Our Top 10 TranscendHERS 2023

It’s Women’s History Month and it’s the perfect time to celebrate women entrepreneurs and leaders!  Take a look at  ten women who are defying limits, shattering glass ceilings, and thriving in our black community. 

Alexis Kerr is the Vice President of Mahogany, a Hallmark brand that has built trust with the Black community by celebrating emotional connections among loved ones for over 30 years. Her passion for meaningful connections led her to Mahogany. Some of her most notable work includes the launch of an all- new Mahogany.com website, which features a writing community that centers on the voices of Black women who uplift and empower one another. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  LinkedIn

Arian Simone, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, best-selling author, international speaker, and PR & marketing specialist... Arian received her MBA from Florida A&M and has over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience: from pioneering and growing a successful PR and marketing firm to founding Fearless Magazine and the Fearless Platform in 2010, with a mission of inspiring millennial entrepreneurial women. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  LinkedIn

Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, also known as “Dr.Key”, founded the Village Market, which has become an economic vehicle that empowers the Black community through cooperative economics. Hallmon has been featured on the Today Show, CNN/ HLN, The Breakfast Club, Forbes, Essence, Black Enterprise and Ebony and has been listed as one of the most successful African American businesswomen and leaders

by the Root 100 and Forbes 50 Champions. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  drkeyhallmon.com

Melissa Butler is the CEO of The Lip Bar (TLB) and her newest venture, thread beauty. TLB has become a pioneer in clean beauty and inclusion, proudly founded and owned by a self-made woman of color. Many witnessed Melissa and partner, Roscoe Spears, get rejected on Shark Tank, but a larger community of women were not having it and showed massive support via social media and press! TLB and thread beauty is sold in over 1000 stores across the country including Target and Walmart stores nationwide. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  melissarbutler.com

Latasha Gillespie is the Executive Head of Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility for Amazon Studios, Prime Video, and IMDb. Latasha is also a renowned speaker, host, and moderator with relationships with Talent, Content Creators, and other influential public figures. She has publicly interviewed several prominent celebrities and moderated panels.  Latasha has been honored as a 2022 Multichannel News Wonder Woman and named Executive of the Year by the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  LinkedIn

LaToya Williams-Belfort has been an equity champion and innovative non-profit senior executive leader for over 20 years. She is currently the Executive Director at the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a non-profit organization that calls on major companies to dedicate 15% of their purchasing power to Black owned businesses. So far, 29 companies across three countries have taken the Pledge, including Sephora, Macy's, Yelp and more

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  LinkedIn

Melissa C. Potter is a pioneer in utilizing entertainment to bring about social change. As Vice President, Strategy and Impact at Paramount, she spearheads social impact strategies and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Potter has a proven track record with national non-profit organizations and influential brands. She is known for her expertise in the issues of Race, Identity, Culture, Equity, and Social Justice and her ability to manage moments of crisis with an unflappable style. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  LinkedIn

Milan Harris, also known as Milan Rouge, is a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, author, and philanthropist. She founded the 8-figure luxury streetwear brand Milano Di Rouge in 2012 with two shirts and self-funded it from the ground up to become an all-size-inclusive multi- million-dollar fashion brand. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  iammilanrouge.com

Monique Rodriguez founded MIELLE in 2014 after her healthy hair care regimen for her tailbone- length hair became somewhat of a craze among her social media followers. The company began on the back of one product, the Advanced Hair Formula. MIELLE has now been distributed in more than 87 countries and can be found in more than 100,000 stores across the U.S. in retailers such as Sally Beauty, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, JCPenney, and Walmart. 

For more information about this TranscendHER visit  mielleorganics.com

Tamika D. Mallory is a bestselling author, award- winning social justice leader, and movement strategist who is known for advocating for justice in cases such as Breonna Taylor’s No Knock Warrant case. She was the youngest ever Executive Director of the National Action Network and instrumental in creating New York City’s Crisis Management System. Tamika co-founded Until Freedom, an intersectional social justice organization that serves as a clearing house for organizers, activists, attorneys, artists, celebrities, formerly incarcerated individuals and others who share a passion for liberty. 

​​For more information about this TranscendHER visit  tamikadmallory.com