The 19th Annual African American Golfers Hall of Fame Leadership Conference, Golf Skills Camp & Tournament, Reception, Awards Dinner Celebration, Auction and 13th Annual African American Collegiate & Youth Golfers Hall of Fame hosted by Inner City Youth Golfers’, Inc. will be held in Palm Beach County, Fla., during the period May 25-29, 2023.
The mission of the Rivera Beach, Fla., organization is “to celebrate and honor the history and achievements of African Americans and other significant supporters who have contributed to growing the game of golf since the early 1800’s, said Founder and President, Malachi Knowles in a February 13 press announcement. “We sincerely hope to also challenge the excellence from our youth in this forum through golf –now, and in the future.”
Among the list of distinguished honorees is James “Jim” Beatty, Executive Editor, African American Golfer’s Digest. Beatty is a seasoned executive with over four decades of business experience. Beatty is CEO of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Founder/Organizer of the African American Golf Expo & Forum and President of NCS International, an Omaha, NE-based firm which serves global companies, as well as economic development organizations in both rural and urban America, in order to create jobs and generate investment opportunities.
Founded in 2018, Jim Beatty Golf Ventures (JBGV) is an Omaha, Neb.-based golf promotion and management firm engaged in developing and producing golf related venues and forums focused on unique markets. The mission of JBGV is to celebrate, educate and inform parties about the economic impact of golf by highlighting job opportunities, careers, and supply chain opportunities. Activities include tournament planning, executive forums, economic development meetings and other specialized opportunities to promote the industry and the game of golf.
The African American Golf Expo & Forum, launched in 2020, to date has enjoyed attendance of over 1,000 people. Event venues have included Atlanta, GA (2020), Charlotte, NC (2021), and Louisville, KY (2023). The expo has had an economic impact over $1 million thus far. This event is considered historic as it has never happened in the history of golf. This effort includes participation from many of golf’s major institutions, manufacturers, associations and organizations. The event annually brings together the golf industry and leaders from the African American golf community.
Beatty’s NCS International has completed more than 300 projects and has built a solid reputation for providing leadership in corporate site selection, economic development, and business development. Beatty has worked on projects throughout the United States, Canada, The Caribbean, and Africa.
Beatty, an ultra-successful businessman and philanthropist has helped to place over 30,000 jobs representing over $3 billion in investment is his distinguished career. He has been recognized as one of the top 20 economic development professionals in the United States, has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, quoted in major business and economic development publications, and has written several books and articles on the topics of economic development and site selection.
In the forefront of golf and diversity, Beatty has also been honored as a “Golf Pioneer” by the Global Golf Institute, has served on the boards of the NIKE TOUR and Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes now the FIRST TEE of OMAHA. Beatty has served on the Golf 20/20 Diversity Task Force and is a former board member of the National YMCA.
Beatty was appointed to the Congressional Office on US Technology Assessment to review and recommend policy for US technical superiority. He is a former Policy Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University. Beatty served as the national consultant on information technology for the National Congress for Community and Economic Development (NCCED).
An engaging orator, Beatty has given keynote speeches to the National Governors Association, The Aspen Institute, IEDC, American Economic Development Council, National Telecommunications Cooperative, National Rural Electric Cooperative, Appalachian Regional Commission, Southern Economic Developers Association, The National League of Cities and several state economic development associations.
Beatty has served on numerous boards and organizations. He has served as Chairman and President of the Omaha Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Urban League of Nebraska, Chairman of the Durham – Western Heritage Museum, Executive Committee of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Vice- Chairman of the Nebraska Economic Development Commission, Vice Chairman of the United Way of the Midlands and Vice-Chairman of the Omaha Metro Area Transit Authority.
A recipient of numerous awards for his activities, Beatty has received induction into the Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame, Omaha Jaycee Hall of Fame, Durham Western Heritage Hall of Fame, Urban League of Nebraska Hall of Fame and The Paul Kersenbrock Humanitarian Award given to a Doane University alumnus, who has distinguished himself by extraordinary, unselfish dedication and service to others. Beatty was also awarded the Honor D award, which is presented to former Doane athletes who have distinguished themselves by outstanding service in their life’s work.
He is a graduate of Doane University located in Crete, Nebraska where he received an athletic and academic scholarship. He majored in mathematics. He is an avid golfer
The entire AAGHOF 2023 Class of Honorees includes:
Howard Bankhead, Huntsville, Alabama
James R. Beatty, Omaha, Nebraska
Dolores C. Crowley, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bruce Gilmore, Vienna, Virginia
Quincy L. Leonard, Montgomery, Alabama
Mark N. Lowry, Gilbert, Arizona
Jason Malone, Bingham Farms, Michigan
Lindsey Mason, Sterling Height, Michigan
Essie McGhee, Montgomery, Alabama
Demetrius Scott, Detroit, Michigan
Michael A. Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Adrian Stills, Pensacola, Florida
Angela Suggs, Tallahassee, Florida
Tiffany Nicole White, Chicago, Illinois
Posthumously
Earl C. “Buddy” Leonhardt, Cincinnati, Ohio
In regards to the upcoming program of events, African American Golfers Hall of Fame Founder Malachi Knowles remarked, “As always, special thanks to Esmeralda H. Knowles, Executive Director, Inner City Youth Golfers’, Inc.; James Garvin, Jr., AAC&YGHOF National Advisory Board Chair & CoChairman Norman F. Blanco; James Dent, PGA, AAGHOF International Advisory Board Chair; Palm Beach County Sports Commission; Riviera Beach Parks & Recreation Department; ICYG, AAGHOF and AAC&YGHOF Boards of Directors; Roundtable Moderators and Panelist; Bear Lakes Country Club; East Pointe Country Club; Volunteer Faculty; friends; family and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites staff.”
For more information on the African American Golfers Hall of Fame induction, programs and ticketing please email Esmeralda “Essie” H. Knowles at icyginc@gmail.com or visit http://africanamericangolfershalloffame.com
