Meet the entrepreneurs.
AICE entrepreneurs include dispensary and growth facility owners dedicated to building successful businesses within the State of Illinois’ legal framework. They invested heavily in launching businesses that would benefit their communities and right historic wrongs caused by cannabis prohibition.
Reese Xavier, HT23 Growers
Reese Xavier is a dynamic serial entrepreneur, CEO, and Managing Partner of HT23 Growers, a pioneering, 100% African American-owned craft cannabis company based in Chicago Heights, Illinois. A visionary leader, Reese is driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and expanding opportunities for communities of color within the cannabis industry. With a Master of Science degree and a Master Certification in Cannabis, he plays a collaborative role in shaping the industry's future while spearheading the growth of HT23 Growers in collaboration with its partner community. At the forefront of Illinois' craft cannabis sector, Reese leads HT23 Growers with a steadfast dedication to quality, equity, and community empowerment. His tireless advocacy for economic inclusion and social progress continues to position HT23 Growers as a catalyst for meaningful change and economic development in the Chicagoland area. Beyond his leadership at HT23 Growers, Reese actively contributes to the cannabis industry as President of the Illinois Association of Independent Cannabis Entrepreneurs, a Board Member of the Illinois Independent Craft Growers Association, and an engaged member of the U.S. Cannabis Roundtable.
Dameon Johnson, ESC3
Dameon Johnson is a former State Investigator for Illinois, a community leader, and an entrepreneur. A native of Springfield, IL, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from MacMurray College. He is the Founder & CEO of The East Springfield Community Center Commission (ESC3), a nonprofit dedicated to community development, mentoring, and educational advocacy. Under his leadership, ESC3 has secured over $2 .7M in grants, including funding from the Illinois R3 Program, to revitalize the East Side of Springfield. The organization is spearheading Star Village, a $350M recreation and entertainment project projected to attract over 1 million visitors annually. Mr. Johnson is also the Founder & CEO of Emerald Valley Industries (EVI), a cannabis business enterprise licensed for craft cultivation and transportation. As a top-scoring applicant, EVI received $1.5M in state funding to launch its craft grow operations, with a long-term goal of becoming a multi-state operator. Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Johnson continues to advocate for social equity in both community development and the cannabis industry.
Akele Parnell, ÜMI
Akele Parnell is the co-founder of Ümi, a cannabis dispensary opening in Chicago’s Lincoln Park in the Spring of 2025. He’s also a co-founder of Nube NYC, a family-owned, justice-involved company that was one of the first to win a recreational dispensary license in New York City.
Akele Parnell has been in the regulated cannabis industry since 2018, and at the forefront of industry work seeking to balance the desire for responsible business operation, social equity and the challenging economics of the industry. His journey has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, NPR, Crain’s, Black Enterprise, Southside Weekly and more. Akele received a B.A. from Auburn University and a J.D. and M.P.H. from Washington University in St. Louis.
Edie Moore, Sway
Edie Moore has helped to transform Illinois' cannabis landscape through her influential advocacy. As a founder and first Executive Director of Chicago NORML, Moore was instrumental in crafting the state's historic cannabis legislation with its landmark social equity provisions.
The name "Sway" embodies the company's dual mission: providing positive experiences through safe cannabis access while honoring the cultural influence and hard-fought victories of underrepresented communities in cannabis legalization. Sway's location in Northalsted is the heart of Chicago's LGBTQ+ community, and an upcoming South Shore location will make history as Chicago's first Black woman-owned cannabis retail facility in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Sway is fulfilling its founding promise to create safe spaces for diverse communities while bringing economic opportunities to neighborhoods historically harmed by cannabis prohibition.
Maria Davis, Excelleaf
Maria Davis, a Chicago native, left home at the age of 16 to attend Prairie View A&M University of Texas, a historically black college and university, where she obtained a bachelor’s of science in nursing. After several years of experience working as a critical care nurse, Maria decided to return to school to receive her Master’s of Science Degree in Biology specializing in Anesthesia. Maria has worked as an Advanced Practice Nurse and Nurse Anesthetist for 28 years. A retiree from the Department of Veterans Affairs, she now practices anesthesia as an independent contractor.
Witnessing veterans' reliance on cannabis for pain relief during her time as VA nurse ignited her passion for its medicinal properties. In 2014, she and a partner, Crystal Anderson, formed Crystal Clear Compassionate Care Corporation, but were unsuccessful in securing a dispensary license. Undeterred, they deepened their cannabis knowledge. In 2019, with the addition of Nakia McAdoo as a partner, they were awarded a license and established Excelleaf dispensary in DeKalb, leveraging their extensive medical background to serve the community.
Nakia McAdoo, Excelleaf
Nakia McAdoo is a founding member of Excelleaf Dispensary in DeKalb, Illinois. As a Nurse Anesthetist and entrepreneur, she and her partners share a deep commitment to healthy living, community service, and business ownership.
Before entering the cannabis industry, Nakia and her husband successfully operated a medical-legal business. In 2019, when Illinois launched a cannabis program designed to support small business ownership and provide opportunities for those disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs, Nakia and her colleagues saw the chance to merge their expertise with their passion. Their dedication led to securing both a dispensary license and a craft grow license, establishing Excelleaf as the first dispensary in DeKalb. Today, they remain focused on building a thriving, vertically integrated cannabis business.
A strong advocate for medical cannabis education and industry standards, Nakia is an active member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, CannaRegs, and Americans for Safe Access. She believes that greater healthcare professional involvement in the cannabis space will ensure higher product standards and trusted service. Throughout her career, patient care and service to others have remained her driving force.
Sarah Zematis, Green & Randle
Sarah Zematis is owner of Green & Randle LLC, dba Bud & Rita’s Dispensaries, a veteran- and women-owned cannabis company with locations in Avondale and Wadsworth. The company’s approach is based on the strong belief in the medical benefits of cannabis and a commitment to changing the face of dispensary ownership. Sarah advocates for the regulation of help-derived products that circumvent the strict regulations required of cannabis social equity license holders as a means to ensure the industry delivers on its promise of equity and community benefit.
Portia Mittons, The Coughie Pot
Portia Mittons is a partner at Bridge City Collective and serves as Vice President of Retail in Illinois, leading efforts to expand equitable cannabis access. She is also the majority owner of MAKS, a cannabis retail license in Oregon, where she made history in 2016 as the first African American adult-use retailer in the state and the second in the nation with her dispensary, The Coughie Pot. As a dedicated advocate for social equity, Portia has held leadership roles in multiple cannabis organizations. She has served as a board member and chair of the Social Equity and Racial Justice Committee for the Oregon Retailers of Cannabis Association, helped establish the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon (CIAO) in 2022, and currently holds an emeritus board seat. She has also worked with the Oregon Cannabis Equity Investment PAC and the Oregon Business Development Department on key cannabis initiatives. In Illinois, Portia has been actively involved with the Cook County Cannabis Commission since 2021. She also served as Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Minority Access Committee for the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois (CBAI) from 2021 to 2023 and currently serves as Vice Chair and Chair of the Minority Access Committee, where she continues to champion opportunities for social equity applicants in the cannabis industry.
Ted Parks, Moetta’s Transport
Born and raised in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, Ted Parks is the founder of Moetta’s Transport, specializing in climate-controlled, secure cannabis transportation to ensure compliance and product integrity. With a background in logistics, financial management, and regulatory advocacy, Ted helps businesses navigate the complexities of cannabis distribution. As Chairman of ITPCA, he advocates for fair regulations and best practices to support independent transporters in the industry.
Talvin White, canAFarm dispensary
Talvin White, a cannabis expert with an art associate degree, combines his passion and creativity to lead canAFarm dispensary, a cannabis retailer based in Illinois. With over five years of experience in the industry, he has developed strong skills in sales and marketing, quality control, and corrective actions, enabling him to grow the business, expand the customer base, and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. He leads a team of passionate and knowledgeable staff who provide high-quality products and services to customers, offering a diverse and curated selection of strains, edibles, concentrates, and accessories, as well as a friendly and engaging atmosphere. Talvin values collaboration, integrity, and excellence, and he strives to inspire and empower his team and community. He is always looking for new ways to innovate and create, thanks to his educational background in art and his personal interest in cannabis culture and aesthetics. His mission is to make canAFarm dispensary the preferred destination for cannabis enthusiasts.
Tiffany Taylor, cannabis advocate and entrepreneur
Tiffany Taylor is a Chicago-based cannabis advocate and entrepreneur with a background in business, finance, and real estate. She has been instrumental in empowering small investors and advancing social equity within the cannabis industry. Her journey began in 2015, when she became an investor in a multi-state cannabis operator. This experience fueled her passion and led her to devote hundreds of hours researching cannabis brands, business models, and industry operations. She further deepened her expertise through hands-on tours of dispensaries and cultivation centers in Colorado and California, gaining a broad understanding of cannabis retail, branding, and compliance. In 2019, Tiffany helped organize a coalition of over 100 social equity investors, raising more than $500,000 to apply for Illinois’ adult-use dispensary licenses. Their efforts resulted in the award of multiple conditional licenses — an achievement that underscores her vision and leadership in promoting equity and access. Tiffany also served on application copy-editing teams, developing a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks and licensing. Her advocacy centers on ensuring that marginalized communities and small businesses have the resources and support to succeed in the cannabis space. A mother of two, Tiffany holds a BA in Legal Studies, is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ and the Order of Eastern Star, and enjoys boating and travel.
Bobby Burns, Alderman
Bobby Burns is an Evanston Alderman representing a historic African-American community. A longtime political organizer and advocate, he was involved early in efforts to ensure Illinois’ adult-use cannabis program included strong social equity provisions. As a social equity applicant with firsthand experience of the harms of cannabis prohibition, Bobby earned a Craft Grow license with support from Justice Grown. His facility, currently in the design phase, is based in Channahon, Illinois, and is 81% African American-owned. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Independent Craft Growers Association (IICGA), working to advance equity and opportunity in the industry.
Brandon Johnson, cannabis advocate
Brandon Johnson is a lifelong cannabis advocate, second-generation Mexican American, and first-generation Samoan American who has spent over 30 years fighting for equity, not profit. Raised in a disproportionately impacted community, Brandon’s connection to cannabis reform is rooted in justice and activism. He began his advocacy by gathering signatures for Prop 215, the foundational initiative for medical marijuana reform in California. Brandon later served 10 years in the U.S. Navy, where he utilized the G.I. Bill to pursue higher education. After military service, he worked in Department of Defense contracting and now supports a Fortune 500 company in high-precision calibration and electronics. Despite his success in technology, Brandon has remained deeply involved in cannabis advocacy. He fights for inclusive policies, equal regulation, and the elimination of the “ghost market” — unlicensed hemp businesses that evade taxes and oversight while licensed operators face high costs and strict rules. Brandon is not a dispensary owner or grower. He is a technician, veteran, and equity champion whose mission is to make sure cannabis reform serves the people most harmed by prohibition. He advocates for fair access, regulation based on use, and investment in communities impacted by the war on drugs. Brandon continues to drive change through thoughtful policy reform that puts equity, safety, and justice at the center of cannabis legalization.
LaKeisha M. Johnson, project management professional
LaKeisha M. Johnson is an accomplished program and project management professional with expertise in IT, healthcare, and corporate operations. She is now applying her extensive skill set to the cannabis industry to drive innovation, compliance, and operational efficiency. LaKeisha holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With over a decade of experience leading complex, high-budget projects, she has a proven track record of optimizing workflows, reducing costs, and delivering impactful results. Since transitioning to cannabis, LaKeisha has helped businesses streamline operations and implement scalable tech solutions. She specializes in data-driven strategy, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance — all key to navigating the highly regulated cannabis space. Her background includes managing multimillion-dollar initiatives in IT and business operations. She has developed cost-saving reports and systems that resulted in measurable financial efficiencies. LaKeisha collaborates with stakeholders across cultivation, production, and retail to ensure alignment with strategic goals and industry standards. Her ability to design sustainable frameworks while balancing compliance and growth makes her a sought-after voice in the cannabis sector. Passionate about equity and advancement, LaKeisha is committed to using technology and smart management practices to help the cannabis industry evolve responsibly and inclusively.
Crystal Anderson, Excelleaf
Crystal Anderson is a co-founder of Excelleaf Dispensary, the first licensed cannabis dispensary in DeKalb, Illinois. She launched the business alongside two fellow African American Nurse Anesthesiologists. Together, they bring over 60 years of collective healthcare experience to the cannabis industry. Their mission centers on wellness, education, and expanding diversity in cannabis. Crystal recognized a lack of cannabis education in traditional medical spaces. After initially being denied a license in 2014, Crystal and her partners persisted and reapplied under Illinois’ adult-use program in 2019. Investing over $300,000 of personal funds, they were awarded a license in 2021. Excelleaf opened its doors in 2023, becoming a landmark in their community. However, financial success has proven difficult due to market challenges. Unregulated hemp sales in gas stations and smoke shops undercut licensed operators. Crystal must comply with heavy regulations and pay $40,000 in annual fees. Her business is also subject to federal taxes up to 100%. Despite these burdens, she has received little support from the state. Crystal advocates for equal enforcement, regulation, and economic protection. She believes unchecked hemp sales threaten the intent of social equity. She urges the state to uphold its commitments to minority business owners. Crystal remains dedicated to building a fair and inclusive cannabis market. Her work is driven by values of public health, education, and equity.
Honorable Judge Shelli D. Hayes (Ret.), Bridge City Collection
The Honorable Judge Shelli D. Hayes (Ret.) serves as Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Bridge City Collection, bringing over 30 years of legal, judicial, and cannabis industry expertise to the team. She served as a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County for 18 years, presiding over complex civil jury trials and building deep expertise in municipal, zoning, and real estate law. Before her judgeship, she held leadership roles including Director of Real Estate Management for Cook County and Assistant Chief Attorney for the County Forest Preserve. Judge Hayes co-founded Tetrasol Holdings, a licensed cannabis processing facility in Nevada, where she served as COO and CLO. She also held roles in hemp compliance and cannabis consulting in Colorado. In Illinois, she has been involved since the state's Medical Cannabis Pilot Program and has advised cannabis startups on compliance, licensure, and operations. A founding board member of the National Cannabis Legal Association, the Minority Business Association, and Cannabis Project, she advocates for equity in cannabis. She has been nationally recognized for her contributions to social justice, public health, and law and has received awards from the City Colleges of Chicago, DAR, and more. Judge Hayes earned her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and her B.A. from Vassar College. She is admitted to practice law in both Illinois and New York. She remains a passionate advocate for fairness, equity, and responsible business development in the cannabis space.
Shaq Brown, Dispensary 33
Shaq Brown, IT Director of Dispensary 33, focuses on building technology that works and making data-driven decisions, whether it’s infrastructure, software, or data systems. He enjoys being deep in the details. Lately, running has become a significant part of his routine as he prepares for both a half marathon and a full marathon this year. For Shaq, running is a way to process, reset, and push a little further each week.
Venus Bikos, Dispensary 33 and Spark’d
Venus Bikos is the Controller for Dispensary 33, Spark’d, and the other companies they manage. She began her journey as a budtender at D33’s Andersonville location in 2019, discovered her passion for bookkeeping, and grew into her current role. Now, Venus is finishing her accounting degree at UIC and preparing to take the Illinois CPA exam. When not working, Venus enjoys spending time with friends, watching bad reality TV, and soaking up life in Chicago.
Rachel Ibrahim, Spark’d Dispensary and Dispensary 33
Rachel Ibrahim is the Marketing Director for Spark’d Dispensary and Dispensary 33, where she oversees everything from marketing and advertising to visual merchandising, content creation, and social media. She began her journey as a Marketing Coordinator at Dispensary 33 in 2021 and has had a front-row seat to the rapid growth of the Illinois cannabis market. Rachel takes pride in being a pioneer, helping shape the experience for both seasoned and new cannabis consumers. When she’s not crafting killer campaigns, Rachel enjoys indulging her love for all things horror, flowing through a yoga session, or spending time with her adorable pup, Ocean. Her passion for her work — and the people she collaborates with — shines through in everything she does.
Aleks Glass, Alighted
Aleks Glass is Director of Product at Alighted in Chicago, Illinois. He oversees Sales, Strategy, & Purchasing for the company, managing the direction of product, training and philosophy at all Dispensary 33 and Spark’d locations. Starting as a budtender on 4/20 in 2018, Aleks has worked in numerous roles within the dispensary from product description writing to management. He transitioned from medical to recreational cannabis legalization in 2020 when he was promoted to buyer. Aleks was named Director of Product in 2022, and has opened eight dispensaries throughout Chicago, the suburbs, and Northern Illinois. As the Director of Product, Aleks believes in the transparency of product information, strengthening relationships within the industry, furthering education and preservation of cannabis traditions. Aleks lives in Logan Square and enjoys all things food & wine, friends & family, and the Chicago Cubs.
Lisa Gaida, Dispensary 33 and Spark’d
Lisa Gaida is the Director of Operations for Dispensary33 and Spark’d, but her cannabis journey started as a caregiver for a patient friend. She became a budtender in 2016 and worked her way through every role, eventually helping launch and run eight dispensaries while navigating the shift to recreational sales. With a background in design and advertising and over a decade in restaurants, Lisa brings a mix of creativity, operations, and people skills to the industry she loves. When she’s not running things, she’s cooking, gaming, or hanging out with her dogs, Millie and Ralph.
Ambrose Jackson, The 1937 Group
Ambrose Jackson is CEO of The 1937 Group, a vertically integrated cannabis company based in Chicago. He owns and operates Parkway Dispensary, which was recently voted Best Dispensary in Central Illinois in the News-Gazette’s People’s Choice Awards and has created and rolled out multiple cannabis brands sold in licensed Illinois dispensaries. As a voice for the social equity movement, Ambrose has actively worked to create opportunities for increased participation and inclusion. This is further evidenced by The 1937 Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides mental health and wellness services for community members impacted by trauma.