The Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce came together with the community on Tuesday, Feb. 27 to celebrate the 2024 winners of the Community Impact Awards.
The honorees — Lara Leon, Amelia McCracken and Dr. Jennifer Hathaway — were all chosen because of their dedicated service to the Bryan/College Station community offering top-notch businesses and honing in on what it means to be a Brazos Valley business owner.
The awards, which originally started in 2003, were created to recognize Hispanic, African-American, Asian, American-Indian, women, and/or service-disabled veteran business owners who have gone above and beyond in serving the community.
Learn more about the 2024 Community Impact Award Winners
Lara Leon, Laura Leon Law
Laura Leon Law was founded in 2019 by Laura Leon, Abogada de Inmigración here in Brazos County. Starting with just one assistant, they have experienced continuous growth year by year and now employ more than 20 dedicated professionals. Their vision includes expanding to different cities in the future. Laura Leon Law specializes in immigration services, including asylum, humanitarian visas, citizenship, removal defense, adjustment of status, DACA renewals, and much more. With a track record of proven results, they excel in finding solutions for our clients. They have successfully helped hundreds of individuals achieve their desired outcomes and legal protection in the United States.
Amelia McCracken, Ment Marketing & Creative Services
In 2018, Amelia McCracken founded Ment Marketing & Creative Services, a unique marketing agency focusing on mentorship. She hires student “Menterns” to assist them in building their portfolios before they graduate, providing real-world experience in web design, graphic design, and social media management. Ment is also staffed by Project Coordinators who oversee projects and mentor the students. Committed to giving back to her alma mater and community, Amelia has served as a board member and volunteer for various organizations and committees, including Aggie Women, the Black Former Student Network, and All Heart Inc. She is also a co-founder of Women Entrepreneurs, an organization that offers encouragement, resources, and support to over 2000 women business owners in the Brazos Valley. Since 2018, Ment has donated over $80,000 in marketing services to new businesses and non-profits locally and across the US.
Dr. Jennifer Hathaway, Dr. Jennifer Hathaway, D.D.S.
Dr. Jennifer Hathaway began her practice in July of 1993 and has been providing comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry for the Brazos Valley for over 30 years. She started with her sister, Jan Cook, as her office manager and receptionist. She now has 10 employees and is planning to add more as her practice expands to provide comprehensive Dental Sleep Medicine care and future dentists. Her practice provides care for patients with very complex medical conditions. She works with a team of local specialists using the latest technologies to plan and provide complex care for her patients so that they receive the best possible outcome right here in the Brazos Valley without having to travel to the larger cities. She is constantly continuing her education. Her practice is able to provide all types of cosmetic dentistry including cosmetic crowns, veneer and fillings, adult Invisalign care, whitening, esthetic dentures and implant-supported crowns and dentures.
