September 1, 2026

For years, LaTonia Oyeniran accepted something many women with braids had learned to live with: pain. The tightness. The scalp irritation. The discomfort that could linger long after leaving the chair. Braids were part of her life, but so was the assumption that getting them simply came with a certain level of suffering. Then one […]

Jeanne M. Gills has built her career at the intersection of disciplines that rarely stay simple for long. As an Equity Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP and one of the country’s few first-chair Black patent litigators, she works across intellectual property litigation, high-value transactions, emerging technologies, leadership, and mentorship. Her background in electrical engineering

Some businesses begin with a carefully researched market opportunity. Others start when an entrepreneur encounters a problem that existing players are unwilling to solve. For Gracie Jones, Founder of Opulent Lifestyle, it was the latter. Before Opulent Lifestyle became a concierge concept designed around premium travel, events, networking, products, and experiences, Gracie was trying to

For Cassandra Hill, transformation is not an abstract idea. It is something she has lived through, fought for, and eventually built her life’s work around. Today, as a Master Life Coach, Transformation Agent, speaker, and author, Cassandra helps Black women pursue emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial well-being without sacrificing themselves in the process. But her

The fashion industry has never lacked visibility. What it increasingly struggles with is separating visibility from expertise. AK Brown sees an important distinction between the two. As a fashion entrepreneur, educator, consultant, and industry connector, Brown has watched social media transform how professionals establish credibility. Designers, stylists, strategists, educators, and other specialists are now expected