In 2021, Black women are leading and making a difference like never before. And they are doing so unapologetically! Who says you can’t be graceful and fierce all at the same time? Whether they are commanding attention in government, media, education, or just blazing a trail, Black women are now more than ever using their voices to make impact and be noticeable on all fronts.
In 2020, we had some women who showed up in the spirit of excellence and created a difference in the lives of those in their community and in the world as a whole. Meet nine of them who did:
Her job as a former SVP of a global media brand was eliminated, and then she contracted COVID. “I survived both. Really survived. I launched my consulting firm, got my diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell, reconnected with God, and did multiple keynote speeches. I’ve never been more successful!”
“The most important title I carry is Daughter of God. Understanding my identity has shifted every interaction I have including my family, my friends and most certainly my business. I am the founder of Pope Productions Inc., a digital media agency whose mission is twofold: to make your story sparkle and to equip the next generation of Black and brown journalists to lead in front and behind the camera in newsrooms across the world. Specializing in digital media allowed me to pivot in the pandemic by creating profitable partnerships and providing fruitful solutions for my client base and audience. As I have shifted my priorities to make sure God is first, family is second, my business has aligned and increased in revenue. My greatest business success this year has been meeting the needs of others!”
This nationally acclaimed multi best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, executive producer, transformational speaker, and success coach is a global leader who has successfully ushered 435 individuals into entrepreneurships. She is the CEO and founder of Williamson Media Group L.L.C. and Cheryl Polote-Williamson L.L.C., where her knowledge, expertise, and resources connect others to their purpose.
Becky A. Davis
She is the president and CEO of MVPwork L.L.C., a coaching and consulting firm. She is the founder of the Bosspreneur® Business Circle, a membership community for Black women entrepreneurs who are online educators (coaches, consultants, course creators, service providers) who want to generate five figures a month in revenue with a digital business, so they can have greater impact in their family and community. And she is also the founder of isupportHER Inc. a nonprofit that provides grant funding and business resources to underrepresented and underserved Black women entrepreneurs.
Bershan Shaw
She wasn’t born a warrior, she became one. After being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, she became a warrior in her mind to beat the ugly disease. Dealing with years of treatment birthed her multimillion-dollar business, Warrior Training International, which she uses to coach CEOs, leaders, executive teams, and management teams on diversity & inclusion training, emotional intelligence training, and more to help companies and individuals change their mindset, help strategize the blind spots, and focus on getting what they want: success.
Chelsea Whittington
After more than 25 years working in the field of public relations for brands like Ebony Magazine, U.S. Cellular, and the Chicago Urban League, she realized her dream of full-time entrepreneurship in the spring of 2019. C WHITT PR provides a variety of services including media relations, social media content development, and email marketing. As a communications professor for more than 20 years, she recently launched the teaching arm of her firm, known as C WHITT University, where her clients and the community can take advantage of courses designed to help build their brand awareness.
Dr. Tanya L. Harris
She is known throughout the country for her selfless approach to serving others according to the mission laid upon her heart by God, along with her husband, Tim Harris, pastor of Turning Point Family Worship Center. Turning Point now has 23 acres of land nestled in the heart of the far east-side of Indianapolis’ community. Some of the ministries that flow through are The Community of Scholars, TP Kiddie Academy, and TP Schools (1-8th grades), which greatly impact the community. “Christ and Education are the best combination! We are watching this principle change lives!”
Pasha started her career in direct sales at the age of 23. Today, she is an industry legend and one of America’s most famous and most influential direct sales leaders, ranked in the “Top 15 Female Networkers In The World” out of over 14 million women worldwide. She was voted Business Coach Of The Year. When Dr. Dennis Kimbro and The Napoleon Hill Foundation interviewed 100 of America’s wealthiest African Americans for the New York Times bestseller The Wealth Choice, she was interviewed alongside Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, TD Jakes, and other influential leaders. As a former owner of a TV network, she created a platform for entrepreneurs to have their own TV shows to expand their brands and gain even more credibility. She is currently on the Expert Panel of Forbes magazine, where she writes articles and lends her business advice to CEOs, entrepreneurs, and influencers around the world.
Brittney McKinnon
She is a serial startup entrepreneur, who has made her footprint in the online and digital marketing space by helping established entrepreneurs and brands with revolutionizing branding techniques. As the CEO of B. Carter Solutions, a creatively driven, full-service marketing agency that helps brands scale through clarifying their message + storytelling, her innovative processes lie at the intersection between creativity, community, and culture. As Maryland’s Most Admired CEO & Huffington Post’s Top 30 Under 30, she lives by the motto: “work smarter, not harder” as she constantly focuses on creative ways to build and sustain memorable brands.