Arts & Culture Inclusion Council – Ace Epps

Ace Epps attended Kent State University and The University of Akron studying Pan African American History and Organizational Supervision. In 2004 Ace took a job at the Oriana House, a local community-based correctional facility. 

There he served as a recruitment assistant and resident supervisor where he worked with mental health, violent and nonviolent ex-offenders as well as dually diagnosed clients. 

Ace is a certified facilitator and business counselor who specializes in Black male engagement, workforce development, and business creation. With over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector Ace also hosted a weekly radio show on WAKR and produces local podcasters through his own company called The Self Advancement Center LLC/ Be You Podcasting Company. 

From 2015 to 2019, Ace served as a Community Manager and Fellowship Director for Akron BMe Community, a national organization leading in Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. In 2019, Ace created a new workforce development program and curriculum for a local nonprofit organization called OPEN M. 

Ace served as the Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship for an Akron-based tech and nontech entrepreneur organization called Bounce Innovation Hub. There, Ace ran the GROW program. GROW offers three programming tracks that develop the entrepreneurial spirit and help strengthen the minority small businesses community in Akron, Ohio.

Ace currently serves as the Community Manager at JPMorgan Chase & Co.