Board of Directors
Visionaries. Leaders. Legacy Builders.
Krishawn
Jackson
President
A&O Medical - Owner
Bernadine
Birdsong
Vice President
Michael’s Restaurant - Owner
Toni
Green
Treasurer
BBT Connects - CEO
Lissa
Bowen
Secretary
Transforming Talent LLC - President
Dr. Toi
Hershman
Member at Large
Encoura - Strategic Growth and Partnerships
Eva T.
Robertson
Member at Large
Retired
Jennifer Hanania Cohen
Member at Large
Accenture – Emerging Technology Management Consultant
Tom
Haslett
Member at Large
TILT Investment Management, Partner
IGNITE! Builds the Ecosystem that Builds Changemakers. From Infrastructure to Insight, We Help You Stabilize, Sustain, and Scale.
Torin Darling Brazzle
Founder, CEO and President
Torin, a proud alumna of Samford University, is a seasoned professional with over 22 years in grants management and 26 years in resource development. Securing $45 million in funding for Alabama's disadvantaged communities to date.
In 2019, she founded IGNITE! Alabama, empowering marginalized small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.
Under Torin’s leadership, IGNITE! has directly supported over 1400 Black Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Nonprofit Leaders helping them to secure $3+ million in loans, 94 contracts, and $669k in non-dilutive grant cash funds.
In 2023, Torin launched 4C: The Collective, dedicated supporting Ecosystem Leaders UNAPOLOGETICALLY committed to closing the racial wealth equity gap. Their inaugural event attracted 53 attendees from 12 states.
Torin, a Zoning Board Commissioner for Birmingham, has been recognized with numerous awards including the 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Award from the Birmingham Business Journal.
Featured in publications like "ROTATE" by Forbes author Grainne McNamara, Torin's innovative leadership drives positive change at IGNITE!.
Beyond her professional roles, Torin finds joy as a wife and mother, prioritizing family, and faith in all aspects of life.
Torin Darling Brazzle
Founder, CEO and President
Torin, a proud alumna of Samford University, is a seasoned professional with over 22 years in grants management and 26 years in resource development. Securing $45 million in funding for Alabama's disadvantaged communities to date.
In 2019, she founded IGNITE! Alabama, empowering marginalized small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.
Under Torin’s leadership, IGNITE! has directly supported over 1400 Black Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Nonprofit Leaders helping them to secure $3+ million in loans, 94 contracts, and $669k in non-dilutive grant cash funds.
In 2023, Torin launched 4C: The Collective, dedicated supporting Ecosystem Leaders UNAPOLOGETICALLY committed to closing the racial wealth equity gap. Their inaugural event attracted 53 attendees from 12 states.
Torin, a Zoning Board Commissioner for Birmingham, has been recognized with numerous awards including the 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Award from the Birmingham Business Journal.
Featured in publications like "ROTATE" by Forbes author Grainne McNamara, Torin's innovative leadership drives positive change at IGNITE!.
Beyond her professional roles, Torin finds joy as a wife and mother, prioritizing family, and faith in all aspects of life.
