Empowering Black Entrepreneurship and Financial Success

Featuring Malcolm R. Evans, Board Chairman of Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce and Colorado Managing Director of Wintrust Bank 

Malcolm R. Evans serves as the Colorado Managing Director for Wintrust Bank, leading the Denver-based commercial banking team fostering economic growth and supporting businesses statewide. His extensive experience has given him the tools and knowledge to help businesses thrive. Malcolm’s professional experience led him to serve as the Board Chairman of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), where he has advocated for the success and viability of Black business owners since 2015.

With over 30 years of banking experience, Evans has held prominent leadership roles in the financial sector. Before joining Wintrust, he served as Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at UMB Bank, specializing in business development and portfolio management for middle-market corporate clients across Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. His extensive career also includes leadership positions at Zions Bancorp (dba Vectra Bank Colorado) and BBVA Compass Bank (now PNC), where he focused on commercial banking, helping businesses navigate financial challenges and seize new opportunities.

As the Chair of the CBCC, the chamber has strengthened its advocacy for Black entrepreneurs, providing crucial resources, networking opportunities, and partnerships that enhance the viability of Black-owned businesses. He has played a key role in forging alliances, such as the chamber’s collaboration with Kleinfelder to support the Black Construction Group, helping to elevate Black professionals in the industry. His commitment extends beyond direct business support; he actively advocates for policies that increase economic opportunities for Black business owners, ensuring access to capital, contracts, and sustainable growth strategies.

Beyond banking and business advocacy, Evans has demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment. In addition to his role at the CBCC, he serves as Chair of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to immigrants and children facing detention and deportation. His work with RMIAN highlights his passion for equity and justice, ensuring vulnerable populations receive the legal representation and support they need.

Through his extensive leadership roles, Evans has made a lasting impact on minority-owned businesses, financial empowerment, and social advocacy in Colorado. His dedication to fostering economic opportunity, advocating for underserved communities, and mentoring the next generation of business leaders continues to inspire and drive meaningful change.

Transforming Education Through Innovation and Equity

Featuring Mashea Ashton,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Pioneers Academy

Mashea Ashton is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Pioneers Academy (DPA), a pioneering tuition-free public charter school in Washington, D.C. Dedicated to developing the next generation of innovators, DPA equips students with marketable computer science skills and instills a mindset of innovation. Through her leadership, Ashton has been at the forefront of educational reform, working to bridge the digital divide and provide high-quality educational opportunities for students from historically underserved communities.

Born and raised in Virginia, Ashton developed a deep passion for education early on. She was profoundly influenced by her community and the importance of equitable access to education. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of William & Mary, where she specialized in education. Her early career as a special education teacher in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., gave her firsthand experience with the systemic challenges faced by students, particularly those in under-resourced communities, in their pursuit of academic success.

As the CEO of Digital Pioneers Academy, Ashton’s mission is to ensure that students from Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C., receive an education that prepares them for college and careers in the digital economy. Since founding DPA in 2018, she has led the school to become a model for computer science education in urban settings. Some of her key accomplishments include expanding DPA to serve both middle and high school students, ensuring continuity in their academic and personal growth, implementing a rigorous, technology-driven curriculum that prepares students for STEM careers, and building strategic partnerships with industry leaders to provide real-world exposure and mentorship opportunities for students. Her leadership style is centered on equity, innovation, and results-driven strategies, empowering students and educators to achieve high standards of excellence.

Ashton’s influence extends beyond DPA. She has held executive leadership roles in significant education reform organizations, including CEO of the Newark Charter School Fund, where she oversaw a $48 million initiative to support the quality growth of charter schools; Executive Director for Charter Schools at the New York City Department of Education, leading policy and oversight for nearly 50 charter schools; and senior leadership roles at KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) and New Leaders for New Schools, working to expand high-quality educational opportunities nationwide. She is also a sought-after speaker, advisor, and thought leader, frequently participating in national conversations on education reform, school choice, and digital equity.

Mashea Ashton’s leadership is reshaping the landscape of urban education and STEM access. Her work is not just about creating a school but a movement to ensure that students of color, particularly from underserved communities, become leaders in the digital economy. Through her unwavering dedication, she inspires educators, policymakers, and students to believe that every child can succeed and lead in the 21st century with the right opportunities.