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Candice Matthews

@candicebrackeen

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🏆 Announcing the 2026 Black Business Hall of Fame Awardees for our Annual Gala! 🏆

Each year, AACC honors leaders who've shaped Black business in Greater Cincinnati. This year's Hall of Fame class:

🎗️ Candice Brackeen — Lightship Foundation & Black Tech Week @lightship.foundation @candicebrackeen
🎗️ Steven Reece, Sr. — Reece & Reece
🎗️ Herbert T. Walker, III — Walker Funeral Home @walkercares @herbtwalker
🎗️ Clifford Bailey — Tech Solve

Join us as we celebrate their impact at the AACC 30th Anniversary Gala, November 14 at Turfway Park.

🎟️ aaccgala.com or see the link in bio!

#AACCGala #BlackBusinessHallOfFame #BlackExcellence #CincinnatiBusiness #SupportBlackBusiness by @candicebrackeen

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23 days ago

Four years later, and we’re still building.

Happy Lightship Foundation Day. 🖤

Thank you to the City of Cincinnati and Mayor Aftab Pureval for proclaiming July 21 as Lightship Foundation Day during the inaugural Black Tech Week in 2022.

And thank you to our founders, partners, volunteers, sponsors, and community. Your belief, support, and commitment are what make this work possible. ✨

#LightshipFoundation #BlackTechWeek by @candicebrackeen

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3 months ago

Every year after @blacktechweek, people tell me “you built such an incredible event” and “thanks for all that your do” and every year I have to correct them. I did not build this. My small but mighty team @lightship.foundation built this.

I show up, moderate a discussion, take some photos, and get way more credit than I deserve. The actual work, the months of logistics, sponsor emails, speaker wrangling, venue headaches, swag orders, making sure the ticketing system doesn’t die mid conference... that’s all them.

So if Black Tech Week felt like a vibe or ran smoothly or was inspiring this year, that’s the team, full stop. I just get 45 minutes on stage and somehow all the applause.

Thank you to each of them who put in the real work. They are the builders of this event. I just showed up to my own party and took a bow. taken in Cincinnati by @candicebrackeen

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3 months ago

Your greatest advantage is being yourself.

Thank you, @damolaadamolekun , for reminding us that the best leaders don’t follow someone else’s path. They build their own. 🖤

#BlackTechWeek #BTW26 #CTRLALTCREATE #Leadership #FounderJourney #LeadLikeYou #Innovation #BuildWhatsNext by @candicebrackeen

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3 months ago

Just a Midwestern girly with range. ⚡

Show some love to our CEO, Candice Brackeen. 🖤

🎟️ Don’t have your Black Tech Week ticket yet? Comment CEO below for a surprise. 👀 taken in Cincinnati, OH by @candicebrackeen

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3 months ago

Taking the uncharted course taken in Southampton, New York by @candicebrackeen

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4 months ago

Life lately #2026 by @candicebrackeen

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5 months ago

What happens when entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders all come together in one room?

Conversations that challenge the way we think, build, and grow.

This month’s Exchange Networking Event brought together professionals from across the region for an evening centered around innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful connection featuring insight from @candicebrackeen , founder of @lightship.foundation and @blacktechweek

The evening was also made possible through the support of @cliffordabailey of @techsoftsystemsinc a partner committed to helping move the business community forward.

More than networking, this was a room full of vision, collaboration, and opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, we’ll see you at the next Exchange happening June 18th @fueledcincinnati

Food provided by @seasoneddish_catering

🤳🏾🎥 @itsashleyamber taken in Fueled Collective Cincinnati by @candicebrackeen

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5 months ago

This past month has reminded the Lightship Team how grateful we are for our #LightshipCommunity 🫶🏾

To our founders, funders and partners- thank you for your continuous support of our work and dedication to driving our mission forward. ✨

The ecosystem wouldn't be the same without you and for that we are so grateful! Happy #GivingSeason Family ❤️

📸: @alieneyezphotos, @lasenbyillustrations

#lightshipfoundation #jobsohio #lightshipbootcamp #lsf #startups #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #midwesttech taken in Ohio by @candicebrackeen

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10 months ago

Have an absolutely magical holiday season! #macysthanksgivingdayparade taken in Central Park, New York by @candicebrackeen

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a year ago

I’ve spent the last few month’s getting to hang out with a new mentor and partner in NYC. This week was out of this world.

1. @questlove dj set @isolabrooklyn @hannibalburess

2. Ice skating @wollmanrinknyc

3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream featuring Wes @trinitycollege

4. Lots of work on Uncharted:Pitches @joinunchartedcommunity

5. @mjthemusical on Broadway @mattemartinez is a 🌟 🕺🏼 (It was AMAZING!)

6. Dinner @scalinatellany (Oh my goodness! 🤤)

7. Lots of walks through @centralparknyc

8. @mcdonalds because they’re open 24 hours by @candicebrackeen

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a year ago

Happy Halloween 👻 by @candicebrackeen

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a year ago