'EMCEE of Power Plays 2024"

From designing missiles for the military to renowned entrepreneur and keynote speaker, Chanelle has over 17 years of experience in the Direct Selling Industry becoming the 1st Black Woman Senior Vice President in her company, ACN. Garnering attention in Success From Home Magazine, she’s juggled an impressive balance between nurturing a thriving business and fulfilling her roles as a devoted wife and mother to four. Such accomplishments have elevated Chanelle to an in-demand mentor, coach, and inspiration to aspiring female entrepreneurs across the globe. Her innate leadership and commitment to empowering women triggered the inception of The W3 Network, LLC, its flagship talk show, Who’s That Girl?™️, and W3Cares, Inc, a nonprofit organization that focuses on supporting women & girls within the DMV communities. With an unwavering belief that Women CAN Have It ALL, Chanelle has launched the WifeMomPreneur Circle and Academy, a support group and coaching program for women building successful businesses while maintaining harmony at home.

"HEALING BY FINDING COMMUNITY"

A celebrated figure in the wine industry, Tahiirah Habibi is renowned for her groundbreaking achievements. Recognized as a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 tastemaker in 2020, she became the first Black woman to grace the publication's cover. Her expertise extends beyond accolades, securing her place among South Florida's top five sommeliers in 2014 and a prestigious feature in Ebony's 2023 list of Best Black Sommeliers. However, Tahiirah's legacy is most powerfully etched through her visionary leadership as the founder of Hue Society, a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment in the world of wine. Today, she stands poised for her next chapter, eager to further shape the industry with her captivating blend of innovation and purpose.

"HOW I GOT FUNDED"

BTST Services is a leading provider of mental health care and support services for children and families in Maryland. As the Chief Operating Officer, I oversee the daily operations and strategic direction of the organization, ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance.

With my MSW degree and over 15 years of experience in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and clinical supervision, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my role. I have contributed to the growth and success of BTST Services by developing and implementing innovative programs, securing and managing multiple grants and contracts, and building and maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders and community organizations. I am passionate about empowering and improving the lives of our clients and staff, and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.

"HOW I GOT FUNDED"

Q. Nicole is a woman who believes in the power of passion and the pursuit of purpose After the loss of her father, she found herself unable to perform professionally.  Disappointed with prescription treatment options, she opted for cannabis because it was plant-based known to have positive therapeutic effects.  After using hemp for relief, she almost immediately felt better both physically and cognitively.  Inspired to increase access to the therapeutic power of cannabis and empower others to consider its wealth and wellness benefits, Q. Nicole acquired a farm and began cultivating industrial hemp. WH Farms Co was born.

WH Farms, Co. is a vertically integrated botanical manufacturing company specializing in premium industrial hemp derived.  They cultivate cannabis on African American & Tuscaroran legacy farmland in Eastern NC.  Through their white labeling services, WH Farms Co. helps entrepreneurs launch or expand CBD product lines and launch legal cannabis ventures.   Based in Charlotte, NC, they have served over 150 entrepreneurs and manufactured, sold and shipped over 100k units.  They have even launched an Academy educating canna-curious entrepreneurs on how to scale a legal cannabis business online & offline.

When not touring her farm and growing her startup, she loves to travel with her family and friends.  

"I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL"

Brittny Bagley, a trailblazer, entrepreneur, and
inspiration, is transforming the events industry one
celebration at a time. 

In 2019, Brittny embarked on an extraordinary
journey that transformed her into a driving force in
the DMV’s event scene. Fueled by dreams and
determination, she carved her own path, sparking a
wave of creativity that has since illuminated the
event industry landscape.

With a passion for luxury and an unwavering
commitment to excellence, Brittny elevated B.Luxe
Event Rentals into a masterclass in the art of
celebrating life's most significant moments. Her
company has become synonymous with
sophistication and impeccable taste, setting a new

standard for event rentals in the Baltimore-
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

"I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL"

Teaera Strum  brings over 10 years of experience in business operations. At SCC she oversees the company’s daily operations including leading contract negations, financial management and external affairs. She is responsible for driving the organization’s sustainable growth, market diversification and revenue. As a socially responsible company, SCC is also focused on enriching the local community with skills development and upskilling opportunities. Ms. Strum is very active in the local Baltimore
community as she serves on the national board for the Jane Addams Resource Corporation and currently serves as President of the JARC Baltimore industry advisory council. The organization provides workforce development training in the areas of welding and CNC manufacturing. The
industry advisory council, is an employer lead group that advises on industry trends and employers’ needs. Teaera is also a permanent volunteer at Catholic Charities’ Our Daily Bread Employment Center, where she donates over 100 hours per year of time to giving back to the local
community.

Strum is a strong advocate for continuing education and professional development. She has amassed multiple credentials in business and construction management. 

Prior to joining her family owned Baltimore based company, Strum served in various roles, at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, in Student Athlete Affairs and in the Office of Evaluation. Prior to her experiences at the NCAA she served as the business specialist for IM Sports Services a Sports Agency and worked on special projects with the National Football League, National Basketball League as well as other collegiate and professional sports programs.
Ms. Strum holds a Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Trinity University in Washington, DC and a Masters of Business Administration with concentration in New Business Development from Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL"

Ty Alexander is an open format dj from Baltimore, MD who specializes in premiere industry events, corporate events, private celebrity events, and brand activations. She services both East and West Coast clients. Ty has developed deep relationships and spun for brands like Amazon Music, Black Girls Rock!, Target, Patron, Maker's Mark, Essence Festival, L'Oreal, OWN, HULU, PATTERN Beauty, NIKE, Harlem's Fashion Row, JD Sports, and Cadillac.  When you get to experience her spin in-person, you immediately understand and feel the passion, love, and the respect she has for music and the art of curating a vibe (some folks call it deejaying). She’s an old soul moving the music with her hands, always focusing on the feeling of the music while helping you create a perfectly aligned message at your event.

"HOW I GOT FUNDED"

Ashley Williams is the founder and chief executive officer of Clymb, an AI-driven mental and emotional wellness software for children. As an educator and school leader, Williams spent over a decade addressing the critical need for enhanced mental health and emotional wellness in educational environments. Her commitment to fostering happiness and well-being in children led her to establish Clymb, which aims to democratize access to vital emotional wellness tools for students in underserved communities.

Ashley has received numerous awards for her work, including being recognized as a 2022 Culture Builder of the Year for Baltimore, a 2023 Social Justice Innovation awardee, a Roddenberry Fellow, and a winner of Pharrell’s Black Ambition Prize. In 2024, she received the Impact with Heart Award from the American Heart Association. Ashley’s published work has appeared in EdPost and Callaloo, as well as in journals at Cornell University, Howard University, and Southern Illinois University. She has been featured on NPR and Champions of Wellness.

"FINALLY GET FUNDED"

Casey Ariel Thobias is the Founder and CEO of Blaze Group, a financial consulting and education firm that is closing racial and gender wealth gaps in entrepreneurship through the Blaze Group app, technical assistance, and fintech advisory.

Blaze Group decolonizes pathways to economic freedom by fueling innovation centered on the principles of financial activism – reparative capital, non-extractive design, and well-being indicators. Blaze Group has an engaged audience of more than 100,000 Black women entrepreneurs and supporters across social platforms and has educated more than 10,000 entrepreneurs to date. The Blaze Group app is available in 176 countries on Android and iOS and the company’s influence is evidenced across the globe. Blaze Group has been honored by the Webby Awards for three years in a row as the Best of the Internet in Business, AI, and Technology. BLAZE means Building Leaders and Accepting Zero Excuses ®.

"MASTERING YOUR MONEY MINDSET WORKSHOP"

Aja is a board certified therapist, speaker, and consultant specializing in financial therapy. With over a decade of experience in mental health, Aja has made it a pillar in her work to help others feel supported in their financial journeys.

With a commitment to assisting people navigating the intersection of mental health and all things “money,” Aja is currently promoting her debut book, Feel Good Finance due out December 2024. In addition to her practice, Aja consults with financial services and FinTech companies looking to integrate the emotional side of money. She has been quoted in major news outlets such as The New York Times, NerdWallet, The Morning Brew, Teen Vogue, and the Wall Street Journal.

Coined the “feel-good financial therapist,” Aja is on a mission to get more people engaged in living their best life while attuning to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around money. When she isn’t encouraging people to talk openly about their emotions and money, you can find her chasing after her two young children or looking into the next delicious place to eat.

"HOW I GOT FUNDED"

For nearly two decades, Bernice navigated the intricacies of the corporate landscape, effortlessly balancing her roles as a daughter, friend, wife, and mom, all while staying authentically true to herself. It was during the latter part of her corporate career that she discovered her true passion lay not in the work itself, but in the people she worked with. Her driving question became, "What kind of work environment are we creating for our teams to thrive?" This powerful insight fueled her every day.

Over her career, Bernice explored various industries, from entertainment and aerospace & defense to big tech. However, it became increasingly clear that the typical 9-5 structure and even the concept of "work-life integration" didn't align with her passions. She longed to pursue what she loved and create spaces for others to do the same, but fear held her back. 

Throughout her career, Bernice always had side projects to nourish her creativity, from helping high school students prepare for college to consulting budding entrepreneurs on starting businesses and nonprofits. She even ventured into event planning, crafting visually stunning experiences inspired by Pinterest with her unique touch.

In 2023 she made a bold decision to walk away from Corporate, marking the beginning of a new chapter, one where her creativity could flourish freely. Her journey led her to become a certified Executive Coach and build an impressive portfolio of entrepreneurial ventures: Something New, Innocent Solutions, and Collective Spaces. 

 "I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL"

Keiarna Stewart is a Baltimore native with a lifelong passion for the beauty industry. At the young age of 23, she became a business owner by opening her first full service hair salon.
Since then, she has expanded her brand into medical aesthetics, making her the first black woman medspa owner in Harbor East Baltimore. Keiarna has further extended her reach by launching her own skincare line, the K. Stewart Skin collection. Keiarna's mission is to bridge the gap between beauty and wellness, focusing on enhancing the
total individual from the inside out. She is a serial entrepreneur with experience in franchise development, having worked with the T-Mobile/Metro PCS corporation.
Throughout her career, Keiarna has embodied the spirit of dedication. and resilience while being an dedicated community leader and mentor, actively supporting various women empowerment organizations. In addition to her business ventures, she is also a vibrant personality on the "Real Housewives of Potomac" franchise.

Keiarna's ultimate goal in life is to inspire women to live boldly, confidently, and to authentically
be themselves.

“Reclaim Your Time! AI for Marketing”

Founder/CEO Kanopi Social Digital Marketing | Google – Detroit Digital Coach. Katrina Turnbow’s career includes digital media training, and work on teams conducting recruiting, sales, marketing, communication and social media strategy development. Her expertise led to her being named Google’s digital training coach for metro Detroit.

Moderator : "I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL"

Dionne Joyner-Weems is an extraordinary global brand builder and CEO of Audacity Group LLC. She has garnered a reputation for her unparalleled energy and ability to turn challenges into solutions and moments into movements across industries.

Named The Be.org’s 2024 Baltimore Dream Maker Honoree and CLLCTIVLY’s 2023 Changemaker. Dionne Joyner-Weems is a governor-appointed member of the Maryland Marketing Partnership Board. The natural-born storyteller from the Westside of Baltimore, Maryland, is a woman of “firsts.” She has led the marketing strategy for several significant projects in Baltimore, including the creation of Baltimore’s first-ever Restaurant Week, the development of Baltimore’s first international Art, Music, and Innovation festival, Light City Baltimore, the formation of Baltimore's first LGBTQA+ Marketing Campaign and Tourism Advisory, and the creation of #MyBmore - a nationally recognized community engagement movement which has become a symbol of civic pride in Baltimore - and more. 

Dionne recently published her new book, "That Part! What Some Know But Won't Tell You About Motherhood", which is her diary and declaration on the power of finding and using your voice. This summer, her book was selected for Mahogany Books' first Black Books Matter Festival featuring indie-penned authors.

"Moderator: "HOW I GOT FUNDED"

DeNae Dutton serves as Assistant Vice President and Business Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a
deep commitment to supporting individuals and business owners in achieving their financial goals. DeNae serves on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run of Central Maryland, where she is committed to inspiring young girls to reach their full potential. She is also an alumna of Leadership Howard County. A proud Maryland native, DeNae holds a degree in Finance from Morgan State University.

Moderator, "Healing By Finding Community Fireside Chat"

Nakeia is Founder of The WELL and She's WELL Networked, and Founder & CEO of NLD Strategic. She’s responsible for making the vision clear so that we can make major impact.

"Host, Power Plays HAPPY HOUR & PLAYGROUND"

Persia Nicole is an award winning Radio/TV personality, entrepreneur and a media mogul all wrapped into one.

She has been dominating the airwaves for over 10 years starting in her native city Washington,DC & is currently the midday host on 92.3 WERQ in one of the top radio markets Baltimore,MD. Persia also does entertainment on Baltimore's local new station FOX 45.

Some of the biggest in the industry has sat behind the mic to be interviewed by Persia from Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Da Baby & John Legend to name a few.

Throughout her career she has also endorsed some of the biggest companies from Jeep, Avion Tequila, BET, Coca Cola, Comcast & T-Mobile. Persia has recently collaborated with Nordstrom to launch her bracelet line Beads By Persia (www.beadsbypersia.com).

Persia's biggest goal is to empower those who feel like they're powerless.

"Event DJ and Happy Hour Vibe Setter" 

LaKebra "DJ Keebee," Clark is a female Dj born and raised in Baltimore. Keebee specialize in blends, known to most for  her high-energy sets and jumping off the turntables to dance with the crowd, she’s bringing her amazing DJ skills to keep the party going. Get ready to dance, have fun, and vibe with us at Power Plays! 

"DJ, Power Plays HAPPY HOUR & PLAYGROUND

DJ Ashmo is female Dj born and raised in Baltimore. She’s one of the hottest DJ’s out of the DMV and she’s a mechanical engineer. Ashmo also co-hosts the podcast All Things Go.

UMES Alumni and a mother balancing all aspects of life! Get ready to dance, have fun, and vibe with us at Power Plays!