10 Black LGBTQ Leaders And Advocates Making Big Moves In Business
It's Pride Month, and what better time to highlight amazing Black LGBTQ leaders and advocates killing it in business? Yep, now is the perfect occasion. These entrepreneurs and executives are providing spaces for inclusion, disrupting and innovating in fashion, tech, entertainment, and finance, and giving voice to the struggles, issues, and vibrancy of LGBTQ communities. They are exemplary examples of brilliance we all can admire and take a nod from in our own lives both professionally and personally.
Check them out below:
Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of National LGBTQ Task Force
This power woman and mother is the first openly queer-identified Black woman to hold the position at the long-standing organization, and she's tasked with leading strategy to ensure equality and justice for LGBTQ people across the nation. The National LGBTQ Task Force works to fight against discrimination in housing, retirement, employment, healthcare, and more.
Kelsey Davis, CEO & Founder of CLLCTVE
Kelsey Davis was a creative professional who worked for major companies including Conde Nast and created content for brands including Coca-Cola before launching her own firm that provides services for matching freelance creatives with Generation Z brands. It's the creating real opportunities for other young creatives to get to the bag for us.
Lena Waithe, Co-founder of Hillman Grad Productions
If series like The Chi, Boomerang, Them, and Twenties, or films like Queen & Slim don't ring a bell, sis, you need to go ahead and pop from under that rock, subscribe to somebody's streaming service, and get caught up. Lena Waithe not only includes diverse depictions of LGBQT stories within her scripts, but she takes the advocacy further via the hiring practices and opportunities of Hillman Grad Productions.
Kiyanna Stewart and Jannah Handy, Co-founders of BLK MKT Village
This fab couple offers super-cool items that show just how rich and beautiful Black culture truly is, and they do it so stylishly. Together, Kiyanna Stewart and Jannah Handy lead their Brooklyn shop and online community of more than 280,000 followers, offering a well-edited selection of collectibles, apparel, and heirlooms that would put any museum curator to shame.
Ariell Johnson, Founder of Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse
Ariell Johnson's North Philly shop offers an array of comics that put inclusion and representation at the forefront. From books and magazines to toys and figurines, she provides a special selection of items that ensure all lovers of the genre can find something to enjoy and be inspired by, and she unapologetically includes LGBTQ sci-fi "geeks" and comic enthusiasts in the all.
Natalie Patterson, Founder of Natalie Is Poetry
A self-proclaimed "teaching artist," Natalie Patterson fosters growth, compassion, and integrity via workshops, breakout sessions, performances and lectures. Her client roster includes brands like Sephora, Uproxx, and the United Way, and sis will have you deeply moved with her poetry. Trust.
Arlan Hamilton, Founder of Backstage Capital
As if surviving homelessness, living out of an airport and building a venture capital fund isn't impressive enough, Arlan Hamilton has spent the last six years raising millions of dollars to support more than 170 companies founded by female, minority and LGBTQ entrepreneurs. And get into this latest win: A recent crowdfunding effort reached its $5 million goal via more than 7,000 supporters. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Way to get to that coin, sis!
Angelica Ross, Founder of TransTech Social Enterprises
Her company serves as an incubator to economically empower LGBTQ professionals and their allies by providing training for career skills. The platform particularly provides a forum for tools to fight against employment discrimination, and Angelica Ross, a self-taught programmer and actress known for her role on Pose as well as her work as a transgender rights activist, partners with brands and companies to foster training and employment opportunities.
Corianna and Brianna Dotson, Founders of Coco & Breezy
These savvy businesswomen have been giving twin-rock star-Black girl magic energy since 2009 with their eyewear brand, worn by celebrities including Beyonce, Prince, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga. As a brand, Coco & Breezy has since expanded into a luxury retreat venture, DJing, and visual art projects. They're also huge in LGBQT activism, lending their voices, art, and platform of more than 170,000 followers and supporters to issues of advocacy and rights protections.
Janelle Monae, CEO of Wondaland Arts Society
She's the soulful, ecclectic, tuxedo-wearing, boundary-pushing singer, producer and actress known for her roles in Hidden Figures, Moonlight, and Antebellum. Janelle Monae is also a fierce artist mentor, record label exec, and LGBTQ rights activist who has identified as pansexual and rides for equal rights and freedom of expression for all. Word to Django Jane.
Featured image via Coco and Breezy/Instagram
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Often imitated, never duplicated, The Midwest ItGirls hold a refreshingly raw essence, style, and cultural identity. These ItGirls are the living, breathing definition of rolling up your sleeves and chasing dreams. Trust us when we say, these Midwest ItGirls don’t just talk the talk, they walk it, holding fast to their values in everything they get their hands on.
Read about five of our ItGirls here, but be sure to check out the full ItGirl 100 List.
BREE SPECIFIC
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Bree Specific is a media personality and entrepreneur. She gained recognition for her work in hosting events, moderating panels, and covering festivals. Off-air, Bree coordinates Music Relations for Whats The Word Media and serves as a Tech Producer at WVON 1690 AM.
Chelsey Carter Sanders
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Chelsey Carter-Sanders is the founder and CEO of the Alex Carter brand, which focuses on creating everyday attire for extraordinary individuals. The brand is known for combining simplicity with an edge, appealing to those who are willing to take risks.
Jean Deaux
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Jean Deaux's music spans R&B, rap, pop, house, and indie as she creates from the unique lens of a Black queer artist. Often described as a multi-hyphenate and 'modern renaissance woman,' she is a creative director, filmmaker, and songwriter.
Mari Copeny
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Mari Copeny, also known as Little Miss Flint, is a youth activist who gained recognition for raising awareness about the Flint water crisis and her fundraising initiatives to support underprivileged children in her community and across the country.
Sky Jetta
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Sky Jetta has worked with the likes of Rico Nasty, Charli XCX, Baby Tate, and Saweetie. Known for her unique fashion sense, she has been featured in global campaigns Nike x Serena Williams, Burberry x SSENSE, and Jordan Jumpman23. Jetta was also the featured opener for singer Neyo, DJ’d for luxury brands Balmain and Gucci, and just completed a tour as direct support for Zack Fox.