Earvin "Magic" Johnson CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, an investment conglomerate that provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities. Having left the basketball court for the boardroom, Johnson parlayed the skills and tenacity he acquired on the court into a winning formula for his successful business ventures.
For the last two decades Johnson has consistently turned heads with his unprecedented partnerships. In his early years as an entrepreneur, he forged an alliance with Sony Pictures to develop Magic Johnson Theatres. In 1998, he teamed with Starbucks to become the only franchisee in the history of the company, acquiring and eventually selling 125 stores in a lucrative move which further solidified his position in the business world. Both ventures served as catalysts for redevelopment in urban communities, and are widely recognized as the corporate blueprint for engagement and success with urban consumers across America.
Still a commanding presence in the sports world, he made history in 2012 when he became co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Major League Baseball franchise that was purchased for an astronomical $2 billion dollars. It was the highest purchase price for any professional sports team at the time. He also co- owns the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club, and eSports franchise Team Liquid.
Johnson continues to expand his influence through a number of other investments. He currently has controlling interests in EquiTrust, a $20 billion financial services company, and SodexoMAGIC, a food service and facilities management company.
The Lansing native is constantly evolving and remaining relevant in a dynamic digital age by broadening his scope into infrastructure and technology. In 2015, Magic Johnson Enterprises and Loop Capital formed an alliance to create MJE-Loop Capital Partners. The firm raised a fund committed to investing millions of dollars on infrastructure improvement in the United States.
Operating under the philosophy that true success is making others successful, he is one of the leading investors in a number of minority-owned tech companies that include Uncharted Power, an award- winning power and data infrastructure technology company; ShotTracker, a company that makes wearable technology for basketball players that helps track player and ball movement; Jopwell, a diversity and hiring recruiting platform; and MiTú, the Latino-fueled media brand and digital network that connects thousands of Latin content creators with viewers around the world. He is deliberate in his investment strategy to bring positive impact to the community.
Jamal Miller CEO, Miller Media Group
It was 1 year after writing his first book, 25 Ways to Prepare for Marriage Other Than Dating, Jamal Miller, CEO of Miller Media Group hit rock bottom resulting in having to get on food stamps in order to provide for his family. It was at this moment that he knew the online business they started couldn’t be plan B any longer, but now had to become plan A. Within 3 years of focused attention, Miller Media Group, grew exponentially.
Alongside his wife, Natasha and a dedicated team, they have built a multi million dollar media company that creates online brands at scale helping thousands transform from the inside out through faith based education. Miller Media Group was recognized as an Inc. 5000, fastest growing company in America.
Jamal has been featured in BET, JET Magazine, FORBES Magazine, and the 700 Club.
Jamal is a pastor at heart and a family man to his core, enjoying every moment he can with his wife Natasha, and their 3 daughters, Harvest, Melodie, and Justice.
Charis Jones CEO and Chief Designer of Sassy Jones
Charis Jones is the CEO and Chief Designer of Sassy Jones, the fastest growing privately held retailer in the nation (Inc 5000).
A self-taught designer with a healthy combination of grit and glamour, she embodies everything the brand stands for: beauty, brilliance, and rule-breaking.What makes the brand successful is her obsession with being of service to the Sassy Jonescustomer base.
As a busy entrepreneur, wife, and mom to twin boys, she designs with the real woman in mind, because she’s one, too. Her goal is to make style and fashion feel effortless for the woman who wants and does it all.
Under her leadership and vision, the brand has stunned the business and fashion worlds,having reached the 24th spot on the Inc. 5000 list and been named by Forbes as one of the top 25 small businesses that thrived during the pandemic.
Charis has been recognized as the 2021 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, and as a winner of HSN’s “The Big Find,” she is regularly featured on their long-standing retail platform. With impeccable style, flair, and innovation, Sassy Jones is on its way to becoming a household name and iconic fashion design house.
Lamar Tyler Founder Traffic Sales and Profit
Using his motto “The Gatekeepers Are Gone,” Lamar has leveraged social media to move his online brands from small personal blogs to an international brand with over 650,000 social media fans and 55 thousand plus customers in all 50 states and 43 countries around the world.
Among the recognition received for his work, Lamar, along with wife Ronnie was named one of Ebony Magazine’s Power 100, a list of the top 100 movers and shakers in the black community, finalists for Black Enterprise’s Family Business of the Year, finalists for Infusionsoft’s Small Business ICON award and winners of the ClickFunnels Two Comma Award.
Ronnie Tyler COO, Tyler New Media
Recognizing the need for positive images of black marriage in the media, Ronnie founded BlackandMarriedWithKids.com (BMWK) in 2007 along with husband Lamar. Over the last twelve years, she has grown the site from a personal blog shared by one couple to an international brand with over 600,000 social media fans.
Under the couple’s Tyler New Media company umbrella, Ronnie has co-produced seven films that deal with the challenges and triumphs of marriage in the black community. The couple was named one of Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 in 2011 and 2012.
Prior to running BMWK, Ronnie spent 17 years with IBM as a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) managing projects with 30 million dollar budgets and up to 30 developers spread across 4 continents. She now uses her skills and expertise to manage 7-figure product launches and events for Tyler New Media, LLC.
Ronnie believes that, by default, every entrepreneur or small business owner is a project manager at some point in their business. Therefore, she has made it her mission to share project management best practices that will not only increase efficiency but profitability in your business.
Myron Golden, PhD Business Mentor & Keynote Speaker
Myron Golden is a dynamic business trainer and success coach and author who has over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing.
Despite contracting polio as an infant Myron is a Black Belt in the martial arts and has overcome many obstacles.
He is in high demand as a speaker and trainer and has assisted his clients in building businesses that do as much as 10 million dollars per year in revenue. Myron can assist any business owner in growing their business by 2X, 5X or even 10X what they are currently producing.
Myron teaches also everyday people to become wealthy often using skills they already have. Myron is able to help his clients see the value in skills and resources they already have but have been under valuing.
He is the author of several books on the subjects of business an finance. His book “From The Trash Man To The Cash Man” has sold over 140,000 copies in the first two years of being in print.
If you will open your mind and allow him to share with you, his principles can truly change your life for the better.
Janice Fredericks-Spell The Retail Genius
The go-to expert for all things beauty supply, industry veteran Janice Fredericks-Spell has dedicated her career to the advancement of black entrepreneurs in the beauty distribution and retail space. A graduate of St. John University Business School, Janice leveraged her Wall Street experience with Goldman Sachs to help black beauty supply owners gross over $3million in revenue with her “Beauty Supply Blueprint” program established in 2017.
A change-maker and community leader, Janice balances her workdays between being a wife and mother of three children and serving on the boards and committees of New York Cares and the World Vision organizations. “New York City is such an incredible place for opportunity and commerce. My clients understand that the beauty supply business is an intricate part of the community landscape and progression”. Recognized as a “pioneer in the beauty supply industry” by Black Enterprise magazine, Janice is intentional about her impact and imprint on the beauty supply chain and how it directly influences neighborhoods in New York City and beyond.
Having founded her very own beauty supply store, Fabulous Freddys with two locations, Janice has always had the tenacity to encourage, equip, and inspire entrepreneurs to see their dreams fully realized. With the launch of her consulting firm, The Retail Genius, Janice has created programming and coaching services to educate and support black women in the business of beauty supply. “Witnessing my client’s grand opening is the most gratifying feeling. I have the esteemed privilege of watching dreams come true”.
Pastor Dee & Ariel Fuller Co-Owners of Dunamis Woman Enterprise, LLC
Pastor Dee (mother) & Ariel Fuller (daughter) are the Co-Owners of Dunamis Woman Enterprise, LLC a movement that guides over 40,000 women of faith across the globe on how to heal within their soul so they may transform their life & relationships while igniting their power through prayer & spiritual warfare.
This Dynamic Duo is a never before seen blend of boldness, strength, and power impacting generations within the Kingdom of God! Their life journey is a captivating mix of healing, resiliency, leadership and sacrifice– characteristics that have made them endure their own entrepreneurship journey and drives their purpose.
Today, Pastor Dee serves as a Spiritual Leader, Transformational Life & Relationship Coach, TV Host, Author and Publisher. Ariel serves as a Spiritual Coach & Teen Mentor guiding her generation and younger through their non profit, Dunamis Community.
True servant leaders at heart, Dee & Ariel have availed their lives to many as they heal the hearts of women, restore marriages & families, and bring about a miraculous change within the earth, while leaving a legacy.
Adriane Simpson CEO and founder of The LinkedIn Pros
Adriane Simpson is the CEO and founder of The LinkedIn Pros, a LinkedIn strategy and executive coaching agency for executives and entrepreneurs who want to transition to the next level of success. She’s an expert at helping business owners position their brands for greater and helping executives secure their next high-paying role.
Adriane is a graduate of the School of Business and Industry at Florida A&M University and has an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and eCommerce Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a certified Lean Consultant and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB). And during the midst of the pandemic, Adriane authored her first book, a 9X Amazon Best-Seller entitled The Ultimate Clubhouse Playbook – Make Powerful Connections to Secure Your Next Promotion or Get More Clients and Customers.
Adriane gained extensive experience in Corporate Strategy, IT, Operations Process Management and Program Management while working for Fortune 500 companies and now leverages that experience as a strategic partner to small business owners and professional executives.
She’s the Architect of the ‘Leverage Your List’ program, which takes professionals from stagnant to interviewing in 60 days or less; and a workshop champion on the value of positioning your professional brand for greater using the Power of 15 Minutes.
Her battle-tested processes have helped many people navigate the barriers that prevent them from moving forward in their careers and give entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow and scale their businesses. Recognized for building relationships that transform into long-term partnerships, Adriane Simpson is known as the “Queen of the Warm Handshake” for her ability to help clients define and cultivate their digital brand, while growing their income through developing and nurturing relationships. Coaching and empowering clients to own their successes, while leaping over imposter syndrome is her superpower.
Monrae Tuggle Owner of Rare Necessity Brand Management LLC
Marketing By Monrae is the owner of Rare Necessity Brand Management LLC, published author and a digital marketing maven. Opening her firm in 2013 as a sophomore in college, Monrae designed Rare Necessity with the intentions of creating a space where creatives will have the tools and resources to help make their businesses successful. Since the firm’s inception, she has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with creating and growing profitable and scalable businesses.
With a passion for out of the box marketing, her unique approach to overall business development using guerrilla marketing tactics, business management, and digital marketing, Monrae has been able to collaborate with several business owners and socialites to increase their revenue to well over 300% within the first 90 days of working together.
In 2020, the firm has extended its reach through the Millionaire Mob University brands offering products and services that assist everyday entrepreneurs with making marketing simple by utilizing the combination of data and creativity.
Since the creation of the University Monrae has helped her students earn $13m + with the strategic marketing tactics that you’re about to learn.
Brandy Woods-Smith TSP Live Emcee & CEO, Imagine Me Academy
Brandy Woods-Smith is a charismatic and passionate educator, entrepreneur, speaker, author and consultant. She is known as a thought leader, change agent, community developer and to many she is hailed the Millionaire Midwife.
After serving the public school system for 13 years, Woods opened Imagine Me Academy in 2013 and now has multiple locations.
In her quest to help other aspiring entrepreneurs achieve success, she founded Powerhouses United (PHU). PHU is a business incubator designed to give education, resources and profit producing strategies to businesses owners. The Childcare Millionaires Association is the fastest growing division of PHU helping hundreds of Childcare owners achieve optimal success.
Believe BIG! Expect BIG! Do BIG! is the mantra she lives by. Woods says, “Although BIG is not the most eloquent word, it gets the vision across clearly! With belief in my heart, the work of my hands, and the words in my mouth. I will accomplish what I am commissioned to do: Motivate! Educate! Produce!”
Amelia Thomas Managing Partner, Emprire Capital Ventures
Amelia Thomas is a small business planner and advisor who specializes in tax planning and advisory services for businesses. Amelia’s passions lie in assisting families with creating legacy building frameworks that will carry the family wealth forward for the next 200 years. She has a dedicated “money team” that includes attorneys, CPA’s and other qualified professionals to ensure that one, cohesive strategy is implemented to grow and protect her clients’ assets.
With over 15 years of experience, Amelia also earned a B.S. in Business Administration in Finance from Alabama State University and a M.S. in Financial Planning from Kansas State University. Last, she actively works to eliminate the “illusion of inclusion” regarding the use of minority businesses in local government and corporate contracting.
Andy Henriquez Founder of Master Storyteller Academy
Andy Henriquez, also known as the “Master Storyteller,” is the founder of Master Storyteller Academy, the premier training event for entrepreneurs, speakers, and coaches who want to leverage their personal stories to grow their influence and make more sales. Andy is the author of the game-changing book, Show Up For Your Life. A sought-after speaker, Andy has been featured in the Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, and Goalcast with over 5.9 million views for his signature story about his mother. Andy trains speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs how to Unlock the Power of Story to elevate their brand, build more significant connections and increase revenue. Some of his past clients include Office Depot, Accenture, NASA, Google, and Bacardi, to name a few. Whether standing on stage and captivating an audience or leading a workshop, Andy is known for helping his clients cash in on their stories. When he’s not speaking or training, Andy loves spending time with his wife Casandra and his daughter Ava Skye.
Cassandra Smith Founder and CEO of Blanks Galore
Cassandra Smith is a creative, innovative sublimation thought leader with a bias for action and extensive experience training aspiring entrepreneurs in all things sublimation. She’s Founder and CEO of Blanks Galore, a sublimation training company whose mission is to teach crafters how to turn their hobby into a profit. She has created a blueprint that transcends industries and applies to any field, allowing her students to take one area of expertise and create multiple streams of income.
Cassandra built her company from the ground up. Blanks Galore delivers sublimation classes, ink, paper, and blanks to help you create magic that elevates your products and business. Smith is an exceptional communicator with the ability to build and maintain relationships with business leaders and community affiliates. She is passionate about providing valuable content that has an immediate positive impact on her community of raving fans. Cassandra is determined to continuously deliver excellence to every student she coaches so they can scale and succeed.
Cecily Habimana Co-Founder of Sew Creative Lounge
After years of selling out pop-up sewing classes around the DC area, Cecily Habimana and her business partner, Tisha Thorne, opened Sew Creative Lounge in 2017 with a mission of teaching the world to sew one stitch at a time. When the pandemic hit, they opened an online fabric store and their sewing community took off and now includes thousands of women and children from all over the country and beyond.
Cecily has been featured in The Washington Post, Washington Express, American Express website and Chicago Tribune as well as Fox 5 News and NPR. She received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her MBA from George Washington University. She is also a proud member of the TSP Mastermind family.
Shemika Jackson Founder of Kafune Amor Hair
Passionate about healthy hair care and an expert in lace wig care and installation, Shemika Jackson, founder of Kafune Amor Hair, has helped hundreds of women feel more beautiful and confident while they’re wearing lace wigs. A talented entrepreneur with a gift for connecting with others, Shemika transformed her personal experience with wearing wigs due to scarring alopecia into a thriving business that provides custom lace wigs and a 4 Step lace wig installation & maintenance system to women who want to look their best. While others view Shemika as a woman who “works a lot,” she sees herself much differently. You see, through Shemika’s eyes, she is a woman who gets to spend time doing what she loves – using her 15 years of skills, expertise and life lessons to provide women with the resources, guidance and tools they need to feel beautiful again. Among her many accomplishments, Shemika is most proud of having the courage and resilience to launch her own company and adopting a mindset for success and quick growth. As a result of her business acumen and diligence, Shemika was named to the Forbes Next 1000 2021 list of entrepreneurs to watch. She has also been featured on the Black Enterprise, Madam Noire, Business Insider and a few other media outlets.
Watchen Nyanue Founder and CEO of I Choose the Ladder
Watchen Nyanue is a strategic marketing and business development executive who immigrated to Chicago, where she currently resides, in 1991 after living through the Liberian civil. She is also the Founder and CEO of I Choose the Ladder, a career development agency that helps large corporations develop and retain their high-performing talent. With a specialized focus on retaining high-performing, Black female talent, I Choose the Ladder has helped companies like Nike, Wunderman Thompson, Best Buy, Weber Shandwick, Walgreens, and McDonald’s develop their next generation of leaders.
Before founding I Choose the Ladder, Watchen was the Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the 2021 WNBA Champions, the Chicago Sky. During the past 15 years of working in Corporate America, Watchen has had the privilege to work for many renowned companies, including Comedy Central, Hearst Digital, Yahoo!, Johnson Publishing Company, and the WNBA, Chicago Sky.
Watchen has been recognized as a Chicago Scholars 35 Under 35 Honoree, a 2018 Chicago Business Journal Woman of Influence Honoree, a Biz Women 2018 Headliner, and a 2019 Black Women’s Expo, Presented by BET Her, Phenomenal Woman Honoree, 2020 WVON presented by Ariel Investments 40 Gamechangers Under 40 Award, 2022 CMAC “Iconic 22” honoree.
Watchen has been featured on Forbes.com, XONecole, Madame Noire, WVON, Amsterdam News.
Watchen holds a bachelor’s in communication from DePauw University. She is currently completing her MBA at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with an expected graduation of June 2022.