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Adding a Touch of Personality
Fashion is both ever-evolving and reciprocal. What’s in today is out tomorrow and what was popular twenty years ago is slowly creeping back onto the shelves of your favorite retailers. Bold colors, mixed patterns or prints as well as subtle and not so subtle accessories are often the focal point of a carefully orchestrated fashion statement. However, for Corey P. Speight, owner of Pins with Personality by Pernell, it’s the little things that say everything! Before he could utter his first words, Speight’s sense of style was being groomed by his mother. Always meticulously dressed with matching nails before biweekly manicures were a trend, Doris J. Speight made a lasting impression…
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Crash: Becoming More Than An Athlete
The phrase "More Than an Athlete" was popularized by Lebron James in 2018, but its something Ashlee "Ash" Samuels has always stood for. Even as a young student-athlete, Samuels has always possessed a desire to help others achieve their dreams. As the owner and CEO of CRASH! Creative, LLC, CRASH! The Glass and I Want Placement; she's helping athletes, entrepreneurs and philanthropists brand themselves as "more than."
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Raven Solomon: Walking In Her Purpose
There are those who happen upon their purpose and there are those who walk in it; Raven Solomon is the latter. The Charlotte, NC native defied the odds, overcoming poverty, bullying, battles with anxiety and devastating loss to become Valedictorian of NC State University and later a corporate executive at Frito Lay. It’s in those moments of tragedy, triumph and loss that her character was shaped & her tenacity was fueled which ultimately led her to establish an inspirational platform as a speaker and corporate coach. Following her parents divorce, Solomon, her mother and two siblings moved from the comfort of the home they once knew into a tiny…
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ShArkLife Music Services: Creating a Frenzy in Indy Music
Despite being born and bred in Brooklyn, NY, Sharnā “Shar” Drayton, owner of Mesh Management and ShArklife Music Services, was a pop & alternative rock girl until age fifteen. It was then that she discovered the lyrical mastermind himself, Sean “Jay-Z” Carter and realized that Hip Hop was much more than the rhythmic beats and dope music videos that she had become accustomed to. In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 was a reflection of her surroundings the teen was able to identify with in a way she hadn’t been able to before. Ultimately, that introduction to Hip Hop became the catalyst for her artist management and music services platforms. Mesh Management…
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Bougie Pop: From Popcorn Lover to Overnight Success
At the end of a long day, there’s nothing like coming home, kicking your feet up and enjoying your favorite snack! For some, perhaps it’s a slice of cake, a piece of candy or maybe even a bowl of ice cream. For LaToya Warren-Heath, its a handful of delicious freshly popped popcorn. However, while most of us are content satisfying our tastebuds, she and her husband saw an opportunity! With his encouragement and startup funds from the sale of their first house, the Greenville NC native and popcorn connoisseur, formed Bougie Pop— a popcorn boutique that provides gourmet popcorn for all occasions. Established in June, despite it’s infancy, Warren-Heath…
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Karlton T. Clay: Creating Content God And Augusta Can Be Proud Of
Karlton T. Clay, Award winning writer/director and CEO of Victory Productions, is on track to becoming the male equivalent to Shonda Rhimes as the writer, creator, director and producer of 8 web series. Although he may not be a household name just yet, Clay is charting a course much like the one Issa Rae blazed before him. The effort he’s putting into creating quality content that is culturally relevant is astounding. Even more impressive is his desire to shine the spotlight on his hometown of Augusta, GA along the way. A graduate of Davidson Fine Arts in 2004, Clay went on to complete a degree in film and video from…
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The Gent’s Life: More Than Fashion
NC State alum and owner of The Gent’s Life, Rob McKiver, isn’t your typical fashion designer. Growing up in Long Island and Queens, he’s a shining example of the quintessential “New York State of Mind” we often hear about in songs. Hustle, innovation and an unrelenting desire to live life on his own terms have proven to be a recipe for success for the entrepreneur. As a clothier, promoter, blogger, public speaker, activist and most importantly father; McKiver is using his love of fashion to spearhead an entire movement. Even as a child, McKiver was expressing his individuality through fashion. He recalls being the kid in the picture with a…
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Modish Vine Style Tips For Gents
We went back into our bag of gems from African American Entrepreneur Chiwionne Mason, owner/visionary behind Modish Vine, to pull out a few style tips. Gentlemen and the women who love them–take note! The Look: BE VERSATILE. No matching tie and hanky’s. According to Mason, “If you’re going to get the matching tie and hanky, that’s cool, just DON’T wear them together. Use the tie and find a completely different pocket square in that same color scheme.” Not sure what to do now that you know the matching tie and hanky set is a fashion don’t? Mason offers this tip, “You can never go wrong with going to Target and…
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Wardrobe Essentials For The Aspiring Dapper Gent
Chiwionne Mason, the owner and visionary behind Modish Vine, provided a ton of gems throughout the course of our interview. Today we are sharing his take on wardrobe essentials for young professionals and seasoned gentlemen looking to upgrade their image. These basics can easily take you from the boardroom, to happy hour and church on Sunday morning. Wardrobe Essentials for the Aspiring Dapper Gent: 3 suits: Black, Gray & Navy Blue 3 Plain White Shirts w/ Varied Collars A Patterned Shirt (window pane or gingham pattern) A Light Blue Shirt A Striped Shirt A Contrasting Shirt (Ex:black, gray or blue shirt with a white collar) A Plain Black Satin Self-Tie…
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Modish Vine: The Style Blueprint
Frequently we hear about the absence of fathers and male figures in the lives of men which is often the catalyst for who they become. For Raleigh native, Chiwionne Mason, owner/visionary behind Modish Vine, it was the presence of strong male figures that set him on a road to becoming a man and ultimately an entrepreneur. Mason was fortunate to have two male influences, his great-grandfather “Pop Pop” and father, shape and mold him into manhood. In additions to their influence, Mason was also a member of the ROTC at his alma mater, Broughton High School. As such, upon graduation Mason embarked on a career in the United States Marine…
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gold élan llc: Home Decor with Panache
Born in Jacksonville but raised in Washington, NC; Meyetta ”Meme” Grimes, owner of gold élan llc, always had an admiration for home decor and design. “Washington is a very historic town and we always lived in these huge houses that were five or six bedrooms that had a lot of character to them. A lot of times I would just sit there and draw the fireplaces” she recalls. As a teen, she’d spend her spare time sketching architecture, designing wedding dresses and developing as an athlete. Ultimately, it was athletics that earned the track and field star a scholarship to Appalachian State University where she studied Sociology. Shortly after college,…
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Splashed by DKG: Breathing New Life into Denim
Fashion like most things in life is in a constant state of metamorphoses. Textures, fabrics, colors and garment structures are ever-changing as designers attempt to stay relevant in a microwave society where rompers are the talk of the town today and lace shorts are all the rave tomorrow. Daniel K. Grier, founder and textile designer of Splashed by DKG, will make you reimagine the possibilities when it comes to the fashion classic… denim. Founded in 2013, Grier started Splashed by DKG out of his mothers garage. Initially, he was transforming regular pairs of jeans into statement pieces but as his garments grew in popularity, so did his vision for what…
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Shenette Swann: Constantly Evolving
There are no boxes or labels vast enough to describe the constantly evolving talent that is Shenette Swann. A classically trained vocalist, percussionist, dancer, author and motivational speaker, Swanns’ gifts came naturally and were nurtured by parents who are both artists in their own right. Her mother a professional singer with a band as a teenager, her father a drummer and her aunt a professional opera singer; music was a living and breathing member of the household. Born in NC to a military family, Swann lived in multiple states throughout the U.S. Her exposure to various cultures was instrumental in shaping not only her world view but her musical palate.…
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Solitude Scents: Discovering the Gift of Solitude
LaToya Adkins moved to Durham NC in search of a change of scenery but stumbled upon her path to entrepreneurship. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI following graduation from high school; while most of her friends were going off to college hours away from home, Adkins made the decision to attend UW Madison which was only about an hour and a half away. There, Adkins received her bachelors in Legal Studies and Spanish followed by her masters in Social Work. A couple of years into her career, she decided the time was now to move and experience life away from the comforts of home. In October 2015, Adkins packed…
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Malebo Oldjohn-Tsindi: Healing A Nation
At the young age of 28, Malebo Oldjohn-Tsindi has discovered what most are still in search of…Self-Awareness, Faith and Purpose. Born and raised in South Africa, Oldjohn-Tsindi grew up in a village called Lotlhakane, which is located in a town called Mahikeng, in the North West province however the message that she conveys as a author, motivational speaker, mentor and life coach is universal and translates across continents. A graduate of Letsatsing Science High School, Oldjohn-Tsindi went on to obtain her diploma in Information Technology from PC Training and Business College in 2010. A couple of years removed from college, Oldjohn-Tsindi entered a relationship that has impacted her life in…
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Moni B Cosmetics: A Kiss of Confidence
Born in Harlem but raised in the Bronx, NY native Moni “Moni B” Brodie has been enhancing the confidence of women with the stroke of her brush for over two decades. A makeup artist since the age of 19, Moni B has turned her passion into a lucrative business called Moni B. Cosmetics, LLC which launched in 2014. The beauty maven has used her platform to create numerous opportunities to further the reach of her brand including motivational speaking, most recently adding talk show host and producer to her long list of credits. She’s managed to accomplish all of this while balancing her most important role as a single mother…
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Sinful Delights: The Sin is in the Cake
I imagine you’d be hard pressed to find many adults who don’t enjoy something sweet and a little bit of alcohol from time to time. So when Bronx native, Makeda Gillard, put the two together by combining cupcakes and alcohol, her goodies became an immediate hit at local events throughout the Triangle and surrounding areas. Over the last two years, Sinful Delights has become the guilty pleasure of choice for various events such as weddings, girls night out, grand openings and erotic poetry events. “I always had this other little side that wanted to do something that was fun for adults and I wanted to do some kind of dessert…
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Squeaky Grease Productions, LLC: A Teenage Love
For most kids who grew up in the 90’s, playing video games was a way of life! You’d jump off the bus after school, complete homework and hop on the Nintendo 64 or the Sega Genesis and play for hours. Norman Wilson, owner of Squeaky Grease Productions, LLC, was no different! He recalls going into Blockbuster playing Mario Bros prior to the release of the game on the Nintendo 64. The 3D graphics of that game were the images that left a lasting impression. Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Wilson was the quintessential teenager. The only difference was that his teenage love of playing video games turned into a passion…
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Andrea Sheree Benjamin: Elegance & Design in Harmony
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 That’s the scripture that kept playing in my head during my interview with Andrea Sheree Benjamin, owner of Elegant Harmony. Not because she mentioned it but because that’s the confidence and conviction that she exudes when it comes to her faith and her business. Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, Benjamin received her degree in Business with a concentration in Spanish from North Carolina Central University but it was her experience as an event coordinator for Adventure Landing that helped her to discover her passion for event planning and design. Benjamin’s love of all things shiny and full…
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Dr. Talaya Waller: Crafting Brands & Building A Presence
“Create so much positive that any negative is a drop in a sea versus a drop in a glass.” -Dr.Talaya Waller It’s not hard to imagine that the possibilities are endless for one who starts their first business venture as a high school student. Dr. Talaya Waller, CEO/Founder of Waller & Company, started her entrepreneurial journey as a violinist in a musical group she pioneered called Young Inspirations. While other teenagers her age were depending on allowances from their parents, she was creating a stream of income for herself and others performing at weddings and other small gigs within the community. “I didn’t always know that I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but…
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LeShonda Martin: Giving a Voice to a Community
Oftentimes, we find ourselves well into adulthood before we figure out what we want to do in life. Most of us change careers a dozen times from the day we’re first asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up” until it’s no longer a question but a choice that must be made. For LeShonda Martin, founder and editor of WAGS Redefined, growing up in the hoop state of Indiana meant having a ball in her hands. “The first chapter of my life was spent on the hardwood,” recalls Martin. So it’s no surprise she dreamed of one day having her name on the back of a WNBA…
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K. Scott Weddings: Infusion of Love and Culture
Often, brides who choose to tackle the task of planning on their own are close to pulling their hair out right up until the moment they walk down the aisle. I suppose that’s why God created wedding planners! One such godsend is Keisha Scott, owner of K Scott Weddings which is based in Greensboro, NC. Born and raised in Jamaica, Scott’s family moved to New York during her youth. As a young adult, Scott attended UCONN to study pre-med and eventually switched to nursing. As a nurse, Scott often found herself setting up and planning events around the hospital as well as at church. It wasn’t until she planned her…
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Chakara Conyers: Epitome of a Hustler
Mom, community activist, author, social media/marketing specialist and business owner are just a few of the titles that Chakara Conyers holds. Methodically building her brand by finding voids and fulfilling needs; she is successfully running multiple businesses simultaneously. Growing up in the Southside of Raleigh, Conyers’ didn’t live a life of luxury but it was filled with a strong sense of family and community. Today, Conyers is building a brand that’s deeply rooted in those same values. “I love writing. I love creating. I love marketing.” beams Conyers. She has managed to put each one of those talents to work, first as an author of two books, Hard Dreams and…
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Vegan Flava Cafe: Flava is Essential
When a business is born out of pure happenstance, you know the product is good! That was the case for Vegan Flava Cafe. Yah-I Tafari and his wife, Ma’at Maakhera Amen, who is also co-owner, spent time traveling from state to state attending natural haircare shows to promote and sell her book, Whatz In Your Womb. Finding it difficult to locate vegan food on the road, they began to prepare their own. Always willing to share, they soon had people lining up for Amen’s book as well as a plate of vegan food with flava. The following year, they became food vendors at those same events as a result of…
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Chronicles Photography: Everybody Needs Picture
When you first meet the naturally beautiful Dawn Michelle Downey you’d probably expect her to be in front of a camera, instead she’s behind it. Born and bred in Brooklyn, Downey was given her first camera by her grandmother around the age of 7 and ever since that day she was always, “the girl with the camera” recalls Downey. As the owner/visionary behind Chronicles Photography, Downey uses her innate creativity to capture the moments that last a lifetime for her clients. Despite being the resident photographer among friends, it wasn’t until getting married and moving to North Carolina approximately 5 years ago as Downey recounts that “a close friend put…
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Jeanmarie Tea Co: Creating Experiences One Cup At A Time
Nicole Allen, graduate of NC A&T, is an engineer by trade. By all other accounts, she is a God fearing, champion for young girls, whose always been an entrepreneur at heart. Born in New York but raised in North Carolina, Allen is a quintessential southern belle with northern savvy. She was the student on campus that was selling the sandwiches and snacks from the care packages her mom packed to fellow students to make extra money. So its no surprise that she is now the owner of a flourishing tea company affectionately named after her grandmother whom she adoringly refers to as “the love of my life” called Jeanmarie Tea…
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JQ Sports PR: Growing Brands One Client at a Time
Jaquese “JQ” Smith knows her way around 94 feet of hardwood. She’s played at the collegiate level, coached and is currently 1 of 3 hosts on DNA sports talk radio. All of that aside, JQ’s passion lies in her ability to “Groom athletes for success” which was the goal she had in mind when she formed JQ Sports PR. With two high school athletes and her first professional client, JQ is well on her way to establishing her brand within the PR community. JQ Sports PR offers two levels of service. For student athletes, services such as SAT prep and guidance, community outreach, media coaching, recruiting exposure, academic/social media monitoring…
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Fathers Forever: Bridging the Gap
A story I heard over the weekend, made me revisit a previous interview I’d conducted years ago. While it’s my belief that a single parent household does not always equate to a fatherless child as most of society would have us believe, I do know that a two parent household is certainly better than one. Although, I feel the statistics regarding fatherless children are skewed when it comes to single parent households, I do know that there remain far too many fatherless children for factors within and at times beyond the fathers control. Fathers Forever is a non-profit organization based in Raleigh, NC whose vision is “Bridging the gap between…
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The Bath Place: From Necessity to Passion
As a young child, Kimberly Clayton Thigpen, possessed the entrepreneurial spirit. She and a childhood friend spent afternoons in the yard crafting homemade earrings and necklaces out of tree bark. They would round off the edges and drill holes in the center, eventually selling them to neighbors. As a young mother, Thigpen spent her early adult years working in the security that corporate America often provides. That is until 2009 when her husbands eczema prompted her to come up with a solution for his frequent flareups. Thigpen recalls the experience vividly saying, “The first time I made soap, I absolutely fell in love with it.” His need for relief from…
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Launching July 4th
Welcome to The Color of Ingenuity! The Color of Ingenuity was created to support, promote and galvanize African American owned businesses while exposing consumers to the bevy of goods and services offered by them. Each week a business owner will be featured on the site as well as our youtube page. This is not a listing of businesses but an in-depth and insightful interview with owners. Along with weekly business features, we will also post relevant business industry information that can be helpful to owners and consumers alike. In addition we will pay homage to those who forged paths for current and future entrepreneurs. My hope is that while exposing…
