WASHINGTON, D.C., April 08, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Alicea Gay has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Alicea Gay is a dynamic advocate for small businesses and a driving force in business development. As the vice president of external affairs & certification at the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), Ms. Gay has been a key architect of The ByBlack Certification—the nation's first Black-owned business certification. This groundbreaking initiative redefines Black ownership, empowers conscious consumers to intentionally support Black-owned businesses, removes barriers, and connects certified businesses to contracting opportunities. Through her leadership, Ms. Gay has cultivated strategic partnerships with leading certification agencies and municipal governments, providing critical programming and resources to thousands of Black business owners nationwide.

Beyond her work with the USBC, Ms. Gay is the founder and president of The StartUp Shop, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm dedicated to fostering the growth of minority-owned businesses. Since its inception in 2019, her firm has played a pivotal role in equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in competitive markets. She guides new entrepreneurs through licensing, certification, and contracting processes while helping them maximize their potential through effective marketing strategies and digital platforms. Her efforts have been instrumental in bridging gaps between public and private sectors, ensuring that historically underrepresented business owners have access to opportunities that drive economic success.

With over a decade of experience, Ms. Gay's career has been defined by impactful roles, including her tenure as a program manager and junior consultant at ADC Management Solutions, where she specialized in business development, marketing, and community outreach. Her expertise in policy impact and economic advocacy was further honed through her early roles as a victim witness services intern at Hampton General District Court and as a specialized union organizer with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in partnership with Harvard University.

A strong advocate for continued learning, Ms. Gay holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology with a focus on criminal justice from Hampton University, where she graduated cum laude.

Ms. Gay's contributions extend beyond her professional roles; she is deeply involved in civic and industry organizations, including the Black Girl Vote, and National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). She has also served as a community volunteer with the D.C. Mayor's Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives since 2018 and is a campaign coordinator for Women in Infrastructure in Washington, D.C. Additionally, she is a member of the Baltimore Chapter of The Girl Friends, Incorporated, one of the oldest social organizations of African American women in the United States.

Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the honorees in the first class of the Power 50 Women of Influence. She has been featured in prominent media outlets such as Ebony Magazine, Canvas Rebel, CodeM Magazine, and BOLD Journey. Additionally, Ms. Gay is a published contributor to AfroTech.com, using her platform to advocate for inclusive economic advancement and the issues facing the small business community.

Outside of her professional commitments, Ms. Gay enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and caring for her dog, Cargo. A dedicated homeowner, she aspires to expand her impact through real estate investments and grassroots community initiatives. Looking ahead, she aims to achieve national accreditation for the ByBlack Certification program and continue her advocacy through writing and speaking engagements that promote economic empowerment and equity.

Alicea Gay's recognition in the 2025 edition of Marquis Who's Who underscores her unwavering dedication to empowering small businesses and fostering an inclusive economic landscape for future generations.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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