West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Announces Recipient of the 2025 Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (March 25, 2025) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) has announced Rachelle Long, founder and executive director of Taste of the Junction, as the recipient of the 2025 Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award. Long will be honored at the Fifth Annual Athene Black & Brown Business Summit, presented by Wells Fargo, on April 17. The Summit will take place at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel on April 16–17.
 
Long is a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for underserved communities. Long is the founder and executive director of Taste of the Junction, a nonprofit celebrating Valley Junction’s rich cultural history— “The people, the culture and the cuisines.” Long is involved in community efforts through the Valley Junction Residential Association and as a restorative facilitator with Urban Dreams. Long co-created re-entry and mentoring programs for individuals leaving incarceration and taught life skills and parenting classes at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. A Valley High alum (’78) and William Penn graduate, Long also owns Chellie’s Sugar Shack Bakery— “Thanks Shugga.”
 
“I am beyond humbled and honored to be receiving this award in a long line of other award winners in the state of Iowa,” said Long. “Being an entrepreneur myself and supporting others is critical to what I believe in.”
 
The Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates individuals who exemplify Mel’s spirit, dedication and passion for uplifting all entrepreneurs. This prestigious honor recognizes community champions who have made a significant impact by fostering and supporting small business success and inspiring others to achieve economic independence. Visit wdmchamber.org/mel-essex-info to learn more about Mel Essex.
 
Since 2021, the Summit has been recognizing the Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award winners. Past recipients include:

• Pernell Cezar Jr.,BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages in 2021.

• Lu Spaine, Zumi Collection, LLC in 2022.

• Perlla Deluca, Southwest Contractors, Inc. in 2023.

• Blanca Plascencia, El Fogon and El Guacamole Patio & Cantina in 2024.

 
“Rachelle Long embodies the true spirit of entrepreneurship and community impact that this award represents,” said Katherine Harrington, president and CEO of the WDM Chamber. “Her passion for uplifting underserved voices and creating meaningful change through Taste of the Junction and beyond is inspiring. We are proud to recognize her with this year’s Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award and celebrate her outstanding contributions to our region.”
 
In addition to receiving the Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award, Long will also serve as a panelist at the two-day Summit. Registration for the event remains open until Monday, April 14 at 11:59 p.m. at bbbsummit.com.
 
Sponsors and partners of the Athene Black & Brown Business Summit play a crucial role in making this event possible. For the 2025 event, sponsors, partners, and supporters (listed alphabetically) include: Athene, Bank of America, Bankers Trust, Belin McCormick, BMO, Chase, ClaimDOC, Delta Dental Foundation, Elevate by Principal, F&G, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Google Fiber, Hy-Vee, IMT Insurance, Krause Group, Merchant Bonding Company Foundation, Microsoft, MidAmerican Energy Company Foundation, Musco Sports Lighting, NCMIC, Principal Financial Group Foundation, Sammons Financial, UnityPoint Health, Wells Fargo, and Whitfield + Eddy.
 

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About the Athene Black & Brown Business Summit
The Athene Black & Brown Business Summit is an annual event dedicated to providing a platform for Black and Brown professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders to share insights, inspire change, and foster connections. The summit serves as a catalyst for growth, empowerment, and collaboration within the community.

About Athene
Athene is the leading retirement services company with over $360 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2024, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.

About the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, established in 1924, is a dynamic organization dedicated to championing all things West Des Moines. With a focus on strengthening local businesses, providing personalized resources, and attracting a top-tier workforce, the Chamber aims to position WDM as the best suburban city in America. Celebrating a century of excellence, the Chamber boasts a diverse community of over 900 members, offering something for everyone. Explore the possibilities, learn more about the chamber, and discover how you can get involved in shaping the future of West Des Moines at wdmchamber.org.