As Black History Month is coming to a close, we at Rise wanted to highlight some of the countless inspiring Black leaders that make a difference everyday in what they do, whether it be through their community, or their efforts to break the barriers of Black leadership. The 30 individuals highlighted below have proven that the immense work they put in everyday not only positively impacts their organizations, but also inspires others around them to Rise up.
Jade Walters – Tech Pro & Influencer
Jade rocks her job in tech, shares career tips so openly and helpfully, and is working on multiple projects as a bad ass influencer… talk about a “Jade of all trades” We’re blown away by her ability to do so much and are so grateful for all the tips she shares to help Gen Z get hired.
Colin Rice – Product manager, digital strategist, and master consultant
Colin’s TikTok is an absolutely fantastic resource packed with tangible tips and life experiences we can all relate to. We so appreciate how he shares solid tips on things like productivity, creativity, personal finance, and imposter syndrome.
Rashida Jones – First Black executive to run a major television news network
President at MSNBC. Been with MSNBC for eight years, going from senior vice president to going into her new role as president starting February 1st of this year.
Tamara Thomas – Entrepreneur
Tamara owns a luxury silk sleepwear company made and designed in New York City called Je Mérite (meaning I Deserve.) She has worked in product management for 20 years and developed her company during quarantine in 2020.
Uche Adegbite – Sr. Director of Product Management for Global Markets at Twitter
Uche has over 6 years of experience in Project Management, and over 13 years of experience working at companies like Microsoft and Twitter. She has a BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.
Jon Bell – Product Lead at Netflix
With over ten years of experience in the Product industry, Jon strives to mix innovation, design, data and technology to build solutions and value to our existence.
Ama Kissi – CEO of Miskissbeauty(MKB)
Ama is the CEO of Miskissbeauty(MKB) which she started in August of 2019. MKB is a cosmetics company that caters to all skin tones and colors where dark skin women, like herself, can be confident in any color they desire to wear.
Leonard Tatum – Software Developer
Leonard is a Software Developer who had over a decade of programming and software development experience. He is the CEO and Founder of the startup company, Tatum Games which is a developer and publisher of mobile games.
Dr. David Walcott – Founder of NovaMed
He is a medical doctor, as well as the founder of NovaMed which has a mission to be the leading healthcare and research equipment management provider delivering world-class service to its customers.
Randall Williams – The Co-Founder and CMO of Dr. Tusk
Dr. Tusk is an eco-conscious personal care brand that makes all-natural personal care and skincare products.
Lanaya Irvinm- CEO of Coqual
Coqual is a global nonprofit think tank that conducts research on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Lanaya is also the co-chair of the Human Rights Campaign’s national Business Advisory Council and sits on the Board of Directors of Outright Action International and Lesbians Who Tech.
Charley Moore – Founder and CEO of Rocket Lawyer
Rocker Lawyer is a place that provides affordable and simple legal services that has helped over 25 million people since 2008. Charley received his law degree from University of California, Berkley.
Rosalind Brewer – CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance
Rosalind went from the COO at Starbucks to the next CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance in 2021, as well as the only Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 firm currently, and only the third Black woman in history to lead a Fortune 500 firm. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roz-brewer/
Haben Girma – first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School!
Haben is the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law school, and is currently a Disability Justice Lawyer, Author, and Speaker. She advocates for equal opportunities for disabled people through her work.
Vernā Myers – VP of Inclusion and Strategy at Netflix
Vernā is well-known for her high-energy keynotes, captivating insights, and the ability to help people bridge differences and connect more meaningfully.
Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett – lead scientist on the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine team.
Dr. Kizzmekia is the Assistant professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health in Boston, and heads the new Coronaviruses & Other Relevant Emerging Infectious Diseases (CoreID) Lab at Harvard.
Follow Dr. Kizzmekia on Twitter!
Marjorie Anderson – Community management professional
Marjorie is an experienced community management professional with expertise in building a large global community for associations. She has her own consulting practice, a brand, as well as working full time for Project Management. Marjorie is welcoming and inclusive in what she does.
Wendy Hilliard – Founder & CEO of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation
Wendy was the first African-American and gymnast to become the Women’s Sports Foundation President in 1995, Director of Sports for NYC2012, NYC’s bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Wendy’s organization provides free and low-cost gymnastics for almost 25,000 urban youth in NYC since 1996 and expanded to Detroit in 2016.
Terrence Clark – President and CEO at The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.
Terrence provides strategic marketing, financial and business development counseling and preparation to businesses and public and private-sector organizations.
Kerel Cooper: CMO at LiveIntent and more
Kerel is also the Founder & Host of Minority Report Podcast, Board member at Marketing EDGE, Advisor at VR PERSPECTIVES ad Dandi. Kerel is an award-winning executive with 20+ years of digital media experience. Kerel’s podcast highlights people of color, women and LGBTQ+ leaders within business, media, and technology.
Tiffany R. Warren – EVP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Sony Music Group.
Tiffany will be working on expanding equity and inclusion activities and policies across all of Sony Music Group in this newly created role. Tiffany is also on the board of the Ad Council, GLAAD, Brotherhood/Sister Sol, American Advertising Federation, Makers and The Ghetto Film School organizations.
Kisha Edwards-Gandsy – Co-Founder of World Explorers Group
World Explorers Group is based in Brooklyn with a mission to improve the quality of life and inspire children, their family, community, and planet. Kisha is hoping to one day launch an educational radio show, and pop-up preschools in Nairobi and Jamaica.
Jeff Hebert – President of HR&A Advisors,
HR&AA Advisors is an industry-leading real estate and economic development consulting firm. Jeff is focused on solutions for changing urbanism.
Miquan Lammy – Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Miquan is a passionate middle market banker covering technology and emerging growth. He joined banking in 2014 after graduating from Howard University. He has held positions in various areas such as finance, strategic capital and risk management, government contracting, and academia.
Adewale Ogunleye: Former NFL professional football player
Adewale was a professional football player from 2000-2011 and is currently the head of sports and entertainment at UBS helping financial advisors understand and address the complex and unique needs of athletes and entertainers.
Asahi Pompey: Partner, Global Head of Corporate Engagement & President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation.
Prior to this new role Asahi was Co-Chief Compliance Officer of Goldman, Sachs & Co and currently serves on the Board of Managers for Swarthmore College. She joined the company in 2006 and named Managing Director in 2010 and Partner in 2018. She also serves on the Advisory Boards of Forbes’ Next 1,000, Glamour Women of the Year and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.
Alicia Guevara – Chief Executive Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC
Alicia is motivated by a lifelong commitment and deep-seated belief in the possibility of a future where young people are equipped with necessary social, emotional, and practical skills for achieving personal and career success.
Melva M. Miller – CEO of Association for a Better New York
Melva is the Chief Executive Officer at Association for a Better New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to the constant growth and renewal of New York City as a whole. Melva has a wonderful track record implementing effective community development with her passion shining through.
Sheena Wright – President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of NYC
Sheena has been appointed New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives in the incoming administration of Mayor-elect Eric Adams.
Kwame Taylor-Hayford: Co-founder at Kin
Kin is a company partnering with some of the most progressive individuals, organizations, and brands to innovate campaigns, experiences and products that create a lasting, positive impact. Kwame has a passion for storytelling, design, technology, and innovation.
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