Ladies, thank you for the all that you do to elevate your business and taking time to submit your business for consideration in our 2026 LevelUp Contest. Good Luck and be on the lookout for next steps in the process.
Meet Our Judges
KJLH Acknowledges Women of Substance in Service as Judges for the 2026 Level Up Campaign
Dr. Karen Semien-McBride, MAM, DBA, PsyD/DHL
Renowned Social Psychologist, Executive/Business Coach & Business Strategist
Dr. Karen Semien-McBride, a trailblazer in leadership innovation and entrepreneurship, has carved a distinctive path that beautifully intertwines rigorous academic pursuit with pragmatic business expertise. This early blend of entrepreneurial zeal and academic aspiration laid the groundwork for a commendable educational journey, marked by a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, a Master’s in Management and Organizational Leadership, and trio Doctorates in Business Administration/Organizational Psychology, Management & Consulting/Honorary in Human Letter for her work transitional leadership. These accolades reflect not just her dedication to continuous learning but also her commitment to leveraging her insights to inspire growth and innovation in others.
At the helm of the MKCircle Enterprises, LLC/CEO Institute, Dr. Semien-McBride guides a consortium of thriving ventures, with the institute itself recognized as a vanguard of executive coaching excellence. Her pioneering approach has redefined leadership paradigms within the corporate sector, underscoring the pivotal roles of emotional intelligence and operational effectiveness in fostering sustainable organizational success.
Robin M. Billups
The Connector, The Billups Group
Robin Morgan Billups is a former banker and nationally recognized leader in commercial real estate finance and supplier diversity strategy. She has structured and managed large-scale portfolios of conventional and affordable housing investments for major financial institutions, averaging over $150 million annually.
A graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business Minority Program in Real Estate Development and Finance, Robin went on to build and lead U.S. Bank’s National Supplier Diversity program across a 24-state footprint. She later served as National Business Development Manager for WBENC–DC, where she drove corporate engagement and strengthened national partnerships.
Known as “The Connector,” Robin is the founder of The Billups Group, a strategic advisory firm that helps corporations and entrepreneurs align strategy with opportunity. Her work focuses on identifying where organizations fit in the market—and how to leverage that position for measurable growth, sustainable outcomes, and long-term success. Her work has influenced a broad sector in supplier engagement and business growth initiatives across corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Sabrina David
City First Bank-Vice President, Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager
With over two decades of banking experience, Sabrina David serves as a trusted Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager, assisting entrepreneurs and business owners access the capital and resources they need to grow their businesses. She specializes in small business and commercial real estate lending, offering tailored financing solutions for acquisitions, refinances, equipment purchases, and working capital needs. She is known for her collaborative approach with precision and care. She has a deep commitment to her client’s long-term success.
Sabrina is the proud mother of two daughters, four grandchildren, the foster mother of her deceased sister’s two sons and auntie-grandmother of their six children. As a four (4) generation Long Beach Polytechnic alumni, she volunteers as a dedicated track and cheer mom, supporting youth development through sports and mentorship.
In addition to her professional roles, Sabrina is passionate about serving and deeply rooted in her community. Sabrina currently serves as Chairman of two nonprofit organizations – House of Haven and The Care Closet. Through these leadership roles, she champions community development and advocates for long-term change.
She is one of two founding members of the Black Men Matter Movement. In 2020, she organized a “Day of Unity” in Long Beach where over 500 men dressed in black suits peacefully gathered to celebrate one another and mourn the loss of the lives of black men in America. The event was shared over one million times on social media platforms.
Sabrina is proud to represent a financial institution that shares her values of integrity, service, and relationship driven banking – she brings those values to every client interaction.
Dionne Lyman-Chapman
Program Administrator – Learn Basic Tech
Dionne Lyman-Chapman is a seasoned Information Technology leader with over 24 years of experience serving the County of Los Angeles, where she has built a reputation for driving innovation, accessibility, and community impact through technology. As a Principal Information Systems Analyst and Program Administrator for Delete The Divide’s Learn Basic Tech initiative, Dionne leads the development and execution of digital literacy programs designed to empower underserved communities with essential tech skills.
Throughout her career, Dionne has combined deep technical expertise with strong leadership, specializing in full-stack web development, accessibility compliance (WCAG/ADA), and large-scale system implementations. She has led the development and maintenance of multiple County platforms, overseen complex website migrations, and established best practices for secure, scalable, and user-centered digital experiences.
In her current role, she manages cross-functional teams, mentors emerging talent, and oversees project lifecycles from concept through deployment. Dionne is passionate about workforce development, actively guiding interns and promoting pathways into technology careers within the County. Her work ensures that technology is not only innovative, but inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
Beyond her professional work, Dionne is a creative visionary and community mentor. She enjoys painting, interior design, and building 3D art, while also volunteering in robotics education programs that inspire youth to explore engineering and innovation.
As a judge for KJLH’s Small Business Level Up, Dionne brings a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership, and community-driven purpose—championing businesses that leverage technology to grow, innovate, and uplift their communities.
Terms and Conditions
KJLH Level Up:
Entrepreneurial Women of Color
it time to Level UP your business with KJLH
Eligibility:
Must be in business minimum of two years
Must be a Women of Color Women Entrepreneur
Must be based in LA County – City of Los Angeles
How to apply:
Go to kjlhradio.com/levelup
Complete all of the requests and submit
Hint: Distinguish yourself from the other applicants:
Is your website current? Your social media present on point?
Do you have a viable business plan?
Do you know your financials? Cost of doing business, profit margins?
Key Dates:
Launch: 3/1/2026
Close: 3/27/2026
Finalist Notified: By 3/30/2025
Finalist Pitch Contest: 4/2/2026 TBD
Winner Prize: $15,000.00 valued marketing campaign
Lap Top courtesy of our partner Delete the Divide
Digital assessment courtesy of our partner Delete the Divide
One on One counseling session with The CEO Coach: Dr. Karen McBride
…and a few more surprises!
