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Dr. Crystal Hill is the CEO of Grace Garden Events, a planning and coordination company that specializes in creating exceptional events. Grace Garden designs, coordinates, and manages every project from conception to execution. With over 10 years of experience in event planning, Crystal believes in elegant and unique design ideas for all clients and takes great joy in working with those looking to create memorable events.
In addition to her passion for event planning, Dr. Hill has a deep commitment to inspiring youth. Through Seeds, a platform under Grace Garden, she empowers young people to be change-makers and take ownership of their future. Seeds connects youth with inspirational mentors to build a strong network focused on self-actualization, leadership, networking, and entrepreneurship. She teaches youth how to be confident, competitive, and profitable by taking action in their passions and spotting problems to create solutions. Seeds helps youth establish the skills and connections needed to achieve economic power and freedom.
Before becoming the CEO of Grace Garden and Seeds, Dr. Hill was the Assistant Principal at Callaway High School. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Jackson State University in 2018, her Master’s in Teaching Arts from Mississippi College in 2012, and her B.S. in Kinesiology from Mississippi State University in 2009. As a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and a 2005 graduate of Callaway High School, she has a deep connection to her community.
Dr. Hill has been awarded in several pitch competitions and serves as the Event Coordinator for the Bean Path. She also works with youth initiatives at the Jackson Medical Mall to teach entrepreneurship and is a member of Higher Purpose Co. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, bargain hunting, and working on do-it-yourself (DIY) projects at home.
Reginald Stewart is Director, Creative at BMI. In this role he assists with general affiliate inquiries and outreach, educating emerging songwriters on BMI’s services and initiatives, and is an integral part in coordinating multiple BMI events and special projects. Stewart helps to facilitate several initiatives in the R&B/Hip-Hop and Gospel genres including BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, and BMI’s showcase series, Know Them Now. In addition to leading special events and outreach that support BMI’s music creators, including listening events, celebratory dinners, speaking engagements and community initiatives, Stewart also serves as Co-Chair of BMI’s Black Network Employee Resource Group. Stewart attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where he received his bachelor’s degree.
Tyrone Haggard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the realm of real estate, blending practical expertise with a deep commitment to professional development and community revitalization. As a seasoned Regional Leadership & Business Development Coach at EXIT Realty South Central, Tyrone specializes in mentoring real estate brokers and owners, empowering them to enhance their leadership capabilities and business acumen. His role involves identifying strengths and weaknesses, setting clear objectives, and crafting strategies to achieve business growth and personal success.
Tyrone’s journey in real estate began with a strong educational foundation, including a Doctor of Theology and a Master of Theology from Flag Chapel Bible College. His rigorous academic training is complemented by his certifications as a Licensed Residential and Commercial Real Estate Professional and a Certified Master Home Inspector. This combination of scholarly insight and practical certification enables Tyrone to provide a holistic approach to real estate education and investment.
In his role as a Licensed REALTOR® with EXIT Realty Legacy Group in Gluckstadt, MS, Tyrone has been instrumental in guiding clients through the complexities of buying and selling properties. His commitment to staying updated on market trends and maintaining the highest ethical standards ensures that his clients receive top-notch service and informed advice. Tyrone’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through his ownership of Complete Inspections LLC, where he performs thorough property inspections to ensure safety and compliance. Additionally, as the owner of 4H Property Investments LLC, he actively invests in and redevelops properties,contributing to the economic development of targeted communities. His work involves not only improving property valuations but also collaborating with local politicians and governmental agencies to drive community revitalization and economic impact.
A proud native of Baltimore, MD. Rashad earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Morgan State University. Rashad is a past Fellow of Campaign of Black Male Achievement, BMe Vanguard Fellow, Center for Urban Families – Practitioner Leadership Institute Fellow, Annie E. Casey Foundation – Young Emerging Leader Fellow and a graduate of Johns Hopkins University’s Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Fellow Program. Rashad serves as a board member for several organizations including, My Brother’s Keeper Baltimore, Art With A Heart, Play On Purpose Inc., and YouthTruth Survey Advisory Board.
Rashad is also a second-generation art collector and curator, and Co -Founder of More Than A Shop, a cohort of barbershops and beauty salons across Baltimore, who works collaborative with agencies, institutions, and thought leaders in providing resources, information, and supports to communities through participating shops to help foster safe and healthier neighborhoods. Rashad proudly served as a U.S. Congressional Page and intern under Congressman Elijah Cumming and was a former Baltimore City Youth Commissioner. Rashad has worked for several organizations and held various positions at Family League of Baltimore, Higher Achievement, Elev8 Baltimore, AmeriCorps and most recently served as the sole Youth Engagement Specialist for Baltimore City Public School.
Rashad Staton now serves as the newly appointed Executive Director of Community Law In Action (CLIA). He has also presented professional workshops nationally addressing topics on youth engagement, social justice, equity and inclusion, civic engagement, and education at various speaking engagement. Dedicated to service; Rashad is the founder of Catalyst of Change Enterprise, LLC a consultant company working to advance youth and community development and engagement. Rashad has received several awards and honors, including Fearless Hero, Community Star Award presented by Muhammad Mosque #6, Alumni of the Year Award presented by Morgan State University, and the Community Law in Action (CLIA’s) “Inspiring Voices Award”.
Rashad is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Black Professional Men Inc., and 100 Black Men of America. As a self-proclaimed “Catalyst of Change”, Rashad centers himself in being a public servant who provides strategic planning and development spaces and opportunities for youth and young adults through an asset and strength-based lens, ultimately changing the narrative and perception from of deficit framing to positive outlooks and outcomes.
She’s an author, speaker, and content creator. With over half a million followers she frequently features Black-Owned brands in big box stores highlighting the importance of convenience and diversity on the retail shelves. She is Marissa Kearney. She’s a former teacher-turned influencer. In her free time, she loves watching Marvel movies, going to theme parks, Harry Potter, reading, and traveling. Her social media platform, TargetWhileBlack, is my way of contributing to my community through awareness of Black brands in Target. She has been able to change her followers into mindful buyers that know they have power in their pocketbooks. Meet Marissa Kearney, a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship, authorship, digital creation and proud CEO of “RetailWhileBlack”. With a relentless passion for innovation and a keen eye for opportunity, Marissa has cemented her reputation as a trailblazer and visionary in the business landscape.
She’s an author, speaker, and content creator. With over half a million followers she frequently features Black-Owned brands in big box stores highlighting the importance of convenience and diversity on the retail shelves. She’s Marissa Kearney. She is a former teacher-turned influencer. In her free time, she loves watching Marvel movies, going to theme parks, Harry Potter, reading, and traveling. Her social media platform, TargetWhileBlack, is her way of contributing to my community through awareness of Black brands in Target. She has been able to change my followers into mindful buyers that know they have power in their pocketbooks. She is a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship, authorship, digital creation and proud CEO of “RetailWhileBlack”. With a relentless passion for innovation and a keen eye for opportunity, Marissa has cemented her reputation as a trailblazer and visionary in the business landscape.
Kanesha Adams is a Ph.D. student in the Educational Leadership department at the University of Alabama. She is an educator, advocate, and “change agent.” She currently serves as the CEO and Founder of Bearapy Bookshelf, which is an edtech company she created to teach students the importance of storytelling and creativity by creating strong foundations, stable families, and secure futures. Bearapy is an acronym for Books, Bears, and Therapy.
Through this work, in 2022 her team published over 15 children’s books promoting the importance of social resilience including the recent publishing of Vanessa Simmons and 2022 Miss Arkansas, Ebony Mitchell, stuffed over 2,000 bears, traveled over 10,000 miles and provided access to virtual self-care resources to over 2,000 children. In addition to this work, she serves as an adjunct faculty member with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a family engagement consultant with organizations across the state of Arkansas.
Kanesha received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, an MS in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University, and an M.ED. in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas. Kanesha resides in Pine Bluff, Arkansas with her husband, Nicholas Adams who too is an educator. She spends the majority of her time with her God-Given Best Friend, 4-year-old Kelahni.
Shakira Wyms is born and bred in Indianola, Mississippi. Her educational upbringing was based in the Indianola School District which she’s a proud 2001 graduate of Gentry High School. Ms Wyms also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Mississippi State University.
Her career spans over 13 years being a Public Servant within various State and County government agencies in Tampa Bay, Florida and Indianola, Mississippi. She was recently announced as the Auxiliary Coordinator for her Alma Mater; the Gentry High School Marching Ram Band in which she’s the Director of the Soul Twirlers and the G-Settes.
Her hobbies includes cooking, traveling, reading, spending quality time with family, volunteering her time with teen girls, and indulging in self care. Ms Wyms’ specialty is being a great #Supermom to her six year old daughter named Harper Ellis who keeps her on her toes.
Dr. Shequite Johnson of Indianola, MS, serves as Chief Program Officer for Higher Purpose Co.® (HPC). She is optimistic about being a part of an organization that works to better Black businesses and communities within Mississippi holistically while intentionally improving generational wealth amongst the Black residents. Although she is genuinely compassionate about her work with Higher Purpose Co.®, Dr. Johnson continues to leave lasting footprints within her community in Sunflower County as well.
She serves on the Sunflower County Freedom Project board, she is the Co-Troop Leader of Girl Scout Troop 30123 of Indianola, MS. Additionally, she is a member of the Sunflower County Mississippi Valley State Alumni Association and the Sunflower County NAACP. Dr. Johnson is the wife of Mr. Derrick Johnson and mother of four beautiful children. She graduated in 2004 from Gentry High School, in Indianola, MS. In addition, she is also a proud HBCU graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, where she received a Master’s in Rural Public Policy and Planning.
Dr. Johnson earned her Ph.D. in Public Administration at Jackson State University. Dr. Johnson feels continues to impact, inspire, and lead people and communities effectively while serving in the nonprofit sector.
Courtney has spent nearly 2 decades building winning teams in tech marketing for global enterprises, SMBs, & startups. She has held full P&L responsibility for marketing depts & budgets across 5 continents and amassed a handful of successful exits. Today she is the Cofounder & COO of beauty-tech startup, ShearShare. Prior to cofounding ShearShare, Courtney managed a boutique consulting firm where she fast-tracked international sales & marketing success for brands such as Zendesk, Zenefits, and Qualtrics.
Courtney has held leadership positions in both early-stage and late-stage tech organizations: vice president of marketing for Marketing Advocate, global director of Oracle’s digital marketing strategy & innovations group, head of demand gen & JAPAC field marketing at RightNow Technologies. Her leadership in demand and revenue generation at RightNow was instrumental in the $1.45B acquisition of the company. Courtney is a winner of two 2016 Killer Content Awards, named a 2015 Direct Marketing News “40 Under 40” Honoree, a “Top #Nifty50 Women in Tech on Twitter,” Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year by Texas Military Institute, & was a finalist for the 2013-2014 DFW American Marketing Association “Marketer of the Year” Award.
Ms. Sheoyki Jones holds a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from the University of Mississippi. She is currently the Chief Impact Officer at Social Xurrency. Social Xurrency is an impact agency specializing in strategic planning in community impact, entertainment, program development, and community/economic development; assisting clients with developing and executing meaningful community impact strategic plans and programs that are transforming lives and communities. To date, Sheoyki has been able to work with the following organizations: LVRN, Black Music Action Coalition, Davido, Summer Walker, 21 Savage, HBCU on the Green, Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, Usher’s New Look, Motown Gospel, BMI, Moet Hennessy, Mastercard, Revolt, The People’s Uprising, and more! Previously, she served as the Program Manager of Creative Industries at Invest Atlanta.
Here she has thrived in the management of creative industry projects city wide and supports the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment efforts. She implemented and maintained all aspects of Invest Atlanta’s creative industries strategies, policies, and procedures. She reinvented the execution of creative industries tactics as they relate to the overall creative industries strategy and ensures that all creative industries business links and supports Invest Atlanta’s brand strategies and initiatives. Within the scope of this role Ms. Jones has established and built Invest Atlanta’s brand in the entertainment industry globally, created and oversaw Creative Industries Exchange, attracted 500+ creative industries jobs in the City of Atlanta, spoke on over 30 panels, including international panels, and created and executed Invest Atlanta’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards highlighting and honoring local small businesses.
World-renowned keynote speaker. National Social Emotional Learning Consultant. Nasir Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University. Tufts University Professor. The name is Dee-1. He is the Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. Dee-1 has transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in Louisiana to a hip-hop heavyweight with much more to still accomplish. He has released a total of 21 projects thus far in his career. His recent album “UNO” debuted at #4 in the world on the Apple Music/iTunes Hip-Hop Charts, 100% independent. From nationwide “knowledge for college” financial literacy tours, to numerous corporate partnerships, Dee-1 message of positivity and hope is embraced by the multitudes. Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real.
Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee-1 was also appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a Governor’s appointee. Dee-1 says, “I make music to provide the soundtrack to someone’s life who is trying
Dr. Tye Caldwell is the Cofounder & Chief Strategy Officer of ShearShare, the first ondemand salon and barbershop space rental app. Recognized as a tech visionary and industry pioneer, Dr. Caldwell’s mission is to help beauty and barbering professionals around the world maximize their earnings potential. By redesigning access to B2B beauty space and serving an under-served niche, Tye is enabling more than 1,000,000 licensed professionals to work on their terms, while salon and barbershop owners make money on unused space.
Prior to creating ShearShare, Tye owned and operated an award-winning salon in Dallas, Texas for 20 years, which was the genesis behind ShearShare. He has worked in beauty for 25 years as a master barber-stylist, educator, and small business coach, offering his 20+ years of industry knowledge as a proven roadmap. Tye serves on the Advisory Boards for multiple beauty schools, is a frequent guest lecturer at barber colleges and hairstyling institutes around the globe, and has spoken about next-generation industry trends at CosmoProf, Business Insider, the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, and other venues. He coaches the rising generation of salon and barbershop owners, and his #1 best-selling book, Mentored by Failure: A 5-Point Guide to Long-Term Success in the Beauty & Style Industry, is often used for continuing education curriculum. ShearShare was named winner of Google Demo Day 2018, Fidelity’s Reshape the World competition, Tech. Co’s Startup of the Year 2016, and a TechWeek100.
Mr. Caldwell’s work has been featured in Fast Company, Black Enterprise, Forbes, Modern Salon, and TechCrunch. Dr. Tye Caldwell is a licensed instructor and educator, and received his Doctorate of Professional Barbering from Miracle University. He relocated from McKinney, Texas to Buffalo, New York with his cofounder wife, Courtney Caldwell. He enjoys international travel, reading, and spending time with his wife, Courtney, and 22-year-old son, Trey, a senior cadet and football player at the United States Air Force Academy. Dr. Caldwell recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, in seven days.
Maya Elious is a personal branding strategist and the CEO of Built To Impact, a coaching and consulting company that helps faith-based female entrepreneurs build a high-end coaching business. Through her 6-month accelerator program and her signature live event, Impact Weekend, she’s helped hundreds of clients get clear on their message, confidently increase their prices, and have successful five-figure launches. She’s been featured as a top branding expert in publications like Black Enterprise, Forbes, and Business Insider. Her main mission is to help women monetize their gifts so they can create impact and build wealth. When she’s not helping her clients build their online empire, she can be found traveling, spending time with her family, or watching medical dramas on Hulu.
Todd Anderson, the Turnip Vegan is a content creator, recipe creator, videographer and mushroom lover who focuses on veganism and the many benefits it can have for your body and mind. My main mission is to show the world that veganism is not just a diet, but an all-encompassing lifestyle that can help people lead healthier lives. I believe in a cruelty-free approach to meal preparation and consumption, meaning I avoid using any animal-based products or byproducts in my recipes.
No one is perfect, and I’m certainly no exception. Every day I strive to be a better version of myself, both personally and professionally. Being an example for others and striving to make a positive impact on the world around me is something that I value deeply. My mission is to help others recognize and appreciate the beauty of plants, as well as understand how a plant-based diet could benefit them. Eating plants is more than just about being healthy – it can also mean saving animals, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable food production. Humans have long been consuming plant-based foods and we are here to spice it up a little & get creative in the kitchen.
Arlan Hamilton, founder at Backstage Capital and HireRunner.co, is a serial entrepreneur, author, and prolific speaker.
She founded Backstage Capital in 2015 to invest in founders who are people of color, women and/or LGBTQ. Since its founding, Backstage has raised nearly $30 million and invested in 200 startups led by underestimated founders. Arlan is also the founder of HireRunner.co, a startup that connects outstanding employee talent with inclusive companies.
Arlan published her book, “It’s About Damn Time,” in 2020, detailing her journey from homelessness to venture capital trailblazer. Arlan also hosts the popular podcast “Your First Million”, and in 2018, was the first non-celebrity Black woman to grace the cover of Fast Company magazine. Arlan’s latest book out on January 2nd, 2024, “Your First Million: Why You Don’t Have To Be Born Into A Legacy Of Wealth To Leave One Behind“, shows how anyone can tap into new tools, platforms, and funding sources to get their million-dollar idea off the ground.
Arlan is a big proponent of paying it forward and supporting other underestimated people in the tech industry and beyond. She’s a limited partner in 27 funds led by emerging, underestimated managers, and she and her mother, Mrs. Earline Butler-Sims, have established scholarship programs for Black students at Oxford University, HBCU Dillard University, and Harvard Law.