DIRECTORS

Chris Word is the visionary founder and driving force behind Greenwood GOLF. With a passion for both golf and entrepreneurship, Chris embarked on a mission to redefine the golfing experience and make it more accessible to all. Chris's journey in the golf industry began at a young age, where he developed a deep love for the sport during a Tiger Woods golf camp. As he honed his skills on the course, Chris also cultivated a keen interest in business and innovation.

As a CPA and after years of playing golf, Chris saw an opportunity to combine his expertise with his entrepreneurial spirit to create something truly unique. In 2021, he founded Greenwood GOLF with a vision to provide high-quality golf equipment, apparel, and experiences that cater to golfers of all levels. Under Chris's leadership, Greenwood GOLF is building a brand known for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and community. From launching groundbreaking products like the Greenwood GOLF Flex ball to spearheading initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the golfing world, Chris continues to push the boundaries and inspire positive change.

As Greenwood GOLF continues to grow and evolve, Chris remains steadfast in his mission to elevate the golfing experience and leave a lasting impact on the sport he loves. Chris Word can be reached at word.chris@gmail.com

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

Jewel C. Love, is a veteran marketing, research and engagement strategist with extensive credentials in carrying a business vision from concept through execution. Through her company, SoulStirring, LLC, Jewel has provided professional counsel to a range of clients and colleagues in corporate, foundation and entrepreneurial settings. With broad and varied professional expertise, she helps organizations maximize their return on investment. An avid golfer and advocate for truly diversifying the golf industry, Jewel steers The Golf Fund, a project powered by her company, which focuses on supporting African American and other minority junior golfers becoming elite-level players. In addition to being part of national diversity conversations around golf, Jewel also serves on other boards. Jewel received her M.A. from Howard University and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jewel can be reached at jlove246@gmail.com

Stacey Stewart, a veteran Sports Marketing & Lifestyle Entertainment professional for over two
decades, is the Founder and Creative Director of aCouture, LLC -- an artisan-inspired fashion house
established in 2022 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Throughout her career, Ms. Stewart has excelled in developing innovative concepts and flagship programs for prominent sports brands and organizations across the country. Notable achievements include her instrumental role in the WNBA’s inaugural launch in Los Angeles and her management of entertainment ventures with Magic Johnson Enterprise, Chivas Soccer, Michael Jordan Classic, ESPN, National College Tours, and the NBA/NY Knicks, among others. Her journey began as the Creative Director of the US fashion brand, Oz&Ōtz, in 2015, where she embraced the mission of promoting body positivity and confidence through dynamic style options for women. Stacey Stewart’s current focus lies in athleisure and functional fashion catering to the dynamic woman and her active lifestyle. Under the umbrella of aCouture, LLC, she curates various capsule collections, including aCouture|4Par, inspiring women to embrace an active lifestyle with boldness, quality, and comfort, without compromising on flair. Stacey Stewart holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Design & Advertising from San Jose State University. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with her fur baby Lena. Stacey can be reached at sstewart@golfmarieus.com 

Kevin Shirley is the Cofounder of American Soul Brothers(ASB) a Veteran/Minority-owned small business creating affordable healthy gourmet sauces with clean ingredients that are gluten-free, sodium-free/low sodium, fat-free/low-fat, and contain no high fructose corn syrup. The goal for ASB is to revolutionize the sauce communities in the United States and abroad by creating a unique sauce experience. Kevin has experience in the veterans hospital procurement purchasing, logistics, government contracting, sales, administration, management/personnel and is a 20-year retired Air Force Reservist Veteran. Kevin is a native of Jemison, Alabama. Kevin can be reached at kevin@americansoulbrothers.com

Arnett Gill is the current owner 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 is known for driving brand growth, maximizing operational excellence and delivering financial performance within budgets. Gill most recently has 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. Arnett can be reached at arnettgill58@gmail.com

James Beatty is a nationally recognized site selection and economic development expert based in Omaha, Nebraska. 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 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 the founder and key organizer of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum. To date over 1,500 people have attended the EXPO which has been held in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Louisville, KY and has had an economic impact over $2 million thus far. This event is considered historic as it has never happened in the history of golf. This effort includes participation from many of golfs major institutions, manufacturers, associations and organizations. The event annually brings together the golf industry and leaders from the African American golf community. Jim is 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 Black American

golfers. Jim can be reached at jbeatty138@aol.com