Hello
Welcome to MULTICULTURAL MONEY Matters
The Multicultual Money Matters group is an invitation-only group comprised of the top Black and Latino executives from the ad agency, publisher and client side of the advertising vertical.
Key members
Thomas Brown
Tom has worked for over 25+ years in the Multicultural Interactive Space and is considered a pioneer in the industry. Tom helped start some of the top sites in the world like Univision.com, Terra.com, Orange Advertising(France-Telecom), and the digital arm of Emmis Communications. Tom was the founder of Perez Brown Media, the first Interactive Multicultural rep firm that pre-dated both Complex Media and the Vibe Network . Tom also held a Board of Directors position with the 212 Ad club for 8 years where he spearheaded event programming Tom utilzed his extensive contacts in the music , and entertainment space to create the ad clubs most profitable signature events. Currently Tom is the SVP of Ora TV which is owned by Mexican Billionaire Carlos Slim. Ora works with some of the top sites in the world and monetizes over 2 billion premium video views monthly. Tom also serves as a strategic advisor at Modern Luxury Media and is a co-founder on a new music app co-owned by John and Lew Dickey(former owners of Cumulus Media) and Carlos Slim (Chairman America Movil).
Reverend Al Sharpton
The Reverend Al Sharpton is an internationally renowned civil rights leader, founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), which has more than 100 chapters across the country. Hailed by former President Barack Obama as a “champion for the downtrodden,” Reverend Sharpton is the host of “Politics Nation” on MSNBC; a nationally syndicated daily radio show “Keepin’ It Real”; and a nationally broadcast radio show on Sunday titled, “The Hour of Power.”
A disciple of the teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Sharpton has been at the forefront of the modern civil rights movement for nearly a half of a century. He has championed police reform and accountability, calling for the elimination of unjust policies like “Stop-and-Frisk.” He has fought for voting
rights, equity in education and healthcare and LGBTQ rights. Across the years, Reverend Sharpton has advocated for those who have been victimized including Yusef Hawkins, Michael Stewart, Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima, Sean Bell, the Jena Six, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and others.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Reverend Sharpton preached his first sermon at the age of 4 at the historic Washington Temple Church of God in Christ. He was ordained at the age of 10 and by 13, he had been appointed Youth Director of New York’s Operation Breadbasket—the economic arm to Dr. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Under the tutelage of his mentors—the Reverends Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and William Augustus Jones, Jr—Reverend Sharpton honed his organizing and protest skills around economic and political boycotts and quickly emerged as a national figure. By the time he turned 16, Reverend Sharpton had founded the National Youth Movement, Inc, which organized young people around the country to push for increased voter registration, cultural awareness and job training programs.
A fierce believer in the philosophy of nonviolent, direct-action protest, Reverend Sharpton founded National Action Network in 1991 and headquartered the organization in Harlem, all the while serving from 1993 to 1998 as director of the Minister’s Division for Reverend Jackson’s Rainbow Push Coalition.
An astute political strategist, Reverend Sharpton’s analysis and his endorsement is frequently sought by political candidates seeking public office. Reverend Sharpton’s foray into electoral politics resulted in historic and groundbreaking runs for the U.S. Senate in 1992 and 1994, and he nearly forced a runoff in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City in 1997. His noteworthy presidential run in 2004 brought thousands of new voters into the electoral process and repositioned himself as a trusted progressive who centered critical issues like a living wage, gun reform and voting rights as a cornerstone of his campaign. In July 2004, at the request of the Democratic nominee, John F. Kerry, Reverend Sharpton delivered a rousing primetime speech at the Democratic National
Convention in Boston.
The author of three books, Reverend Sharpton is a frequent lecturer on civil rights and political issues and has lent his expertise to several corporate diversity councils at Pepsi, Walmart and Charter Communications. He has received numerous awards, including the Harold Washington Award from the Congressional Black Caucus. He was also honored with the “Mandela Legacy Hope, Success & Empowerment Award” in recognition of his long history of achievements in advancing civil rights causes around the world. In 2017, he received the prestigious James Joyce award from the Literary and Historical Society of the University College in Dublin, Ireland.
Educated in the New York City public schools, Reverend Sharpton attended Brooklyn College. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Medgar Evers College, Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Virginia Union University and Voorhees College.
Reverend Sharpton is the proud father of two daughters: Dominique and Ashley, and the grandfather of Marcus Al Sharpton Bright.
Wendell Batts
Bio here
Melvin Wilson
Melvin Wilson – Founder:For over 20 years he has had a knack for using marketing and technology in concert and hasbeen doing so in the marketing, communications, finance, and technology industries, sincedial up modems and flip phones. In his current role, as Founder of Solve Innovation Groupand the Plural Accelerator, he continues to do so.Prior to this, he ran strategy and research for IPG’s global media think-tank, IPG Media Laband helped prove that consumer behavior, location, and value are just as important asalgorithms and data to the development of media and technology products; to the tune ofmillions of dollars in increased in revenue per year for the firm.In his career he has held top positions in account, media, and strategy leadership roles acrossagencies, clients, and banks; building solutions by betting on and developing things that don'tseem to go together for success.Resold military tracking devices to state governments to generate more revenueBuilt out and sold the first digital and motion ad experiences on MTA and PATH railsystems with Steve Madden and TargetBuilt out digital and social development frameworks still in use at ColgatePalmolive, Ford Motor Company, and AARPUsed the strategy and development assignment for DeBeers design your ownengagement ring website and digital display to get married and promoted.Developed plan to use Phat Farm and Motorola co-branded products as fashionaccessories, then followed that up by crashing the Yahoo! website with the firstexpandable display ads selling the phones.Created award winning digital tie-ins with toothpaste and the entire DC comicsuniverse by pitching and using a comic character for Colgate.Made people love Bank of America again with good ole baseball. Sponsoring all ofbaseball (little league to the pros).Spending all-in against growth of Twitch, while others were laughing about “peoplewatching other people play video games”He has exited a couple of times already as a founder, advisor, and investor,including as a founder of a digital direct response agency that had a database ofover 30mm African Americans and Hispanicx, which was sold to Equifax MarketingSolutions.
Ralph Paniagua
Ralph Paniagua Jr., founded Atlantino LLC. in 1984 to offer Corporate Clients alternative methods in reaching the U.S. Latino / Urban community.
Atlantino has been a pioneer in the Publishing, Latino Sports, Entertainment, Digital and Activation space. Atlantino is sought out by many leading Corporate sponsors and media companies in their quest to successfully target Latino / Urban demos utilizing traditional and alternative methods.
Atlantino is credited with producing 360 Degree Sports and
Entertainment programs that provide:
• Publishing
• Branding
• Community Outreach
• Retail Promotions
• Quality Digital Impressions
• In 1986 Atlantino introduced the first bi-lingual publication in the country, VIVA New York distributed in the NY Daily News. Today VNY is still the Tri-State area’s #1 Latino / Urban publication reaching over 2 million readers monthly and the digital platform reaches over 75 million National Latino impressions.
• In 1992, Atlantino launched LatinoBaseball.com and in 1994 LatinoBoxing.com. Both sites created an awareness of the rich history and importance of Latinos in these sports.
• From these Media Platforms, Atlantino expanded its sports and entertainment portfolio by creating and implementing special events that included:
• Hispanic Achievement Awards (Education)
• Hispanic Heritage Day @ the Ballpark (National)
• Caribbean World Series Broadcast (FOX TV)
• Dominican League Broadcast (FOX TV)
• Nights of Latino Boxing Champions (National)
• Boxeo Caliente TV Broadcast (ESPND)
• Baseball & Boxing Celebrity Appearances
• Tropical Music Festival (NY/MIA/LAX/NJ/LAX)
• Puerto Rican Day Parade Special Programs
• Dominican National Events
• World Domino Tournaments (NY/LV/MIA)
• Estilo Caribe Fashion (NY/MIA/LA)
• From 1990 till today, Atlantino has produced over 400 Live concerts providing Free quality entertainment to hundreds of thousands of Inner-city Latinos.
• In 2006, Atlantino secured the rights to La Copa Libertadores Soccer Tournament and the World Cup NYC Radio broadcast.
• In 2007, Atlantino drew attention to the Latino’s cultural connection to Dominos, launching the World Domino Tournament aired on ESPN Deportes and ESPN 2.
• These programs were strengthened for the Corporate sponsors with Digital programs that guaranteed exposure for the sponsors.
• In 2016 Atlantino launched VIVA Spectrum Digital Platform with over 6 Million Display Impressions ad 18 Million Video Impressions.
• Today Atlantino continues to provide leading Corporations and Governments guidance in reaching this thriving Latino community.
Atlantino continues to be a force in the Latino Marketing space.
Since day one, Atlantino has been a leader in creating alternative methods in reaching the Latino Consumer. And it has been fortunate of having successful business relationships and perseverance to deliver successful programs to the marketplace.
Namon Jones
Namon Jones is a leading media expert and business success coach. He has helped hundreds of organizations ignite their business and accelerate their growth. Utilizing the knowledge that he has accumulated over the last decade, Namon has developed a series of advertising and marketing techniques, online tools, and coaching aids that are utilized by individuals across the nation in the improvement of their business philosophy, financial and relational results. www.linkedin.com/en/namon His exceptional gift as a digital expert allows him to make knowledgeable analytical insights on business practices with media strategies that are measurable and results-driven. Namon’s charismatic approach to solutions-oriented presentations go to the heart of what’s needed by corporations today to thrive in a highly competitive landscape. He speaks with conviction concerning the infinite possibilities of success for both individual and organizational entities. Namon was recruited to the Virginian-Pilot Newspaper as a Classified Advertising Consultant from Norfolk State University where he earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communications. While at The Virginian-Pilot, he had the unique experience of working with other professionals that possess the same amazing work ethic, selfmotivation and dedication as his own. Namon quickly excelled, earning many awards and accolades. He launched a tabloid newspaper entitled “Rental Living” earning him a fellowship awarded by Newspaper Association of America. Upon leaving The VirginianPilot, Namon entered into the Television Media world where he worked as a consultant for many affiliations including ViacomCBS (BET Netwroks), ABC, CBS, FOX and The CW Network (Formally known as UPN). Namon spent time running digital sales with Twitter and Urban 1 (formally Radio-One) in New York, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA and Atlanta, GA. He was recruited by Clear Channel Communications as the Vice President of Sales. His role as a business developer and high achiever has helped to grow many businesses market share and profitability. Today, Namon Jones is the Senior Vice President of Revenue & Operations for Ozy Media. He manages a global sales and operations division with responsibility for driving millions of dollars in ad revenue through linear, digital, social and events. Namon is committed to creating stories for many businesses to thrive in the new age media landscape. Namon is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, and has served in the Washington Redskins Marching Band for over 12 seasons
Damian Benders
Bio here
Monica Capelan
Monica Capelan is VP of Sales Planning at hx. A leader in digital marketing with over 10 years of media experience she joined hx, Horizon Media’s internal trading desk in 2015 to build out the sales planning team and has been instrumental in hx’s growth. Before joining Horizon, Monica spent four years at Everyday Health where she gained extensive experience across publisher side planning and client service in the Pharma and CPG verticals as well as Parenting, Entertainment, Retail, Travel, Finance and more.
Sara Chen
Bio here
Nobles Crawford
Bio here
Marc Byers
Bio here
Karina Dobbaro
Karina Dobarro is SVP, Multicultural & International Brand Strategy at Horizon Media. With over 15 years of experience, Karina joined Horizon in 2014 to launch the multicultural practice. She leverages her extensive knowledge of the U.S. multicultural market to develop comprehensive marketing strategies for Horizon clients. In 2019, she was instrumental in the creation and launch of Horizon Media’s new content/creative multicultural agency, 305 Worldwide, in partnership with Pitbull.
In addition as Horizon’s international lead and member of Local Planet, the only independent media agency network in the world, she is responsible for supporting Horizon's clients with their global marketing needs across Asia, Europe and Latin America.
She is a member of Horizon's DEI Council and founding member of Horizon Unidos (BRG), where she facilitates agency events and partnerships to help the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the agency. In 2016, she was recognized for her contributions towards minority media with the Agency Executive Award by Broadcasting & Cable News. In 2019, Karina and her team’s work on behalf of Sprint was recognized with an Effie and a NAMIC Multicultural Excellence Award. And this year she was honored by Adweek as a Media All Star, by Cynopsis as a Top Women in Media and Industry Leader, and this fall will receive the Executive Leadership Award at the Annual Hispanic Television Summit.
Prior to Horizon Media, Karina was at GroupM for seven years where she oversaw Multicultural and LatAm initiatives for AT&T, Macy’s, Unilever, and Volkswagen, among other top brands.
Karina was born in Buenos Aires, grew up in Honolulu, attended college in San Francisco, and now calls New York City home.