2025 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: Ernisha M. Hall

Hall co-founded the Virginia Black Business Directory in 2020, which became the Virginia Black Chamber Foundation. Today, the chamber has more than 1,000 members and has held a govcon conference and the Virginia Black Business Expo & Conference. Hall has degrees in business, social work and forensic psychology and serves on the governor’s Virginia African American Advisory Board.

FIRST JOB: A church-owned thrift shop in Jamaica, Queens, New York, a community hub, a place that offered second-hand clothing and a place of purpose.

MOST MEANINGFUL JOB: Working as a family preservation specialist in New York City was my most fulfilling role. I helped minority single mothers keep their families united through guidance in cooking, cleaning, homework and alternative discipline.

WHY I CHOSE MY PROFESSION: A passion for creating meaningful change in the Black community. I aim to address systemic inequalities by bridging the economic and social wealth gap. This work allows me to empower individuals, promote equity and inspire long-term progress. Making a tangible impact on lives fuels my dedication to fostering a brighter, more united future for disadvantaged communities.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE MY MENTOR GAVE ME: My mentor, Shirley Crawford, advised me to “treat your organization like a business, not a baby.” This shifted my perspective, helping me lead with strategy and focus on sustainability. It taught me to make tough, objective decisions for long-term success, fostering resilience and building a solid foundation for growth.

BOOK I’D RECOMMEND: If you’re ready to rethink money and success, read “We Should All Be Millionaires,” by Rachel Rodgers. It blends practical advice with mindset shifts to empower readers, especially women and people of color, to build wealth unapologetically.