room. She also served as promotions clerk ensuring that all soldiers were advanced, promoted accordingly, and maintained pay and rank records. She also served as logistics admin support, Secretary to the Garrison General, and other duties during her military career. 

Upon her release from the military, Tabetha pursued her career in the medical field by becoming a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist . Due to injuries sustained in military she enrolled at Tennessee State University earning a bachelor’s degree in management, with a concentration in Human Resource Management graduating in 2016.

Tabetha learned that “not all deals are made in a boardroom; many are made on the golf course.” .

Tabetha wed Arnett L. Gill, II in  2019 and  they co-own Design Apparel and Sew Wright Embroidery. They provide apparel for veterans, the golf industry, and other  markets. Tabetha is responsible for order processing, digital design, embroidery specifications, order fulfillment, managing stock inventory, staging products for display, and loss  prevention management.

Tabetha is also employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she supervises and coaches employees in customer support and public relations. 

Virginia Lemmons is the owner of VRL and Associates, a Business Services Consulting firm, located in Omaha, NE. She has over 35 years of experience in business start-ups, business operations and financial management consulting. She has over 30 years of experience in working and collaborating with community agencies, program facilitation, program implementation, and program management.

Virginia taught Career Development classes business start-up  addressing  feasibility studies, marketing plans, cash flow projections and business plan development. She has worked to access funding for start-ups and expansions.

Virginia worked with Urban League of Nebraska, Goodwill YWCA-Omaha where she was instrumental in developing curriculum and facilitating workshops for women pursuing careers as electricians, plumbers, truck drivers and construction workers. She has developed curriculum and taught classes in Budgeting and Money Management. 

Virginia  has also taught youth entrepreneurial classes where students learned about the many opportunities and skills needed to start and manage a business. 

Virginia  has worked in the Telecommunication Industry holding positions in Telemarketing, Telemarketing Education and Telemarketing Administration Management.

Virginia  has developed corporate systems for financial reporting, customer invoicing, bill payments, cash maintenance, accounts receivables 

Virginia currently provides consulting services to a wide range of small-medium sized businesses, both for-profit and non-profit. She provides business development education, business promotions support, financial support, and business management support.

Virginia has BA Business Administration Program from the University of Phoenix