The Color of Ingenuity

African American Entrepreneurs, Innovators & Thought Leaders

The Color of Ingenuity
  • Black Excellence
  • Featured Business
  • In The Know
  • Trailblazers
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Black Excellence
  • Featured Business
  • In The Know
  • Trailblazers
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • In The Know

    Independence Day: Year One Sharing Stories of Black Owned Business

    July 4, 2017 / 7 Comments

    One year ago today, Independence Day 2016, I launched #THECOLOROFINGENUITY. I remember how proud I was to post the first article. I was filled with nervous energy, excitement and a tad bit of fear from the moment I hit “publish” but somehow managed to do it anyway. After all, The Color of Ingenuity was going to be my solution to a problem. The problem? I’d spent the last year, feeling powerless as stories dominated airwaves of African American’s who suffered “death by police” and heartbroken when their murders didn’t result in charges or worse– ended in acquittals. You see, we’ve reached a trillion dollars in buying power and we weren’t…

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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Healing a nation

    Malebo Oldjohn-Tsindi: Healing A Nation

    May 2, 2017
    Karlton T Clay Victory Productions

    Karlton T. Clay: Creating Content God And Augusta Can Be Proud Of

    July 10, 2017
    The Color Of Ingenuity

    3 Things THE COLOR OF INGENUITY Features Taught Me

    July 17, 2017
  • Featured Business

    The Gent’s Life: More Than Fashion

    June 26, 2017 / 2 Comments
    African American 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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Colin Kaepernick

    #BlackExcellence: Salute to Colin Kaepernick

    September 2, 2016

    Launching July 4th

    June 30, 2016

    The Bath Place: From Necessity to Passion

    July 4, 2016
  • Featured Business

    Wardrobe Essentials For The Aspiring Dapper Gent

    June 21, 2017 / No Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Splashed by DKG: Breathing New Life into Denim

    June 5, 2017

    JQ Sports PR: Growing Brands One Client at a Time

    July 18, 2016

    Adding a Touch of Personality

    December 10, 2019
  • Featured Business

    Modish Vine: The Style Blueprint

    June 19, 2017 / 3 Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Adding a Touch of Personality

    December 10, 2019
    The Color Of Ingenuity

    3 Things THE COLOR OF INGENUITY Features Taught Me

    July 17, 2017

    Crash: Becoming More Than An Athlete

    December 7, 2019
  • Featured Business

    gold élan llc: Home Decor with Panache

    June 13, 2017 / No Comments
    home decor

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Independence Day: Year One Sharing Stories of Black Owned Business

    July 4, 2017

    Sheriff Clee Atkinson Jr: Making An Impact in Edgecombe County

    May 21, 2018
    Shenette Swann

    Shenette Swann: Constantly Evolving

    May 15, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Splashed by DKG: Breathing New Life into Denim

    June 5, 2017 / 2 Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    home decor

    gold élan llc: Home Decor with Panache

    June 13, 2017
    Sense of Community

    LeShonda Martin: Giving a Voice to a Community

    November 12, 2016

    ShArkLife Music Services: Creating a Frenzy in Indy Music

    August 21, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Solitude Scents: Discovering the Gift of Solitude

    May 8, 2017 / 2 Comments
    Solitude Scents

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Splashed by DKG: Breathing New Life into Denim

    June 5, 2017

    Adding a Touch of Personality

    December 10, 2019

    Launching July 4th

    June 30, 2016
  • Featured Business

    Malebo Oldjohn-Tsindi: Healing A Nation

    May 2, 2017 / 1 Comment
    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Chronicles Photography: Everybody Needs Picture

    August 1, 2016

    The Color of Ingenuity Holiday Gift Guide

    December 16, 2019
    Girls Trip the movie

    What Girls Trip Did for Women, Hollywood and Travel

    July 27, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Moni B Cosmetics: A Kiss of Confidence

    April 17, 2017 / 1 Comment
    Cosmetics

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Launching July 4th

    June 30, 2016

    JQ Sports PR: Growing Brands One Client at a Time

    July 18, 2016

    Splashed by DKG: Breathing New Life into Denim

    June 5, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Sinful Delights: The Sin is in the Cake

    March 27, 2017 / 1 Comment
    Sinful Delights

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Adding a Touch of Personality

    December 10, 2019

    ShArkLife Music Services: Creating a Frenzy in Indy Music

    August 21, 2017

    Kobe Bryant: Even in Death He’s Schooling Us All

    January 27, 2020
  • Featured Business

    Andrea Sheree Benjamin: Elegance & Design in Harmony

    January 23, 2017 / 2 Comments
    Event and Design

    “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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Bougie Pop: From Popcorn Lover to Overnight Success

    August 8, 2017

    Chakara Conyers: Epitome of a Hustler

    August 22, 2016
    Sense of Community

    LeShonda Martin: Giving a Voice to a Community

    November 12, 2016
  • Featured Business

    LeShonda Martin: Giving a Voice to a Community

    November 12, 2016 / No Comments
    Sense of 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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    ShArkLife Music Services: Creating a Frenzy in Indy Music

    August 21, 2017

    Bougie Pop: From Popcorn Lover to Overnight Success

    August 8, 2017
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    What Girls Trip Did for Women, Hollywood and Travel

    July 27, 2017
  • Featured Business

    K. Scott Weddings: Infusion of Love and Culture

    August 30, 2016 / No Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    The Bath Place: From Necessity to Passion

    July 4, 2016
    Raven Solomon

    Raven Solomon: Walking In Her Purpose

    September 12, 2017
    Shenette Swann

    Shenette Swann: Constantly Evolving

    May 15, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Chakara Conyers: Epitome of a Hustler

    August 22, 2016 / No Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    African American Fashion

    The Gent’s Life: More Than Fashion

    June 26, 2017

    The Bath Place: From Necessity to Passion

    July 4, 2016
    Sinful Delights

    Sinful Delights: The Sin is in the Cake

    March 27, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Vegan Flava Cafe: Flava is Essential

    August 15, 2016 / No Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Michael Bonner

    Michael Bonner: The Children’s Champ

    August 2, 2017

    Happy New Year

    December 31, 2016
    Shenette Swann

    Shenette Swann: Constantly Evolving

    May 15, 2017
  • Featured Business

    Jeanmarie Tea Co: Creating Experiences One Cup At A Time

    July 25, 2016 / No Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Wardrobe Essentials For The Aspiring Dapper Gent

    June 21, 2017

    The Bath Place: From Necessity to Passion

    July 4, 2016
    Girls Trip the movie

    What Girls Trip Did for Women, Hollywood and Travel

    July 27, 2017
  • Featured Business

    The Bath Place: From Necessity to Passion

    July 4, 2016 / 4 Comments

    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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    Kimberly Albritton

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    Sense of Community

    LeShonda Martin: Giving a Voice to a Community

    November 12, 2016
    Style Tips

    Modish Vine Style Tips For Gents

    June 22, 2017

    Independence Day: Year One Sharing Stories of Black Owned Business

    July 4, 2017

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