DATE
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM (Rescheduled from November 2024)
VENUE
Egypt Shriners Center • 5017 E Washington St., Tampa, FL 33619
WHAT TO EXPECT
Join the All Hart Foundation and the Tampa Bay Latin Chamber for “La Refinería: Prosperidad E Influencia” (The Refinery: Prosperity and Influence). This gathering is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing Latinos today while empowering our community to thrive on every level.
Our conversation will delve deep into topics of wealth and financial empowerment, exploring strategies to build and sustain generational wealth within the Latin community. We’ll address the critical issue of mental health, breaking down the stigmas and barriers that prevent so many from seeking the care they need. Wellness will also take center stage as we discuss holistic approaches to health that honor our cultural roots while promoting physical and emotional well-being.
Civic engagement, both locally and nationally, will be a focal point as we examine how our voices can shape the future of our communities and our country. From voter participation to grassroots activism, we’ll explore how every individual can make a meaningful impact.
But this event is more than just dialogue—it’s a celebration of our culture, resilience, and collective power. Hosted at the Egypt Shriner Center in Tampa, attendees will enjoy delicious cuisine, connect with like-minded individuals, and leave inspired to take action in your life and community.
Mark your calendars for February 12th and join us for this transformative event during the Tampa Bay Latin Chamber’s quarterly luncheon where we’ll come together be empowered, inspired, and to prosper. Find ticket information and details here: https://larefineria.eventbrite.com.
ABOUT THE REFINERY
From social justice issues, and disproportionate COVID-19 illnesses, to systemic financial and political struggles, the quality of life for Black Americans’ was stifled by these challenges. The Refinery was developed by serial entrepreneur and community leader, Gary Hartfield, to serve as a safe space for conversation, support, and healing. It is more than an event, it’s an opportunity to “refine” mindsets and create solutions. It’s a place to celebrate our greatness and remind the world of our existence. It’s a space for inspiration and empowerment.
Dr. Renée Baker, is an award-winning entrepreneur, educator, and advocate for economic empowerment. Recognizing the critical need for financial literacy in her community, she embarked on a lifelong journey dedicated to bridging wealth disparities and fostering economic growth. As the visionary Founder and CEO of The RBI Group, Dr. Baker seamlessly integrates her expertise in finance and marketing, spearheading innovative strategies that redefine the landscape of financial services. Her leadership extends beyond business, encompassing mentorship, education, and a steadfast commitment to fostering inclusivity. She is a devoted wife, mother, and community advocate. Dr. Baker’s enduring mantra, “the best is yet to come,” serves as a testament to her unwavering belief in the power of perseverance and uplifting others on their journey towards success and fulfillment.
*All tickets include access to the event, lunch and access to networking plus:
Cienna Alida is a national award-winning artist whose throwback, soulful sound and powerhouse performances have made her one of the most in-demand vocalists in the Tampa Bay area. Her talent has gained her recognition from national and international artists and fans alike.
Cienna was born in Massachusetts and raised in a small suburb just outside of Boston. Her family, having roots in Brooklyn, New York, introduced her to the sounds of Motown, R&B, Jazz and Gospel. Cienna was heavily influenced by the sounds of Celine Dion, Anita Baker, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson, and Whitney Houston.
Cienna has performed at the Low-Country Jazz Festival in Charleston South Carolina, the Clearwater Jazz Festival in Florida and many others across the United States. She has performed with Jim Walker, Charlton Singleton, opened for Jonathan Butler and toured with José Valentino. Between 2014 and 2016 she won multiple singing competitions at the local and national level. Cienna has recorded for various artists and released her first single “ I Can’t Explain” in 2016.
Cienna graduated from the University of South Florida with a Masters in Public Health and is currently pursuing her Medical degree at the University of South Florida.
Due to the impacts from the recent storms, The Refinery has been postponed until 2025. The All Hart Foundation is partnering with the Tampa Bay Latin Chamber to collect items for individuals and families affected by Hurricane Helene and Milton. Please help us serve our community by bringing at least one of the following items with you to the event. You can also make a cash donation to the All Hart Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund here.
Gary T. Hartfield is the founder of The Refinery: A Social Exchange. A serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Gary is the president and CEO of six Residential Group Homes throughout Florida, delivering personalized and therapeutic health care services for the elderly and developmentally disabled. His business triumphs don’t end there. Gary is also the founder and CEO of Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, a full-service agency providing insurance solutions to clients throughout Florida and Georgia. The company specializes in commercial risk, partnering with hundreds of business owners to deliver the products and solutions that matter most, including liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and auto and property insurance.
Gary’s leadership acumen and career efforts have served as an engine for job creation, with his businesses employing more than 100 Floridians across the state. Serenity Village Insurance has grown to serve more than 1,000 clients in Florida and Georgia since its founding in 2012.
Gary’s key business roles and accomplishments extend to the nonprofit realm, where he serves as the CEO and Chairman of Empower Florida, Inc., an organization representing the needs of more than 20,000 business owners who serve the intellectually and developmentally disabled throughout Florida. He also serves on multiple boards and councils, including the Tampa Bay Chamber, Career Source Tampa Bay, the CEO Council, the Nonprofit Leadership Center, The Skills Center, and Live Tampa Bay.
Gary’s entrepreneurial energy and penchant for business analysis are grounded by a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of West Florida and an Executive Leadership Certification from Cornell University. Gary earned his Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. His memoir, Stand, was published in 2015 and is available on Amazon. In 2019, Gary was recognized by Onyx Magazine’s “Black Men Honors ‘Florida’s Most Impactful and Influential Men.’”
Dr. Renée Baker is an award-winning entrepreneur, professor, speaker, and business & civic leader passionate about economic empowerment. As the Founder and CEO of The RBI Group, Dr. Baker combines her extensive knowledge in finance and marketing with a forward-thinking approach to remain at the forefront of the financial services industry. Her leadership transcends her business endeavors as she commits to mentoring and education while concentrating on leading businesses and promoting an inclusive culture within organizations. Dr. Baker’s unwavering commitment to empowering others is evident in every facet of her work, positioning her as an inspiration and a force to drive change, impact, and progress.
Dr. Baker’s continual learning and achievement journey has led to significant academic and professional accolades, underscoring her impact and leadership in her field. Beyond her accomplishments, she cherishes her role as a wife and mother to three adult daughters, enjoying travel and community service as extensions of her commitment to making a difference. With a firm belief in the power of dedication and empowering others, Dr. Baker always reminds us that “the best is yet to come.
Dr. Baker also completed executive education at the Securities Industry Institute, hosted by SIFMA and Wharton, and holds several securities licenses.
Dionne (Dee) M. Jones, JD, PhD, is a 1992 graduate of the University of Florida and a 1995 graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was a Council on Legal Education Opportunity Fellow. Dee is also a certified Florida Supreme Court mediator.
In 2013, Attorney Jones graduated from the University of South Florida with a PhD in Higher Education Leadership. As faculty, she served as the Co-Director of the Law and Medicine Scholarly Concentration program and taught leadership courses. She was selected by the Provost to serve on the Diversity Task Force for the recruitment and retainment of faculty of color. In 2016, Attorney Jones was 1 of 30 selected (out of 6,000) for Harvard University’s Governance for Non-Profit Leaders Fellows program.
As native of Tampa, Attorney Jones has served as the Co-Chair of the Community Action Committee for the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers. She was awarded the Pro Bono Attorney-of-the-Year for Bay Area Legal Services. As a member of the George Edgecomb Bar Association, in 2002, Attorney Jones served as Co-Chairman of the Community Action as well as Chairman of the Scholarship Banquet Committee. She was awarded the President’s Award for outstanding leadership and dedication for the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2020-21 bar year and most recently received the Trailblazer Award in 2023. As a former prosecutor, Dee’s most meaningful experience included serving as the lead prosecutor for aggravated assault and battery cases on the felony level. Furthermore, Dee conceptualized, developed, and moderated several symposiums on mental health, prosecution and recidivism. She also completed a fellowship through Stanford Business School Prosecutors Leaders Now program.
Currently, Attorney Jones is corporate counsel for Allstate Insurance Company and serves as the Vice President of the George Edgecomb Bar Association. On a national level, Attorney Jones was installed as a founding Executive Board member of the National Black Prosecutor’s Association and chaired the organization’s 2025 Strategic Plan. She was the Tampa chapter’s Vice President.
Attorney Jones continues to be intimately engaged in the community where she is President of the Board of Trustees for Abe Brown Ministries, Inc.. She recently completed a 7-year term on the Board of Trustees for Tampa Preparatory School, where she was appointed to the Executive Board. As a trustee, she demonstrated her commitment and passion for education as the Chair for the Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Committee, which resulted in a $27M capital campaign. Dee also dedicated her time to the Governance Committee. Moreover, Attorney Jones served as a faithful volunteer with Bay Area Legal Services iLawyer program, Family Law forms clinic and Domestic Violence clinic. Finally, Dee is a member of the Executive Board for Tampa Kiwanis. She is also thirty-two-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she is the Leadership Committee Chairman.
Dee is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Lauren and Kaitlyn, who are law students at University of Miami School of Law and Georgetown School of Law, respectively.
Meet Angela Holmes-Rouson, a Florida native whose journey has taken her through diverse landscapes, from Indiana to Maryland and back again.
Professionally, Angela is a seasoned marketing executive with a wealth of experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. Her passion for making a difference led her to pursue a BS in Business (Marketing) from Hampton University and an MBA from FAMU’s School of Business. Currently, she serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mt Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church and its affiliate organizations, leveraging her expertise to promote their missions and initiatives.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Angela is deeply committed to advocacy and service. She has dedicated her time to serving on impactful boards, including those focused on community welfare such as the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas, St Anthony’s Hospital, and the FAMU Board of Trustees. Angela’s commitment to affordable housing led her to serve as Commissioner for the Pinellas County Housing Authority for 18 years, where she held the positions of Chair of Finance and Chair of the Board.
Angela’s most cherished role is that of a devoted mother to her five sons, the heart of her family. In the dance of life, she finds joy in the laughter and camaraderie shared with her boys, cherishing the unique bond they share. As a reflection of her family’s legacy of public service—her father, a lobbyist for education in D.C., and her husband, a State Senator—Angela has previously run for public office, embodying her commitment to making a positive impact on her community.
She finds fulfillment in exploring her creativity through cooking, travel, her love for football, and other endeavors that ignite her passion.
Through her journey, Angela exemplifies resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving others. She leads by example, quietly making an impact on the lives of those around her, demonstrating that true worth is found not in accolades, but in the difference we make in the lives of others.
Juawana Colbert by profession is an Economic Developer and real estate consultant. As an independent contractor, Juawana services needs in real estate, development, management and construction. Juawana formerly held leadership positions in Economic Development acting as the procuring agent for companies expanding and relocating into cities. Throughout her career, Juawana has spearheaded over $1billion dollars investment and development. Most recently, Juawana is most recognized from Netflix’s Selling Tampa.
Juawana was recognized as one of the “Top 50 Economic Developers in the Country” by Consultant Connect in 2018.
Native Floridian, Natalie Freeman is a speaker, entrepreneur, and thought leader. Over the last 25 years, Natalie has helped budding entrepreneurs start and sustain their for profit and nonprofit ventures. while serving the community through outreach to the disadvantaged and veterans. With a degree in Accounting, Natalie has managed millions through her positions at Wells Fargo, University of South Florida, Freedom Enterprises International (her company) and numerous ministries in the Bay Area. Natalie’s passion has always been to lead by example and to encourage clients that failure isn’t final if you learn from it. Natalie proven strategies have helped many overcome fears and reach life-changing goals.
Currently, Natalie is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones managing a progressive office in Brandon, FL serving clients nationwide. She is a single mother to one son and one blue pitbull. She enjoys running, writing, and golf.
Stephanie McNeal is a trailblazer and catalyst for transformational storytelling, inspiring individuals to reclaim their narratives, find healing and closure, and use their stories as powerful tools for personal and professional growth. Her unique approach blends the art of storytelling with business acumen, creating a powerful platform for individuals to amplify their voices and make a lasting impact.
With a rich background, Stephanie brings a unique perspective to her work. Her experience as a former Women’s Ministry Leader, podcast host, speaker, and author has shaped her into a compassionate and knowledgeable guide. Stephanie’s journey as a Forgiveness Coach has transformed lives, but she realized her true calling when she fully embraced her role as a Minister of Reconciliation. Now, she empowers others to heal and find closure, allowing them to embrace their God-given purpose and live their best lives.
Stephanie’s current role as a Technical Assistance Officer further enhances her ability to support and mentor others. She understands the challenges entrepreneurs face and meets business owners where they are, offering guidance to level up and scale their ventures. Her goal is to provide the mentorship and training needed for success in the dynamic business landscape.
As a devoted mother of four amazing young adults and a first-time Grand Mommy, Stephanie understands the challenges of balancing personal and professional aspirations. She knows firsthand the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of a supportive community.
With an educational background, including an MBA in Marketing and certifications in relationship education, entrepreneurship, and identity and destiny, Stephanie combines her expertise with genuine care. She brings a refreshing approach to helping others overcome emotional blocks, negative thought patterns, and unhealthy habits. Her tools and life strategies will empower you to P.R.E.S.S. forward, create the life you desire, and achieve your true destiny.
Tarneisha Peters’ remarkable journey to success has been characterized by her indomitable spirit, relentless drive, and unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact on both businesses and communities. As a leader, she embodies a rare blend of astute business acumen and genuine compassion for others, inspiring those around her to aim higher and achieve greater heights.
In her current role as the Regional Director for West Florida, Tarneisha Peters continues to steer the region towards prosperity and empowerment. Her diligent efforts ensure that Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and underserved small businesses in Tampa receive the crucial support they need to overcome challenges and flourish in their respective industries. Furthermore, her relentless pursuit of innovative partnerships fosters a cohesive and united approach among various organizations with the shared goal of uplifting the community.
Tarneisha Peters’ impressive profile stands as a testament to her incredible contributions and the transformative impact she has had on the lives of countless individuals and businesses. As she continues to forge ahead on her remarkable journey, Tarneisha remains a shining example of excellence, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating a better, more inclusive world for all. Her leadership and vision continue to inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the business landscape and beyond.
Dr. JaMia Washington -Osunsanmi, MD is a native of Tampa, FL. She is the proud daughter of Cheryl Byrd- Washington and Henry “Shake” Washington. She graduated from Hillsborough High School and was the Traditional Valedictorian in 2003. She then went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences from the University of Miami in 2007 and a Master’s degree at Florida International University in Health Services Administration in 2010. Her dream of becoming a doctor was realized when she graduated with an Doctorate of Medicine at the illustrious Meharry Medical College in 2015. Dr. Washington-Osunsanmi has since finished her residency training in Internal Medicine (Case Western-Case Medical Center 2018), fellowship training in General Cardiology (USF/TGH 2021), and subspecialty fellowship in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology (USF/TGH 2022). At the present time, she is a practicing Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist at Advent Health Tampa and Carrollwood. Dr. Washington- Osunsanmi is married to Dr. Michael Osunsanmi, who is an anesthesiologist in the Tampa Bay area.
Dr. Katrina Esau is the President and CEO of KE3 Worldwide Enterprises, LLC, the founder of W.H.O.L.E. (Wives Healing Openly Leaving Him Exalted)TM, and the creator of The W.H.O.L.E. Academy, which offers programming that cultivates healing and forgiveness. She is the Midwife for the Brokenhearted! She is a Certified Christian Life Coach that helps kingdom-minded women gain the spiritual and mental tools that they need to HEAL from the trauma and hurt of infidelity; so they can birth their way into purpose!
Dr. Esau is a dynamic speaker known for her wit and transparency that inspires hope and provokes women to Normalize Healing OpenlyTM. Her ministry was birthed after coming face to face with infidelity in her own marriage, having bouts of hopelessness, and feeling alone in her marital journey. Her mission in life is to help other women walk out their healing process so, they can change the trajectory of their families and positively impact their communities.
Dr. Esau is also an international best-selling author. She has authored The Pain of Infidelity Births Purpose where she shares her story and experience with other women in a real, raw, and relatable way to bring hope, encouragement, and healing to them whether they are entering in, in the midst of, or they walked away from a season of trauma in their marriage. The Blueprint to Becoming Whole, which is the accompanying journal with activities, affirmations, and encouragement. Woman, Be Made Whole, a 21-Day Devotional that helps women on their journey to healing from within. She is a co-author of Called to Intercede: Volume One, where she shares on the topic of A Divine Gap Stander; Wellness for Winners, where she talks about the 7 minutes that transformed her life; and Step Up and Speak Out, where she declares Healing is in Your Release.
Dr. Esau integrates her professional knowledge, personal experience, and prophetic insight to help her clients eliminate self-imposed limitations and inspire them to achieve a greater scale of excellence.
I am a therapist who is sensitive and knowledgeable about the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of my clients. I understand that culture significantly shapes an individual’s beliefs, values, and behaviors, including the community’s attitude toward mental health and seeking therapy.
I am also well-versed in the cultural norms, traditions, and customs of different ethnic, racial, and religious groups. I am aware of the potential impact of cultural factors on mental health, such as acculturation stress, intergenerational conflicts, discrimination, and stigma. I am sensitive to the possible influence of cultural values on communication styles, help-seeking behaviors, and treatment preferences.
Finally, I am committed to providing effective and culturally sensitive mental health care, recognizing and valuing my clients’ unique cultural identities and experiences. I aim to empower individuals to navigate their mental health challenges while honoring their cultural heritage and promoting overall well-being.
Zaneta is a distinguished licensed mental health counselor, certified life coach, author, and public speaker, dedicated to transforming lives through her expertise and compassionate care. As the founder and CEO of New Vision Behavioral Health Incorporated (NVBH), Zaneta has established a reputable, privately owned group practice with multiple locations in Tampa Bay, FL, and Houston, TX. NVBH is renowned for delivering exceptional mental health and addiction counseling services, with a special emphasis on youth-based counseling.
In her role as a Transitional Life Therapist and Coach, Zaneta is committed to empowering individuals to navigate their most profound conflicts and pain. She specializes in facilitating post-traumatic growth, helping her clients overcome adversity and emerge stronger and more resilient. Through her practice, Zaneta aims to uplift and encourage her clients, guiding them on a journey of healing and personal development.
With a deep-seated passion for mental health advocacy and a wealth of experience in the field, Zaneta continues to make a significant impact in the lives of many, fostering a community of support and transformation.
My name is Antoinette Warren, and I am a staff accountant at Raymond James & Associates. I am a graduate of Florida Southern College. While I am an accountant by day, I spend my spare time creating poetry and exploring the entrepreneurial realm.
Bring your dancing shoes because this Female Disc Jockey always ready with a vibe! No matter the occasion she’s sure to get you up and on your feet!
