Global Icons 2021
Celebrating women across the Diaspora who are INSPIRATIONAL, COURAGEOUS/CONFIDENT, ORIGINAL & NECESSARY.
My name is Ekene Ajene Onu, The Iconic Woman’s Coach.
My goal with this list of 100 Global Icons is to celebrate the efforts of all these women but also to allow us all to be inspired and encouraged to rise into our own Iconic selves as we read their stories.
To each of the women on this list, I say a heartfelt Thank You! For all that you do, thank you!
Ayanna Presley
Ayanna Soyini Pressley is an American politician who has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district since 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, she ran unopposed in the general election defeating the ten-term incumbent in the primary election. She was the first black woman elected to the Boston City Council and to be elected to Congress from Massachusetts.
Recently she made public her struggles with alopecia in a video for The Root. She said "I am making peace with having alopecia, I am very early in my alopecia journey but I'm making progress every day. It's about self-agency, it's about power, it's about acceptance."
She inspires us on all levels. Her confidence, her courage, her tenacity and honesty are some of our favorite things about her.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Ayanna: Challenge the status quo in your personal and professional spheres of influence. Own your beauty and own your power!
Chika Chukudebelu
Currently working as Vice President, Original Programming in Drama at HBO Max, Chukudebelu has had an interesting and inspiring career over the years.
Through her previous roles in New Line Cinema, Killer Films, Starbucks Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency, BET Networks and NBCUniversal Media, she has developed great cable and streaming series, often working with writing, directing and acting talent to mine potential collaborations.
With a career spanning 11 years, her work has been recognized and nominated for the most prestigious awards in Hollywood.
Chika Chukudebelu is not only a force to reckon with, she’s one to watch for even more Iconic moves.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Chika: Be open to reinventing yourself at work. Just because you got a degree in Information systems, doesn’t mean you can’t create a career path in Hollywood as Chika has shown us. Have the courage to go after your dreams and put in the work required.
Yvonne Orji
Yvonne Anuli Orji is a Nigerian-American Actress and Comedian. She is best known for her role in the television series Insecure (2016-2020) for which she has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and 3 NAACP Image Awards.
Yvonne earned a BA in Liberal arts from the George Washington University and went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the same University.
Like most Nigerians, her parents expected her to become a Doctor, Lawyer, Pharmacist or Engineer. However, she was inspired to do comedy as a graduate student when she performed stand-up in the talent segment of a beauty pageant.
After graduate school, Yvonne moved to New York City to pursue a career in comedy. In 2015, she landed the role of Molly on Insecure without an agent or any “real” acting experience. She performed at TEDXWilmingtonSalon in 2017 titled “The Wait is sexy”.
She has always shared her Christian faith unapologetically and has a new book coming out called Bamboozled by Jesus.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Yvonne: Have faith in yourself, your dreams and in God.
Peace Hyde
Peace Hyde is a British Ghanaian education activist, media entrepreneur and motivational speaker.
She is the founder of Aim Higher Africa, a non-profit organization that is focused on providing quality education and entrepreneurship development for unemployed youths in impoverished communities across Africa.
This impactful work saw her shortlisted by Barack Obama as an Obama Foundation Leaders Africa fellow and also awarded with the Africa Social Impact Award at the UK House of Parliament.
She is currently the Head of Digital Media and Partnerships and West African Correspondent for leading business magazine Forbes Africa.
Her name is synonymous with style, womanhood and leadership and we celebrate her today and always.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Peace: Level up in your personal brand and executive presence. Challenge yourself to show up every day as the feminine leader you are.
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Why she Inspires Us:
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a Licensed Psychologist, Speaker, Author, Media Personality, and the host of the wildly popular mental health podcast, Therapy for Black Girls.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana, her Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Arkansas State, and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Georgia.
Her work focuses on making mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black women and she delights in using pop culture to illustrate psychological concepts.
She is the Founder of Therapy for Black Girls, an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Her work has been featured in The Oprah Magazine, Forbes, Bustle, MTV, Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, and Essence. Dr. Joy lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband and two sons.
So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevent Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist but she developed Therapy for Black Girls to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relatable.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Joy: Create safe spaces for people to feel accepted, affirmed and loved.
Emi Mahmoud
Emtithal “ is a Sudanese-American Poet and Activist. In 2015, she won the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship and in 2018 became UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador which saw her travel to refugee camps in Kenya, Greece and Jordan to draw wider attention to the situation of refugees.
She uses grassroots activism to organize, motivate and mobilize thousands towards change across the world.
From refugee, to Ivy Woman, to World Champion Poet and Goodwill Ambassador, Emitithal is unstoppable. Her poetry and incredible experience has been a force that stirs hearts and stirs change in every space she enters.
Her unforgettable voice has been heard at several high-level events including The World Economic Forum in Davos (2020 and 2018), The UN Assembly (2016-2019), Google Zeitgeist and Google Engage in 2018 and 2019.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Emi: Use your voice and intellect to serve the world. Speak up and speak out. Be an advocate and a force for change in whatever small way you can.
Dr. Baz Dreisinger
Baz Dreisinger is a professor of English at City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is an activist and the Founder of the Prison-to-College Pipeline program was founded in 2011 and Executive Director of the Incarceration Nations Network (INN) in 2018, which is a global think tank that supports prison reform efforts around the world. INN has more than 100 partners around the world and has built a multimedia platform to showcase global justice and prison reform work.
She is also a Fulbright Specialist Scholar for her work in promoting education and restorative justice internationally and the author of Incarceration Nations: A Journey to Justice in Prison Around The World which was named a Notable Book in 2016 by the Washington Post and also lauded by The New York Times, NPR, the LA Times and many more.
Dr. Baz Dreisinger is extraordinary, we can’t help but celebrate the outstanding work she does.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Baz: Use your voice and intellect to serve the world. Speak up and speak out. Be an advocate and a force for change in whatever small or big way you can.
Joselyn Dumas
Joselyn Dumas is a Ghanaian Television Host and Actress. She was a practicing Paralegal in London but relocated to Ghana in pursuit of her dream to be a Television personality.
She made her debut on Television as the host of Charter House’s Rhythmz, an entertainment show where she interviewed celebrities. She moved on to host The One Show that aired from 2010 to 2014 and now has her own show, At Home with Joselyn Dumas which airs across Africa and Europe.
Joselyn’s act in “Perfect Picture” made a lasting impression that led to key roles in several other movies but her unforgettable character as Jennifer Adams in the sensational “Adams Apple” shot her up the list of top tier actresses to work within Ghana and Africa.
As the Founder and CEO of Virgo Sun Company Limited, she co-produced its first movie “Love or Something Like That Which was endorsed by the UNAIDS. Her company keeps working on amazing projects.
Joselyn Dumas is a big believer in giving back to society. Her philanthropic work has seen her participate in a STEM Initiative and also establish The Joselyn Canfor-Dumas Foundation that addresses the needs of vulnerable Ghanaian children and enhances their lives.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Joselyn: Be bold, make moves. Sometimes you have to find the courage to really come home to yourself. Today, challenge yourself to take a step towards creating the life you desire.
Natasha Mayne
Natasha Mayne is a Family and Matrimonial Attorney, Founder of The Mayne Law Firm, P.A. and Natasha Mayne Inc., a consulting firm focusing on helping clients unlock their innate greatness.
Dubbed the Vogue Attorney for her taste in stylish, luxurious, fashion, Natasha dazzles and inspires with heartfelt advice and stories to empower, impact and position women to live their best life.
Her principal message is that believing in the Omnipotence of God, living a faithfully confident life while making bold decisions will lead to unbreakable and unshakable greatness.
From hosting and speaking at hundreds of corporate and non-profit organizations throughout the United States, Natasha keeps making great strides and lives a bold, colorful and extraordinary life.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Natasha: Stand out and BE SEEN. “Give the people what they came for!” Use your style and design sensibilities to attract attention and while they are watching, give them what they need.
Bolanle Austen-Peters
When it comes to making epic movies and stage plays in Nigeria, her name is top of mind.
Bolanle Austen-Peters is a Nigerian Business Woman, Lawyer, Award-winning Film and Theatre Director. Her film company, BAP Productions has produced various musicals, including Saro The Musical, Wakaa The Musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens and Fela's Republic and The Kalakuta Queens. It has also produced a number of films, including 93 Days and Bling Lagosians.
Popularly known as Queen of Nigerian Theatre, she is also the Founder and Managing Director of Terra Kulture, a Nigerian arts and culture center located in Lagos, Nigeria.
The company also promotes culture through its Nigerian restaurant, and bookstore, which provides language classes in Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa, as well monthly book readings of famous Nigerian and African works. Terra Kulture has gone on to organize over 300 art exhibitions, 135 plays, 65 book readings, and over 100,000 individual adults and children, as well as school trips, have attended its language classes.
As a major tourist destination in Lagos, Terra Kulture receives over 100,000 visitors and tourists annually.
Bolanle Austen-Peters has taken her passion for artistic expression and honoring her culture to the ICON level.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Bolanle: Challenge the notion that you can’t monetize your passions and elevate the culture around you!
Charlotte Osei
Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei is the UN International Elections Commissioner, a Ghanaian lawyer and former chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
She became the first female to serve in the office of the Electoral Commission of Ghana since the independence of Ghana.
In May 2019, she was appointed by the United Nations to be on a team of international advisors to assist in managing the 2019 presidential elections in Afghanistan.
She is also a Life Strategist who has provided resourceful teachings that help women from all spheres of life thrive in their relationships, in their careers and in life. We are inspired by the safe space she creates for other women to learn and grow.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Charlotte: Challenge the idea that women only belong in certain spheres. Ask for your seat at the table and if they won’t make room, build your own table.
Cheryl D. Cofield
Cheryl D. Cofield is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator, Storytelling Coach, Leadership Trainer, Diversity Consultant and an Executive Life Coach who assists executive-level managers in developing self awareness, leading with courage and navigating difficult conversations.
Cheryl is the Founder and CEO of CherylCofield.Me Unlimited, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in corporate training, executive and life coaching. Her company serves top tier clients that include the Federal Reserve Bank, Harvard University, the Department of Homeland Defense and Security, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Phillips Exeter Academy.
She has served as a thought leader for several leading institutes and academies. Her award-winning programs have been recognized in Psychology Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Academic Leader and Profiles in Diversity Journal.
Cheryl Cofield is a leading voice not only in modern diversity and inclusion, but also a model for authenticity and vulnerability.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Cheryl: Embrace vulnerability. Dare to share. Our stories make us powerful. What stories of your life can be used to give strength to others?
Hamamat Montia
Hamamat Montia is a Ghanaian model and beauty Entrepreneur. She was elected Miss Malaika Queen in 2006 and Model of Africa Universe in 2007.
She is the creator of Shea Butter Village Spa in Ghana and Hamamat African Beauty, a line of natural beauty products that are made from African herbs and oils.
Her brand has gained international recognition for providing a natural and safe way to rejuvenate and maintain beautiful skin while showcasing the undeniable beauty of African heritage.
Hamamat is amplifying the narrative around skincare and highlighting the beauty of African culture and the world is definitely paying attention.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Hamamat: Embrace the Ghanaian concept of Sankofa - Go back and get it. Embrace your heritage and celebrate it. Make the old new again.
Mala Bryan
Mala Bryan is a Fashion Model and Entrepreneur who is redefining beauty standards in the playroom with her Malaville Dolls, a line of stunning Afro-Carribean Dolls that reflect and embrace the beautiful variety of black people and their unique features. Her dolls come in a range of skin tones and have afro/curly hair which resembles what natural afro hair actually looks and feels like. She has added more diversity in the doll market and her dolls have gathered amazing reviews from children and parents all over the world.
Mala’s experiences in her modeling career informed Malaville Dolls because it was painful in part because she was told to just accept that she would receive fewer castings than her peers because of her skin color and hair texture. Her ability to transmute that pain into a product line that changes that narrative for girls is remarkable and worthy of celebration.
In Mala’s words “Young black girls should love their natural hair and their dark skin and beautiful brown eyes. When one is comfortable in their own skin, there is no limit to what they can achieve”.
Shining the light on Albinism has been one major highlight on her doll line. She created Alexa to disrupt the false myths around Albinism, provide ample representation for kids with albinism while creating a positive dialogue around it.
Her dolls are all about representation and she’s done it excellently.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Mala: Transmute your pain to purpose. Take that issue that has been a bother for you and make it an issue that you will campaign against.
Nicole Walters
Her audacious move to quit her job while streaming live on Periscope in front of 10,000 people is nothing short of Iconic. Nicole Walters is now a multi million dollar entrepreneur, renowned Business and Income Strategist and CEO of Inherit Learning Company. Walters is also the host of a podcast focused on entrepreneurship and frequently speaks on business building to audiences around the world. She has amassed over 200 million views from her online content and contributed to publications like Forbes, Yahoo! Finance and Entrepreneur magazine. She also has a brand new TV show on the USA network
She leverages her humor, her family life and her down to earth, girl next door energy to drive her business with joy and fun.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Nicole: Get clear on your value propositions...What skills and talents do you bring to the table? Think about how you can use them and create an entrepreneurial project.
Chioma Omeruah
Chioma Omeruah, best known as Chigul, is a Nigerian Comedienne, Singer and Actress who is known for her accents and comedic characters.
After a string of failures in her academics, she finally found her stride studying French education in University against the will of her father. She studied how to teach the language and got her first job as a high school teacher 3 months after graduation. While studying, she taught herself Spanish. Today, Chioma is a polyglot who speaks English, Igbo, French, Spanish and Hausa fluently. She returned to Nigeria after twelve years in America, followed her natural talents and discovered herself in the process. She is now one of Africa’s finest multi-talented comics and performers.
Life hasn’t been all smiles for Chioma, she has experienced pain and loss, from the loss of her father to a difficult marriage and divorce. She describes her challenging marriage as one of the worst things she ever had to go through but she also says it turned out to be one of the best things because it taught her so much.
She has pushed through to be a beacon of joy and laughter for millions and she inspires so many with her story of overcoming failures to become one of the best in her industry.
How can you #Choosetochallenge like Chioma: Stop focusing on your weaknesses, find your strengths and focus on those. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled.
Jovian Zayne
Jovian Zayne is the founder and president of the On Purpose movement, and a management and professional development firm with over a decade of experience in change management, global diversity, leadership development, organizational transition planning and design.
Jovian has traveled around America, developing leaders and encouraging others to find their passion. Not one to accept the status quo, she has always taken her place at the table, starting right from high school where she was the first African - American woman to be voted class president.
Committed to creating new pathways to success for all people and black women in particular, Jovian has mentored and coached several young women across the U.S.A and continues to inspire her audiences to find and pursue their passion and to ultimately live on purpose.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Jovian: Embrace all of you and bring your full self to every experience. Your authentic vibe will attract all the right people and opportunities.
Andrea and Robin McBride
Growing up, Andrea and Robin McBride knew they wanted to work in the wine industry. 20 years later, they own The McBride Sisters Wine Collection, the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States.
Part of their story reads like a movie, they were raised across the world from one another. Sisters with the same father and different mothers and they each didn’t know the other existed. Somehow planted within them separately was a love for wine from an early age, and they grew up in two of the world’s most iconic wine growing regions, Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand. The sisters connected and created and McBride Sisters Wine was born.
As they started out on this journey, so did their reality as two fierce, female and forward thinking leaders in an industry that is historically defined by tradition and gender. However, like countless groundbreaking women before them, Andrea and Robin saw every obstacle as an opportunity to chart their own path rather than follow the standard formula. They have overcome many challenges including racism and sexism and still they rise.
The McBride Sisters is a business with an in-depth understanding of community as it relates to black people in the world today, and they use their platform to uplift and uphold black culture.
The fun, fab and eco-friendly SHE CAN collection and its related SHE CAN Professional Development Fund was stirred by the tremendous zeal of all women to make their dreams a reality and constantly break down any barriers before them.
How you can #Choosetochallenge like the McBride Sisters: Find the courage to connect and represent! Create a platform for others to connect and discover their power.
Minda Harts
Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC, a career development company for Women of Color, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service of NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
In 2020, Minda was named the #1 Top Voice on Linkedin for Equity in the Workplace and also named one of the top 40 Women Public Speakers by Real Leaders.
Secure The Seat is her weekly career podcast for today’s professional women of color. She has been a featured speaker at American Express, Nike, Amazon, Google, LinkedIn, Universities, Colleges, and various Corporations.
Minda has also been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Time Magazine, and Essence Magazine.
Minda is the award-winning and best-selling author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table. In this memo, she gives insight into the challenges peculiar to women of color in professional settings and tops it off with actionable takeaways. Her approach to this unique subject matter makes her book stand out from the rest. It is a must read for women of color.
In 2018, she was named one of 25 Emerging Innovators by American Express and nominated as a Change Maker at The White House State of Women Summit in 2016. She has just announced her new book, “Right Within” How to heal from racial trauma in the workplace.
There is no doubt that Minda is paving an Iconic path that generations will always remember her for and be thankful.
How you can #Choosetochallenge like Minda: Get angry, then get serious. What makes you angry in the world today? What steps can you take to be the change you want to see in the world?
Charreah K. Jackson
Charreah K. Jackson is the Founder and President of Studio Social, a communications and coaching firm that specializes in professional development, personal transformation and content that connects.
Charreah serves as an International Communications Strategist and Executive Coach. She is the bestselling author of Boss Bride:The Powerful Woman’s Playbook for Love & Success which is available in libraries in more than 70 cities globally including Australia, New Zealand and her hometown, Atlanta.
A sought-after trainer, speaker and creator known for her interactive and informative keynotes and workshops, she has spoken at BookCon, SXSW, BlogHer,
Steve Harvey’s Vault Conference, and many more. She has been featured by Good Morning America, Business Insider, and Fast Company. She is also a contributor for Money magazine and the New York Times.
Before turning 25 had already been through adversity that she later turned to advantage. Charreah experienced cancer, been downsized from her dream job and even felt the pain of discovering she was the other woman in a relationship. Her setbacks taught her early our happiness and success always lives in our own hands and now she empowers others.
Charreah takes her own advice to star in your life story, which led her to a life that excites her including interviewing Oprah Winfrey in the mogul’s backyard, teaching at Disney World and speaking globally from South Africa to Amsterdam.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Charreah: Turn your mess into your message, your pain into purpose
Tenicka Boyd
Tenicka is a social justice activist, thought leader, speaker and writer on concerns and issues of marginalized communities. She is the National Organizing Director and Deputy Political Director of the ACLU.
She uses both her left and right brain thinking, because she is also fully expressed as a lifestyle and fashion influencer. With over 220k followers on Instagram, her fashion and travel features inspire and bring beauty to the world.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Tenicka: Be fully expressed. You can be multipassionate and multitalented. Find your own path and way to bring cohesion within yourself and showcase all of you have to offer.
Tera Carissa Hodges
Tera started as a faith-based empowerment speaker in 2006 in Atlanta Georgia and has successfully proved her mettle in media, sales and public relations, a remarkable wealth of experience which equipped her to host events for personalities like Bishop T. D Jakes with the launch his book titled "Instincts". Aside hosting others, Tera Hodges was featured in " black woman redefined" amongst celebrities such as Soledad O'Brien, Sherri Shepherd. Just recently, her media company LR Global Media Group won the Walkers legacy power Award.
Her media company LR Global Media Group has coached women, celebrities, public figures, politicians, religious leaders and other notable figures in the areas of faith, media business etc.
Her company also takes international invitations such as the Mercedes Benz South Africa invitation where she spoke to women from over 17 countries.
She is fiercely committed to empowering women in just about every area of their lives and has taught women to face their demons rather than give in to life challenges. Tera has coached over 1000 people from over 25 countries. She is a philanthropist and a humanitarian and a woman of God.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Tera: Lead with divine courage and boldness. Let the Spirit of God empower you to lead change in the world.
Aisha Ayensu
Aisha Ayensu is a Ghanaian award-winning fashion designer, Founder and Creative Director of Christie Brown.
She is known to have designed outfits and stage costumes for artists like Beyonce, Genevieve Nnaji, Jackie Appiah and Sandra "Alexandrina".
Aisha Ayensu of Christie Brown was listed as one of Forbes' Most Promising Entrepreneurs in 2016.
Without a clue how to stitch or draft a single pattern and no technical skill, Aisha decided to launch the brand in 2008. After she launched the label, she realized the need to enroll in a fashion school and immerse herself in the technical aspect of fashion.
During the height of the pandemic in June 2020, Christie Brown debuted its highly anticipated new collection.
Christie Brown brings a unique aesthetic to the fashion world. While deeply rooted in the African Diaspora, her pieces enhance the appearance of fashionistas the world over.
How you can #Choosetochallenge like Christie: Dig into your roots but spread out your branches. Honor where you come from but let your inspiration come from anywhere in the world.
Nicole Marie Melton
Why She Inspires Us:
Nicole Marie Melton is a Digital Beauty Content Marketer and Educator. She has worked in the beauty industry for over 11 years as a beauty editor, influencer, content strategist and brand consultant. She has a passion to help beautyprenuers grow their business through inspiring content.
She is the Founder and Creative Director of Melton Digital, a creative consultancy that designs campaigns for beauty brands using the authentic voices and creativity of beauty influencers from a diverse background. Some of her clients include Creme of Nature, Earth’s Nectar, ESSENCE, and many more top tier brands.
She also launched a platform Beauty Content Studio to teach content marketing for beauty pros, helping women in the beauty industry learn how to use digital content to grow their business.
With her unique experience and diverse perspective in the beauty industry, she has developed a thriving community of over 20,000 beauty industry professionals online.
Nicole is a great example of what the Scriptures say in Proverbs 22:29. She has worked with Kings in her industry and keeps empowering other women in the beauty industry to thrive as well. She is definitely an Icon to watch.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Nicole: Leverage your skills, work experience and your passions to create unique market positioning in your business or career.
Nicaila Mathews Okome
Side Hustle Pro is the first and only podcast to spotlight profitable black women entrepreneurs who have scaled their side hustle up successfully. It was founded by Nicaila Mathews Okome, a Jamaican born, Bronx bred marketer who grew from side hustler to a full time Podcaster and entrepreneur with 3+ million podcast downloads to her credit.
In 2016, Nicaila created SideHustlePro. She didn't just begin with the podcast, she first started with a blog post while drafting a strategic plan for what would later become a podcast. With determination she sourced and found sponsors for her podcast, tested the waters, found it good then she quit her job and has since then been a full-time Podcaster and entrepreneur.
Nicaila has taught millions how to draft that strategic plan that turns their sweat into money and she continues to change the narrative about black wealth by showcasing successful women on her podcast to share their ideas, business stories and ultimately light up the way for others.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Nicaila: Dream the dream but do the work. Get smart, get strategic and put in the effort.
Agatha Achindu
Agatha Achindu is a Certified Integrative Nutritionist and Founder of Yummy Spoonfuls, a line of fresh-frozen organic food for kids.
She specializes in helping families thrive by transforming the way they live and feed their children.
When Achindu came to the United States, she noticed the different approach nutrition. It was nothing close to the farm-to-table model she had been brought up with in her native Cameroon.
Growing up, everything that was made in her home was made fresh and so maintaining her childhood lifestyle with food turned out to be pretty tough in this new environment.
She started creating fresh, creative and easy organic recipes that changed the way mothers approached feeding for their kids and soon, she had 300+ clients in a short time. This was the birth of her baby food company, Yummy Spoonfuls.
A voice of authority in her field, Agatha has appeared in notable media outlets such as the Today Show, CNN, CBS, Forbes, Fortune, and People Magazine.
Her commitment to make healthy food convenient and accessible for busy parents and families is amplified with her brand. Her impact is phenomenal especially in a time when unhealthy processed food is common and easily accessible. Her message of whole living in modern times transforms families to live a full and vibrant life that nourishes the body, mind and soul.
How you can #Choosetochallenge like Agatha: Don’t settle for less. Don’t let the environment mould you, choose to be a force to mould your environment for good.
Ify Yvonne
Ify, is a pharmacist and also a beauty and lifestyle influencer who has amassed great popularity for her makeup tutorials, fashion advice, personal blogging entries and get ready with me videos. She has more than 90,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel
Even though she has a professional career as a pharmacist, she discovered a new path of success and has taken the social media world by storm through her fashion and makeup tutorials. She is #blackgirlmagic and through her YouTube channel taught women to embrace the beauty and grace that comes with being black.
In this time when lots of people are battling to embrace who they are, Ify Yvonne has stepped up the game with her "black is beautiful" mantra. Her fashion tutorials teach women to enjoy womanhood with a touch of grace.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Ify: Share from your heart and your authentic place of mastery and become a force for good.
Kelly Burton
Kelly is a political scientist, serial entrepreneur and change agent. She is the co-convener at Black Innovation Alliance, a national coalition of ecosystem leaders dedicated to increasing Black access to the innovation economy, she is the founder of Bodyology - a tech-based apparel company dedicated to creating clothes for active women on-the-go. She is the founder of Nexus Research Group, a social impact firm that works with foundations and large-scale non-profits to help them catalyze change in local communities
Most recently, she created Founders of Color, a digital platform committed to help minority entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.
One thing all these have in common is humanity and soul! Kelly is always looking for ways and creating avenues to help put people of color and underserved communities on the map.
How you can #Choosetochallenge like Kelly: If you can’t find a bridge, build it. If you can’t find a solution, create it. Be the change you want to see.
Ife Agoro
Ife Agoro, popularly called Ife DANG, DANG simply means "Diary of a Nigerian Girl" which is a popular media platform where Ife blogs about the peculiarities of being a modern, multifaceted Nigerian woman. Ife is a blogger, social media influencer and also a lifestyle entrepreneur. She is a champion for women and through her social media platforms, she has created a safe haven for women to share their experiences.
When she first started blogging, she wasn't taken seriously because she was blogging anonymously, a deviation from the norm of blogging but she wasn't deterred and today she has thousands of loyal readers. She raises awareness and writes about real life issues - even topics that a lot of people find hard to speak about such as pedophilia, violence against women, a woman's role in the society and more.
As a social media influencer, Ife pushes the Nigerian society to jettison some of the patriarchal and misogynistic aspects of the culture.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Ife: Cultivate community. We need community to thrive and some of us are natural community builders, how can you build community online or offline around your own particular ideas, concerns or passions?
Keri Shahidi
Keri Shahidi is a black, bold and beautiful actress, producer and Influencer from the United States. She is also the mother of two successful actors, Yara and Sayeed Shahidi. She has produced sensational movies like Second Team, Hair Love, X, and more.
Keri doggedly built on her popularity gained from her famous movies 'American Dad' produced in the year 2005 and 'In The Neighborhood' produced in 2009. She kept her passion alive and has nurtured the same in her two children Yara and Sayeed who as teenagers are already making groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry.
From artfully interpreting her movie roles, extolling the talent and unique gifts of the black woman to balancing her professional life with motherhood, Keri has taught every woman the rare art of pursuing a fulfilling career and simultaneously building a fulfilling family life.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Keri: Seek work life integration. You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams to be a wife and mother. You can craft a custom life that allows you to fully express yourself in all your roles.
Toyin Onigbanjo
Oluwatoyin is a Nigerian child nutrition educator, recipe developer and baby food manufacturer. She holds a masters degree in public and international affairs from the University of Lagos and a diploma in child nutrition from Stanford University of continuing studies. She is also the founder of August secrets Nigeria, a growing food company with a focus on natural home grown innovative meals for babies and toddlers.
Toyin started producing her baby meals in her kitchen and now sells in 15 Nigerian cities, Ghana, UK and USA. She has been featured on various media platforms. Her company August secrets was listed among the 100 most innovative female owned businesses in Nigeria by SME100, it also won the Bell African award for Nigeria's most innovative company.
Toyin’s work has made the health of babies and toddlers a business priority.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Toyin: Dream big! if it doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough
Angel Anderson
Food is a universal language that unites the world. Angel took her passion for food and transformed it into something iconic and profitable.
Angel is a mother, home cook, activist and educator with a knack for blurring the line between food and fashion and she has used that love for food and life to create a contagious brand.
In 2015, she walked by a vacant storefront with no plan or desire to be a small business owner and decided on the spot to turn it into a spice shop. She didn’t initially recognize that her passion for food would be the path to her purpose - but when she eventually did, it all came together.
Having hosted over 450 free pop up shops for black business owners, this space has become a DC staple for this DC native. Her love for fashionable flavors and natural talent in the kitchen landed her a spot in the Top 40 of MasterChef's Season 8.
Angel brings gourmet, exotic and tantalizing spices, infused oils and other culinary delights to customers in a hip, quaint and comfortable atmosphere. The aesthetics and energy at The SpiceSuite are welcoming, engaging and fun.
She believed in her passion and worked hard to bring it to life. She advises entrepreneurs to “always start now and perfect later. You can start with what you have, even if all you have is a dream. Start small. Scale at a pace that makes sense for you.”
How you can #Choosetochallenge like Angel : Connect your passion, embrace your passion and find opportunities that can come from it. Dare to be different
Lola Ogunnaike
Lola is an American entertainment journalist. A former entertainment writer for the New York times, Lola has since worked as a freelance media reporter and the host of Couch Surfing, a celebrity interview series produced by Purple.
Her professional life has seen her work as a key Television Correspondent with international media outfits like the New York times, CNN, MBC, MSNBC, BET, MTV, VHI and Aljazeera.
She uses her interview sessions to motivate her listeners. As a Veteran Media Personality, she has interviewed former First Lady Michelle Obama, renowned actor George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong'o, John Stewart and Oprah Winfrey. Lola’s career in journalism boldly beacons other black women into the industry.
Representation matters, and with her enviable media career, she has shown a roadmap for women in the entertainment industry, a road map that says "sisters, this is how it's done".
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Lola: Reach for the stars but never forget where you come from. Celebrate your culture but embrace the world.
Adedamola Ladejobi
Adedamola Ladejobi, popularly known as “Ask Damz” is a Certified Personal Nutritionist and Weight Loss Expert who has given thousands the wealth of health. Teaching and helping women from her own experiences, Damz is not afraid to show people what worked for her.
She is also a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with an LLB law degree from the University Exeter, a BL from the Nigerian Law School and a Diploma in Nutrition.
Damz as she is fondly called is also a Health and Wellness Speaker and has spoken at events hosted by reputable organizations like WIMBIZ, All Ladies and Women Economic Forum, United Nations, PWC, Nestle, British American tobacco, Flourish Africa Conference, The Evolving Woman 2.0 and many others.
When Damz is not crafting ways to help people stay healthy, she spreads smiles through he NGO - Smile Express Factory. Her NGO has financially put smiles on the faces of the needy and helped people kick off businesses.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Adedamola: Teach others from your life lessons and experience and level up in mastery in that area.
Audria Richmond
Audria is the CEO and Founder of Uncloned Media LLC, an award winning Brand and Marketing Consultancy for top notch brands who want to command first rate profiles.
With her incomparable formula of innovation, unquenchable creativity and tech-savviness, Audria has helped her clients rake in over $1 million in profits and she isn't done yet.
In 2010, Audria's photography business located at one of Memphis popular streets shut down. In 2012, her second business, a cold pressed juice company crashed too. Frustrated at not being able to sustain her businesses, she tried her hand at corporate America but was severely bullied, her strategies were not appreciated but motivated her, she didn’t give up! She picked herself up, put the lessons learned into practice and founded Uncloned Media, one of the most sought after consultancies in the world today.
She is the ingenious author behind the signature Uncloned Series, a brilliant series on marketing strategy and business success, which has turned into a motivational movement inspiring thousands of business owners.
Her unfailing business strategies have redefined and reawakened thousands of businesses.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Audria: Refuse to be a clone! Challenge the norms, challenge the trends, challenge everything and chart your own path like a trailblazer.
Melissa Butler
Melissa Butler is an American Entrepreneur/Founder of the cosmetic brand The Lip Bar. Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Finance at Florida A&M University.
She started out as a Licensed Stock Broker on Wall Street but did not enjoy the job and decided to start a business. Her frustration with the lack of affordable vegan lipsticks in bright colours led her to create The Lip Bar.
In 2015, Melissa gained mammoth popularity when her pitch for The Lip Bar was rejected and ridiculed by the judges on Shark Tank. However, she wasn't dissuaded. Melissa went ahead to contact potential corporate buyers for The Lip Bar and finally struck gold when she connected with a buyer at Target.
In Melissa’s words, “Everyone deserves to have representation. Without it, we are left seeking validation”. It was her belief in health and inclusion that led her to make lipstick in her kitchen and develop The Lip Bar.
Today, her cosmetic brand is an Iconic favorite, due to its originality.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Melissa: Don’t give up on your first try. Not everyone will see the greatness in your vision and not everyone will appreciate it, but push anyway!
Arese Ugwu
Arese Ugwu is a Nigerian author, speaker and finance expert. She earned a bachelor degree in Business and Management from Aston Business school Birmingham and a masters degree in Economics Development from University college of London (UCL). Arese is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School, INSEAD Abu Dhabi and the London Business School Executive Education Programme.
She worked in the financial sector for eight years and has successfully risen to the rank of Head of Wealth Management at Partnership Investment Finance. She is in charge of building the company's wealth management division through business development and growing existing customer base.
Arese is also an associate member of WIMBIZ and has been on the planning committee since 2015. Her book series and subsequent TV series “Smart Money Woman” has become must get content for African girls on a journey to financial freedom".
Her dream is to change the African description of poverty by financially educating this generation.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Arese: Get rid of your own money blocks and limiting mindsets around money and get the financial education you need to move to your next level.
Uneeka Jay
She is the enigmatic Icon behind Rewrite 365 LLC, a performance consulting firm that works with clients to achieve and sustain breakthrough results.
Uneeka has more than 20 years of Training, Quality and Customer Retention Experience and over a decade of executive leadership in corporations with annual revenues up to half a billion dollars. She is a sought after corporate leadership trainer and consultant.
Her energetic approach has opened doors for her to speak and consult for corporations like NationWide Insurance, Johnson and Johnson, Medtronic Hills Borough, The American Society of Engineers, The American Society of Training and Development and so many others. Some of her media appearances include CNN, Black Enterprise, Philadelphia Enquirer and many more.
She is a mother and grandmother who finds a way to balance raising a preschooler and running a high performing firm.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Uneeka: Get clear on your areas of excellence and genius and stand on them. Overdeliver and show up in excellence all the time.
Rupi Kaur
Rupi Kaur is an Indian-born Canadian poet, artist and performer. Born in Punjab, India she was just four years old when she and her parents moved to Canada where she obtained a degree in Rhetoric and Professional Writing.
This degree helped harness her talent as a Poet and Author. On the 4th of November 2014, Rupi published her debut novel ‘Milk and Honey’, an artful combination of poetry, prose and hand drawn illustrations that sold over 3 million copies worldwide and spent more than a year on The New York Times Best Seller list.
She has brilliantly written in themes that affect women such as abuse, feminism, love and heartbreak. Her raw talent and writing style has drawn the attention of the world to these issues that affect women.
Although Rupi is an internationally renowned wordsmith today, there was a time she could not speak or write in English but she wasn't deterred anyway. Instead, she learnt to draw, paint and make art using each stroke to communicate her inner thoughts. Rupi started off writing poems that spoke to her deepest self, the type that she wanted to read.
It was the courage to write poetry out of her personal experiences that struck a chord with readers around the world and made her voice and words one that commands attention and throbs the heart.
Her books "Milk and Honey” and “The Sun and Her Flowers" are literary originals with the former translated into 25 languages. In the United kingdom, Rupi Kaur was credited with an increase in poetry sales seen in 2017. Such influence!
Rupi’s subtle poetic approach to femininity, abuse, menstruation taboos, trauma, healing and love makes her original.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Rupi: Speak truth to power. Find ways to express yourself and share them with the world.
Kristi L. Jackson
Kristi. L. Jackson is a White House Recognized Innovator and Entrepreneur. She has a masters in Business and is the Founder of Women CEO Project, a Virtual Think Tank, Training and Consulting Company for ambitious women entrepreneurs.
Kristi started the Women CEO Project out of a personal need to become a better and more consummate business professional.
After attending several events without any noticeable change in her life, she decided to start the Women CEO Project. Initially, it was to be a stage where she could bring in talent and be the host but when she hired the services of a coach, she struck gold.
Her coach made a life-changing assessment and suggestion that saw her put to use her academic qualifications and vast amount of relatable business experiences in coaching others. After much contemplation, Kristi created the coaching leg of her business and never looked back.
Today, she helps women leverage technology to build strategic, innovative products and business solutions.
She is the Author of Master Strategy Planner, 12 Month Sales and Money Planner, 52 Questions for Personal and Business Success Today. As a humanitarian, she has been awarded severally for her work aimed at bettering the business education of women.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Kristi: Invest in yourself. Invest in expert support so you can elevate so that you can be all God created you to be.
Anita Quansah
Anita Quansah is a British African, born in London with roots in Nigeria and Ghana.
Her Nigerian grandmother was a famous textile designer whose designs were worn by politicians, kings and queens of Eastern Nigeria. Anita describes her mother and grandmother Clara as world best women from whom she got her special gifts and who encouraged her to reach for the stars.
In a bid to harness her gifts, Anita got a degree in textile designs from Chelsea College of Arts and Design, London. Afterwards, she worked for several elite fashion houses and with courage and creativity coursing through her veins launched her own brand and has since then gone international.
Anita made a lone voyage to the UK at the young age of 12 to pursue her dreams, armed with nothing but hope and courage. After years of hard work, Anita's brand gained the attention of elite design houses such as Christian Lacroix, Diane Von Furstenberg, DKNY and many more. That was just the beginning of her success.
Later she gained international recognition in all world wide editions of Vogue and Elle, CNN, Wall Street international magazine, Essence, and many more publications. Museums and galleries across the world have also exhibited her works such as; Museum Volkenkunde Leiden Netherlands, Bead and Art exhibition at the Rietberg Zurich etc. She has received several awards including Accessory designer of the year 2019, Vogue Italia's "who is the next rated " award.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Anita: Be your ancestors wildest dreams. Stand on their shoulders and build on their success. Leverage your talents and honor their legacy.
Ticora Davis
Ticora is an Intellectual Property Lawyer and CEO of the Creator's Law Firm. A company she launched in 2017 that specializes in helping entrepreneurs protect their business rights and trademarks from the plagiarism and copy-cat syndrome that is predominant today on the internet and in everyday business.
Ticora has an innate gift to see greatness lying dormant in people. As a “purpose activator,” she has seamlessly blended her knowledge of the law with her passion for people to birth a creative revolution in every person she encounters.
Taking up responsibility to push people forward and fight for their best interest is courageous on every side.
Her company, The Creator’s Law Firm has helped hundreds of business owners secure their brand and proudly boasts a 97% success rate for trademark registrations.
Ticora's selfless and laudable work makes her original and in appreciation of it all, she has been honored as Who's Who of Black Charlotte and North Carolina's Legal Elite. Her work has also been featured on VH1, Black Enterprise, and Facebook.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Ticora: Be the light. Shine as brightly as you can and Illuminate someone’s path today.
Lorna Maseko
Lorna Maseko is a South African ballerina, choreographer, Mc, presenter and the managing director of 'Fabulous production' . A multi-talented beauty who got into the spotlight of international fame and recognition through hard work and resilience. She has a passion for cook, a passion she pursued which has earned her the title of a Celebrity Chef. For the love for the culinary arts, Lorna often hosts cooking seminars that portray the beauty of cooking, beyond the ordinary cliches of it being an ordinary chore that women are subjected to.
Lorna has stayed true to her talents, she remains the first black ballerina to take a significant role in South African theaters. As a presenter, she has worked on popular programmes such as Afro showbiz and has anchored events such as the Global Citizen Dinner SDGz, Dstv Delicious Fest in 2018 etc.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Lorna: Remember, no-one said it would be easy, but hardwork, consistency and perseverance always pays off. Start dreaming again and start putting in the work.
Dee C. Marshall
Dee. C. Marshall is a highly sought after international speaker, author, executive coach, leadership trainer and CEO of "Diverse and Engaged" a diversity resource firm specializing in developing programs and initiatives to engage, support and develop diverse population.
She holds a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from Centenary University, a master degree in human services and counseling at Regent University and a PhD on human letters. Prior to the establishment of her firm "Diverse and Engaged" she worked for a decade at wall street for Merrill Lynch, prudential securities, Moody's Inventor Services, Johnson & Johnson. Not only that, she managed one third of advertising sales for over a dozen categories of business at New York times.
Her expertise in creating result oriented programs for diverse populations through her firm "Diverse and Engaged" spells originality. Dee is a united way New York board fellow and certified credentialed coach. Due to her laudable service to women, she has received several prestigious awards which includes; Top 25 black women in business, who's who New York city, NAA IP community service award, Delta women of achievement award, National sales network New York, New Jersey strategic leadership award, National Association of Female Executives Award etc.
She is also a philanthropist and gives her talent and time to numerous major nonprofit organizations such as; The women's center for education, The New York's women foundation, Board of advisors for Rutgers small business development centres etc.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Dee: Be spiritual AND practical. Pray AND work. Strive for excellence in all you do!
Chocolako
Olako popularly known as Chocolako is a certified yoga teacher, a writer, and the founder of Yoga Innergy. She is from Benue State, Nigeria, and comes from a lineage of Feminine Warriors, Healers and Ground Watchers of the soil. She is named Olako after her grandmother.
Today, she is shares love not just to her family but across the world through her soul lifting and heart clearing Yoga sessions.
Her yoga sessions help thousands of people connect to their original selves, their spirits. Through her intensive yet relaxing sessions, she has worked with several Yoga teachers and Yoga professionals of all levels and helped them reach more expansive versions of themselves.
Her fundamental goal remains to uplift and uplevel curious souls so they would remember their unique pathway. She embodies the strength and essence of the Motherland.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Chocolako: Ground yourself in truth and choose to embody peace, love and beauty.
Gaynelle Winston White
Gaynelle is the founder of Philthy Ragz a clothing brand that provides an all in one fashion experience for the everyday woman that seeks edgy and timeless fashionable pieces.
She has always been a fashion enthusiast. Growing up, she created fashion shows with her sister in her family’s living room with clothing made of sheets that were mixed with her mother’s clothing much to the amusement of the women at home.
12 years ago, Gaynelle started selling reconstructed T-shirts from the trunk of her car this was a catalyst that launched her into a career in fashion design.
Philthy Ragz has grown into an exceptional clothing brand that broke out of the stereotypical fashion mould to cater to women with curves who seek to make a statement. She saw a void in the market place and filled it in fearlessly.
True originality comes from embracing one's abilities and fulfilling a vision irrespective of every limiting factor. Gaynelle’s brand is a clear illustration of the development of a vision.
Gaynelle's story is empowering and sets every discouraged heart aflame with hope. She just doesn't clothe women with sophistication and allure, her journey also silently pushes and teaches women to never shy away from starting small, a business principle that always stands the test of time.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Gaynelle: Be authentic and distinctive. Don’t blend in…stand out! Don’t live your life like a question mark, live it like an exclamation point.
Achieng Agutu
Achieng Agutu, popularly known as “ No ordinary noire” on Instagram was born and raised in Kenya, she moved to Richmond Indiana at 16.
She went ahead to study Mass Communication and Spanish at Goshen College in Indiana and currently, she's studying business at the International Business School in Boston.
In a world where originality has become rare, Achieng’s originality has earned her a loyal and massive following. When she discovered she was mostly the only black girl in her college classes she started creating content on Instagram to cheer up people who were battling loneliness, insecurity or feeling like an alien in the midst of others. She is a joy to watch!
Achieng’s pride in her African heritage is so evident in her choice of clothing. Her beautiful African prints dazzle the eye and make her stand out wherever she is. Little wonder she's called "the Confidence Queen with Style".
Her strong pride in her African descent and melanin colour is a clear message to all, a message that says no matter your color, start loving who you are. Do not change who you are to fit in.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Achieng: Live life out loud. When they try to silence you, speak louder. Celebrate what other people try to make you feel small about. Turn your insecurities into power.
Shila Nieves Burney
Shila is the founder and managing partner at Zane venture fund. An organization that works with leading firms and exceptional talents to create solutions that address disparities in business finding through investment in human capital. Her firm is based in Atlanta. Put more simply, Zane Venture seeks to build generational wealth for under-represented minorities.
When Shila's daughter Zane was shot accidentally due to some gun violence in the city. Shila had fresh zeal & perspective and today she's an internationally recognized fundraiser of the highest echelon, a fund venture named after her daughter Zane.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Shila: Create space, systems and structures for other people success as you birth your own.
Leslie Sidora
Leslie Sidora popularly known as Lessance is a plus size French and Mauritian, Paris raised Model.
In the summer of 2017, Leslie met with Black, a photographer in New York City for a photo shoot. Being photographed by a professional, opened her eyes to see her body in a way she had never thought of before.
In a society and an industry that has placed a certain standard on what beauty is, Leslie is breaking the modeling-is-for-the-skinny jinx and successfully inspiring hundreds of thousands of women globally.
In an age where the media is constantly trying to make it about a particular body type, where appearances can be utterly deceiving, Leslie has put her foot to the ground to own her body and all that comes with it. She has since paved the way for many more women by being unapologetically herself and raising the bar high.
Leslie has since modeled in multiple campaigns for top tier brands such as Savage x Fenty, Good American, Forever 21 and many more.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Leslie: You are wonderfully and fearfully created by God! Do not let your size, color or physical “flaws” stop you from living the life God designed for you. Go into the world and embrace the opportunities waiting for you
Amin Ameen
Behind the influential name " Everything Na Art" is Amin Ameen. She is a Brand Strategist, Entrepreneur, and Engineer. She is the founder of 'Everything Na Art' and 'Lagos Slow-Motion' two online projects that showcase the beauty in creating art and visuals without limitation.
She left Nigeria at the age of two with her parents and moved to New York where she got a Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering and a master degree in Meteorological and Mechanical Engineering.
Her two social media projects reveal that she is a scientist and an artist all beautifully moulded into one. Her media project has helped thousands of people adopt a healthy orientation towards life and it's accompanying struggles. With Everything Na Art, she has taught people that life's most bitter experiences are art works from nature which could be turned into an inspiration, a lesson and a test that could be diligently turned into a testimony
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Amin: Share your passions with purpose. Let purpose be your north star and passion the vehicle to move through life.
Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams is an American Politician, Lawyer, Voting Rights Activist and Author who served Georgia's House of Representatives from 2007-2017 as a member of the Democratic Party. She founded Fair Fight Action, an organization that addressed voters suppression in 2018.
Her efforts helped to boost voter turn-out in Georgia, and also during the Presidential election where President Joe Biden won in the state. Abrams was nominated for a Nobel Prize for her efforts in the 2020 elections.
When Abrams knew voters were being suppressed in Georgia, she started to do something about it. She raised awareness and founded Fair Fight Action which skillfully addressed that suppression. Her active and positive contribution in the last presidential election earned her a nomination for a Nobel peace prize.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Stacy: Fight for what you believe in! You may get laughed at, people may say it can’t be done but do not be deterred.
Issa Rae
Issa Raeis an American actress, writer, and producer who rose to the limelight with Awkward Black Girl, a YouTube web series, 10 years ago. She created Awkward Black Girl to lend a voice to an underrepresented population of women and to dispel the Hollywood stereotype that blacks are not relatable on television.
She also created and stars in the hit HBO show, Insecure, for which she has received multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. Issa made her film debut in the acclaimed drama, “The Hate U Give.” This year, she starred in Netflix’s “The Lovebirds,” a romantic comedy and the HBO political-satire drama, “Coastal Elites.”
Working with stories she understood and keeping her personality funny and relatable, Issa created shows, characters and brands that have become such an important part of the global creative space.
As a teenager, when she moved to Los Angeles, she had to endure a harsh transition, where she dealt with ridicule while trying to fit in with other predominantly black students.
We have watched Issa continue to rise, she has become an inspiration to many young black girls who are owing their stories.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Issa: By choosing to tell our stories and own the narrative, giving room for others like us to feel seen and heard.
Wana Udobang
Wana Udobang also known as Ms Wana Wana is a Nigerian writer, poet, journalist, filmmaker, and television personality. She is a storyteller and artist working at the intersection of writing, poetry, performance and film. Her poetry interrogates memory, healing and re-imagination. She's an all rounder with three studio albums "Dirty laundry, In memory of forgetting and transcendence". Wana is multi-talented, a wordsmith who gives spoken poetry a beautiful touch like never before.
Her second album titled "in memory of forgetting" described as incredibly brave, revolves almost entirely around the resilience of women, their triumphs, struggles, trauma and epiphanies. A collection of memories navigating experiences that range from places of brokenness and questioning to self renewal. Sensitive topics that only a brave heart can undertake.
She was selected to participate in the 54th International writing program fall residency at the University of Iowa, courtesy of the U. S. A department of state. A writing program only prestigious authors like Elechi Amadi, Cyprian Ekwensi etc have participated in.
Wana has also found ways to lend her voice and create awareness for people living with rare conditions. She is the producer and director of the documentaries; “Sensitive Skin” a documentary film about the skin condition Psoriasis; “Nylon” a short documentary on memory, trauma, and loss; and the documentaries-series “Warriors” exploring the lives of people with sickle cell disease
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Wana: Be bold! Go after those dreams.
Nedra Tawwab
Nedra Glover Tawabb is a therapist, content creator and author who is committed towards helping people create healthy relationships. Her book "set boundaries, find peace" has therapeutic influence on readers across the world. She is a licensed therapist and a highly sought after relationship expert. She is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice "kaleidoscope counseling".
Nedra has recently been featured in the New York times, the Guardian, Psychology today, Self and Vice and has appeared on numerous podcasts including therapy for black girls. She runs a popular Instagram account where she shares practices, tools and reflections for mental health and hosts weakly Q&As.
Through her sessions, many people have learnt to build healthier and mutually beneficial relationships. Persons with traumatized childhoods have found warmth and guidance through her soothing therapy.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Nedra: Seek mastery. Master your craft, invest in yourself and you will soar high
Zim Flores
Zim Ugochukwu is an entrepreneur, activist, CEO and founder of the award winning boutique travel company "Travel Noire".
After earning a B.A in biology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Zim commenced work as a biologist and successfully cloned a gene with similarities to a genetic disorder. A courageous scientific move which earned her mammoth accolade.
Her entrepreneurial exploits have taken her to cities around the world. She has been included in Forbes under 30 list and was named by Glamour magazine as one of the 25 young women changing the world. Zim was also named as one of Oprah Winfrey's super 100 soul leaders.
Zim's travel agency gives us fashion with a touch of class. Her influence on social media platforms has taught many to enjoy life and not just exist. She is also an activist, advocating for women's rights and education.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Zim: Follow your passion. Add soul and color to anything you do.
Amanda Dambuza
Amanda is the CEO of UYANDISWA, a project management consulting firm she founded 8 years ago. She is also the author of the world acclaimed book "Baked in pain" a memoir about how she rose above her deary circumstances to become a globally celebrated woman and humanitarian. She is a married mother of three, residing in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Her book - Baked in pain sheds light on what her life was like, being born during the apertheid. A product of abandonment and rejection, she goes deep in narrating the abuse she suffered as a child and the negative scripts that were fed to her over the years. She further explores, supported with research the way these messages can be internalised and become the truth.
Today, she is a multi award winning business woman, some of her recent awards include ;2018 overall winner of the international business woman award, she was nominated as one of the 50 inspiring women, an initiative in co-operation with the kingdom of the Netherlands, she was also named in the top 30 "you need to know and applaud" by leadership magazine. She has held several senior roles at four major banks in South Africa. Amanda has also been featured on several magazines and digital platforms.
How we can #choosetoChallenge like Amanda : Refuse to be stuck in victimhood. Take ownership of your life and design it.
Doyinsola Ogunye
Doyinsola Ogunye, a Law Graduate left her budding career as a lawyer to set up a non‐governmental and pro-human organization - Mental and Environmental Initiative for Children (MEDIC). This was born out of her passion for cleanliness, patriotism for her motherland Nigeria, a budding desire to sustain the environment and teach others how to do so.
Under MEDIC, she initiated Kids Clean Club. This is an environmentally and socially conscious NGO that caters to the physical, mental and environmental cleanliness of the Nigerian child and also creates awareness amongst them to be socially responsible from a young age out of love for Nigeria.
She educates kids on the importance of keeping coast lines clean and learning to recycle wastes collected from sea shores.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Doyin: Be the change you want to see. It starts with you
Emily Mills
Emily Mills is an award winning creative entrepreneur, public speaker and the founder of how she hustles which she launched in 2010.
Her digital platform "how she hustles" is a Toronto based network that connects over 18,000 female professionals who share their success stories to inspire other women to greater heights.
Before becoming her own boss, she was a senior communications officer at CBC, one of Canada's largest media companies. In 2017, she created "her story in black" a digital photo series featuring 150 inspiring black women. The project earned national courage and won CBC's president's award. She has also worked as assistant diversity producer at CTV and as freelance music /culture writer.
Emily was named in Canada's top 100 most powerful women at the inaugural Mercedes Benz Emergency Leaders Category. She is also profiled in the 100 accomplished black Canadians women book. Emily received the Ryerson Alumni Achievement Award, was named a Civic Action diversity fellow and she was also a member of BMW foundation's responsible leaders network.
As a speaker, Emily led conversations for the United Nations Association in Canada, Economic club of Canada, twitter Canada & YWCA Canada. She has been profiled via the globe and mail, Toronto star, national post & CBC.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Emily: Do not become comfortable with doing ok, push to be more! Break existing records.
Oyemwen Oriakhi
Oyemwen Oriakhi a Nigerian-American who started out as a Biology/Pre-Med Major in George State University but got her fashion revelation along the way and has since pursued her true passion, fashion.
Her ruffled, vibrant tulles for birthdays, weddings, or other special occasions, are stunning! Her designs have been worn across continents by celebrities like Angela Simmons, Khloe Kardashian, and many more. Her trademark tulle skirts and dresses have gained her so much international attention that she was recently featured on Vogue and Elle Magazine.
The name Oyemwem means "contentment and overwhelming joy".
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Oyemwem: Embrace your frilly side. Sometimes your breakthrough may be in the things that you love that most people think of as frivolous.
Dominique Baker
Dominique Baker is a Canadian public servant at day time and a social media influencer at night. Her trending beauty and lifestyle blog www.styledomination.com was born in 2015 when her husband Ryan suggested that she make public her sophisticated style and travel adventures. Her social media has become a rock-sure destination for beauty advice and reviews, fashion and lifestyle. Her beauty lifestyle blog encourages women to face their days looking their best by making the very best out of their God given assets as women, a healthy orientation that has helped thousands of women
Dominique's blog has become so successful that she has been featured in Flare magazine, the Ottawa citizen & Ottawa magazine . Some notable brands she has
worked with include Ford Canada, Lincoln motors of Canada, ALEX & ANI, Weston Hotels, Charlotte Tilbury, Yves Saint, Laurent Beauty, Givenchy beauty & Giorgio Armani Beauty. Successfully combining public service in Ottawa Canada with a sensational media life requires mammoth courage and Dominique has done this so well!
She has featured on various national campaigns for notable brands and In 2017, she was named "a person 2 know" by the United way Ottawa.
she is also a philanthropist who loves to give back to society. Thousands of people have emulated Dominique's happy and optimistic approach to life and have learnt to tackle each day with a smile.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Dominique: There is no one way to success. Define your path!
Codie Elaine
Codie Elaine Oliver is an American Producer of Television and Film. She is popularly known for Co-creating, Directing and Producing OWN’s hit docu-series, Black Love with her husband,Tommy Oliver.
A graduate of Howard University and the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC, she is also the Founder of Black Love Inc, and the executive producer of the hit docuseries, Black Love. The company also hosts the annual Black Love Summit.
Amidst racism and media stereotypes of Black people that have taken root over the years, it is important to keep having conversations around the beauty and strength of Black love because we grow from sharing and dissecting our unique love stories as well as hearing about others. Codie Elaine Oliver and her husband, Tommy Oliver have made sure of this.
Codie is committed to champion Black Love, build conversations about it and inspire a rare connection around it. This phenomenon has even expanded beyond romantic love and now challenges Black People to love hard on every level.
The docuseries, Black Love was nominated in 2018 for Outstanding Documentary in Television .
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Codie: Change the narrative
Mildred Okonkwo
Pastor Mildred co-pastors David City Center (DCC) with her husband Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo. She's fondly called mama by members of the congregation due to the soft spot she has for young women. She is a graduate of English Arts, and International Law & Diplomacy.
She founded "Just Us Girls" which started as a column dedicated to relationships which was contained in the ministry’s newsletter called "Bliss". Overtime, Just Us Girls has evolved into a channel of healing, learning and a channel of hope. Pastor Mildred organizes an annual Just Us Girls'' and When Women Worship conferences to empower women and girls. She's also the founder of "Ruth's gift" a haven for single mums.
Pastor Mildred is an advocate for women and champions
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Pastor Mildred: Whose report have you been believing? Today, believe only God's report and trust him with all your heart
Carla Harris
Carla A. Harris is the Vice Chairman, Managing Director, and Senior Client Adviser at Global Wealth Management Company Morgan Stanley .
As Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley, Ms. Harris was the first African American to join the bank's management committee back in 1987, and has become not only a powerful voice for women in finance but one of the most senior Black Women in finance.
With an extensive industry experience in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare sector, she is a leading keynote speaker on motivation, success, and exceeding expectations.
Carla is also an active member of the St. Charles Gospelites of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and the Mark Howell Singers. She has sold out concerts at the Apollo Theatre and Carnegie Hall.
Her music has been featured on notable television programs in the US and her first CD titled Carla’s First Christmas was a bestseller on Amazon.com in New York and in record stores.
She is the author of two best-selling books, Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace and Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career, and also the creator of Carla’s Pearls, the centerpiece of her speeches and television appearances.
Carla’s Pearls are nuggets of wisdom hard-earned throughout her long and impressive career which she imparts on audiences globally.
Carla Harris is actively involved in her community and believes that we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to someone else. She sits on the Board of Harvard University, Walmart Corporation and several notable organizations.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Carla: Strive for excellence in everything. Put in your best at all times and your hard work will make room for you.
Lillicia Bailey
Lilicia Bailey is the Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer for Wake Forest Baptist Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine and Wake Forest Innovation Quarter.
She is an executive leader with 20+ years of leadership in global companies. She has great depth of experience creating HR vision and strategies that align with organizational goals, building departments for functional alignment and transformation, and helping organizations attain tremendous success. She has created inspiring strategies that have guided HR teams around the nation, and led to the achievement of strategic organizational goals.
She is a proven people strategist in large, complex, service-oriented organizations, and an academic medical center.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Lilicia: FOCUS!
Zakia Blain
The very inspiring lady behind the FBF Body Shapewear and Athleisure brand is Zakia Blain.
After working in Corporate America and as an Educator, she ventured into Entrepreneurship only to be diagnosed with a brain disorder called Chiari Malformation, a medical condition that caused her to have severe migraines and a host of other side effects. This also meant that she could no longer workout.
After experiencing weight gain, she saw this as a challenge to live a better life and started her wellness journey. She lost over 60 pounds. Wanting to help others in similar situations do the same, she started an online fitness challenge.
On launching the FBF Body Brand in 2012, she pursued this passion with vigor and met tremendous success.
Zakia believes that “No matter what card you are dealt, you have to play your hand like you have the best hand in the house…. You have to make the best of your circumstances”
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Zakia: Never stay down! Look closely, there is always a silver lining. You can turn adversity to advantage.
Sai Sankoh
Sai Sankoh is a world renowned Fashion and Luxury Lifestyle Expert. She is also a Personal Stylist, Shopper, Blogger, Media Influencer, Editor, Producer.
She is the Founder of BIAF Media, an online media company that provides its audiences with curated content that covers various niches like the glitz and glamour of Africa, celebrity lifestyle, luxury travel, haute couture and design.
she was inspired by women and men alike who despite incredible challenges launched businesses out of nothing. With sheer grit, focus and passion, Sai founded Because I am Fabulous, an umbrella with a variety of digital platforms that focuses on fashion, travel, and media with the ambitious idea of expanding into physical brands.
She was working as a nurse when she started writing about fashion. While working as a nurse, she began to design beautiful dreamy caftans, sourcing out the finest silks while travelling to exotic destinations.
Sai is very passionate about art, beauty, fashion, design, traveling and, of course, shopping. She blends vintage fashion with contemporary trends with her major inspiration from the Africa.
Her personal style sees her incorporate bold Sierra Leonean traditional elements and a bit of an urban vibe.
Sankoh has been covered by countless international fashion and business media such as Vogue Italia, Essence, The Atlantic, Gawker, WWD, Ebony, Refinery29, NYTimes, Allure and many more.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Sai: Uncover your hidden talent. What else can you do and do really well apart from your career path? Dust it up, it may be your major break!
Patrice Washington
Known as the Money Maven, Patrice C. Washington is the Founder and CEO of Seek Wisdom, Find Wealth, a personal finance training and development firm focused on moving you from debt management to money mastery.
She is the financial voice of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show. With this platform, she empowers millions of viewers weekly.
She has been featured by national networks like NBC, Black Enterprise and The Huffington Post.
She was named as one of 12 Most Inspiring Black Voices in Personal Development by Success Magazine and listed on Forbes as one of the 15 Inspiring Podcasts for Professionals.
Her holistic approach to wealth management, she helps women create a new definition of wealth so that they can live their life’s authentic purpose, create rock solid personal relationships and earn more with a renewed mindset and fail-proof strategy.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Patrice: Create a niche for yourself and work your craft. There may seemingly be a lot of people in that area, but your touch makes your approach unique to only you.
Elizabeth Marami
Elizabeth Marami is Kenya’s First Female Marine Pilot. She initially studied Law at the University of Nairobi, but later changed course to pursue Navigation in Alexandria, Egypt for 5 years. She was awarded a scholarship to pursue this career.
Entering the industry was not an easy task for her. She was turned down a couple of times , she even considered an office job but she pressed on. She was inspired to continue with her pursuits when she came across an article about Kate McCue, America’s First Female Captain of a Megaton Cruise Ship.
Working in a male-dominated industry has had its challenges for Elizabeth, including earning the respect of senior management as a female professional. She has had those who have accepted her and even helped her become better but she’s been dealt several rejections that stung so hard and made her think of quitting.
She started an initiative for women in the Maritime Industry called Against the Tide. It is an online platform that provides a glimpse into the experiences and travails of a female seafarer, showing both successful and unsuccessful career paths of these gallant women pursuing their seafaring dreams, and how they are charting their path in this profession
She has her own fashion blog where she shares pictures, fashion tips, as well as personal essays.
Elizabeth Marami is charting the path less travelled and breaking gender barriers that have been in place for so long. Her courage has seen her swim away from the waters of comfort to take up a comprehensive and challenging course in navigation.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Elizabeth: Don’t give up on your dreams. They are valid
Allyson Byrd
Allyson Byrd is widely known as the profit Accelerator for helping entrepreneurs turn their business into cash machines. She is the Owner/CEO of The Byrd Agency and The Purpose Within.
As a highly sought after Business and Transformational Leadership Coach, she inspires individuals to live in purpose, embrace passion and achieve personal greatness through balance in work and life.
Allyson is upleveling her clients’ profitability in a way that transforms lives and the world at large.
With the Byrd Agency, she has created a company that mirrors her values as a strategist and mentor. She infuses her energy, power and mastery into every business she’s a part of with a long-term focus on sustainability and outstanding profits.
As individuals, we’ve all traveled from somewhere to get to our current location and this is also seen in Allyson’s processes. The respect and appreciation she has for her life’s journey is her major drive to transform the lives of her clients.
Her clients have been featured on NBC, Bravo, CN, Fox News, and many more outlets. Her brilliant work behind the scenes gives her clients the spotlight.
She shares her vulnerable, authentic and inspirational messages across the globe impacting lives. Her work is a bold reminder to never limit stifle ourselves.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Allyson: Push to be more. Do not let yourself fade so that another can feel good.
Jennifer Riria
Jennifer Riria is a distinguished Kenyan Businesswoman, Corporate Executive, Banker, and Academic. She is the Group Chief Executive officer of Kenya Women Holding Group, a Microfinance, Banking and Insurance Group that serves nearly one million mostly rural Kenyan women.
At the end of high school, Riria became pregnant. After giving birth, she went on to study at the University of Dar es Salaam on a Scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.
Dr. Jennifer Riria has served in many leadership roles for which she has been recognized locally and internationally. In 2013 she was awarded the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the year, East Africa 2013, and subsequently, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014, at which point she was admitted to EY’s Global Hall of Fame.
In the world of Entrepreneurship and Social Impact, she is a real inspiration. She not only steered her own personal path through adversity at a young age, but she went on to tackle a major socio-economic challenge in her native Kenya, as a result empowering hundreds of thousands of women in the process. She is positive proof of the power of an individual to make a difference in the world and transform the lives of others.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Dr. Jennifer: Feel your pain but do not build a shrine for it . Pick up, learn your lessons and push forward.
Cherae Robinson
Cheraé is the founder and CEO of Tastemakers Africa. She had the vision to create an agency that showcased the rich culture and beauty of Africa.
After travelling to nearly 30 countries, Cheraé realized one of her biggest dreams when she took 80 young professionals to Africa and founded the Afropolitans – a collection of professionals interested in creating a stronger narrative on Africa through commerce, connections, and creativity.
With a solid background in communications, media, marketing and fundraising in a global setting, she created Rare Customs and the Tastemakers Africa app to connect the world to the essence of Africa.
Founder & CEO, Rare Customs and Tastemakers Africa, Cheraé is now putting Africa on the world’s tourism map. In her words, Africa is more than a place to volunteer or be in the Lion King.
Offering unique tours created and hosted by artists, creators and makers in Africa has put her company on a unique and original path.
Cheraé has given the world a taste of how unique and rich the African continent is, dismantling the negative stereotypes that western media has portrayed the continent in the past.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Cheraé: pick a destination and travel. Explore new possibilities. Pause and smell your roses.
Dara Treseder
Dara Treseder is an Iconic black American, the Chief marketing officer at Carbon, a leading Silicon Valley based digital manufacturing company. Previously, she was CMO of GE ventures but before joining GE Dara led marketing and growth efforts at Apple and Goldman.
As an expert in marketing and technology Dara has been noted for her knowledge and achievements which includes; B2B marketer of the year by the Drum in 2018. Forbes named Dara in it's inaugural "CMO Next'' list which identified 50 individuals redefining the CMO's role and shaping the future of marketing. In 2018, Dara was named by Adage as one of 2018 women to watch. In 2019, she was one of the "30 inspirational women to watch" in tech.
Dara is a champion of public health and women's issues, she serves on the board of directors of the public health Institute and also serves on the North American board of the mobile marketing association.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Dara: Be content with where you are and seek ways to expand and elevate.
Amanda Pittman
Amanda is the founder of "a confident woman co" a ministry that equips women to stand confidently upon the finished work of Jesus. She's also an author.
Amanda has successfully combined motherhood, business, academics and a strong pursuit of the things of the Lord. Her three books " love your first year of marriage, reflecting God's beauty and Change" have sold thousands of copies and encouraged many in their marital lives.
Through her coaching program Launch Confident, Amanda and her husband help online business owners gain strategy and systems they need to confidently and profitably launch their products.
Amanda Pittman is a business coach and a spiritual shepherd who teaches us to make money and at the same time make peace with Jesus.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Amanda: Show confidence today, belief in your abilities. Write that speech, that pitch, that application. Do it now!
Ruth Yimika Afolabi
Ruth Yimika Afolabi is the Founder and Editor of a women's faith, lifestyle and community platform called Magnify.
In her first year at Durham, Ruth experienced several hassles especially when she suffered losses in her family, hassles that wrestled villainously against her faith in Christ causing her to go astray. She launched "magnify" a faith magazine and community that is fundamentally aimed at helping people explore the Christian faith in an engaged, unpressurized and creative way. "magnify gives people the platform to bring their weaknesses, fears and strengths to the table without shame or, fear, a chance to build their faith in a wicked world without embarrassment or destructive criticism.
Ruth has been featured on BBC, Huffington Post, Marie Claire and The Mail.
She is currently serving as the youngest ever board member of the Evangelical Alliance. Along with her husband Ayo Afolabi, she is also the author of their first book titled More Direction which was published in July, 2018.
Faith is the anchor of our soul in a wicked world and Ruth through her platform helps us find it when it seems like all is lost.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Ruth: Keep trusting and believing in God. All things are working together for your good.
Alcyone Cici Gunn
Alcyone Cici Gunn was an Entrepreneur, online course expert, brand and media strategist and founder Six Figure Chick. In 2013 while she worked her regular job, she received a cancer diagnosis that made her unable to carry on with life as she’s known it all these years.
With her consistency in showing up on Instagram, she built a community in no time and her business grew exponentially, conveniently replacing her regular job. This sparked the curiosity of her clients and therein, The Six Figure Chick was birthed.
Cici , popularly known as "The Six Figure Chick" is a prime example of how you can take lemons and make a superb cocktail from it. She expanded her focus from being a business owner to becoming an Online Media Strategist and Instagram Branding Expert who taught entrepreneurs how to create content, charge their worth and use their influence to build wealth.
Backed with the purpose to help anyone who thinks they can't succeed see an example of what's possible, Cici began to create courses that sold freedom and empowerment to thousands of black women across the globe at an affordable price. Her love for books and studying has been the biggest influence in staying true to her entrepreneurial journey.
Her expertise has been a catalyst in the black community, seeing black people kick down the door on self limiting beliefs and leave a legacy. Cici was indeed an unforgettable Icon. She lost the battle to cancer in 2020 but remains an undefeated champion whose legacy is profound even till this day.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Cici: Be fearless! Do it anyway, make the most out of what you have right now. Above all strive to live an impactful life.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi Harris is an American Politician and Attorney serving as the 49th Vice President of the United States.
She is the First Female Vice President of the United States, the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history.
A member of the Democratic Party, she served as a United States Senator from California from 2017 to 2021, and as the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017.
She graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
As a senator, she advocated for healthcare reform, federal de-scheduling of cannabis, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the DREAM Act, a ban on assault weapons, and progressive tax reform.
She was elected District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. In that role, Vice President Harris created a ground-breaking program to provide first-time drug offenders with the opportunity to earn a high school degree and find employment. The program was designated as a national model of innovation for law enforcement by the United States Department of Justice.
In 2010, Vice President Harris was elected California’s Attorney General and oversaw the largest state justice department in the United States. She established the state’s first Bureau of Children’s Justice and instituted several first-of-their-kind reforms that ensured greater transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like VP Harris: You cannot build a house in a day, you cannot build success in a day but daily you must feed your passion and stay on the right track. When a prepared person meets and opportunity, magic happens. Be prepared!
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an Economist, International Development and Global Finance Expert.
She sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the African Risk Capacity (ARC). She is currently the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and also the first woman and the first African to hold the office.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008-2009 food crisis and later during the financial crisis. In 2010, she was Chair of the World Bank’s successful drive to raise $49.3 billion in grants and low interest credit for the poorest countries in the world.
Dr. Ngozi served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, from 2003-2006, 2011-2015, and briefly Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions. She spent a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the No. 2 position of Managing Director, Operations.
She is renowned as the first female and black candidate to contest for the presidency of the World Bank Group in 2012.
She led the reform that enhanced transparency of government accounts and strengthened institutions against corruption, including the implementation of the GIFMS (Government Integrated Financial Management System), the IPPMS (Integrated Personnel and Payroll Management System), and the TSA (Treasury Single Accounts).
Dr Okonjo-Iweala has written numerous articles and several books, she has so many accolades to her name.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Ngozi: There is no manual for success and there is not definite path. Find what is true to you and break records.
Tara Fela-Durotoye
Tara Fela Durotoye is a renowned Nigerian Beauty Entrepreneur and Lawyer. She is a pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria and was the first to launch a bridal directory, set up an international standard makeup studio and establish the first makeup school in Nigeria that has birthed so many great names in the Nigerian makeup and beauty industry today.
For every woman who has a passion for beauty and makeup, attending the House of tara makeup School was always a dream come through. The values, strategies and innovative ideas she has birthed over the years in the Nigerian Beauty Industry has seen her set the pace and clear the path for others to thrive in this profession.
A role model to thousands of women across Africa, her name, her brand and her legacy is synonymous to originality and excellence.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Tara: Be innovative even if it scares you.
Diana Opoti
She is a phenomenal leader in the Fashion industry with a focus on PR and Consultancy for Fashion firms. She launched Kenya’s first fashion consultancy and PR firm after she delved into the fashion world after she began her work on Designing Africa, a TV show that documented the new generation of emerging designers across the African content.
She is the prototype for Fashion Consultancy and PR in Africa.
Through initiatives like the #YoungDesignersKenya, she has helped put a large number of African designers on the global map. The BoF (Business of Fashion) consider her an important stakeholder in the African Fashion Industry as she has connected new faces to the veterans in the creative and technical spheres of the industry.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Diana:
Ukonwa Ojo
Ukonwa is the Global Chief Marketing Officer, Prime Video and Amazon Studios.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina and also an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
She also served as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President for M.A.C Cosmetics. She has also served as Global CMO and General Manager for high end brands with Iconic Portfolios including COVERGIRL, Clairol, Sally Hansen, Rimmel, and Lifestyle Scenting/Fragrances.
Over the course of her career, she has been recognized with over 50 awards and honors for driving outstanding market leading results, delivering creative campaigns and innovations that always motivate people to act.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Ukonwa: Strive for excellence.
Nomzamo Mbatha
Nomzamo Nonzwakazi Mbatha is a South African Actress, Television Personality, Businesswoman and Human Rights Activist.
A graduate of Commerce/Accounting from the University of Cape Town, Nomzamo forged a new path for herself when she auditioned for a Television show in July 2012. It was the beginning of major wins in her life.
Her passion, commitment and hard work has given roles in Award Winning Movies, as well as positioned her to host the reality show, Holiday Swap on SABC. This year, she made an appearance in the long anticipated film, Coming 2 America as Mirembe.
She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency and recently, she has played an active role in raising funds and creating awareness to protect forcibly displaced families against the spread of the corona virus in refugee camps.
Founder of The Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation, she continues to shine her light in her home country and abroad.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Nomzamo: Try again! If you fail, dust yourself up and try again.
Stephanie Busari
Stephanie Busari is a distinguished Journalist at CNN. A graduate of French and Public Media from the Trinity and All Saints College in Leeds, and with an Advanced Diploma from the University of Rennes, she leads CNN's Nigeria bureau where she spearheaded the establishment of CNN's first digital and multiplatform bureau.
In April 2016, Stephanie exclusively secured the video that showed that the missing Chibok schoolgirls were still alive. Her act of courage to secure this proof of life video pushed the government to action and initiated negotiations with the abductors that eventually led to the release of more than 100 of the abducted Chibok school girls. She also played an important role during the #EndSars protest which rocked Nigeria in October 2020, where she used her position and voice to amplify the voices of the youth.
As the Supervising Editor for CNN Africa, and a journalist with 20 years of experience in global newsrooms, Stephanie’s commitment to research and finding new ways to lead news coverage in the African continent has impacted the African and global audience in great ways.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Stephanie: Do it afraid! Show courage and stand by the truth at all times.
Emahoy Tsequé-Maryam Guèbrou
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou is an Ethiopian Nun widely known for her piano playing and compositions.
Born to a wealthy and privileged family, at the age of six she was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland where she first encountered western classical music. She took piano and violin lessons and turned out to be a special talent.
Her life was brutally disrupted during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War when three members of her family were killed. She and the rest of her family were prisoners of war and were sent by the Italians to a prison camp in Itay.
After the war, Guèbrou unfazed in her determination to become a musician found her way to Cairo to study under the Polish violinist, Alexander Kontorowicz. Her first record was released in 1967.
She was the first woman to work for the Ethiopian civil service, the first to sing in an Ethiopian Orthodox church, the first to work as a translator for the Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem. She is fluent in seven languages.
Her foundation, The Emahoy Tsege Mariam Music Foundation was set up to help children in need both in Africa and in Washington, D.C. Metro Area to study music.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Emahoy: Rise above pain. Chanel your pain into something positive. Turn your adversity to advantage.
Edith Yah Brou
Edith Yah Brou is an Ivorian writer and activist. She is the co-founder of the volunteer organization Akendewa and the online women's magazine Ayana.
Born in Cocody, a suburb of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, she graduated with a degree in Economics and Management from the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Cocody.
She is popularly known for her work as a Digital Writer, Activist, and Community Manager.
She originated the "Mousser Contre Ebola" ("Lather Against Ebola") Campaign in August 2014. Inspired by the Ice Bucket Challenge, it aimed to raise awareness of the Ebola epidemic. She also organized information-sharing during the June 2014 flooding in her country, helping relay day-to-day updates on risk areas and flooded roads.
In 2015 she was named one of the 50 most influential personalities in Ivory Coast by Jeune Afrique. In 2020, she was named one of the 100 most influential women in Africa by the firm Avance Media.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Edith: Be a change agent. Learn to serve
Aster Angagaw
Aster Angagaw served as Senior Vice President of Market Development for Sodexo’s Corporate Services and Leisure Market segments.
She has an Executive MBA from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University. With a strong background in transformational growth and extensive experience leading diverse global teams,
She also served as President, Service Master Brands until its acquisition in October 2020. In February 2021, she was elected to Owens and Minor Board of Directors with a commitment to offer business excellence and serve customers exceptionally well.
She oversees the development and implementation of an innovative human capital optimization platform that addresses workplace strategies to improve recruitment, engagement, productivity and retention for Sodexo’s corporate clients.
She has served on the Boards of Meals on Wheels of Delaware and the Temple University Fox School of Business Corporate Advisory Board.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Aster:
Maryam Apaokagi
Apaokagi Adedoyin Maryam popularly known as Taaooma is a Nigerian comedian, content creator, cinematographer, and social media influencer. She is best known for acting multiple roles in her comedy skits.
A graduate of Tourism and Travel Service Management from Kwara State University.
She first gained attention in 2016 and rose to stardom in 2019 with a hilarious skit titled ‘When your mum drives you to school’.
Her comedy skits are centered on her experiences growing up in an African home and being trained by an African Mother.
n an industry that women rarely venture into, it is refreshing to see a young woman who is making giant strides in it, unashamed of the value she brings and the impact she makes. Consistency and focus has brought Taaoma a long way.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Taaoma: You have oil in you. Don’t go through life without sharing your gift with the world.
Carol Bouwer
Carol is a successful South African business woman and a television presenter who is passionate about empowering women in South Africa.
Carol is a businesswoman and the owner of Carol Bouwer productions established in 1999. She has successfully opened branches in Johannesburg, Capetown and Sydney.
Her company's television series have performed exceptionally well in the market. Some of her famous productions include "Nowhere land and Hooked". In February 2018,she was appointed to be an ambassador to UNICEF.
Her media productions have opened doors for talented artists. Her production titled " no reservation" has been highlighting problems women face daily.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Carol: Hone your craft and keep being consistent.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is an attorney and Solicitor of England & Wales with extensive expertise in the financial services industry. She is also a writer, public speaker and political commentator who has been featured on several media platforms.
Dr. Shola is a political women’s rights activist who scrutinizes government policies from a gender and diversity inclusion perspective. She is the Founder of the Women in Leadership Publication, a platform that drives positive change on topical issues that impact women all around the world through personal leadership journeys that are inspiring.
She is committed to impact and promote black and minority women in the legal profession through universities and secondary schools. With She@Law Talks, she shares practical insights that center on entering into and rising in the legal profession whilst breaking down myths that pertain to women especially from her personal experiences in the profession.
How we can #Choosetochallenge like Shola: Invest in yourself. Do more research, find the next step you can take to elevate your career
Elsa Majimbo
Elsa Majimbo is a Kenyan comedian from Nairobi. A student of Journalism from Strathmore University in Nairobi, her satirical monologues have been a source of joy, laughter and great relief since the Covid-19 pandemic started till this moment.
She gained recognition during the Covid-19 quarantine period by making funny homebased quarantine videos. By the end 2020, she had gotten endorsements from both Fenty and MAC and as of February 20, 2021, she bagged herself yet another achievement by partnering with luxury brand Valentino.
Her satirical monologues usually feature her crunching potato crisps, leaning back to a pillow and using a pair of tiny 1990s sunglasses as a prop. Elsa’s mocking humour on life, money and fame has won her a huge audience who cannot get enough of her originality and simple comedic style.
She won the People's Choice Award for Favorite African Social Star in 2020.
As rough as 2020 was, Elsa through her skits helped many laugh through it. She is not just spreading laughter, she is also using her platform to amplify the voices of other youths in Africa. Though not physically present, she was actively involved in the #EndSars Protest in Nigeria in 2020, she used her platform to help draw attention.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Elsa: Find your silver lining. Find positivity, purpose and opportunity in every situation.
Dr. Geneive Brown Metzger
Dr Geneive Brown Metzger is a former senior diplomat representing Jamaica as Consul General in New York. She has a B.A in Political Science from City University of New York as well as a Masters from Columbia University.
Through her creation of the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) , she has attracted lots of investments into the Caribbean region. She is also custodian of the Caribbean brand that aims to broaden the perception of the Caribbean as not only a tourism destination, but also a great place to live, work, and invest.
Dr. Geneive’s commitment to the maritime industry is a viable way to help the region lift people out of poverty. Her creation, the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) is the only fund-raising entity in the US, Caribbean that is exclusively dedicated to Caribbean maritime education. She is also working to improve the economic circumstances of Caribbean nationals.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Geneive: Seek to help without hurting or burning yourself out.
Camille Wardrop Alleyne
Camille Wardrop Alleyne is an American Aerospace Engineer, Space Scientist, Internationally Acclaimed Speaker, Writer, Educational Leader and Science Ambassador.
In the highly technical fields of science and engineering where women are in the minority, she is one of the most-recognized women in Aerospace Engineering and one of the few women of color to serve in Senior Technical Management Positions at the National Aeronautics and Space AdminIstration (NASA). She is the Associate Program Scientist for the International Space Station at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
She studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an aerospace option.
When her hopes of working for NASA were delayed after she finished her undergraduate study, Alleyne decided to pursue a Masters from Florida A&M University in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in composite materials.
Dr. Alleyne’s accomplishments in the field of space exploration have been extraordinary. She has received numerous awards and commendations from national and international organizations including being awarded Outstanding Woman in Aerospace by the National Society of Black Engineers and Distinguished Alumni award from FAMU/FSU College of Engineering.
In 2011, the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) in Trinidad and Tobago named her as one of the Caribbean’s icons in Science and Technology.
She is the founder of The Brightest Stars Foundation, a non-governmental organization that is dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring young women to be future leaders through the study of science, math and technology.
How we can ChoosetoChallenge like Camille: Delay is not denial. Do not be deterred. Focus on your goals.
Naseema McElroy
Naseema is a Nurse and Financial expert who helps nurse professionals and other persons get off debt and financial struggle.
Naseema overcame her financial ignorance and went on to pay a debt of just under $1 million in two years and since then, she has set out to help many more women in her shoes do the same.
Financial stability has been a running problem in most communities, and in a bid to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck life, people often make mistakes and unrealistic projections. However, Naseema makes use of simple yet realistic strategies to help everyone obtain financial freedom
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Naseema: By taking hold of our finances, and accepting that earning millions is not a one-way ticket to financial independence.
Selassie Atadika
Selassie is a celebrated chef and culinary artist who uses food to bring people together and effect change.
Selassie initially studied Geography at Columbia University in NYC and then spent a decade working for the United Nations in International Development. She has travelled the world but had the courage to settle in and pursue her passion.
In pursuit of her passion, Selassie founded Trio Toque, Dakar's first mobile restaurant which she followed up with Midunu in Accra which means "Let Us Eat". Her brand of chocolate showcases Africa, with shapes, colors and other African cultural markings.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Selassie: Success can be found in areas you do not expect. Reassess your skill and see which of them can take you to the next level
Nia Dacosta
Nia Dacosta is a Screenwriter and Director based in New York city. Her first film, Little Woods was successful and it won the Nora Ephron award for spirited and bold story telling.. Her second film, also a phenomenal success, was released on June 12, 2020. She is known for her creativity and professional excellence.
She is one the Directors for the upcoming Captain Marvel in 2022 making her the first black woman and the youngest filmmaker to direct a Marvel film.
In furtherance of her chosen career, Nia earned a master degree in Playwriting from Tisch school at New York University.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Nia: Fight for what you believe in.
Rayy Syymone
She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Mentor and Residential Advisor to troubled teens and adults at a continuation school in Los Angeles.
Rayy was diagnosed with spinal complications, a medical condition that kept her in hospital till she was ten.
As a teenager, she was abused by someone very close to her and as an adult she suffered obesity related illnesses. Not only has she lost weight through disciplined diet and exercise, she's today helping others out of the darkness she once survived.
Her life from birth till date is a huge inspiration to everyone battling weight - induced depression.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Rayy: Refuse to be defined by a label.
Fatoumata BA
Fatoumata is a Senegalese Tech Entrepreneur and VC Investor. She is currently the Founder & Executive Chair of Janngo and Managing Partner of Janngo Capital.
Fatoumata Ba worked at Jumia where she served as Founder & CEO for Ivory Coast, Managing Director in Nigeria and Member of the Executive Committee at Group level
She is passionate about development through technology in Africa.
She serves on the Board of SouthBridge Investment Bank, on the Board & Investment Committee of Creadev Africa, on the Council of Women in Africa and on the Global Future Council on the New Economic Agenda of the World Economic Forum.
Her career and commitment have been rewarded with several distinctions.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Fatoumata: Believe in yourself. Believe that you have the ability to go after your dreams.
Kailei Carr
Kailei Carr is the CEO of The Asbury Group, a transformational leadership firm that focuses on developing leaders from the inside out. Her unique approach to leadership presence concentrates on an individual's strong suit which has helped high potential leaders around the globe make notable progress.
Kailei has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BA from Emory University.
Before she founded The Asbury Group, Kailei spent 15 years in corporate America, building up skills that will help her thrive as an entrepreneur.
Kailei hosts Beyond the Business Suit podcast for women with a strong desire to improve their lives. She shares gems she has accrued in her life’s journey to give insight on what can pose as obstacles for ambitious women in today’s world and also provide ways to navigate them.
Kailei’s vast experience gives her a voice that is sought after at numerous events and conferences. A world class entrepreneur and some more, she is the champion who helps other women find their business strengths and defeat their weaknesses.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Kailei: Lift someone today. We rise by lifting others.
Elayna Fernandez
Known for her bestselling books, life-transforming training programs, and highly-acclaimed blog ThePositiveMOM.com, Elayna Fernández is a Latina Storyteller, award-winning Story Strategist.
She is also a certified coach, teacher, and master trainer, who empowers moms worldwide with the mindset to transform pain into peace, power, and positive growth so they can experience happiness, hope, and healing in motherhood and have marketing mastery to succeed in digital entrepreneurship.
Marked by extreme poverty, a dysfunctional childhood filled with abuse, an unspeakable tragedy in her teenage years and several near death experiences, she chose to focus on the miracles she had witnessed overtime which changed her perspective on life.
Today, Elayna continues to write, to teach, and monetize her wealth of experience. Her guidance encourages, empowers, and equips millions of Moms in 134 countries to release their old story, design a new life story, craft and tell their story in a masterful and profitable way so they can increase their influence, impact, and income.
She has been featured on global media platforms and travels the world as an International Inspirational Keynote Speaker and Corporate Trainer for women.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Elayna : Rewrite your story. Do not build a shrine for your pain.
Carice Anderson
Carice Anderson is a seasoned professional with a passion to help professionals show up as their authentic selves and discover their purpose as they steer through complex corporate environments. She committed to , empowering and helping people identify and operate in their strengths.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is the author of Intelligence Is Not Enough and she has coached several cohorts of young leaders on career pathways, performance, vision and branding.
Her journey in working for some of the biggest brands in the world like McKinsey and Company, Deloitte Consulting and Aon-Hewitt saw her struggle with imposter syndrome and self doubt. Not seeing people who look like her in several leadership positions had her question her relevance and if she could make it to such heights. Nevertheless, she overcame these limiting beliefs and now helps others on this journey overcome their doubts and avoid the pitfalls she fell into.
Carice is the Founder of Adore Hair Beauty, a one stop shop that caters to the natural hair care needs of Black Women and Girls. Her company goes a step further to help black women understand, embrace and maximize their natural hair whilst creating their own standard of beauty irrespective of societal stereotypes.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Carice: Make an affirmation out of your limiting beliefs and overturn them.
Dominique Brielle Fluker
Dominique is a Digital Marketing Professional, Content Strategist and Interior Stylist.
Currently, Dominique is the Content Marketing manager and Lead Editor at Glassdoor. She works as the voice behind their Business to Consumer Blog where she boosts employee stories in the Diversity and Inclusion space. She is also a senior contributor for Forbes Women.
Her lifestyle blog Werque Dominique offers professional women a guide to curate affordable luxury in their wardrobes and spaces. Her platform has opened doors of opportunities for her to work with prominent publications like Essence magazine, Glamour Magazine, Forbes Women and many more. This is a testament to her originality, her essence and value.
Also a Professional Interior Stylist, Dominique’s company DBF Interiors has been featured by Apartment Therapy, Martha Stewart and many more for her extraordinary approach to creating well thought-out contemporary design solutions for small and challenging spaces.
Dominique’s work centers on cultivating an original and effective connection with a diverse range of consumer groups and major-league brands. She has done this effectively and efficiently over the years.
How we can #ChoosetoChallenge like Dominique : You can be very good at more than one thing, believe in yourself more and embrace your super powers.