
The 2026 Power List: 100 Black Professional Women to Follow
Where Leadership Meets Digital Influence
Discover the Black women shaping the future of business, culture, innovation, finance, technology, lifestyle, and thought leadership — not only as industry leaders, but as powerful digital voices with communities that trust them.
This is the definitive list of Black women whose impact extends far beyond their titles.
They build. They influence. They lead.
WHY THIS LIST? WELL...
Black women consistently drive culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship; yet the intersection where their professional authority meets their digital influence remains underrecognized and underleveraged.
This list spotlights 100 Black women who are not just building companies, leading teams, or shaping industries — they are also powerful creators with platforms that actively move conversations, markets, and communities.
These women represent the next era of influence:
- Expert-first voices.
- High-trust communities.
- Leadership with cultural fluency.
- Impact that transcends platforms.
Whether you are a brand, a founder, an investor, a media leader, or simply someone wanting to follow extraordinary women building extraordinary things: this is your starting point.
ABOUT US:
2gré (pronounced "duh-GREY", meaning degree in French) is the representation branch of the boutique strategic communications agency The Map. It is dedicated to elevating high-impact Black women entrepreneurs, executives, and creators. We amplify their voices, expand their opportunities, and connect brands with powerful partnerships rooted in expertise, alignment, and authenticity.
This list reflects our commitment to reshaping what influence looks like, and who gets to lead it.
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Traditional “Top 100” lists focus on:
The most successful businesswomen
The most accomplished executives
The most visible creators, celebrities or media personalities
This is not that.
This list was built on a different premise:
We highlight women who are BOTH high-impact professionals and influential digital creators.
Founders, executives, investors, technologists, authors, consultants, or accomplished experts in their field.
A robust, engaged online following — not vanity metrics, but real community trust and relevance.
Women whose platforms shape conversations on business, leadership, entrepreneurship, career growth, wealth, innovation, and the elevation of their communities.
Brands, institutions, and global organizations increasingly seek expert-led voices — not influencers who simply post, but leaders who shape narratives and drive behavioral shifts.
These 100 women embody that shift.
They are the ones who will secure:
Ambassadorships and partnerships
Advisory roles
Board positions
Speaking engagements
Creative collaborations
Strategic campaigns
Their digital influence is anchored in credibility, not popularity — making them uniquely positioned for the future of thought leadership and brand storytelling.
If you’re a brand, agency, conference, or organization seeking dynamic voices to represent, advise, or lead — our team can help you identify the best B2B creators for your next campaign or initiative.
👉🏾 Interested in working with such leaders? Contact us to curate your next collaboration.
NOW, MEET THE 100 POWERFUL BLACK WOMEN PROFESSIONALS TO FOLLOW IN 2026
LEADERSHIP, CAREER & COACHING
Carlyn Green

Carlynn Greene is an education and scholarship strategist best known as the founder of Scholarship Guru, a platform dedicated to helping students and families navigate college access, scholarships, and funding opportunities. Through her work recognize in the latest Forbes30Under30 list, she shares practical guidance on securing scholarships, choosing schools strategically, and reducing student debt, particularly for first-generation and underrepresented students. Her content also spans career planning, education mobility, and global exposure, drawing from her own experiences with study, travel, and academic advancement. Carlynn is followed for her clear, actionable approach to education strategy and her focus on making higher education more accessible and financially sustainable.
Cinneah El-Amin

Cinneah El-Amin, known as Fly Nanced, is the founder of Flynanced, a platform centered on career growth and wealth building for Black women—especially “9–5 women” focused on earning more and retiring early. She built her audience by sharing her own journey from debt to financial freedom, emphasizing pay transparency, income growth, and practical skills-building for corporate advancement. Through coaching, masterclasses, and resources, she focuses on closing wealth and professional skills gaps with a clear, culture-forward voice.
Heather Lowery

Heather Lowery is the President and CEO of Femme It Forward, the live entertainment and cultural platform known for championing women in music through events, community, and career-building. Her leadership extends into Next Gem Femme, a mentorship initiative designed to support women professionals behind the scenes in entertainment. Heather’s public story is rooted in building a “femmepire” through long-term vision, leadership, and cultural strategy—not just brand moments.
Joy Fitzgerald

Joy Fitzgerald is a senior executive, DEI leader, speaker, and author. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at UnitedHealth Group, a role she has held since May 2021. Alongside her corporate leadership, she operates publicly under Speaking Joy, where she delivers speaking and leadership work focused on culture, inclusion, and personal development. She is also the author of Finding Authentic Rhythm.
Latoya Baldwin

With 18 years of experience in HR, Latoya Baldwin is a corporate leader and career strategist known for helping ambitious women get promoted, paid, and positioned for leadership. Her public positioning emphasizes deep corporate experience and leadership track record, paired with practical career frameworks and tools. She’s built her platform around execution—interviewing, leadership presence, and advancement strategy—rather than generic career content.

With nearly two decades of experience in talent acquisition and HR, Krista Witherspoon has turned her background into a sharp, practical career and leadership coaching platform for high-achieving women. As “Thee.CoachKris,” she helps women navigate corporate strategy, executive presence, promotion paths, and purpose-driven work without losing themselves in the process. Her content blends straight-talk strategy, faith, and mindset work, creating a space where ambitious women feel seen and supported. For brands in HR tech, career platforms, education, and professional services, Krista offers a credible, values-driven voice deeply trusted by a community of polished, upwardly mobile professionals.
Melissa C. Potter

Melissa C. Potter is a strategist and culture-builder known for leading social impact, DEI, and partnership strategy across major brands and national organizations. Her work centers on turning values into operational programs—building initiatives that move beyond statements into measurable cultural and community outcomes. Melissa is followed for bridging corporate influence with real-world impact, and for articulating what modern leadership looks like when it’s grounded in service and systems.
Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers is an attorney, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of We’re Not Getting Any Younger and Future Millionaire. She is the founder of Hello Seven, a company built to help women and marginalized founders scale businesses to seven figures and beyond. Her work centers on wealth building, legal literacy, and dismantling structural barriers to financial power. Rachel is widely followed for combining legal expertise with unapologetic leadership and economic strategy.
Vernā Myers

Vernā Myers is a civil rights attorney, author, and internationally recognized expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a career spanning law, organizational change, and leadership advisory. She served as Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, where she led company-wide initiatives to embed equity and inclusion into corporate culture, policy, and leadership practices. Trained as a lawyer, Vernā brings a legal and structural lens to issues of bias, power, and systemic inequality, advising organizations across sectors on building more equitable systems. She is the author of Moving Diversity Forward and What If I Say the Wrong Thing?, and is widely respected for translating complex social dynamics into actionable frameworks for leaders and institutions.
Chanelle Howell

After seven years working as a banking recruiter, Chanelle Howell pivoted into entertainment and digital content, bringing a rare mix of corporate insight, personality, and media presence to her audience. Known from Survivor and her online platforms, she now shares career advice, confidence tools, and lifestyle content that feels both aspirational and grounded in real experience. Her followers connect with her as someone who has navigated traditional paths and then redefined success on her own terms. For brands in career platforms, lifestyle, media, and consumer goods, Chanelle offers an engaging, charismatic face with real professional credibility behind the scenes.
Dara Treseder

Dara Treseder is the Chief Marketing Officer at Autodesk, known for her strategic leadership in tech marketing and brand growth. She previously served as Global Head of Marketing, Communications & Membership at Peloton, CMO of Carbon, and CMO of GE Business Innovations & GE Ventures, bringing deep experience scaling tech culture and audience engagement. Based in the U.S., she has a strong digital presence grounded in thought leadership on marketing strategy and organizational impact. Dara’s influence is rooted in executive expertise and operational execution.
Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder and CEO of ACT-1 Group, the largest minority-owned employment and staffing company in the U.S. His leadership spans workforce solutions, talent infrastructure, and economic opportunity at scale. Based in Los Angeles, he has built an enterprise rooted in operational rigor, strategic placement, and long-term workforce development. His presence signals influence in enterprise systems more than content, yet his digital platforms document career insight and business leadership.
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson is the founder of BrainTrust, the ecosystem behind BrainTrust Founders Studio and related ventures supporting beauty and wellness founders with strategy, community, and growth infrastructure. After building and exiting earlier ventures, she expanded BrainTrust into an operator-led platform designed to help founders scale with real support, not noise. She’s also the author of The Beauty of Success, and is known for translating brand-building into repeatable systems founders can actually execute.
Lucinda Cross

Lucinda Cross is widely recognized for her work helping women build personal brands rooted in clarity, conviction, and leadership. With a background in speaking, consulting, and brand strategy, she translates big ideas about purpose and positioning into frameworks busy professionals can actually apply. Her content speaks to women who are ready to step into more visible roles—on stages, in organizations, and in their own businesses. For brands and organizations, Lucinda is a natural partner for campaigns and initiatives focused on leadership, professional development, and women’s empowerment.
Myleik Teele

Myleik Teele founded curlBOX in 2012, a subscription and community platform that helped reshape how textured-hair consumers discover products and how brands build trust. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she has evolved her work into coaching, mentoring, and community-led spaces focused on growth and sustainable success. She is followed for her clear voice, long-term consistency, and founder perspective shaped by years of building at the intersection of culture and commerce.
Thasunda Brown Duckett

Thasunda Brown Duckett is President and CEO of TIAA, a major financial services organization focused on retirement, investing, and wealth planning. Her leadership in one of the largest fiduciary institutions in the U.S. places her at the center of institutional finance and retirement systems. Based in the U.S., she is widely cited for her executive strategy, financial governance, and forward-looking leadership in wealth management. Thasunda’s visibility bridges corporate finance with public influence.
Valeisha Butterfield

Valeisha Butterfield is a technology executive, entrepreneur, and policy leader whose career spans global tech, political advocacy, and economic inclusion. She is the former Vice President of Global Partnerships for Google, Inc., co-President at the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for International Trade in the Obama Administration, and National Youth Vote Director for the Obama for America campaign helping to deliver one of the highest youth voter turnouts in American history.
Valeisha is also the founder of the SEED Media Group and has played a pivotal role in shaping national conversations around civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and access for underrepresented communities. Her work bridges public policy and private-sector influence, positioning her as a key architect of systems that connect talent, technology, and long-term economic mobility.
FINANCE & WEALTH

Berna Anat is the co-founder of New Dimes and a bestselling author of Money Out Loud, a financial education platform and book designed to make money conversations accessible and inclusive. She positions her work as a response to a finance industry that has historically excluded women and people of color, focusing on investing, wealth-building, and financial confidence. Berna’s platform blends humor, clarity, and practical strategy to help audiences move from awareness to action. She is widely followed for reframing money as a tool for freedom rather than fear.
Berna Anat

Delyanne Barros is an investing educator and founder of The Money Coach, where she focuses on long-term investing, portfolio confidence, and asset strategy for underrepresented communities. A former attorney, she uses her platform to break down stock market concepts, retirement strategy, and compound growth in accessible, high-trust language. Her audience follows her for practical frameworks rooted in experience rather than hype. Delyanne’s work extends financial empowerment beyond budgeting to real wealth creation.
Delyanne Barros
Hosanna Hali
Hosanna Hali is an Azure Specialist at Microsoft and the founder of The Tech Cornr, a platform created to empower women to enter, progress, and thrive in technology careers. Drawing from her own journey in tech, she provides career guidance, resources, and visibility into pathways that are often opaque to underrepresented groups. Beyond career advancement, Hosanna has expanded her work into financial empowerment through initiatives such as “Women Who Invest, Win,” which addresses the gender wealth gap by highlighting disparities in earnings, pensions, and investment participation. Her platform consistently reinforces the idea that financial inequality is driven not by capability, but by access, education, and action—positioning investment as a critical tool for long-term freedom and choice.

Joy M. David documents her journey to building her £1M investment portfolio from “scratch,” making wealth creation feel transparent and achievable for her audience. With a background that includes studying at the London School of Economics and working as a product manager, she shares the exact money and career moves she’s making in real time. Her content speaks to young professionals who want to move beyond saving into intentional investing and portfolio building. For brands in fintech, investing platforms, career development, and financial education, Joy offers a forward-thinking, highly intentional community that is already primed for action.
Joy M. David

Lynn Richardson is a veteran financial educator and licensed professional known for making wealth-building accessible and culturally relevant. For years, she has focused on credit, money management, and generational wealth, particularly within Black communities. Her platform is built on consistency, clarity, and service-driven education. Lynn is widely recognized as a trusted voice in personal finance and long-term financial empowerment.

Lynn Richardson
Monique Woodard is the founder of Cake Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in startups that expand access, ownership, and equity in the digital economy. Based in Silicon Valley, she has a long track record of operator-to-investor work, including roles in major tech ecosystems and founder empowerment initiatives. Her presence on social channels reflects thought leadership on capital markets, founder journeys, and strategic investing. Monique’s work centers on systemic change through financial inclusion in tech platforms.
Monique Woodard

A 15-year YouTube veteran born and raised in South London to Nigerian parents, Patricia Bright has evolved from early beauty content into one of the UK’s most respected voices in personal finance and career development. Through her platform, The Break, she delivers tactical guidance on money management, professional growth, and entrepreneurship with clarity and charisma. As a mother of two and a trusted digital educator with global reach, she offers brands a rare blend of trust, influence, and cultural relevance. Patricia is an ideal partner for campaigns that sit at the crossroads of lifestyle, finance, and modern ambition.
Patricia Bright

Tonya Rapley is a long-time leader in the personal finance space, known for helping millennial women move from financial avoidance to financial control. Through My Fab Finance, she covers credit, debt, budgeting, and long-term planning with empathy and practical depth. Her content feels like advice from a trusted friend who has done the work herself, which keeps her audience engaged and loyal over time. Brands in banking, fintech, housing, and lifestyle finance benefit from her ability to translate complex topics into real-life decisions for her community.
Tonya Rapley

Ellie Diop
Ellie Diop, a business strategist who famously transformed a $1,200 stimulus check into a multimillion-dollar education company, has become a leading authority on funding and entrepreneurial growth for women of color. Through Ellie Talks Money, she provides clear, actionable guidance on business credit, grants, and scalable business models. Her data-backed frameworks and relatable communication style attract a community of founders seeking practical pathways to financial empowerment. A mother of four and respected voice in the small business ecosystem, Ellie offers brands exceptional alignment in finance, entrepreneurship, and women’s economic advancement.


Fisayo Martins is a chartered accountant and founder of Finance Matters UK, a multi-award-winning platform focused on financial education and empowerment. Her positioning is explicitly expertise-led—grounded in professional finance experience—while building a large community around practical money strategy. She’s built Finance Matters UK as a scalable education platform rather than personality-only content.
Fisayo Martins

Jennifer Okpechi is a UK-based finance influencer and fintech founder who focuses on investing, wealth building, and lifestyle upgrades powered by smart money decisions. Under the handle @savvymoneygirl, she shares approachable content on stocks, investing, and financial strategy, often framed through travel and everyday life. Her audience turns to her for demystified, real-world guidance on how to grow their money while still enjoying their lives. For brands in fintech, investing apps, banking, and financial education, Jennifer brings a sharp, modern voice that bridges technical knowledge and aspirational living.
Jennifer Okpechi

Kennie Bukky is a career strategist and financial educator known for helping women optimize their careers and incomes with intention. Featured in outlets like CNBC and The Economist for her approach to building a six-figure corporate career, she uses her platform to teach salary negotiation, career pivots, and wealth-building fundamentals. Her content speaks to women who want both a powerful professional trajectory and real financial security, not just job titles. For brands in fintech, education, HR, and career development, Kennie provides an informed, relatable bridge to an audience that takes action on money and career advice.
Kennie Bukky

Lámidé Elizabeth is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and host of the “Building Wealth Without Borders” podcast, known for teaching women how to build wealth across countries and asset classes. With a background that includes studying at the London School of Economics, working in investment banking at JP Morgan and Citi, and building a property portfolio in the UK and abroad, she brings serious financial and global perspective to her content. Her platform speaks to ambitious professionals who are thinking beyond borders and beyond salary as their only income source. For brands in finance, global mobility, real estate, and wealth platforms, Lámidé offers a sophisticated, globally minded audience eager for tools that support cross-border success.
Lámidé Elizabeth

Dr. Nicole Garner Scott focuses on wealth accessibility, financial planning, and legacy building for women of color and their families. Her platform bridges the gap between high-level financial strategy and everyday life, making topics like investing, protection, and wealth preservation feel both urgent and achievable. She brings a strong mix of professional training and cultural fluency, which resonates deeply with an audience that is often underserved by traditional financial institutions. Brands in financial services, insurance, fintech, or economic empowerment can partner with her to reach a highly motivated, high-intent demographic.
Dr. Nicole Garner Scott

Sarah Adekola, known as @millennialwealthsarah, has built a large, multi-platform audience by teaching millennials how to build wealth, invest, and rethink their relationship with money. An award-winning healthcare founder and creator, she combines business insight, travel, and lifestyle with high-impact financial education that resonates across demographics. Her content is fast-moving, practical, and deeply rooted in her own experience as an investor and entrepreneur. For brands in finance, travel, business tools, and lifestyle, Sarah offers a persuasive voice with the rare ability to make sophisticated financial ideas feel accessible and exciting.
Sarah Adekola
REAL ESTATE
Jhanel Wilson
Jhanel Wilson is a real estate investor and educator specializing in short-term rental strategy and portfolio growth. She is the founder of the SBSP Masterclass, where she teaches professionals how to acquire, optimize, and scale short-term rental properties as income-producing assets. Her work focuses on systems, profitability, and operational discipline rather than aspirational real estate content. Jhanel is followed for her execution-driven approach to building real estate income streams with structure and clarity.
Joycelyn Bailey
Joycelyn Bailey is a mortgage professional and real estate finance expert known as The Mortgage Bawse. She uses her platform to educate consumers on home financing, lending structures, credit readiness, and wealth building through property ownership. Her content centers on practical mortgage literacy rather than lifestyle real estate marketing. Joycelyn is followed for her clarity, regulatory awareness, and emphasis on informed borrowing decisions.


Nikki Handy
Nikki Handy is a real estate executive and co-CEO of Braden Real Estate Group, a full-service real estate firm focused on residential and commercial transactions. Through Braden, she leads strategy across brokerage, development, and client advisory, with an emphasis on long-term value creation. Her professional background blends entrepreneurship, leadership, and asset-based growth. Nikki’s work reflects a disciplined approach to real estate as a business, not a side pursuit.
Quiana Watson
Quiana Watson is an Atlanta-based luxury real estate broker and entrepreneur with multiple businesses in the real estate ecosystem. Her content highlights high-end property, brokerage leadership, and mentorship for aspiring and established agents alike. She consistently emphasizes professionalism, ownership, and long-term success over short-term transactions. Quiana’s platform reflects both operational expertise and a strong commitment to community development.


Terrica Lynn Smith
Terrica Lynn Smith is a real estate developer, investor, and educator best known for her work empowering women through property ownership and long-term wealth strategy. Often recognized as the “Female Real Estate Guru”, she documents her journey through real estate investing while teaching others how to move from consumer thinking to asset ownership. Her platform focuses on mindset, strategy, and execution in real estate, grounded in lived experience rather than theory. She is widely followed for her clarity, transparency, and commitment to community impact.
LIFESTYLE BUSINESS

Ama Amo-Agyei is a Ghanaian-British founder best known for building Plantmade, a fast-growth personal care brand that scaled rapidly from a small starting budget into a high-revenue business and major social following. She became a widely cited example of new-generation consumer entrepreneurship in the UK, including recognition in founder and growth ecosystems. In late 2025, major UK coverage reported she stepped away from Plantmade following its entry into administration and subsequent sale—an outcome she publicly acknowledged as difficult and instructive.
Ama Amo-Agyei

Angel Gregorio is the founder of The Spice Suite, a specialty spice retail concept launched in Washington, D.C., and built around her “food is fashion” positioning. She’s also recognized for ecosystem-building work that supports Black entrepreneurs, expanding her footprint beyond retail into community and economic empowerment initiatives. Her story is widely covered as a modern example of local retail becoming a scalable platform through brand, community, and media.
Angel Gregorio

Chidi Ashley is a Canadian-born African entrepreneur and founder of Luxe Tribes (travel) and Readyhubb (software). She has also publicly documented building a hospitality project in Morocco (Nuru Marrakesh), positioning herself at the intersection of travel experiences, tech infrastructure, and hospitality ownership. Her platform is distinctly operator-led: building companies and assets, not just content.
Chidi Ashley

Courtney Adeleye founded The Mane Choice in 2013, and built it from kitchen experiments into a multimillion-dollar beauty brand, scaling it into a category-defining business before selling a majority stake in 2019 to MAV Beauty Brands. A former registered nurse, she now shares hard-earned lessons on product development, scaling, and what it really takes to build—and exit—a consumer business as a Black woman founder. She returned to the market with a new haircare line, Watch & Sea Beauty, which officially launched in December 2024 and expanded into Target in February 2025.
Courtney Adeleye

Fawn Weaver is the founder and CEO of The Weaver House / Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a brand she built into a major spirits label and cultural entity. Her work is rooted in founder economics, legacy building, and sector transformation in traditionally under-represented industries (like whiskey and spirits). Based in Texas, she’s recognized for strategic leadership across heritage, branding, and enterprise growth. Fawn’s profile blends operational credibility with founder story.
Fawn Weaver

Ifedayo Agoro is the founder and CEO of DANG! Lifestyle, the premium home and body-care brand she launched in Nigeria and scaled internationally. She also founded Diary of a Naija Girl, a community and media platform that became a powerful engine for connection, culture, and conversion—bridging community into commerce. Ifedayo is followed for pairing storytelling with product strategy and showing how to build brands through trust, not noise.
Ifedayo Agoro

Janell Stephens is the founder of Camille Rose, a globally recognized natural haircare brand. Raised in the United States, she built the company with a focus on clean ingredients, cultural relevance, and community trust. Her platform reflects long-term brand stewardship rather than trend-driven growth. Janell is respected for maintaining founder control while scaling internationally.
Janell Stephens

Jhalesa Seymour is the founder and CEO of Salt XO, a multimillion-dollar feminine and intimate care brand built to address women’s wellness with transparency and intention. Based in the United States, she launched the company to create products that prioritize both efficacy and cultural relevance in a traditionally underserved category. Her work focuses on product innovation, brand trust, and scaling consumer health businesses responsibly. Jhalesa is widely recognized for building a high-growth wellness brand rooted in education, accessibility, and modern female health needs.
Jhalesa Seymour

Melissa Butler is the founder and CEO of The Lip Bar, a beauty brand she launched from her kitchen and grew into a nationally distributed company. Based in the United States, she is known for challenging traditional beauty standards and building inclusive consumer products. A mother and entrepreneur, she openly shares the realities of scaling a mission-driven brand. Melissa is regarded as one of the most influential beauty founders of her generation.
Melissa Butler

Nancy Twine is the founder of Briogeo, the clean haircare brand she launched in 2013 and scaled into a nine-figure business in under a decade. In 2022, Briogeo was acquired by Wella Company in a nine-figure transaction (terms not publicly disclosed), marking a major milestone in Black founder-led consumer brand building. Nancy is also known for being among the youngest Black women to launch a line at Sephora, and for pairing product innovation with disciplined growth.
Nancy Twine

Raynell “Supa Cent” Breaux is a Louisiana-born entrepreneur and founder of The Crayon Case, a beauty brand she built into an eight-figure business. A mother and self-made founder, she leveraged social media to document her journey with humor, honesty, and accessibility. Her platform blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and cultural commentary, making business feel attainable to a broad audience. Supa Cent is recognized for redefining what a modern beauty founder looks like.
Raynell Breaux
Andrea Iyamah Nehikhare is the founder and creative director of Andrea Iyamah, a luxury fashion and swimwear brand with global reach. Born in Nigeria and based in Canada, she built the brand around bold design, craftsmanship, and African-inspired aesthetics. Her work has been featured internationally and worn by global tastemakers. Andrea is respected for translating cultural vision into scalable fashion enterprise.
Andrea Iyamah Nehikhare

Beatrice Dixon is the founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Co., a plant-based feminine care brand she built from a personal health journey. Raised in the United States, she openly shares how holistic wellness and ancestral knowledge shaped her approach to product development. As a mother and entrepreneur, she speaks candidly about leadership, wellness, and navigating visibility as a Black woman founder. Beatrice is celebrated for merging innovation, transparency, and community trust.
Beatrice Dixon

Christelle Nganhou is the co-founder and CEO of Grass-Fields, a globally recognized fashion and luxury brand that celebrates African heritage through bold design and cultural storytelling. Based between the United Kingdom and global markets, she has built Grass-Fields into a brand known for its rich fabrics, cultural authenticity, and creative leadership within contemporary fashion. Beyond product design, Christelle’s work centers on brand vision, strategic growth, and the elevation of African creative economies on the world stage. Her public presence reflects a disciplined approach to entrepreneurship, cultural impact, and modern global retail strategy.
Christelle Nganhou

Danessa Myricks is a professional makeup artist and founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty, a globally respected cosmetics brand. Based in the United States, she built her company around innovation, artistry, and inclusivity. Her work is known for pushing product boundaries while remaining artist-led. Danessa is widely regarded as one of the most influential product innovators in modern beauty.
Danessa Myricks

Oluwagbemisola Okunlola is the founder and creative director of Alonuko, a London-based luxury bridal and eveningwear house established in 2012. She is widely recognized for building a globally visible brand rooted in bespoke craftsmanship and inclusive luxury, with a strong footprint in bridalwear. Her work reflects long-term brand building—creative direction, client experience, and scaling an in-house team and operations behind a premium product.
Gbemi Okunlola

Ingrid Best is the founder and CEO of IBest Wines, where she works as a wine négociant blending premium South African wines with a cultural point of view that’s as much about art and hosting as it is about the bottle. After a 20-year career in the global wine & spirits industry—including roles with Diageo, Moët Hennessy, and Bacardi—she launched IBest as a personal leap into ownership and legacy-building. In 2025, her brand expanded with a subscription service shipping widely across the U.S., marking a significant step in her mission to reshape who leads—and who is seen—in wine.
Ingrid Best

Fisayo Longe is the founder and CEO of Kai Collective, a London-based fashion brand founded in 2016. She’s widely profiled for building Kai from early community demand into a globally recognized contemporary label, and for openly sharing lessons on the gap between followers and sales—and what real scaling requires. Her platform blends founder storytelling with execution-focused brand building.
Fisayo Longe

Maxie James is the founder and CEO of Ellaé Lisqué, a fashion brand she built from the ground up into a recognized e-commerce business. She is widely respected for openly sharing the realities of building, scaling, and sustaining a consumer brand. Her platform documents the intersection of entrepreneurship, branding, and personal growth, with a focus on resilience and strategic decision-making. Maxie is regarded as a long-standing example of founder-led brand building in the digital era.

Maxie James
Monique Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, a global haircare company she built from a home-based startup into a $100M+dollar brand. She launched Mielle while working as a registered nurse, scaling the company through disciplined product development, community trust, and operational execution. In 2023, Mielle was acquired by Procter & Gamble, marking one of the most significant exits by a Black woman founder in beauty. Her leadership is widely studied as a case in founder-led growth and acquisition.
Monique Rodriguez

Olamide Olowe is a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and the founder of Topicals, a skincare brand redefining how chronic skin conditions are discussed and treated. Born to Nigerian parents and raised in the U.S., she launched Topicals while still in her early twenties, quickly earning recognition for her science-backed, community-driven approach. Her platform blends beauty, health advocacy, and cultural insight, making her a standout voice in modern wellness. Olamide represents a new generation of founders merging purpose, innovation, and visibility.

Olamide Olowe
Stormi Steele is the founder and CEO of Canvas Beauty Brand, a multimillion-dollar haircare company she scaled through digital storytelling and community engagement. Born and raised in Mississippi, she built the brand from her kitchen, documenting the journey publicly with transparency and grit. A mother and entrepreneur, Stormi is known for her resilience, faith-driven leadership, and business discipline. Her story is widely cited as a modern example of founder-led growth powered by community trust.
Stormi Steele


Wilglory Tanjong is an American founder from Cameroonian-descent who launched Anima Iris, the luxury handbag brand widely recognized for being worn by Beyoncé and for being part of the new wave of “African luxury” on a global stage. Now a Forbes30Under30 alumni, she moved to the U.S. as a child, graduated from Princeton, and later pursued an MBA at Wharton, building Anima Iris while operating inside both corporate and creator worlds. Her platform blends style and humor with serious founder credibility—showing what it looks like to turn cultural point-of-view into an exportable luxury business.
Wilglory Tanjong
BUSINESS, SALES & MARKETING
Bianca Robinson

Bianca Robinson is a business strategist and founder best known for helping entrepreneurs refine their messaging, offers, and monetization strategies. Based in the United States, she built her platform by translating complex business concepts into clear, actionable guidance for service-based founders. Her work centers on sustainability, clarity, and long-term growth rather than quick wins. Bianca is respected for her grounded approach and her emphasis on building businesses that support real life.

Britney Jeanine is an entrepreneur and content creator focused on business ownership, digital income, and lifestyle design. She built her audience by sharing practical insights into entrepreneurship while documenting her own evolution as a founder. Her content balances ambition with realism, resonating with women seeking independence and flexibility. Britney is known for her transparent approach to building income on her own terms.
Britney Jeanine

Donni Wiggins is a business coach and entrepreneur who specializes in helping everyday founders build six- and seven-figure businesses with clear strategy and structure. As CEO of Actionable CEO and co-host of the Social Proof Podcast, she bridges education, media, and mentorship in a way that feels both direct and highly motivating. Her content covers business models, mindset, revenue growth, and the realities of entrepreneurship, making complex ideas feel doable for her audience. For brands in business tools, education, software, and entrepreneurship ecosystems, Donni is a high-impact partner whose word carries weight with serious, execution-driven entrepreneurs.
Donni Wiggins

Izzy Obeng is the CEO of Foundervine, where she helps entrepreneurs scale ventures through accelerator ecosystems and practical growth support. Her public bio also highlights her roles as a non-executive director at Mission 44 and an adviser within the Lloyds ecosystem, alongside recognition including Forbes 30 Under 30. She is followed for blending ecosystem building with operator discipline—making entrepreneurship feel executable, not abstract.
Izzy Obeng

Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon is the founder of The Village Market, an award-winning platform dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses and economic ecosystems. Based in Atlanta, she built the organization to address access gaps for entrepreneurs through education, exposure, and resources. Her work blends economic justice with scalable business infrastructure. Dr. Hallmon is widely recognized for redefining how communities support entrepreneurship.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon
Jourdan Guyton is a Content Sales Expert who helps entrepreneurs and creators turn content into consistent, scalable revenue. Based in the United States, she built her platform by breaking down the mechanics of content-driven sales, audience trust, and conversion strategy. Her work focuses on practical systems for monetizing expertise without relying on hype or constant launches. Jourdan is followed for her clarity, execution-focused guidance, and deep understanding of how content translates into business results.

Jourdan Guyton

Nathalie Nicole Smith is a brand strategist and entrepreneur focused on helping business owners build clarity, structure, and longevity into their brands. Through her work, she emphasizes systems, positioning, and sustainable growth rather than surface-level aesthetics. Her platform reflects a multi-hyphenate approach to entrepreneurship, blending mentorship, strategy, and execution. Nathalie is followed for her grounded perspective on building businesses that scale with intention.
Nathalie Nicole Smith

Ronne Brown, also known as Ronne B., is a branding expert, author, and founder of the GirlCEO community and HErlistic. She is known for teaching entrepreneurs how to build strong personal brands and monetize their expertise with strategy and intention. Her work blends branding, mindset, and business education, rooted in her own entrepreneurial journey. Ronne has built a large, engaged following around clarity, confidence, and execution in business. and
Ronne Brown
Bozoma Saint-John is a globally recognized marketing Hall-Of-Fame executive known for her leadership roles at Netflix, Uber, Apple Music, and Endeavor. Born in Ghana and raised between Africa and the United States, she has built a career defined by cultural intelligence and bold leadership. A widow and mother, she speaks openly about resilience, identity, and power in both corporate and creative spaces. Bozoma’s influence spans boardrooms and culture, making her one of the most visible Black women leaders of her generation.
Bozoma Saint-John

Candace Marie Stewart is a social media strategist and consultant in luxury and digital marketing, and the founder of Black In Corporate, a platform supporting Black professionals navigating corporate environments. She has also taught at Parsons School of Design, reflecting a credible education-and-strategy lane alongside client work. Her public profile combines executive-level social strategy, culture, and systems for visibility and influence.

Candace Marie Stewart
Emma Grede is a British entrepreneur and operator best known as the co-founder and CEO of Good American and a founding partner of SKIMS, two of the most commercially successful consumer brands of the past decade. Born and raised in London, she built her career across fashion manufacturing, supply chains, and brand scaling before co-launching Good American in 2016, positioning it as an inclusive, size-diverse denim and apparel company. In 2019, she became a founding partner of SKIMS, helping scale the brand into a multi-billion-dollar global business. Beyond brand building, Emma is a leading advocate for equity in retail and ownership, serving as a founding figure behind the 15 Percent Pledge UK, which pushes major retailers to commit shelf space and capital to Black-owned businesses. Her influence lies in execution, infrastructure, and turning cultural insight into durable, high-growth enterprises.
Emma Grede

Felecia Hatcher is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, author, and innovation leader known for her work building inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. She is the CEO of Black Ambition Opportunity Inc. and has been honored at the White House for her leadership. Her work focuses on access, innovation, and empowering founders to scale with purpose. Felecia is widely respected for her impact across business, policy, and leadership spaces.

Felecia Hatcher
Jasmine Crowe-Houston is a social entrepreneur and founder of Goodr, a company tackling food waste and hunger through technology and logistics. Based in Atlanta, she built Goodr to redirect surplus food to communities in need while creating scalable, sustainable systems. A mother and award-winning founder, she is widely recognized for merging purpose with operational excellence. Jasmine’s work sits at the intersection of business, impact, and public policy.
Jasmine Crowe-Houston

Maya Elious is a personal branding strategist and entrepreneur who helps experts articulate their value and build authority-driven businesses. Based in the U.S., she built her platform around clarity, positioning, and strategic communication. Her work emphasizes depth over visibility, teaching founders how to stand out through substance. Maya is respected for her intellectual rigor and her focus on long-term brand equity.
Maya Elious

Pinky Cole is the founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan, the fast-growing $100+ million plant-based restaurant brand known for blending food, culture, and community. Born in Baltimore and based in Atlanta, she built the company from a food truck into a national hospitality phenomenon. A mother and entrepreneur, she speaks openly about resilience, ownership, and economic empowerment. Pinky is widely recognized for redefining modern Black-owned food businesses.
Pinky Cole

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Dr. Alexis Stephens

Dr. Alexis Stephens is a board-certified dermatologist who uses her platform to educate on medical skin health, acne science, and evidence-based dermatologic care. Her content emphasizes clinical rigor, patient education, and realistic expectations for treatment outcomes. She frequently collaborates with medical institutions and uses social media to dispel myths about skin conditions with clarity and expertise. Dr. Stephens’ work sits at the intersection of healthcare authority and public education.
Dr. Joyce Omatseye

Dr. Joyce Omatseye is a UK-trained medical doctor and women’s health advocate who uses her platform to educate, encourage, and demystify healthcare for her community. Known online as “Signed Dr J,” she shares her journey in medicine, women’s health insights, and honest reflections on balancing ambition, wellbeing, and faith. Her content builds trust by combining clinical expertise with warmth and relatability, especially for women navigating health systems and life transitions. For brands in healthcare, wellness, pharma, digital health, and women’s wellbeing, Dr. Joyce represents an ideal blend of professional authority and accessible communication.
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a licensed psychologist and the founder of Therapy for Black Girls, a groundbreaking mental health platform serving Black women globally. Raised in Atlanta and now based in the U.S., she created the platform to normalize therapy and emotional wellness within Black communities. Her work spans digital content, podcasts, books, and public education, making mental health both accessible and culturally relevant. Dr. Joy is regarded as one of the most influential voices in modern wellness and mental health advocacy.
Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme

Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme is a UK-based medical doctor specializing in dermatology and aesthetic medicine, and was voted Best Aesthetic Doctor U.K. 2024. She is the founder of Adonia Medical Clinic and ZKIN Hub, where her work spans clinical practice, skincare innovation, and medical consulting. Her platform focuses on evidence-based skin health, ethical aesthetics, and education—particularly for melanin-rich skin. Dr. Ejikeme is also a published writer with Women’s Health UK, reinforcing her role as both clinician and public educator.
Trinity Mouzon Wofford

Trinity Mouzon Wofford is the co-founder of Golde, a wellness brand built around superfoods and functional nutrition. She launched the company in her early twenties and helped scale it into national retail distribution. Her work focuses on accessibility, education, and modern wellness consumption. Trinity is recognized as a leading voice in next-generation consumer health brands.
Dija Ayodele

Dija Ayodele is a London-based aesthetician and author of Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide, widely recognized for elevating skin health education for women of color. She founded West Room Aesthetics and the award-winning Black Skin Directory, helping connect underserved communities to credible skincare knowledge and professionals. More recently, she has also positioned herself as a tech founder, co-founding CLICKED!, applying AI to skin health and confidence.
Dr. Camille Howard-Verović

Dr. Camille Howard-Verović is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Known online as DermBeautyDoc, she uses her platform to educate on skin health, cosmetic procedures, and evidence-based skincare, particularly for melanin-rich skin. Her work bridges clinical expertise and accessible education, helping patients and followers make informed decisions about dermatologic care. Dr. Howard-Verović is widely respected for translating medical authority into public-facing clarity.
Dr. Fenwa Famakinwa Milhouse

Dr. Milhouse is a board-certified urologist and sexual health expert, widely known online as “Your Favorite Urologist.” Her work focuses on urologic health, sexual wellness, and patient education, with an emphasis on breaking stigma through clear, science-backed communication. Through her platform, she translates complex medical topics into accessible guidance while maintaining clinical rigor. Dr. Milhouse is respected for bringing specialist-level medical expertise into public discourse.
Necole Kane

Necole Kane is a former media entrepreneur and founder best known for building and scaling NecoleBitchie.com and then XONecole, a digital media platform she later exited to focus on consumer wellness. Necole’sounder and CEO of My Happy Flo, a menstrual-health company centered on hormone education, cycle awareness, and holistic wellness. Her work bridges media, consumer education, and product innovation, translating audience trust into a scalable wellness brand. Necole’s career reflects a disciplined transition from content ownership to founder-led product entrepreneurship.
Dr. Uché Blackstock

Dr. Uché Blackstock is a physician, health equity advocate, and founder of Advancing Health Equity. Raised in New York and trained in emergency medicine, she uses her platform to address racial bias and structural inequities in healthcare. Her work bridges medicine, policy, and public education, offering clear insight into how health systems impact marginalized communities. Dr. Blackstock is widely respected for her authority, integrity, and commitment to systemic change.
STEM & INNOVATION
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics & Innovation

Aisha Bowe is a former NASA aerospace engineer and the founder of STEMBoard, a technology and consulting firm working with corporations and government agencies to build engineering teams and innovation systems. Born and raised in the U.S., she has built her platform around demystifying STEM careers, advocating for technical excellence, and expanding access to high-impact technical pathways. Her work bridges engineering rigor and business execution, with a strong emphasis on representation in technical fields. Aisha’s visibility on social media reflects her commitment to mentorship, systems thinking, and strategic leadership in tech.
Aisha Bowe

Angie Jones is a senior software engineer, Java Champion, and automation testing expert with decades of experience in enterprise software. She has worked at organizations including Twitter and Applitools and is widely recognized for her expertise in test automation and developer tooling. Angie is also an author and frequent international speaker on software quality and engineering systems. Her platform centers on deep technical authority and engineering excellence.
Angie Jones

Dawn Dickson is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of PopCom, a technology company pioneering automated retail and AI-enabled vending. Born in the U.S. and now operating globally, she later expanded into real estate and tourism development across Ghana and Rwanda. Dawn is also known for making history as the first woman to raise over $1M under Reg CF. She is respected for her cross-sector leadership and global vision.
Dawn Dickson

Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, an organization dedicated to exposing and mitigating bias in AI systems. She is best known for her research revealing racial and gender bias in facial recognition technologies. Joy’s work has influenced global policy discussions, corporate accountability, and ethical AI development. Her public presence bridges technical research, activism, and institutional reform.
Joy Buolamwini

Kimberly Bryant is a technology entrepreneur and social impact leader best known as the founder of Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit organization she launched in 2011 to expand access to computer science education for Black girls and young women. With a background in electrical engineering and experience working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, she created Black Girls CODE to address the systemic gaps she observed in tech education and workforce pipelines. Under her leadership, the organization reached tens of thousands of students globally through hands-on programming, robotics, and STEM initiatives. In addition to Black Girls CODE, Kimberly founded the Black Innovation Lab, focused on building equitable innovation ecosystems and supporting underrepresented founders. Her work sits at the intersection of technology education, workforce development, and long-term economic participation in the digital economy.
Kimberly Bryant

Raven Baxter is a science communicator and molecular biologist who built a global platform translating STEM concepts into accessible, culturally relevant education. Known as Raven the Science Maven, she has worked with major institutions to improve science literacy and representation in STEM fields. She is also the founder of Science Haven, an organization focused on inclusive science education and community engagement. Raven is widely followed for combining scientific rigor with storytelling to expand who science is for and how it is taught.
Raven Baxter

A first-generation Nigerian-American researcher by weekday and storyteller by weekend, Taiwo Ade is redefining what’s possible for the next generation of innovators. Having lived in six cities and traveled across twenty-nine countries, her global perspective informs how she understands people, culture, and connection. For nearly a decade, she has worked at leading tech companies including LinkedIn, Meta, and Etsy, advocating for small businesses, creators, and everyday users to ensure technology is built with people at its center. Beyond her professional work, she leads the Fifty50 Initiative, empowering women to navigate tech careers without predefined paths through storytelling and practical insight.
Taiwo Ade
Angela Benton is a technology entrepreneur and ecosystem builder best known as the founder of NewME Accelerator, one of the first programs dedicated to supporting underrepresented founders in tech. She later served as Managing Director at Village Capital, expanding her impact within early-stage venture ecosystems. Angela’s work centers on infrastructure, access to capital, and founder development in technology. She is recognized for building systems that support long-term participation in tech entrepreneurship.
Angela Benton

Arlan Hamilton is a venture capitalist and founder of Backstage Capital, a firm focused on investing in underestimated founders. Her social presence under @arlanwashere has become an influential voice on capital allocation, inclusion in tech investing, and the intersection of culture and money. She is known for her candid insights on wealth, investment, and building equity in capital systems. Arlan’s platform blends financial leadership with cultural perspective, making her one of the most visible Black women in finance and venture.
Arlan Hamilton

Ebere Oyekwe is the founder of Tekdlin, where she focuses on data and AI skills, solutions, and career pathways for professionals. Her content centers on practical, career-relevant tech guidance—data, AI, and real-world application—rather than generic motivation. She’s built a clear niche as a data/AI educator and builder, using her platform to translate technical opportunity into accessible action.
Ebere Oyekwe

Jessica O. Matthews is a tech entrepreneur and inventor, best known as the founder of Uncharted Power, a company developing infrastructure solutions that harness kinetic and renewable energy. She holds patents in energy technology and has worked with governments and institutions on resilient infrastructure systems. Jessica’s work sits at the intersection of engineering, energy policy, and large-scale systems design. She is recognized for translating technical innovation into deployable infrastructure.
Jessica O. Matthews

Kameron Buckner—known publicly as Kameron Monet—is a licensed attorney and founder of Social Docket, focused on contracts, negotiation, and legal education for creators and entrepreneur-led brands. Based in New York, she shares the behind-the-scenes realities of building in the creator economy with a legal-operator lens. Her positioning sits at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, and the business mechanics of influence.
Kameron Buckner

Sierra Nicole is a neuroscience-focused educator documenting the intersection of brain science, leadership, and influence. Currently on a pre-med track, she uses her platform and Substack to translate neuroscience research into practical frameworks for high-achieving professionals. Her work emphasizes cognitive performance, decision-making, and leadership development grounded in science rather than motivation culture. Sierra is followed for her intellectual rigor and evidence-based perspective on influence and growth.
Sierra Nicole

Taylor Poindexter is a software engineer and developer advocate known online as Engineering Bae. She has worked in engineering roles across major tech companies and uses her platform to demystify software engineering careers, technical interviewing, and workplace realities in tech. Through content, speaking, and mentorship, she focuses on access, sustainability, and long-term success in engineering careers. Her visibility is grounded in lived experience as an engineer, not aspirational tech commentary.
Taylor Poindexter

ABOUT US:
2gré (pronounced "duh-GREY", meaning degree in French) is the representation branch of boutique strategic communications agency The Map. It is dedicated to elevating high-impact Black women entrepreneurs, executives, and creators. We amplify their voices, expand their opportunities, and connect brands with powerful partnerships rooted in expertise, alignment, and authenticity.
This list reflects our commitment to reshaping what influence looks like, and who gets to lead it.
If you’re a brand, agency, conference, or organization seeking dynamic voices to represent, advise, or lead — our team can help you identify the best B2B creators for your next campaign or initiative.
👉🏾 Interested in working with such leaders? Contact us to curate your next collaboration.
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