Community & Guest List
Growing up in The Bronx, NYC, the middle of three first-generation kids, Brittany Pogue-Mohammed Acosta's mother (of Irish and Scandinavian descent) and her father (who immigrated from Trinidad), both extremely proud people, ensured they knew what their kids were mixed with and that they took equal pride in both sides. Now that her and her husband Daniel (Puerto Rican and Black) have a daughter of their own, Brittany found herself constantly searching for products for her--books, toys and apparel that depicted a variety of skin tones, that spoke to a child who is racially diverse--but all that she found were hair care products. So, she decided to create what she was looking for herself: a site that caters to biracial and multiracial individuals; a community where all mixed race people can share experiences, ask questions and just talk about the unique issues they face as racially diverse individuals. The goal at Mosaic the Label is to enable mixed race individuals to show pride in their mix, to feel seen, to be heard and understood. At Mosaic, they want you to know that it’s good to live in the in-between--you do not have to choose a side. Afterall, it’s the parts that make the whole.
Ashley Graham is the founder and creative director of Your Brandista, a modern-day public relations agency that infuses brand authority through caffeinated strategies and communications. To Your Brandista, every brand has a unique story. Their creative process is to filter the raw, unique details of a brand and incorporate a well-rounded methodology and strategy that brews the brand to stand out in their industry as an authoritative figure.
Known as a “Jill of all trades”, Ashley Graham is a serial entrepreneur who channels her passions, talents, and personal values to make a difference in the creative space. Pioneering the belief of building personal brands, Ashley is on a mission to launch a series of content streams across social media to increase awareness with her brands.
Known as a “Jill of all trades”, Ashley Graham is a serial entrepreneur who channels her passions, talents, and personal values to make a difference in the creative space. Pioneering the belief of building personal brands, Ashley is on a mission to launch a series of content streams across social media to increase awareness with her brands.
As Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, Evan brings 20 years of high-level experience in public relations, crisis management, marketing, online media, international relations and public affairs. Throughout his career, he has provided strategic communications counsel to top business leaders, government officials and presidential candidates, and private individuals. Red Banyan provides PR consulting and crisis management and media training. The firm also uses strategic public relations to help clients effectively define their brands, develop powerful messaging around their products and services, garner press attention and achieve important business goals. Evan and Red Banyan serve clients throughout the U.S. and internationally from offices in Florida, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.
Lara McElderry has a background in family sciences and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Masters Degree in Teaching. She has worked with youth and adults and has a strong interest in family dynamics. Lara has been navigating the medical world for the last seventeen years as she has supported her husband through medical school, residency, a specialty change, fellowship, as well as raising five boys. She is the founder and podcast host of Married To Doctors. Her show is an interview based weekly podcast. Spouses of physicians share their stories and experts share advice as Lara leads a discussion asking personal and hard questions that explore the joys and challenges of being Married to Doctors.
Matia Johnson is a native Washingtonian, strategic communications specialist, visual design guru, screenwriter, and newlywed! She has an undergraduate degree in English and Communications, and a masters in Producing Film and Video. With over 10 years of experience in publications, program development, and communications in both the government and nonprofit field, she has developed a niche for branding and has established Innovative Minds Media, DC’s premier branding agency for small business start ups. “IMM” specializes in digital branding, marketing, and small business tools for Creatives, those who are looking to open their own business, or take their business to the next level. As a rising entrepreneur herself, Matia continues to trust in GOD, determination, skills, and passion to see her dreams, and other people’s, take the shape of reality.
Boni Satani is a T Shaped Marketer with a Huge Interest in SEO & Link Building. He is currently the Director of Marketing at Zestard Technologies, overseeing multiple digital marketing campaigns for clients.
With more than 20 years experience working in digital media, Kim Cayce is a leading influencer in the online world. She is the CEO for the Adzi Agency, a full-service marketing and communications agency that uses data-driven, performance-focused solutions to help launch, scale, and invigorate businesses of all sizes, industries, and revenue models. Kim has worked around the world with more than 350 startup founders and has addressed millions more people in talks, seminars and media appearances. She created Luna Startup Labs, one of the first global accelerators for female entrepreneurs; and, she is a founding member of Citrine Angels, a new angel investment group for female investors in Washington, DC.
Emily Duong is a 22-year old entrepreneur and digital content creator and a recent college graduate from Chapman University. Growing up on the East Coast, she was a competitive elite-level figure skater and USTA ranked tennis player and at the age of 18, she packed her bags to pursue her dream of living in Southern California. With 10+ years of competitive skating experience, she found a niche and love for designing her own dresses and at the age of 17, created her own eCommerce business Elite Skate Wear. Today, she continues to scale the business, as well as writing weekly on her lifestyle blog, and growing her podcast, Young & Ambitious.
Brian Kelly is a Success Coach and Business Consultant who works with socially conscious small to medium sized companies to create more inclusive work environments and to unleash human greatness in their people and teams producing better business AND human results.
Brian’s career spans three decades across Information Technology, Human Resources, Project Management, Program Management, People Development, and nonprofit leadership.
Brian is committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity for greater economic and career opportunities for all human beings.
Brian’s career spans three decades across Information Technology, Human Resources, Project Management, Program Management, People Development, and nonprofit leadership.
Brian is committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity for greater economic and career opportunities for all human beings.
Brianna is the cofounder of CrewBloom. They're disrupting the outsourcing space by connecting the top 2% of sales and support talent with roles at growing companies.
