Spring 2021 Class
Tomi Akitunde
Parenting
Tomi Akitunde is the New York-based founder of mater mea, a platform that helps Black moms get answers to their parenting, life, and career questions through content and community - also affectionately known as "Black Mom Google." She's a journalist by trade, a content strategist by interest, and an archivist of Black motherhood by passion.
Summer Albarcha
Culture / Fashion
Summer Albarcha, a globally recognized, Pittsburgh-based fashion expert, is considered one of the pioneers of the digital modest fashion industry, and has been featured in publications such as Marie Claire and Vogue Arabia.
Tiffany Aliche
Finance
Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche is America's favorite personal financial educator hailing from New Jersey. Through her Live Richer Movement, she's helped over 1 million women save, manage, and pay off millions of dollars.
Jenné Claiborne
Food
Jenné Claiborne, a celebrated Atlanta vegan chef, blogger, and author of the “Sweet Potato Soul” cookbook, is known for creating healthy and easy-to-make vegan recipes.
Willie Greene
Culture
Willie Greene is an LA-based founder of We The Urban, one of social media's largest destinations for empowerment, inspiration, and uplifting marginalized voices, now reaching nearly 3 million followers.
Jerome LaMaar
Culture/Fashion
Jerome LaMaar, also known as "The Style Monk," is a Bronx-born and raised entrepreneur and cultural leader who has been defying expectations in fashion, art, and culture for 20 years.
Olivia Lopez
Travel/Culture
Olivia Lopez is a multimedia creative covering culture through the lens of art, design, and travel. She is a pioneering voice in the digital landscape with a platform dedicated to discovery in lifestyle and destinations. She is the author of Lust for Los Angeles, host of The Art of Travel podcast, and Bon Weekender founder. Her work has been featured in WSJ Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, and AD Magazine.
Kia Marie
Beauty/Fashion
Kia Marie, also known as The Notorious K.I.A. is an all-around creative and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, NY. She uses her platform to empower women to be their most unapologetic selves through style, beauty, and sustainability.
Jessica Nabongo
Travel
Jessica Nabongo is a Detroit-born Ugandan-American writer, travel expert, cultural ambassador, photographer, and entrepreneur, whose work is about changing the travel narrative and making the travel space more inclusive. She is the founder and CEO of the luxury lifestyle brand, The Catch. In 2019, she became the first Black woman to travel to every country in the world, making her one of the 30 Most Powerful Women in Travel, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
Tonya Rapley
Finance
Tonya Rapley is an internationally recognized speaker, financial educator, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur based in Atlanta. She is the founder of the award winning site, My Fab Finance where her mission is to help people make financial decisions they are proud of so that they can create lives they love. Furthering her commitment to holistic wellness, in 2019 she purchased Club Loofah, an inclusive self-care brand focused on inspiring and supporting regenerative practices for all.
Corinne Rice-Grey Cloud
Education/Lifestyle
Corinne Rice-Grey Cloud is a powerful advocate for indigenous culture. Based on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, SD, Corinne is a journalist and cultural expert bringing nationwide attention and education to pressing issues affecting Indian Country.
Freddy Rodriguez
Culture/Fashion
Freddy Rodriguez is a menswear turned lifestyle blogger and creator. LA-based, he founded Blue Perk in 2011, an ever-growing lifestyle brand that focuses on happy, uplifting, colorful moments.
Art by Nichole Washington