Why Do I Need an Advisory Board?

This event will be facilitated by Latoya Smith and Patrice Blakemore.

About Latoya Smith:

MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Vice President, Talent Acquisition Manager

Human Resource Professional/Visionary/Servant Leader/Inspirational Speaker/Entrepreneur/Community/Civic Advocate/Philanthropist/Coach

LaToya has been a dedicated team member at a financial institution for 26 years, leading a dynamic team of Talent Acquisition Consultants to attract and advance top diverse talent.

Actively involved in the community, LaToya supports organizations like EL Barrio Job Readiness Program, Dress for Success, and Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.). As a philanthropist, she co-founded the Giving Circle “Our Hope, Our Future” and has earned numerous awards, including the Cleveland Bridge Builders, Women of Color Foundation’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones Courage Award, CSU LINK Distinguished Alumni, Girl Scouts of N.E. Ohio Women of Distinction, NAACP Unsung Hero Community Award, Ohio Diversity Council 2022 Woman of the Year, Crain’s 2022 HR Employee Advocacy, Public Award, Emerging Philanthropy 2024, and CAVS Community Jiff Diff Maker Positive Impact Award 2025.

LaToya serves on several boards, including The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Bessie’s Angels, and DNA Rising (co-founder). She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta and Eta Phi Beta Sororities, and the Founder of Eros Heart Coaching. Currently, she coaches for Case Western Reserve’s MBA program, Executive Coaching Pool, and Executive Leadership Development Experience Program. She has also been an Adjunct Professor at Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University. LaToya is a lifelong Clevelander, living with her partner and their two children.

About Patrice Blakemore:

Patrice Blakemore is the Senior Vice President of Equity and Inclusion of the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP).

Patrice leads two principal equity and inclusion strategies. These priorities include scaling minority business enterprises and supporting efforts that promote diverse leadership in middleto high-wage positions.

Before joining GCP, Patrice served as the Executive Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). The 3-month curriculum providesentrepreneurs with practical business education, access to capital resources, and business support services. Patrice increased overall diversity in the program on average by 15 percent. She joined Tri-C in 2013 as a business advisor, where she has assisted more than 500 business owners during her tenure. Approximately 800 owners have graduated from the program since her departure in 2022.

Patrice received her undergraduate degree from Spelman College in 3 ½ years and her lawdegree in 2 ½ years from the University of Dayton School of Law. After graduating from law school, Patrice worked for the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s office before moving to Cleveland, Ohio.

In 2009, Patrice pivoted, using her experience as an attorney to create a consulting practicewhere she managed diversity programs for organizations. She provided minority companieswith the knowledge and sustainable practices necessary to grow and expand their businesses.Additionally, she provided executive coaching, customized training, and support for employees to excel.

Patrice believes in order to stay globally competitive, companies must embrace diversity, equity,and inclusivity. She maintains that a region’s ability to thrive depends on its ability to harness innovation by leveraging experiences of all people.