Every February, Black History Month gives us a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the people whose courage and leadership helped shape the world we work in today. For us at the Maryland Association of CPAs, that reflection hits close to home.

At the MACPA, we honor the achievements, contributions, and leadership of Black professionals who have helped shape the accounting and finance profession and strengthen our communities — not just nationally, but right here in Maryland.

We’re especially grateful for the trailblazers who broke barriers decades ago: Benjamin King Sr. (1957), Arthur Reynolds Sr. (1958), Dr. Broadus Sawyer (1960), Carroll Lee (1961), and Jerome Broadus (1963) — the first five Black CPAs in Maryland.

Imagine what it took to earn a license during that era. These leaders didn’t just build careers — they opened doors for everyone who came after them.

Their legacy carried forward through leaders like Graylin Smith, who served as the MACPA's first Black chair from 2002-03; Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, who in 2016 became the first Black CPA, the first Marylander, and just the fifth woman to serve as chair of the American Institute of CPAs; and Avonette Blanding, who chaired the MACPA Board of Directors in 2020-21.

That legacy continues today through the leadership of current MACPA Chair Maxene Bardwell, who serves as chief administrative officer for Prince George’s County, and of Jeff Wilson II, an MACPA member who chairs Maryland’s Board of Public Accountancy — a role once held by Maryland’s first-ever Black CPA, Benjamin King Sr.

The leadership of these groundbreaking CPAs didn’t just make history — it expanded what felt possible. And why? Because representation matters. When young professionals see someone who looks like them leading a firm, chairing a board, or guiding the national profession, it changes the equation. It says: You belong here.

And that’s more important than ever. As the profession works to address ongoing talent shortages and strengthen the CPA pipeline, diversity isn’t just a value — it’s a competitive advantage. A more inclusive profession is a stronger, more innovative one.

At the MACPA, we’re proud to celebrate these pioneers — and we’re just as excited about the next generation of Black CPAs who are stepping up, leading boldly, and shaping what comes next.