22 Women Business Owners You Should Follow For Black Women's History Month

Black Women Business Owners You Should Follow

Celebrate Black Women’s History Month with the following 22 Black women business owners and discover the Black women who have influenced them most in American history.

Janice Robinson-Celeste

When Janice Robinson-Celeste started Successful Black Parenting magazine, her intention wasn’t to change the world but to bring representation to the Black family.

Little did she realize that the information between the pages of her magazine and currently on the magazine’s website have the potential to not only raise successful Black children, as the namesake suggests but to improve the position of Black families internationally.

Successful Black Parenting was initially started so that Black children could see themselves represented on the covers of parenting magazines. You can’t be what you can’t see was the catalyst for the birth of the publication.

The information shared, helps Black families develop economically, physically, emotionally and as a community. Janice soon realized the impact of the magazine as she evolved into an advocate and activist for parents that contacted her with problems they encountered at their child’s school.

Not only could she write about their problems to bring attention to them but her official publication could use its clout to make breakthroughs that most could not.

Janice won’t accept that she is a hero to many. She says that she is like everyone else and everyone else must help anyone else who needs attention, who is the underdog, or who needs help.

Recently, Janice started Ethnic Animations which are cartoons to teach children of color life skills and to provide emotional support as they grow with original stories and some familiar ones too.

Coretta Scott King, Wife of late Dr. Martin Luther King signals for victory over racial prejudice at conclusion of her address to Woman Power in Action for Peace Conference at Wisconsin University, Milwaukee Nov. 22, 1969. She said women should be involved in the fight against poverty, racism and war. (AP Photo)

Janice says, “My favorite Black woman in history is Coretta Scott-King. She inspires me because she was the glue that kept her family together. Mrs. Scott-King was a pillar of strength, even after her husband was assassinated and while so many people close to her were being assassinated, she continued on with building her husband’s legacy. She knew that the struggle for freedom is a necessary continuum.”

Mrs. Scott-King said, “Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.” We can’t rest. Freedom isn’t free. We have so much more work to do.

Lexi Montgomery

I am a neuromarketer at The Darling Company. We specialize in subliminal marketing & consumer seduction.

Backstory – I was an actress in Hollywood and loved working behind the scenes on huge marketing campaigns for companies like McDonalds & eBay. I despised being treated like a piece of meat. So I merged what I learned there with my hubby’s digital marketing expertise (he was a programmer for Boeing) and built Darling.

At one of the first events I attended with a client, I was told I should be an escort rather than work in tech (rare to be a black woman in STEM), and have been told many times I’m in the wrong industry based on how I look – but the work keeps finding us.

You could say I’ve sought payback (for degrading & underestimating me) through success. I am proving to myself that I have so much more to offer this world.

My favorite Black woman in history is Josephine Baker. She used her imagination to create an entertainment “experience” that transformed her audience’s hearts & minds.

Not particularly good at singing or dancing, she made a name for herself, by integrating authenticity and her personal values in her art. She rose up from a futile and destitute position in life to become one of the sexiest and most iconic women in history.

Lakiesha Russell

My name is Lakiesha Russell and I’m a licensed therapist in the state of Wisconsin but I’m also a speaker, podcast host, and mompreneur.

I own and operate a private practice, The Evolving Chair Counseling and Consulting Agency in Milwaukee, WI which focuses on supporting children and women who’ve experienced trauma, depression, anxiety and children and women issues. I’ve been an entrepreneur going on 2 years this May 2019 and love every moment of it!

My favorite woman in history is Mahisha Dellinger author and founder of CURLS natural hair care line. She embodies the business savvy I admire, juggling being a mom and business owner who does it so gracefully encourages me to continue moving forward with my plan for my business and being able to still be a great mom to my children.

She also gives back to other brown and black girls/women to help them start, grow their business. She truly embodies Black Girl Magic because she doesn’t just care about herself but she cares about her community and culture.

Melissa Green, Psy.D.

I am Dr. Melissa Green and I’m a licensed clinical psychologist and forensic evaluator. I recently opened my private practice, Resilience and Psychological Fitness Center, LLC in my hometown of Cartersville, GA and I have been amazed with the overwhelming response and support of my community!

I am a trauma specialist, focusing on veterans who have experienced combat trauma or military stressors, people who have experienced race and ethnic-based trauma and people who experience ongoing traumatic stress as a result of being a caregiver.

I believe that my clients’ cultural backdrop can be a key piece of the puzzle to help to better understand what may be getting in the way of them moving forward, so I incorporate those elements into my treatment when relevant.

I realize that most of the things that we do in our lives are done to relieve some type of discomfort or suffering, and as a result, we’re constantly seeking ways to bring more joy into our lives.

Sometimes the methods that we’ve used in the past are ineffective. In my work as a therapist and consultant, I help people learn to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives by improving their psychological fitness so that they can be more resilient when facing life’s challenges!

My favorite Black woman in history is Harriet Tubman because I admire her bravery and ingenuity in her efforts to free enslaved people. Thinking of her courageousness and the sacrifices that she made inspires me to persevere when I am faced with challenges.

Nicole Roberts Jones

I am the CEO of Fierce Factor Lab a premier training and talent development company dedicated to helping you align your purpose with your paycheck.

This is done via both programming for entrepreneurs and corporations. Fierce Factor Lab works with entrepreneurs to build programming that generates multiple revenue streams and greater bandwidth to serve their clients and to help them take their brilliance to the bank.

Our corporate programs seek to develop high-performing employees who excel at work because they learn to operate in their genius. To help them create greater momentum in their work and in so doing increasing performance and productivity for the company.

My favorite Black woman in history is Madame C.J. Walker because as an entrepreneur I stand on her shoulders as a Black woman as she paved the way for me and countless others to come behind her as women business owners of color.

Madam C.J. Walker was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire and in addition to her amazing journey of building a business at a time when Black people were being lynched, Madam Walker helped others as a job creator and philanthropist.

For example in July 1917, when a white mob murdered more than three dozen blacks in East St. Louis, Illinois, Madam C.J. Walker joined a group of Harlem leaders who visited the White House to present a petition advocating federal anti-lynching legislation.

By the time she died she had established herself as a pioneer of the modern Black hair-care and cosmetics industry; and set a standard in the African-American community for corporate and philanthropic giving.

Anika Goodwin, MD, FACS

My name is Dr. Anika Goodwin. I am a board-certified ophthalmologist and co-founder and CEO of a revolutionary company called EYEmergencyMD that will change how people with acute and chronic eye issues receive care.

I am in the 2% of women physicians of color and 1% of Black female CEOs. I am a bit of a unicorn and, trust me, I won’t stop here.

EYEmergencyMD’s mission is to bridge the gap between eye physicians and patients who require acute eye care and screening. An acute care solution for eye issues does not currently exist, and the small number of trained eye physicians makes the need even more pronounced.

Patients are relegated to busy emergency rooms or urgent cares which often lack ready access to eye specialists. In exchange for inefficient, less specialized care, patients pay exorbitant costs for visits that typically don’t resolve the problem and require additional follow up with an eye physician during normal business hours.

What’s EYEmergencyMD’s solution? First, we’re creating eye screening centers in places people frequent, eliminating the common excuses that eye care is not easy to find or a priority.

When patients present with complex eye issues, we help them find and access the care they need. Second, we offer immediate care from board-certified ophthalmologists, 24/7/365, from the palm of your hand, anywhere you can access a network connection.

Life with an acute eye problem just got a lot easier in all 50 states because vision matters.

My historical woman crush would have to be Alexa Canady. She was featured in a book gifted to me when I graduated from high school called, I Dream A World.

My oldest daughter has her name. She was the first African American female neurosurgeon in the United States. Because of her, I knew I could. And I never stopped believing.

Ola Swarn

My name is Olaniyi “Ola” Swarn and I am an interior stylist and the writer of the blog, J’adore le Decor. J’adore le Decor is an interior lifestyle blog dedicated to everything global, bohemian chic.

My blog is written for people who love a blend of globally-inspired, eclectic spaces, and who want their home interiors to better reflect the lives they live.

Recently I reached a major milestone when my blog was featured in the popular online magazine Design Sponge. I’ve been blogging about unique home decor items for nearly three years, but I’ve been a passionate interior decorator for the past 10 years.

Image by Amber Robinson | Raleigh Wedding Photographer

There is one woman of color in particular who stands out to me as an inspiration to others. Her name is Niki McNeill (Associate IIDA) and she is the lead interior designer of her own firm.

After being let go from her employer, Niki dug deep and started a business of her own. She’s doing an outstanding job and has the respect and support of many big names in the industry. She was even featured in a recent issue of Southern Living.

Niki has overcome serious obstacles, professional, personal and even health-wise – even temporarily losing her eyesight – completely unaware at the time that she had Multiple Sclerosis.

Through it all, she persevered. But the thing that makes me admire this woman the most is her humility. This is not a quality that is often highlighted when speaking about successful people – let alone successful African American women. But it should be.

Niki shows that you can be wildly successful, have perseverance, be a leader and still be humble and approachable. I love that about her.
This year, Niki will be one of 10 featured designers at the High Point Market Design Bloggers Tour (HPMKT). HPMKT is “fashion week” for interior designers.

Dione Davis, PhD

In 2015, my daughter was burdened with a severe case of eczema. All of the creams and medications caused additional breakouts that would bleach her skin. And the creams were $80 per tube after insurance!

I had to find a solution for her because the breakouts were really noticeable on her face and she was very self-conscious. I started doing research and tried making an all-natural cream which would be safe and not cause adverse reactions. After some trial and error, I created a special blend cream that was effective and it cleared up her eczema after a few days. I was so excited!

I contemplated other skin care solutions for sensitive skin since everyone in our household were extremely sensitive to many products on the market. Within a few weeks, I decided to start Seaux Shea Bath & Body which provides handcrafted products specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

Seaux Shea now offers a wide variety of products for facial care, body care, hair care, men’s line, foot care, and treatment/medicinal products.

Madame C.J. Walker has been a huge influence on my life as a small business owner providing personal care products. Like me, she was from Louisiana and started her business because of a personal need/condition, a scalp ailment that caused her to lose her hair.

Her courage and journey inspire me to be courageous and steadfast as an entrepreneur as I continue to promote my business and brand across the country.

She has paved the way for so many women of color and it is an honor to continue her legacy in providing products for all women. Her tenacity is to be admired by all women of color.

Sandra J. Evers-Manly

Sandra J. Evers-Manly grew up in Pittsburg, California and currently resides in Washington, DC. She is a sought-after speaker in the areas of diversity and inclusion, corporate responsibility, ethics and images in the media.

As a fervent philanthropist, Evers-Manly has channeled her effort and resources towards making a positive and real impact on behalf of otherwise under-recognized projects and causes.

Sandra has an especially strong commitment to working with and encouraging young people to thrive and excel – getting them excited about education, especially science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; while bringing attention to the impact of serious community issues like gang violence.

Sandra also shares an equal and enduring passion for the arts – giving opportunities to talented up-and-comers, celebrating the unsung heroes and she-roes of music and film, and keeping art appreciation alive and thriving in schools.

Ms. Evers-Manly has been nationally recognized by numerous organizations for her boundless commitment to the community, education, and work to increase diversity in front of and behind the scenes in Hollywood and beyond.

Sandra also founded S.E.M. Inspirationals and S.E.M. Publishing House under which – as a first-time author – she self-published the recently released children’s book, “ Raised Up by Mrs Manly & Her Ls ”.

In the book, Sandra has taken the story-telling she has often shared with others about how she was raised by her mother’s favorite words using the letter “L“, and turned it into a new, non-fiction book for parents, educators and others. “Raised Up by Mrs. Manly & Her Ls” recounts the daily lessons that helped shaped how she lives today.

Sandra recently uncovered the untold story of Jessie Mae Robinson, an unsung songwriter, journalist, and poet who helped break color and gender barriers by becoming one of the first African-American women admitted to the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Based on Sandra’s long-time advocacy of science, technology, engineering and science education among young children, including African American girls, Sandra also admires the achievements of the dozens of women over the last 100 years to advance the role of African American women in the areas of medicine, science, and technology.

Other women who inspire Sandra include her late sister Mildred Evers-Lyles who was an English teacher who helped struggling students. She often made them lunch every day, provided food for them to take home on the weekend and often bought and washed their clothes if needed so they weren’t bullied or lacked confidence.

Also her cousin Myrlie Evers-Williams a civil rights activist who continues the fight for justice today. The iconic Ida B. Wells and countless women who worked in the fields, church, and the community. Their names were and often never called but they were there working, watching out, marching, and praying.

Lastly, the woman who tops her list would be her mother, Mama Doris Manly, whose legacy for raising caring, compassionate and confident children is the purpose of her book.

Kisha A. Brown, Esq.

My name is Kisha A. Brown and I am the Founder & CEO of Justis Connection, an online platform promoting top legal talent of color and connecting them to communities, businesses, and corporations.

We understand how the current lawyer search process can be overwhelming at best and inconclusive at worst. Although most Americans tend to be intimidated by the legal system, people of color are even more hesitant to proactively engage the court system and more likely to be unprepared to defend legal matters.

People of color are acutely underserved by the legal system and most susceptible to systematic manipulation. People want and need a more personalized attorney-client experience that is responsive to their unique situations.

Featuring diverse lawyers of color, Justis Connection provides detailed information in user-friendly formats to enable the customer to make a better-informed choice.

Justis Connection is also committed to empowering the community through active engagement and educational events that teach people about their rights and responsibilities in the law. We believe a better-informed neighbor is better prepared and more likely to proactively engage the legal system.

My favorite Black woman in history is Queen Hatshepsut, the first female Egyptian pharaoh. Learning about her in middle school made me feel powerful and worthy.

She challenged social norms by instructing everyone to refer to her in the masculine pharaoh as opposed to the feminine reference which was queen. She fiercely and apologetically took her place ruling the kingdom.

She was one of my first examples of how Black women could be anything and are absolutely amazing!

Pache Felton and Dr. Elaine Sanders

Harlem Girls, Inc. co-founders, Pache Felton on the left and Dr. Elaine Sanders on the right.

Our names are Pache Felton and Dr. Elaine Sanders. We are the Co-Founders of Harlem Girls, Inc.

Our business is focused on empowering women and youth in becoming entrepreneurs and leaders within their communities. We have also co-authored a book called, ”Letting Go and Moving from Broken to Beautiful.”

The woman we most admire is First Lady Michelle Obama. The reason is that she was willing to make the sacrifices to become a better her as well as an excellent example of class, elegance, and grace.

She exemplified her statement when she said, “When they go low, we go high!” She continues to be an example of perseverance paying off.

Chynna Morgan

I am an African American entrepreneur and my tech company is GIF Out Loud. We partner with brands and artists to create unique engagement during live activations using the combination of GIFs and Sound/Music.

Being an African American woman in tech, we are constantly having to break down barriers and open up our own doors and that is why one of my favorite Black women in history is Shirley Chisholm.

Not only did she break down tremendous barriers by being the first African American to run for president, but she was a woman that demanded change and she did it so unapologetically.

She opened doors for other African American women to be strong and brave enough to be a catalyst for change in any industry.

Kennedy Lowery

I believe the source of a woman’s strength is within her and once tapped into she becomes the powerful being she is meant to be.

My company Live By Being seeks to inspire women to create a space within themselves where they can find calm in the chaos and reconnect with who they are.

They can do this by turning daily skincare routines into self-care rituals which makes taking care of their body intentional and sacred. My 100% Natural, Organic, & Vegan Skincare Collection is artisan-crafted in small batches in Texas and sold worldwide through a chain of like-minded boutiques & spas.

I center my speaking engagements and trade show appearances within the Black community because I believe this message is especially important for us as Black women.

Heart Disease is the number one killer of African-American women and has been linked to high stress levels. I want to inspire these women to slow down, love on themselves to keep their stress levels low, and to give them tangible items to be able to do so.

My favorite Black woman in history is Maya Angelou, because she used her life’s story and her voice to lift up the Black community and Black women in oppressive times.

Through her raw vulnerability she gave women permission to own their lives and their choices and in my opinion is a pioneer of the movement of Black women taking back their power and learning to love themselves unapologetically in a world that never taught them to.

Esha Herbert-Davis

As an event planner with over 20 years of experience (who’s been to 5 out of the 7 continents), I’ve helped professional women who don’t have the time, energy, or resources to plan their own vacations so they can travel and enjoy unique, life-changing Caribbean experiences.

The Black woman in history who most inspired me while growing up was Toni Morrison.

Being a bit of a book worm then (and still am now), I devoured all of her books during the 90s. So much that the books fell apart – pages became loose from their bindings and book covers became worn with loving usage.

I was fired up by her portrayal of the strength and resilience of Black women with all of our amazing flaws and virtues.

Her books taught me about the power of true love and the power of the Black experience (and why it’s important to the world).

Robyn-Sierra Whitmore

Robyn-Sierra Whitmore is an actress, writer, director, and producer of the film “The Cotillion.” Robyn-Sierra also portrays the character, attorney Shayanna Gaines in the film.

She founded Robyn Whitmore Studios in May 2016 after hosting seminars about the entertainment industry. Robyn-Sierra had worked on large budget films such as, ‘The Fighting Temptations’, ‘Drumline’, and ‘Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail’ while an undergraduate student at Georgia State University.

During her junior year, a screenwriting professor suggested that she take some business courses and learn the business side of the entertainment industry, and maybe even consider completing an MBA and learn how to direct and produce.

Robyn-Sierra took this advice and completed both bachelor’s of arts degree and an MBA while studying the directing styles of Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, Arthur Penn, Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Spielberg.

Robyn-Sierra says, “The concept for ‘The Cotillion’ came about after I spent a summer in Louisiana. I said that I had to do a coming-of-age film based on my personal and professional experiences.

I fell into a love/hate relationship with different cities in the state. I loved how the residents fought to uphold historical and societal traditions, but I hated a lot of the negative connotations associated with some traditions.

For example, I adored the debutante balls and the cotillions, however, it is a historical fact that African-Americans had to organize their own annual balls because of segregation laws of the time.

In addition, I wanted to center the story around an affluent family where the patriarch is an esteemed member of society with escalating skeletons.

I enjoy going back in time while filming. I fluctuated between the 1970s and 1990s. It was important to me that the sisters were all degreed and professional women while coping with the trials of life.

I wanted to have the conflict between same-sex siblings because jealousy is rarely addressed among adult children. I wanted to address elements of addiction and the emotional links to how people seek a quick fix as opposed to dealing with any issues they are grappling with.

I believe that there is something that everyone can relate to, and come away with after seeing this film to change their lives for the better.”

My favorite Black woman in history is the late Ms. Lena Horne. The reason why I chose Ms. Horne is that she paved so many ways for Black women like myself today to have a place in the entertainment industry.

She broke many barriers by not taking servant roles which made it easier for other Black women to be considered for more roles in comparison to their White counterparts.

Ms. Horne was not only an entertainer, but she was also a strong activist during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and a strong voice for positive change.

Ms. Horne’s legacy continues to serve others to this day, through her granddaughter Jenny Lumet, whose father was noted film director, Sidney Lumet, and her grandson-in-law, actor Bobby Cannavale.

I am extremely grateful and appreciative to Ms. Lena Horne for being a huge pioneer and opening many difficult doors that I have the privilege of walking through today.

Cynthia Strickland

My name is Cynthia Strickland. People know me as Cee the Book Lady. I am a Literacy Awareness Advocate, Tutor and Literacy Coach, Amazon Best Selling Co-Author and Pageant Queen.

I love to motivate, network, create, volunteer and give back. I’m a mom, daughter, sister, writer, community activist and CEO of Cee and Learn, an org dedicated to eradicating educational and financial illiteracy in our youth.

Since 1995, Cee & Learn has been specializing in youth, teen and young adult literacy & financial education. We facilitate financial literacy and cash flow seminars. We provide private and group teen and adult budgeting sessions at churches and schools.

We have partners who assist with job preparation, business etiquette and mentoring. We facilitate literacy walk-a-thon fundraisers! We giveaway new and used books! We provide affordable healthy food choice mini-workshops for low-income mothers.

In a nutshell, we help you read! When you learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use computers, the more likely you are to lift yourself out of poverty, contribute to improved health care costs, and find and keep sustainable employment.

My favorite Black woman in history is Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to win a Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. She was already active in politics before her run.

She had a no nonsense air about herself. Very confident and bold. She was a trailblazer. I admire her and constantly read her story to encourage me to continue to press forward and upward.

Danielle McGee

Minority-owned businesses are being launched at a rapid pace but for many, there is no budget for marketing or they are unsure how to gain exposure for their business. Insert Black Business Boom, an innovative approach to marketing Black-owned businesses.

Through Black Business Boom, merchants offer coupons to potential customers with the hope of converting them to returning customers. Known as the ”Black Groupon,” Black Business Boom, founded by Chicago native Danielle McGee, is a directory of Black-owned businesses, created as a vehicle to promote their business and services, while also recruiting new customers, converting them into returning customers and driving referrals.

Danielle’s favorite Black woman in history is Madam C.J. Walker. She was a self-made entrepreneur and a self-starter.

She identified a problem, developed a solution, hustled selling her product door to door and eventually built a million dollar company.

She credits her success to tenacity and perseverance, faith in herself and God, and honesty in business dealings. She knows that those same elements will make her successful.

Kiola George

Kiola George is an NYC based producer and tech entrepreneur. She has over ten years of media experience with Walt Disney Co. and Screenvision Media.

Her latest venture, Heybor™️ is a mobile app that allows users to rate and review residential properties across the US. She is also consults those looking to launch mobile apps without a technical background and also provides social media guidance. In addition to her business and career achievements, Kiola is also a mother to 5-year old Zoe.

There isn’t enough information about residential properties currently available and by the time you find out the inner workings of your new apartment building, you’re already stuck in a yearlong lease!

Kiola created Heybor in 2016 to allow users to connect with each other so they can share their experiences residing in multi-unit residential properties.

Through rating and reviews, Heybor is taking the guesswork out of moving and solving the problem of renter’s remorse. Heybor allows users to share their experiences and connect with current, previous and potential neighbors.

Kiola’s favorite Black woman in history is one of my most revered women in history, astronaut, Mae Jemison.

“I have always been fascinated by NASA and space travel and granted Ms. Jemison was the first Black woman to venture into outer space, she is one of a handful of people in the world who can describe the experience.

I can only imagine what it is like for her to describe hovering above Earth in zero gravity to her girlfriends. I would like to believe that it starts off with the classic sister-girl open like, “Girl! Let me tell you…” Ha! Oh, to be a fly on that wall!

Ms. Jemison has lived a life filled with so many different experiences from medical school to acting. She epitomizes the kind of woman I aspire to be. Passionate and limitless.”

Allicia Washington-White

Communications expert and professional, Allicia Washington-White has taken her love for English, reading and parenting and built a brand that is relatable and unique.

Through the IAmAllicia brand, Allicia is helping people feel comfortable enough to tell their story. Allicia also supports mothers through her Mommy events which includes a support group, Mommy only events and Mommy and Me play dates. Allicia is also a new author and her book, “Stories My Mother Never Told Me,” will be released in June 2019.

My favorite Black woman in history is Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens. I remember being six years old listening to U.N.I.T.Y. and watching her on Living Single thinking to myself that she looks just like me. She did not have to wear skirts all the time to be considered “pretty.” She was strong, funny, and smart and I wanted to be just like her. I consider her my role model as she is the epitome of Black and the essence of Black Girl Magic.

As I grew older, Latifah evolved as well into a successful talk show host and media pioneer. She has worked towards everything I aspire to do! I wish to build a successful communications career and be able to give back to my hometown. Latifah succeeds at everything she has put her mind to, basketball, acting, singing, hosting, producing, and so much more.

I admire so much about her, mainly her ability to inspire others to be the best in their lives. Even with challenges including media body shaming, and the loss of her mother, Latifah shows the world each and every day that there is a Queen hiding inside of every woman.

Tuniscia Okeke

My name is Tuniscia Okeke and I’m the CEO of Blending Our Love, Inc. Our mission is to bring peace and harmony to blended families by creating healthy co-parenting relationships.

Studies show 1 out of 3 people are either a stepparent or linked to a blended family. With approximately 1,300 blended families forming every day stepmothers crave steps to create harmony in their blended families.

I’m also the author of Empowered Stepmother, Grow, Glow and Thrive Harmoniously In Your Blended Family. Inviting stepmothers on a transformational journey of self-empowerment to discovery their voices and identity within their blended family dynamic.

One of my favorite Black women in history is Jada Pinkett Smith. Her transparency and candid ability to share her healing journey while being unapologetically authentic through her decisions as a woman, wife, mother,
daughter, sister, and friend is inspiring.

It’s always easier to watch someone’s journey from the outside but she is walking it and encouraging others to create their own footsteps in the sand. That’s a powerful and humbling gift.

Mrs. Smith is using her fame, platform and influence to positively shift the perspectives of others through her stories. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Jada!

Dr. Toni Haley

I am Dr. Toni A. Haley, CEO, and founder of Williams Wellness Group. I am also a board-certified physician, certified executive coach, a bestselling author, and speaker. Above all else, I strive to help high-achieving women create fulfillment, both personally and professionally.

I look up to so many Black women in history, all of whom are known for walking unapologetically in their greatness. One woman in particular who continues to be a model for leadership and contribution is Dr. Patricia Bath.

Hailing from Harlem, Dr. Patricia Bath knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career as a doctor. Although Dr. Bath did not come from a wealthy family, she excelled in school (particularly in science) and was encouraged by teachers to capitalize on her talents. In fact, at the young age of 16, she graduated from high school and was recognized for her scientific research.

After successfully graduating with a degree in Chemistry from Hunter College, Dr. Path enrolled at Howard University College of Medicine. While at Howard, she co-founded and led the Student National Medical Association, which continues to support America’s Black medical students today. Additionally, in 1967, she earned a prestigious fellowship that allowed her to travel to Europe to pursue further research opportunities.

What Dr. Patricia Bath is perhaps best known for is her influence in the field of ophthalmology. During her fellowship training, she made a startling discovery: that Black patients were twice as likely to suffer from blindness and eight times more likely to develop glaucoma than their White counterparts.

She addressed the disparity in access to care by establishing community ophthalmology, a discipline that ensures that large segments of the population, once overlooked, could get access to life-changing eye care, including screenings for cataracts and glaucoma.

She was the first African American to complete an ophthalmology residency at NYU, the first female faculty member at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, and the first African American surgeon at UCLA Medical Center.

She co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness (AIPB) to help establish “eyesight as a basic human right” and invented the Laserphaco Probe, making her the first African American woman to receive a medical patent. The technology is still used in cataract removal today.

Thanks to her incredible leadership and scientific contributions, Dr. Patricia Bath serves as an inspiration to black women to lead and innovate!