Our Team

Blonka Winkfield

Creator/ Founder / President

Is the SVP of Development and Expansion for The Leadership Program, an organization dedicated to building leadership qualities in disadvantaged areas and academic districts in the US, as well as providing executive coaching and diversity, equity, and inclusion services to Fortune 500 firms. In this capacity she has raised over $150M for school districts across the Nation. Previously, she was a research and development molecular biologist for 10 years doing breast and prostate cancer research at NIH and SUNY Stony Brook. It was after this that she discovered her love for food while acting as GM at Soul Cafe in NYC, where she applied organizational standards, and hospitality principles, and cultivated high-end dining and entertainment experiences rooted in the African-American diaspora. Blonka is a frequent presenter and panelist at conferences and think tanks specializing in the areas of female empowerment, mentoring and social emotional learning. Currently, Blonka sits on the board of The National Black Arts Festival and she is also a proud graduate of Howard University.

Derek Fleming

Founder / Business & Restaurant Development

Senior Advisor at HR&A Advisors, Derek has spent his career working to leverage the physical assets of real estate and the theoretical element of place to elevate the cultural capital, prominence, and value of under-invested communities — particularly African American & Latinx — that have been historically and economically marginalized. Fleming is a seasoned real estate and Urban development professional, who over the last several years has helped transform some of our nations most economically marginalized communities. Fleming has executed developments in San Francisco’s Mission Bay district, managed a fund helped build much of Harlem’s revitalized 125th St. corridor, completed planning strategies for New Orlean’s Lower Ninth Ward, and recently co-authored a master plan for Miami’s burgeoning Historic Overtown District. Fleming is also a partner of acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson and the developer, designer, partner of the famed Red Rooster Harlem brand. Most recently named as one of Crain’s New York Business’ 2023 Notable Black Leaders!

Chip Joyner

Founder / Business & Restaurant Development

Chip Joyner is a restaurant industry veteran with over 15 years of management experience with high volume food and beverage operations. Over the years Chip has garnered considerable training and experience with multiple brands and venues.  Chip’s experience includes managing in stadium concessions at The Forum in Los Angeles, airport concessions at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport and street locations in Atlanta and Los Angeles and with a license agreement partner for a national 85 restaurant and five movie theatres operation. As a Multi-Unit Manager, Chip has over 100k restaurant visits.

In 2006, Chip founded Joyner Ventures, a restaurant consulting, management and investment company.  Joyner Ventures, LLC became co-owner of the original The Real Chow Baby restaurant opened in 2006, which subsequently received numerous awards in Atlanta.  Most recently, from 2011 to 2017, Chip was a partner in the development, ownership and operations of a $60M+ 25-unit restaurant company at the Atlanta Airport prior to a successful sale to another restaurant company.  As the Director of Operations at the world’s busiest airport, Chip co-managed a team of 100 managers and 800 full and part-time employees. Following the sale, Chip served as Senior Operations Consultant for a multi-unit, multi-state national brand franchisee, restaurant developer and private equity group.  Currently, Chip is also the managing partner and CEO for the Restaurant Technology Group, LLC. A Howard University and Harvard Business school alum Chip currently is Chairman, of Fulton County Library Board of Trustees and remains active in Howard University and Harvard Business School Alumni associations.

Charlie Lewis

Founder / Membership Development

Charlie has worked in the luxury real estate market for over 19 years, winning numerous awards and accolades. Prior to real estate, he was tagged by Digitas as a marketing guru creating global partnerships and events for American Express, Fedex, General Motors and Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Leading a team of 6 at Compass NY and Atlanta, Charlie has sold more than $800 million in New York residential real estate since 2005. While at Corcoran, he was a member of the Gold Council (Top 4 percent of 2500 employees) and is a Top Producer in the NYC market, as well as the world. He has been featured on HGTV’s Selling New York, New York’s WABC and WNBC Evening News, as well as The New York Times, New York Post, Wall Street Journal and Essence Magazine. In 2016, Charlie launched the “Love the Way You Live” brand to further expand the reach of his mission to change the landscape of people’s lives beyond real estate. Charlie is actively engaged in his community and philanthropic endeavors, earning recognition as an Honoree at the 2020 Ones to Watch Awards.  Currently serves as the Chair of the Upper Manhattan for the Real Estate Board of NY (REBNY). Charlie is a valued member of the TCIAC Committee for Howard University where he plays a crucial role in selecting Board of Trustee nominees.  His commitment extends to the Executive Committee for HUAA.  Additionally, Charlie serves as a board member of Mental Health First Connects board.

As a Howard University alum, his leadership spans various roles; including his tenure as the Past President of Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA),  overseeing a community of 86,000 alumni.  Further, Charlie has also contributed as the Region Chair of the NE Region and served as the President of the Howard University Alumni Club of Greater NY.

Dewayne Martin, Esq.

Founder / Legal Counsel

Partner at Martin, Walker & Newby, LLP has practiced law focused in the entertainment and hospitality spaces for over 25 years and represents several of Atlanta’s most prominent entertainment and restaurant venues. Martin began his professional career in public service. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Mayor of the City Atlanta from 1997 to 2001 and the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta from 2001 to 2002. As Chief of Staff, Martin managed the executive staff of the Office of the Mayor including the Offices of Intergovernmental Affairs, Communications, International Affairs and Community Affairs. As Chief Operating Officer, Martin managed the operational activities of the City of Atlanta, which included the Departments of Aviation, Police, Fire, Finance, Law, Public Works and Planning and Community Development. Martin’s legal career began at the conclusion of his career in public service. In 2002, Martin joined the Atlanta office of the law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP as Of Counsel. Martin was tasked with developing the Government Relations Practice Group for the firm’s Atlanta office. During Martin’s tenure at Greenberg Traurig, the Atlanta office’s Government Relations Practice experienced significant growth and earned a reputation for its expertise in and effectiveness.Dewayne hails from a lineage of Atlanta’s African-American excellence being a third-generation Morehouse graduate and having a grandfather who designed many notable buildings in Atlanta including the Butler Street YMCA, once known as the “Black City Hall.”