About The Executive Board

The Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire’s executive board comprises of a set of individuals with diverse backgrounds who are aligned with the overall mission of the Chamber.

The executive board operates with a laser-like focus on the betterment of the overall business climate, advocacy of African American businesses in the greater Inland Empire and the enforcement of high standards of business integrity within our organization.

Executive Board

Tammy Martin-Ryles / President

To make the most of your membership, I strongly encourage you to get involved and participate in the activities of the Chamber and our connections with Chamber Affiliates and the Community. As with anything in life, the more you put into the Chamber, the more you will get out of it! There are many opportunities available. Join a committee that focuses on a topic that interests you, sponsor a Chamber event, come and network with other local professionals at our monthly mixers. I invite you to become an active part of our team and work side by side with business people who are as devoted to the Inland Empire’s success as you are. I guarantee that you will find your efforts to be rewarding and even fun!

Sharon Barnes, J.D. / Chair

Sharon Barnes is the Chair of the BCCIE Executive Board. As a former attorney, Sharon has over 25 years of experience assisting people in stressful situations. Sharon utilizes her past legal expertise in conjunction with her current role on the SNL Real Estate team at Prudential California Realty (Rancho Cucamonga) to deliver a robust client experience. Sharon ensures her clients understand their full range of options and that they have the needed information to arrive at informed decisions throughout the home buying or selling process.

Perry Watkins Jr. / Vice Chair

Perry Watkins Jr. is a man of the 21st century. With a track record of more than 20 years, Perry has been and continues to be a pillar in every community in which he lives. Keeping his ear to the ground, he paved a way for local business owners to network and share resources by becoming the founder of a Chamber of Commerce in the Antelope Valley. He also served as a board member for several non-profit organizations, while his wife Leslye provided financial literacy to neighboring families.

Perry’s philosophy of “Do more than you’re paid for”, has become the mission statement for his life. As a United States Army veteran, he sacrificed his safety for the freedom of others. He understood the importance of giving back which ultimately catapulted him into the field of criminal justice. In 2002, Perry landed a job as “Night Supervisor” with the Los Angeles County Probation Department. While working under strenuous conditions, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business administration from University of Phoenix and was quickly promoted to Deputy Probation Officer.

In 2010, Perry’s professional life came full circle. After eight years of service as a Probation Officer, Perry decided to pursue a full time career in financial education with Primerica Financial Services, the largest financial services marketing organization in North America. For the past 10 years, Perry has been able to implement all of the skills he acquired over the past two decades. As an independent agent, Perry has earned several licenses that allow him to be fully capable for any client needs. He holds state regulated life insurance licenses in California, Maryland and Mississippi, along with federally regulated licenses: Series 6, Series 63, a Principal License – Series 26 and recently California Mortgage Originator license. In 2012, just two short years after starting his business, Perry was promoted to Regional Vice President. With a team of 62 licensed agents, Perry and Leslye have provided a financial game plan for over 900 clients with more than $7 million dollars in assets under management.

Perry & Leslye Watkins has been married for 13 years. They live in the inland empire with their 4 beautiful children Jaya, Sanaa, Perry III, and Harley.

Deanne Moore / Secretary

Deanne Moore is a Mortgage Loan Officer who works with homeowners and prospective buyers to either refinance or purchase a home, investment property, or vacation home. As the first in her generation/family to purchase a home, she knows how daunting that can be. Once she purchased a primary home and rental properties, she quickly realized she wanted to be able to assist others in building their own personal and generational wealth through real estate.

Deanne specializes in positioning first time homebuyers to secure the necessary funding for home purchases and refinances. Deanne is a recovering educator who believes that there is a lesson to be learned in every experience we have.

Deanne holds a M.A. degree in Educational Leadership from California State University Northridge and a B.A. in Africana Studies from San Diego State University. She is also a Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Diana Mckee / Treasurer

Diana McKee is the founder of Transforming Lives Education Consultants. This company focuses on providing professional development based on college and career readiness standards for educational professionals. Ms. McKee holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential in the Biological Sciences, Pupil Personnel Services and Masters in Education Administration. Ms. McKee also works as a substitute teacher in Corona Norco Unified School District.

Che Wright / Member

Che Wright is a native of the San Bernardino County community born and raised in the area she’s been fortunate to have been very active in the community early on. Her aspirations of Entrepreneurship derived at a young age with the support of her long time home church New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. At the age of 15 years old with the support of fellow members Che` Wright began her Entrepreneur dreams as a community educator/advocate for local youth. Her funded opportunity was given by the County of San Bernardino through a grant. Starting young in the business world was just what Che` Wright needed to give her hands on experience necessary for long term success.

After graduating early from Rialto High School Che` Wright went on to attend Chaffey College & then UNLV in Las Vegas. After which she moved to Dallas, TX to continue her business ownership efforts. Once settled, Che` Wright opened up her Business Development office that serviced other Entrepreneurs with the important necessities to help ensure their success, 2 years later she added accounting and tax solutions to her list of expert services. Now, after 20 years of business experience Che` Wright has returned back to her hometown to teach Financial Literacy to her community. She works with City Mayor’s and Resource Organizations to assist with providing support for fellow Entrepreneurs and those aspiring to be business owners. She’s especially involved with the youth in the local communities to teach them the skills she has learned on building dreams as an entrepreneur. Her goal is to pay it forward to a community that gave her the starter tools to being the successful business owner she is now. Over her years as a Business Woman she has worked with hundreds if not thousands of various Entrepreneurs on business transactions. Che` Wright lives by the model of teaching a man to fish. She believes that by helping people understand their God given talents they can be monetized to provide them with the lifestyle of their dreams which contributes to the progress of her community’s legacy. Empowering others to live in their truth and to be their best self is her reasoning for encouraging the masses to live, not just survive. It’s not a myth that you can be anything and anyone you desire to be, Thoughts become things. She follows the equation of Faith + Hustle = Success and advocates to others to do the same in efforts to reach their full potential.