The Creative Class is a celebration of culture-shifters across a variety of industries from fashion, entertainment, wellness, and beyond. These creatives are using their commitment to their dreams to leave a lasting impact on history and culture. We are the trailblazers making history that will shape our future. We are the changemakers creating the blueprint that future generations will use as their North Stars.

The Creative Class is a celebration of culture-shifters across a variety of industries from fashion, entertainment, wellness, and beyond. These creatives are using their commitment to their dreams to leave a lasting impact on history and culture. We are the trailblazers making history that will shape our future. We are the changemakers creating the blueprint that future generations will use as their North Stars.

ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS

ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS

Creatives that use their craft to tell compelling stories.

Creative Class '23

Boma

Illuma

Writer, Director, & Visual Artist

"he who says he can & he who says he can't are both usually right"

Christian

Nolan

Jones

Writer & Director

"It always seems impossible until it's done." – Nelson Mandela

Derrian

"Phreshy"

Perry

FOUNDER, CEO & CREATIVE

"Everyday the sun won't shine but thats why I love tomorrow" – Glorilla

Diana

Sinclair

Visual Artist + Creative Director

"Art is the one place we all turn to for solace." - Carrie Mae Weems

Freddie

Ransome

Content Creator

"Following your intuition is what's gonna take you the furthest, even if whatever you're feeling feels 'too big'."

Gabrielle

Williams

CEO and Founder, MEFeater Magazine

"You will always be that girl so never forget it!" "Your biggest dreams are about to come true, so dream big!"

Julian

Thomas

The Internet's Favorite Home Boy

"The dream won't work unless you do!"

Kendall

Kyndall

Actor, Television Host & Social Media Personality

"Ignore the noise and don't be afraid to be amazing!"

Krystal

Vega

On-Air Host

"Vision without execution is hallucination!"

Priah

Ferguson

Actress

"Girl, you told them, "I'm gonna be on tv one day," and wow, you did it! All the no's never deterred you from working smart, being prepared, and knowing there was a lane specifically created for your purpose, in your time. I'm so glad you didn't give up yourself, or me."

Reyna

Noriega

Visual Artist & Author

"Everything you dream of becoming is already inside your waiting to be nurtured and discovered."

Sidnee

Michelle

Douyon

Celebrity Reporter/ Senior Digital Editor at Black Enterprise

"Forget the Capricorn need of perfection. Just do it; do it well, do it blessed, do it scared."

Sophia

Yeshi

Illustrator & Designer

"Being weird is actually cool, lean into it. One day you'll get to do all the things you only ever dreamed of doing, like living in New York, making art for a living, and traveling the world."

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP & TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP & TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP & TECH

Entrepreneurship & Tech

Trailblazers that have used their platformc or created their own to consistently innovate.

Featured

Amber

Mayfield

Founder, To Be Hosted & While Entertaining Magazine

"I have stood on a mountain of no's for one yes" - B. Smith

(I love this quote because it reminds me that not every door will open just because I want it to. But the right things will always find you. You just have to keep putting yourself out there and be ready when the answer is yes.)

Brian

Wright

Co- founder of Six Degrees

"Keep dreaming."

Charles

Johnson

Interactive Designer, Art Director, and Founder of VEGA Studio

"If you knew better, you a do better!" Never stop learning and obsess over your passion.

Desiree

Talley

Attorney & Culture Commentator

“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.”
– Michael Jordan

Desmond

Attmore

Co- founder of Six Degrees

"Just do it!"

Keenan

Williams

Cofounder & President of REZI | Founding Partner of Stratum Growth

"10,000 hours is kind of the start."

Kwame

Onwuachi

Chef/Author/Restaurateur

"You’ll do great things, when you stay true to who you are."

Tiffany

James

Founder & CEO, Modernblkgirl

"Never let anyone dim your light."

Tobi

Ajala

Founder & CEO, TECHTEE

"Keep creating because it will be hard to ignore."

Travis

Montaque

CEO & Co-founder of Group Black

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.”
– Henry David Thoreau

FASHION & BEAUTY

Fashion & Beauty

Creatives that continuously push the envelope and are pioneers in their own lane.

Featured

Amiraa

Vainqueur

Celebrity Fashion Stylist & Founder of VeeMode Consulting

"Keep God first and trust your life process. All the things you desire is coming into fruition."

Antoine

Gregory

Founder, Creative Consultant

"The world absolutely needs your voice."

Blake

Newby

Beauty & Style Expert, Commentator

"Relax.."

Brittany

Hampton

Art+Creative Director

"Most of life is a fantasy, as long as you remember to never lose yourself."

Bryon

Javar

Fashion Stylist/ Creative Director

"Bryon trust yourself and the Gift God gave you within! Hold your head up and always believe in yourself!"

Edvin

Thompson

Founder/Designer

"We run things. Things don’t run we."

Ivy

Coco

Maurice

Stylist, Creative Entrepreneur, and Vice-President of WalkgoodLA

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”

Maya

Allen

Beauty Director-at-Large, The Cut at New York Magazine

"Everything you need is already within you. Your journey to coming back home to yourself, time and time again, is your life's biggest work."

Olamide

Ayomikun

Olowe

Founder, CEO of Topicals

“A win is a win.”

Tayo

Kuku

Photographer & Director

"One thing leads to another so do that one thing well."

Tobi

Egberongbe

Founder & Director, Mifland

"Be present everyday."

SOCIAL GOOD

SOCIAL GOOD SOCIAL GOOD SOCIAL GOOD

Social Good

Changemakers who are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Featured

EJ

James

SVP, Special Projects at Digital Brand Architects

"This isn't a dress rehearsal - this is your LIFE! Lights! Camera! Action!"

Kirk

Brown

Chief Development & Communications Officer, Ron Clark Academy

"Listen to your gut and do it scared. Everything will work out."

Luke

Lawal

Jr.

Founder + CEO of HBCU Buzz

"Don’t let the highs get too high or the lows get too low. The key to happiness lies in the balance."

Obio

Jones

Life Coach, LGBTQ+ Changemaker

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." – James Baldwin

Paulana

Lamonier

Founder of Black People Will Swim

"Never change. Continue to use your voice to be fearless and never dim your light. If you're too bright them, they'll adjust and get shades. 😎"

Tola

Lawal

Founder of Gyrl Wonder

"I wish you could see into the future. I know you have NO idea the beauty that life has in store for you. Remember that tough times don't last, tough people do. I hope I'm making you proud. :)"

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Health & Wellness

Professionals that keep the conversation about mental health on the forefront in the most creative way.

Featured

Annya

Santana

Founder/CEO, Hood Health

Licensed Psychologist & Founder of Therapy for Black Girls

"Don't be afraid to use your voice. It is needed."

Elyse

Fox

Entrepreneur and Founder of Sad Girls Club

"Embrace your weirdness and value naps."

Lyana

Blount

Founder, Black Rican Vegan

"You deserve everything you desire, go out and get it , it’s already yours."

Marley

Rae

Director of Health & Wellness, WalkGood LA

"Wherever you go, there you are."

Percell

Dugger

Founder + CEO: GOODWRK & Fit For Us

"Your vulnerability is your superpower, and your resolve can be revolutionary. So remember to embrace discomfort and be mindful that your actions will define your legacy."

Sherica

Holmon

Fitness Trainer & Public Figure

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears."

Sinikiwe

Dhliwayo

Naaya Founder and Creative Director

“Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.” – Bell Hooks

WIllie

Greene

Founder of WE THE URBAN

"You’re different and that’s okay. All of your big ideas, ambitions, creativity and eccentricities make you so special. Keep being yourself; it’ll take you further than you can imagine."

Yasmine

Jameelah

Founder + CEO Transparent & Black

"Every insecurity you ever had about who you are was a lie."

Creative Class of 2023

A celebration of Black culture-shifters across a variety of disciplines, from tech, social justice, fashion and beyond, who inspire us to be our most unapologetic selves. This year's class highlights the present and future while reminding us that we’d be nowhere without the past.