INDIVIDUAL Spotlight On :
Nichole M. Bess, a globally recognized fashion industry leader and the Founder of Noir Fashion Week, which aims to empower BIPOC designers by connecting them to sustainable resources and profitable opportunities globally for foundational success in perpetuity. Nichole M. Bess continues her legacy as she is set to launch the We Belong Here Global Master Class and Foundation by Summer '24, offering valuable support to budding BIPOC designers through global master classes in Paris, focusing on Higher Education, Capital, and Mentorship. Her innovative strategies continue to drive progress in the fashion world.
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By making products in a kitchen to solve dry skin and eczema problems, Shea Radiance was founded to help women achieve beautiful glowing skin at any age. Their products are sourced directly from women-run cooperatives to create economic access through trade. Deemed "Women's Gold" in West Africa, Shea Radiance supports women making an income from processing shea nuts and butter to create a pathway of economic progress in their community. Shea Radiance continues to create products with their homemade shea butter that allows customers to feel beautiful and powerful so they can change their world.
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Women of color should have sunscreen that cater to their skin. That's why in 2016, Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen, a 30 SPF lotion formulated for women of color. Made with melanated skin in mind, Black Girl Sunscreen products dry completely clear and protect melanin without the white-cast. From hitting the Target and Ulta to global expansion, this brand doesn't just provide sunscreen products but have started the conversation globally around sun safety to educate and protect melanin beauties worldwide.
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Standing on a mission to help men to optimize their growth as individuals, leaders, and fathers, Dope Dads, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting with fathers in a way that will increase the percentage of quality time spent with their loved ones. With "DOPE" representing Do Our Part Everyday, this organization seeks to help improve their physical, spiritual, and psychological health along with providing essential resources by benefiting the lives of our children, families, and the community.
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Cashmere Nicole founded Beauty Bakerie in 2011 with the mission to be sweet and sweeten the lives of others. During a challenging, but successful fight with breast cancer, Cashmere became extremely health conscious and research-driven about the products we put in and on our bodies, therefore, The Beauty Bakerie brand was created as a direct reflection of Cashmere’s perseverance and passion for both high quality, healthy ingredients that enhance the beauty in everyone, every day. Beauty Bakerie continues to grow, now being sold in over 1000 locations worldwide!
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Founded by Charles Magee in 2014, Charles Mag is not just another cheap accessory, but stylish bags made by hand with a guarantee for satisfaction. After only three years of dominating the Atlanta market, Charles Mag LLC has expanded their client base nationwide. Charles has dedicated himself to socially conscious art and using his platform to promote social change. He continues to expand his mission of inclusivity, art and equity by collaborating with local artists and local donors to fund mural art in the local Decatur area.
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Launched in 2013, Women on the Rise is a grassroots organization led by women of color who are targeted and/or impacted by the legal system. Standing on their mission of educating, healing, and empowerment of one another, and our communities to demand justice, dignity, and liberation for all. Led by Women of Color, this organization envisions a world where women, families, and communities are safe, whole, and free. To bring that vision into existence, they work to transform lives, laws, and social institutions. Throughout their inception, Women on the Rise continues to grow their base and enhance their leadership of over 300 formerly-incarcerated women.
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Since 2015, Kendall Miles has been committed to offering high-quality, luxury footwear. As a family-run, independent company that has remained faithful to only manufacturing and producing internationally in Florence, Italy, Kendall Miles Designs continues to partner with family-owned vendors to ensure all products are handcrafted using only the finest ethically sourced, sustainable materials. The designs feature custom-dyed leathers, exotic skins, voluminous furs, and semi-precious hardware.
Kendall Miles was built on the belief that luxury footwear should be designed with you in mind.
INDIVIDUAL Spotlight On :
Being born in Birmingham, England, Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew is a skilled Orthopaedic Surgeon with an inspirational journey to medicine. With immigrant Jamaican parents, Dr. Bilbrew is no stranger to adversity and dedicates her life to being a living example of resilience, determination and courage. When she's not working on the joints of her patients, she embraces her newfound passions as an author, mentor, and entrepreneur. You're sure to see more of Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew with her newly launched website and first book coming soon!
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Authentic Marriages is a faith-based, relationship ministry, designed to promote emotionally and spiritually healthy marriages globally. Founded by married couple, Jared and Kaara, they bring over 20 years of professional experience in the mental health field, specializing in healing emotional trauma in individuals, families and couples. They strive for an honest, vulnerable and REAL setting for all clients while opening the door for true transformation and blessings to take place.
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Serving their overall vision of an America where no one is hungry, Feeding America is an organization that is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to nutritious food with their partnerships to food banks, policymakers and supporters. Their programs help provide meals to children, seniors, families, and survivors of natural disasters in underserved communities. Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.
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Founded in 1982, the Susan G. Komen organization has been dedicated to work towards an end to breast cancer. Nancy G. Brinker made a promise to her dying sister, Susan, that turned into a global movement for breast cancer awareness. With over 3.3 billion dollars being raised for research, advocacy, community health outreach and more, The Susan G. Komen organization has programs in over 60 countries. These efforts have reduced deaths caused by breast cancer by over 40% and promises not to stop until the mission is fulfilled.
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With a mission to celebrate the essence of clean beauty, a beauty that unveils your innate excellence—rich, profound, and boundless, Ami Colé was created. With a dedication for achieving beauty that transcends boundaries, Ami Colé stands strong on their "designed by us, for us" approach. Recognizing the gap in products that truly cater to melanin-rich skin, their experienced team embarked on a journey to create skincare formulations infused with deep understanding and care. As they continue to go beyond the surface, while creating a vibrant community, Ami Colé products not only elevate your skin but also your state of mind.
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Southern Black Girls has become a disruptor in grant-making and is positioned as a catalyst to fundraise and provide greater resources toward underfunded organizations that, intentionally, support and empower Black girls and women in the South. Fed up with reports confirming that Black women and girls receive less than one percent of the $4.8 billion in philanthropic investments in the south, Southern Black Girls launched the Black Girls Dream Fund to embody their mission and raise $100 million over the next decade to financially empower the goals of Black girls and women.
INDIVIDUAL Spotlight On :
SaVonne Anderson is the Founder and Creative Director of Aya Paper Co., a sustainable stationery brand that creates greeting cards and gifts to celebrate the people and moments that matter most. Inspired by notes of encouragement received by friends and family over the years, SaVonne created a line of stationery that brings an authentic sense of joy and celebration to life's daily moments. SaVonne continues to create high quality, sustainable products that represent the diverse Black experience.
INDIVIDUAL Spotlight On :
Trevon Sailors is the Founder of Sailor's Brew Coffee, an online coffee distributor that encompasses the true essence of quality coffee. Trevon finds motivation in all that he does and uses this motivation as the driving force and inspiration for navigating coffee culture. Through his journey of joining the US Army and law enforcement, Trevon believes in taking risks in his life in order to achieve his version of ultimate success. Trevon believes that "life is a voyage" and embraces every second of it.
INDIVIDUAL Spotlight On :
Dr. Aisha Baron is a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon practicing in the Atlanta area. As a Spelman College graduate of Biology, Dr. Baron followed the path of greatness by obtaining her medical education through Meharry Medical College and excelling in the highly competitive Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program at Baylor College of Medicine, where she was the first African-American female resident in plastic surgery. She now runs her successful private practice, Breast Body Beauty Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Marietta, GA where she continues to deliver “Natural But Noticeable” results.
INDIVIDUAL Spotlight On :
Dr. Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi is an Ivy league and fellowship trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon with an eye for well-balanced aesthetics and a passion for building genuine relationships with her patients. She brings her expertise in body contouring, aesthetic, and reconstructive breast surgery, including complex revisional breast surgery to Breast Body Beauty Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. She continues to demystify facial rejuvenation by educating her patients on the importance of facial harmony and graceful aesthetic refinements.
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Hailing from Hillsborough, North Carolina, Kizzmekia "Kizzy" Corbett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Kizzmekia was a postdoctoral scientist of the VRC's COVID-19 Team where she aimed her research efforts towards the COVID-19 vaccine. In February 2021, Corbett was highlighted in the Time's "Time100 Next" list under the category of Innovators. Kizzmekia shows no signs of slowing down in the medical fields as she continues to educate the public on being cautious and respectful of one another post-pandemic.
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Eva Jane Bunkley is an Atlanta-based two-time Emmy® Award Winning Makeup Artist and the inventor of “The Makeup Bullet® - HiDef Cosmetic Finger Sponge". After working as a professional makeup artist for nearly 30 years, Eva has gained notable clients including President Jimmy Carter, Usher, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jennifer Holliday, Charles S. Dutton, Cicely Tyson, and Jamie Foxx, and more. Eva is also an award-winning filmmaker with two first-place documentary film projects to her credit and continues media production through her production company Eva-Lution Studios, LLC.
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As a suicidal college student, CEO and Founder, Storm Steele received the vision of Canvas Beauty as a company and brand. The brand prides itself on being "deeper than vanity." 'Canvas" is meant to represent blossoming and becoming the highest version of yourself. The YOU that you are designed to be. With a mission to create top tier products, Canvas Beauty reminds all its customers of their own power that they possess while continuing to change lives and build confidence through each product.
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Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Chef Shu Washington is the proud owner of Sankofa Catering and Special Events in Douglasville, GA where he services his valued clients through healthy meal preparation and weekly corporate and social events. Some of his clients include members of the television and film industry along with high profile Georgia politicians. When he's not cooking up some of the best meals the Atlanta area has to offer, he's a loving husband to his wife of 17 years, Akua, and father to his 3 wonderful daughters.
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As a native of Columbus, Ohio, Attorney Chinwé Foster is the proud Founder and Principal attorney at The Foster Law Firm, LLC. A seasoned attorney, Chinwé majored in Criminology at The Ohio State University and attended Howard University School of Law. She's been living and practicing law in the Atlanta area since 2005 and shows no sign of slowing down. When she's not working, she dedicates her time to mentoring underprivileged young girls in the Columbus, Ohio area.
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As a native of Georgia, Avis Howell leads her clients with both passion and care. Through her business, 1st Choice Insurance Group, takes the overwhelm out of exploring the best insurance plans for all elements of your life. Whether auto, home or life insurance, Avis, as a licensed insurance broker, guides the process of selection through her intense attention to detail, servant leadership and first-hand experience. When she's not catering to her valued clients, she's being a wife to her husband and a mother to her two sons, whom she enjoys spending quality time with. Avis takes pride in her passions along with the ability to help the masses.
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Founded through an unexpected partnership formed in New York City to address health disparities in 2006, Hip hop Public Health was formed by Dr. Olajide Williams, a neurologist and health behavior expert at Columbia University, and Doug E. Fresh, the hip-hop artist known as "The Original Human Beat Box." Driven by Dr. Williams' firsthand experiences with underserved communities and their low health literacy levels, they recognized the need for a fresh approach to health communication and behavior change. To date, they've developed over 200 resources while forging community-oriented programs and partnerships.
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Binta Niambi Brown is a music executive at Keep Cool/RCA Records and founder of omalilly projects, an artist management and production company. Not only has she had experience as an international corporate lawyer and human rights advocate but is a stellar graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, and the Columbia University School of Law. When she's not pioneering the entertainment industry, Binta is a frequent lecturer at colleges and universities, and speaks and writes regularly about culture, politics and policy, the movement for Black life, women's issues and of course, music and the creative industries.
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This global non-profit organization empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Starting in 1997, Dress For Success has expanded to 143 cities in 23 countries and has helped more than 1.3 million women work towards self-sufficiency. Supporting their vision of a world where women are economically empowered and inspired to create change, this organization shows no signs of slowing down.
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Sixco is an apparel company dedicated to being more than your average business. Instead of being a traditional transactional business, they have partnered with various non-profit organizations to build clean water wells after every 30th purchase of our products in an area where water is scarce. When customers purchase a product, after 30 orders total have been placed, they notify long-timer partners, Paani Project to construct a well which will provide clean drinking water to approximately 50 people permanently.
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As a result of losing his wife, Charles Johnson, founded 4Kira4Moms in 2017 after losing her during a routine C-Section at Cedar Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, California. The overall goal of this organization is to be a voice for other mothers and families facing unnecessary maternal loss while putting an end to the maternal mortality health crisis. Research has found that Black women are disproportionately affected by this epidemic, where they are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy than white women, therefore community-based organizations like this are neccesary!
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Camouflage Me Not (CMN), is a new initiative, designed to create a social awareness to enhance the transition process for women and minority veterans. Meaning “Don’t Hide Me” or “Don’t Throw Me Away,” CMN takes a community approach to alleviate transition stress by conducting needs assessments, focus groups, etc. to lobby for policies impacting the lives of veterans and their dependents. CMN believes there is a call to action to address the systemic issues that hinders veterans and their dependents from successfully transitioning.
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Ten Wilde is an all gold jewelry line designed in Los Angeles, always aiming for versatility through trendy yet timeless pieces, with the ever-evolving, infinite, multi-faceted woman. Established in 2016 by Tenisha Wilde, Ten Wilde is a direct reflection of her personal style, which embodies her love for many styles found across the world. With a range of gold plated, gold filled, and solid gold, each Ten Wilde jewel is offered at an affordable price in the form of versatile hoops, layering chains, pendant necklaces, signature waist chains and more. Their belief is that a gem for every gem.
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Operating under a vision to provide hope, inspiration, and support to breast cancer survivors in the DMV area, Sherita Lyons brings to life She Still Smiles, Inc., 501c3 organization, since April 2019. The mission: To inspire hope, educate, provide moral support, and financial assistance to breast cancer survivors and their families in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. After discovering a small pea-sized knot in her right upper breast area, her personal journey with stage 2 breast cancer. She continues to use her personal story to inspire other survivors and victims of breast cancer through education, support and assistance.
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Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) is a historic beacon of excellence and inspiration as visitors pay their respects to Dr. King’s legacy. Squarely-focused on serving as both a local and global resource, the King Center is dedicated to educating the world on the life, legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while strengthening the causes and empowering change-makers who are continuing his efforts today.
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Jackson Inspirations was founded by Dr. Cynthia Jackson, driving her purpose of using farmland to feed the hearts, minds, and bodies of children. Centered around the belief of being the village for all people, this organization is dedicated to seeing humanity, providing necessary health resources, advocating for equal access to healthy foods, and offering free educational programming for children. Dr. Jackson stands firm on her value that through service, we collectively make a greater impact.
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B Luxury Essentials is a line of biodegradable and disposable towels, bedding, and more, as an efficient solution for prioritizing sanitary solutions while traveling. The brand provides products for those who want to protect themselves and their families. From disposable bedding and towel sets to luxurious home fragrance perfume, B Luxury Essentials has promoted conversations surrounding stopping the spreading of diseases, infections and viruses.
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This Atlanta-based premium loungewear and sleepwear brand offers the highest quality in its apparel. KeenaBela works to maintain femininity, naturalness and sophistication with each piece while giving customers everywhere the opportunity to experience luxurious self-care necessities. Designed with very special attention to detail, KeeneBela continues to exude excellence in its products, a commitment its founder, Myriam Belasse, shows no signs of eliminating. Rooted in 30 years of fashion industry experience, KeeneBela looks forward to you joining the family.