Ashlee Ammons holds a BA in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Baldwin Wallace University. She is the 38th Black Female to raise over $1M in pre-seed funding. Prior to co-founding Mixtroz with her mother, Kerry Schrader, Ashlee established a career as an Events Producer working with an impressive list of A-listers including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jay-Z, as well as legacy brands like Moet Hennessy and Coca-Cola.
Abena Boamah, M.Ed is a Ghanaian American creative entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and founder Hanahana Beauty. Driven by curating learning experiences strategically, Abena has been unapologetic about her identities through all forms of her work. She focuses on showcasing stories of black women globally through visual storytelling as an educational + therapeutic approach - specifically working with marginalized groups from students to adults.
Memphian Moziah "Mo" Bridges began his entrepreneurial journey at age 9. He's now 16. He started his tie company, Mo's Bows, after not finding a bow tie that was stylish enough for his tastes. Bridges began making his own, with the help of his grandmother.After selling his products in markets and being featured in magazines, he appeared on "The Steve Harvey Show" in 2013 and "Shark Tank" shortly afterwards.
Gizelle Bryant is a vibrant socialite and resident of the Potomac area who effortlessly manages her jam-packed calendar as a single mother of three daughters, Grace and twins Angel and Adore. She was raised by very prominent and powerful parents who set the tone for her path with their work in government and philanthropy. After graduating from Hampton University, she moved to Baltimore, where she married megachurch pastor/activist Jamal Bryant.
Kimberly Bryant is the Founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization dedicated to “changing the face of technology” by introducing girls of color (ages 7-17) to the field of technology and computer science with a concentration on entrepreneurial concepts. Kimberly has been nationally recognized as a thought leader for her work to increase opportunities for women and girls in the technology industry and has received numerous awards for her work with Black Girls CODE.
Renae L. Bluitt is a Brooklyn, New York-based filmmaker, digital content creator, and branding expert who serves as an advocate for Black women’s accurate representation in the media. With over a decade of experience, Renae has gained valuable insight into Black women entrepreneur’s narratives — a passion that she recently channeled into her first film as Creator and Executive Producer of the documentary, “She Did That.” which premiered at the ESSENCE Music Festival and is currently streaming on Netflix
The Slutty Vegan, a plant-based burger joint in Atlanta’s West End, a predominantly African American neighborhood, opened to immediate acclaim in the summer of 2018. The restaurant instantly became a national phenomenon and celebrity hotspot, with the fervor of its fans exceeding what proprietor Pinky Cole, in spite of her existing entrepreneurial chops, had expected. (“I’m still getting used to it, Micah; Before Slutty Vegan, I could leave the house in sneakers and a hoodie. Now, I always need to be prepared, because people are recognizing me when I take out the trash.”
Lavonda Davis of JP Morgan Chase speaks with winners of DailyCandy's "Start Small, Go Big Contest" in celebration of DailyCandy's 10th Anniversary at the Gansevoort Park Avenue South on October 28, 2010 in New York City.
Alfred A. Edmond Jr. is an unabashed, unparalleled, vocal evangelist for the habits and behaviors that produce four types of fitness: financial, physical, mental and relationship. Sharing this dedication to achieving sustained, holistic, health in all areas of his life, Alfred’s reputation is expanding – he is becoming America’s “Successpert,” an authority on what it takes to achieve personal and professional success.
Tosh Ernest Is Head of Wealth for Advancing Black Pathways, a JPMorgan Chase initiative designed to have a sustainable impact on the economic success and empowerment of black communities. Prior to this role, Ernest served as an Executive Director in the Asset & Wealth Management line of business of the firm, in 2018 launching the Private Bank’s first proprietary mutual fund company and four funds, forming the Six Circle Funds Trust.
Tina Eskridge is a global marketing executive with experience that spans both large and small B2B and B2C enterprises with expertise in marketing, product launch, product management, and strategic operations. As a natural-born leader, she is apt at recognizing talent in others in order to build and retain amazing, high-performing teams. She is a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and more importantly a person who leads with empathy.
After 25 years in the media and entertainment space, Michele Thornton Ghee decided to pivot to entrprenurialism full-time. She launched her firm, Stratechic LLC, in 2015 to help companies and individuals leverage their most important resource: Difference. Ghee has worked for some of the most powerful companies in the world including WME, CNN, A&E, The History Channel and BET Networks. While at BET, Michele created and ran the first and only network for black women: BETHer. She began her career at SBC Communications in Oakland, California.
Chauncey Hamlett is the Chief Marketing Officer of Pepsi Beverages North America, South Division. In this role since March 2019, he is responsible for leading all marketing efforts across Brand Building, Shopper Marketing, Strategy, Insights and Innovation. While also overseeing marketing efforts for independent franchise bottlers. Prior to PepsiCo, he created Super Premium Dussé Cognac in partnership with Jay Z, which is now the fastest growing Cognac in the U.S.
Karamo Brown—famous for his role in Netflix’s Queer Eye—wants men all around the world to love their baldness with his latest project, Mantl: a premium personal-care brand for bald and balding men. Although he masterfully accents his baldness with eyeliner and mascara, the much-publicized culture expert is throwing away all the gimmicks and asking men to join him in self-love and leaving outdated ideas of masculinity behind with Mantl.
I believe that the definition of leadership is making opportunities for others. I am a leadership geek and find that the richest opportunities for all of our futures lie in education. I am a believer in reciprocity in education and that as educators we are both teacher and student. I believe that the world can be a classroom if we open ourselves to the notion that application, concatenation and liberation start with listening.
Yvonne has a proven track record of conceptualizing and orchestrating small and large production events, marketing campaigns and programs to effectively create business development opportunities, increase revenue and growth. Yvonne is known as a powerhouse behind the scene closing deals, sculpting entertainment, one exquisite experience at a time. She has worked with some of the biggest names and brands in the entertainment industry from grassroots organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and A-List artists.
Self-made millionaire Draya Michele is a designer, actress, mother and soon-to-be wife. She made her first impression on the public on VH1’s Basketball Wives, but her lasting impression has become that of a businesswoman. Andraya Michele Howard turned a $12,000 dream into a reality when she launched swimwear line Mint Swim, a “swimwear line designed with all shapes and sizes in mind.”
Jett Montgomery is CEO and Founder of Jettgerale, a handcrafted small batch ginger beverage. Available for delivery in Brooklyny and across NYC. #kidpreneur
Racquel Oden is Managing Director and Head of National Sales, responsible for servicing over 20 million customers with direct responsibility for over $980 billion in deposits and investments leading 40,000+ employees. In her previous role, she was the Northeast Division Director, managing their Consumer Banking and Wealth Management business. In the division, she served 4.9 million customers with over $300 billion in deposits and investments overseeing 10,000 associates and advisors. As the Division Director, she defined frameworks for bankers and advisors, driving transformative initiatives to develop strategies to enhance and evolve the client experience.
Gia Peppers is a multi-talented entertainment journalist and on-air talent from Washington, DC. At 26, the budding media phenom has worked on-camera and behind the scenes with BET, the NBA, Essence Magazine, Billboard, Complex, Hot 97 and more – usually at the very same time.
When I started high school, I would get so many compliments on my hair. I told them about the hair butter my mom would make and had been using on our hair since I could remember. I've now grown and learned so much about business and now I'm ready to offer my Princess Mudd products to the world. The Thickening and Growth formula is the same recipe that has kept my sisters and my own hair long shiny and healthy over the years. Now, I'm offering it to you all. I hope you like it!
The world took notice of 10-year-old Kheris Rogers after 15-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys posted a picture of her on Instagram with the caption: “I love this beautiful girl @kherispoppin and I love her mission! Keep shining.” Kheris’ mission is to empower confidence with her clothing line Flexin’ In My Complexion, which she was inspired to create after being teased for her dark complexion in school in Los Angeles.
A senior human resource professional turned CEO of a tech company. My former career path afforded me the opportunity to gain breadth and depth across the human resource function with skills that include: business strategy, performance management, talent management, compensation, learning and development, multi-site management, negotiation, coaching and counseling, strategic planning, employee/labor relations, continuous improvement and change management.
The founder and CEO of Seisay IT Solutions, Amie Seisay has over fifteen years of experience in the IT field, working in numerous professional environments, including the for-profit, non-profit, association, legal, medical, and government sectors. Amie’s credentials include both a bachelors and masters degree in Computer Science.
Speaker, trainer and award-winning entrepreneur - these are just a few words that describe Cameka Smith, Founder of The BOSS Network, a community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through coaching, online engagement and event-based networking. Working towards one simple goal, BOSS® is "Bringing Out Successful Sisters" to promote and encourage the small business spirit and professional development of women.
Samantha Thompson is a skilled and insightful Search Engine Marketing Strategist with over 3 years of experience in collaborations with varying top retailers. Thompson possesses a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Marketing from the University of South Florida.
Tonya Thompson is a healthy hair specialist and Co-Founder of DreamGirls Hair, a results-producing beauty business that consists of two salon branches, and an all-inclusive hair transformative product line known as the DreamGirls Healthy Hair Care System for at-home hair care.
Caroline A. Wanga is currently the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Essence Communications Inc., the independent Black-owned consumer technology company focused on merging content, community, and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.
Sharie Wilson is a healthy hair specialist and Co-Founder of DreamGirls Hair, a results-producing beauty business that consists of two salon branches, and an all-inclusive hair transformative product line known as the DreamGirls Healthy Hair Care System for at-home hair care.
Boasting their "hip-hop smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop-feel-appeal to it," Bell Biv DeVoe spun off from New Edition following the parent group's tour in support of 1988's Heart Break. On Valentine’s Day 2018, Ricky Bell and his wife, released their first duet “Gold” with 100% of the proceeds going to Direct Relief, a charity that provides life-saving medical aid to those affected by poverty and emergencies.
Boasting their "hip-hop smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop-feel-appeal to it," Bell Biv DeVoe spun off from New Edition following the parent group's tour in support of 1988's Heart Break. The trio enlisted a variety of producers for their debut, including Dr. Freeze, Hank and Keith Shocklee, and Eric Sadler, the latter three of whom had worked extensively with Public Enemy. The first act signed to Michael Biven’s SportyRich Enterprises was Beano Boyz Crew in 2015 with the debut single "Supa Model".
Boasting their "hip-hop smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop-feel-appeal to it," Bell Biv DeVoe spun off from New Edition following the parent group's tour in support of 1988's Heart Break. Ronnie DeVoe became a licensed real estate agent in 2002 and launched a full service real estate company, DeVoe Broker Associates, in 2006 now doing business as DeVoe Real Estate. He also holds philanthropy and activism close to his heart.
Gather valuable insight on un-locking access to capital, mentorship and market intelligence that will push your small business forward. Get top-tier tips to help your business thrive.
Gather valuable insight on un-locking access to capital, mentorship and market intelligence that will push your small business forward. Get top-tier tips to help your business thrive.
ASHLEE AMMONS
Co-Founder and President, Mixtroz
RICKY BELL
CEO, RNB Entertainment
MICHAEL L. BIVINS
CEO, Sportyrich
Enterprises & Musical Mogul
ABENA BOAMAH
Founder, Hanahana Beauty
MOZIAH BRIDGES
Founder of Mo's Bows
GIZELLE BRYANT
Founder, EveryHue Beauty
KIMBERLY BRYANT
Founder and CEO,
Black Girls CODE
RENAE BLUITT
Creator & Executive Producer, "She Did That"
PINKY COLE
Owner and Founder,
Slutty Vegan
LAVONDA DAVIS
Vice President,
Business Relationship Manager, Chase for Business
RONNIE DEVOE
Owner, DeVoe Real Estate
ALFRED EDMONDS JR.
SVP/Executive Editor-at-Large,
Black Enterprise
TOSH ERNEST
Head of Wealth, Advancing Black Pathways,
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
TINA ESKRIDGE
Sr. Director of Marketing,
MICROSOFT
MICHELE THORNTON GHEE
Visionary Leader, Speaker, Author, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Stratechic, LLC.
CHAUNCEY HAMLETT
VP/CMO South Division, Pepsi Co Beverages North
KARAMO
Co-Founder and CEO, MANTL
SANDEE KASTRUL
President and Co-Founder, i.c.stars
YVONNE E. MCNAIR
CEO and Founder, Captivate
Marketing Group
DRAYA MICHELE
Founder, Mint Swim
JETT MONTGOMERY
CEO and Founder, Jettgerale
RACQUEL ODEN
Managing Director,
Head of National Sales,
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
GIA PEPPERS
Journalist
TAYLOR ROBERTS
Founder, Princess Mudd Hair & Skincare
KHERIS ROGERS
CEO, Flexin' In My Complexion
KERRY SCHRADER
CEO and Founder, Mixtroz
AMIE SEISAY
Owner, Seisay IT Solutions
CAMEKA SMITH
Founder, Boss Network
SAMANTHA THOMPSON
Search Engine Marketing Strategist
TONYA THOMPSON
Co-Founder, DreamGirls
CAROLINE WANGA
Interim CEO, ESSENCE®
SHARIE WILSON
Co-Founder, DreamGirls
blackgirlscode.com/donations
Hanahana Beauty
hanahanabeauty.com
Mo's Bows Memphis
mosbowsmemphis.com
EveryHue Beauty
instagram.com/everyhuebeauty
Mint Swim
mint-swim.com
Princess Mudd Hair & Skincare
princessmudd.com
Flexin' In My Complexion
flexininmycomplexion.com
MANTL
mantl.co
DreamGirls Haircare
dghair.com
Slutty Vegan
pinkygivesback.com
Jettgerale
instagram.com/jettgerale
RoziSweets
rozisweets.com
Young King Hair Care
youngkinghaircare.com
powerhandz.com
Pretty Please Teethers LLC
prettypleaseteethers.com
KAZMALEJE
kazmaleje.com
FLR PLN
flr-pln.com
Soul Balm Sisters
soulbalmsisters.com
NaturAll Club
naturallclub.com
Glow by Daye
glowbydaye.com
PillowSheets
pillowsheets.com
The Lip Bar
thelipbar.com
Undefined Beauty
un-definedbeauty.com
Blk+Grn
blkgrn.com
New Voices Foundation
newvoicesfoundation.org/donate
The Black Travel Box
theblacktravelbox.com
lorrainewestjewelry.com
Martine Dreams
martinesdream.com
Bolé Road Textiles
boleroadtextiles.com
Marche Rue Dix
marcheruedix.com
Peace + Riot
peaceandriot.com
Zesa Raw
zesaraw.com
Bold Xchange
boldxchange.com/our-shop
Askan NYC
askannyc.com
Grn Goods
grngoods.co
BLACK PEPPER PAPERIE CO
blackpepperpaperie.com
Frères Branchiaux Candle Co.
freresbranchiaux.com
SportyRich
sportyrichapparel.com
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