Carly
CEO
Carly’s ultimate goal is to own a Sports, Entertainment, and IP full-service agency. A former professional basketball player, Carly is also currently in the works to launch Black Economic Coalition, which will be filed as a not for profit organization and will focus on encouraging entrepreneurship and increasing financial literacy in the black community. She earned her MBA in Media Management and is a mother, a sister, a friend, and still has a deadly baseline turn-around jumper. When she is not planning how to take over the world, Carly enjoys music, dancing (horribly), reading, being with family and friends, playing sports, traveling, helping others, enjoying nature, and watching documentaries and horror films. Ever the optimist as well as a dynamic and enigmatic figure, too much is never enough in her book. For Carly, life is meant to be lived, loved, and thoroughly enjoyed.
Nicole
COO
Nicole, lovingly known as Nickey, is an enterprising, detail-oriented, hard-working, and technically skilled account management/business management specialist known for accuracy, attention to detail, and timeliness in managing the School Construction Authority and Building Department processes. She currently serves as the Executive Project Manager for an architectural consulting firm. Her tenure at this organization spans over 10 years and includes several advancements up the corporate ladder. On a daily basis you can find her running the School Construction Authority division of the company, which includes managing daily processes; supervising staff; managing vendor/supplier relations; and overseeing the timely, accurate processing of job filings, invoices, proposals, expense reports, credit memos, and payment transactions.
In addition to Nickey’s strong career history, she is also a scholar with multiple degrees. She has a total of five degrees, a few of which include a Master in Accountancy and a Master in Business Administration with a minor in Project Management. Her studies, along with her steady work history of over 20 years in a customer service capacity, make Nickey a sound fit to perform the duties as COO of BlaqGurlMoves LLC.
Nickey beat out many odds to become the well-rounded individual she is today. After graduating high school early, attending college for a year, and a brief appearance in the military, she became a young mother. She had to put school on hold to work full time to support her child. Nickey set up roots in Maryland after being born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Married for a short while, she realized she wanted more for herself and her child. She was determined to go back to school to finish what she started, and would eventually moved back to New York after leaving an emotionally abusive marriage.
With her free time, Nickey travels the word with the goal of indulging in all that local culture has to offer. Travel helps her regroup and give back to others. Additionally, her long-time passion of music and singing keep her young at heart. Once upon a time you would be able to find her rocking out a stage or singing for a happy couple at their wedding. Today, she spends the majority of her days working to support her successful daughter, who I may add is scheduled to graduate from college this year, with future plans to attend Law School in the fall. Nickey looks forward to a bright future for all her endeavors.
Jillian
CFO
Experienced Accounting Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Internal Audit, Fixed Assets, JD Edwards, Account Reconciliation, and Accounting. Strong accounting professional with a Master of Science (M.S.) focused in Accounting from Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus. She has been a vital component of the accounting department of a large Fortune 500 company for over 10 years. If it involves your business finances, there’s no better person to look after it for you.
Brittany
Education & Family Initiative Officer
Brittany is a former teacher and fervent advocate for educational reform to drive socioeconomic equity in public schools. She currently works with KickUp, a job-embedded professional learning platform based out of Philadelphia on their Business Development team. In that role, she consults with administrators nationwide on strategies and systems at the district level to improve teacher training, ensuring all students have access to high-equality educators. Brittany holds her BA in Neuroscience from Harvard University and is mother to Laila, 6.
Ann
CIO
As CEO of JMG, Ann brings with her a wealth of knowledge and creativity. JMG has built a high performance consulting team and has successfully positioned the company as a leader in online branding strategy. Ann drives thought-leadership for the company’s executive teams. At JMG, our most important tenant is building relationships, “bridging the gap between you and the world”. JMG continues to create dynamic strategies for brands and local business. She brought her vision and strategic partnership as an invaluable asset to Global Spectrum Group, LLC, serving as their COO. JMG facilitates introductions between brands, products, talent and consumers. Our expertise and relationships span across entertainment, sports, music, fashion and lifestyle places us in a unique position. Sometimes, we just happen to be in the right place at the right time. I look forward to engagement on all levels.
As a serial entrepreneur, Ann is also a Property and Casualty Insurance Broker, licensed in NY and CT, entered into partnerships with 2 other companies Direct Revest (real estate investment and financing) and Dillion & Alleyne, a luxury fashion brand.
Despite her busy schedule as a mother of 3, Ann serves on the board of Lola Louis’ Creative and Performing Arts, Inc. (CAPAS), a 501(c) (3) studio-based creative and performing arts program in the Northeast Bronx.
Darlene
Spiritual & Holistic Advisor
Nia
Head of Travel & Itinerary
Nia is a medical professional with 16 years of experience. Throughout the years in the medical field starting off as a Nursing assistant. Married with two children she decided to advance in her career and received her Bachelors in Nursing in 2014.
After finishing Nursing School and getting settled in her new role Nia decided to explore her talents in other areas in life. With her love for expanding her knowledge she learned how to trade Forex and Options. As she realized that it will take multiple streams of income to build wealth she decided to become a mini serial entrepreneur. She is Co founder of JNS Commercial and Realty, LLC, Co founder of Tranquil Hearts, LLC for Home Health Care needs and CEO of Silvur Lining Holdings, LLC which focuses on wealth building through Life Insurance.
She mentors, she serves on the board of directors for some of her rental properties, and for leisure Nia loves to travel. Her experience with travel started at a young age. Her love for travel led her to start Silvur Lining Travel. As head of travel and itinerary she brings forth travel experiences that you will never forget!!
Erika
Bougie Luminaries is an experience born out of a love for candles, Culture, romance, and beauty in 2014 after a candle making workshop reignited Founder, Erika Parker-Smith’s childhood passion for the art. Flames always fascinated her. Initially, she made candles for family & friends who wondered why she & her husband, Illustrative Artist, Jamaul Smith, weren’t in the candle business.
The idea was considered & shelved until 2016. The couple toyed with the idea, again. Bougie Luminaries came to life in 2017 when the duo decided to just go for it. They began brainstorming names & concepts. Eventually, their focus narrowed when two themes repeatedly emerged: pinup art & pop culture. Those themes inspire all that they do.
Bougie Luminaries is an amalgamation of passions: candles, art/stationery, movies, music, & a life lived full of experiences mingled with the tradition of Black Excellence.
They wondered if anyone wanted to see or celebrate melaninated beautiful women in the same ways & they do! The couple figured out how to merge their eclectic tastes with visually stunning art and fragrances to create arousingly decadent candles & stationery.
In 2018, founder, Erika Parker-Smith walked away from Corporate America to launch Bougie Luminaries.
Today, the family is owning bougie-ness and learning to be comfortable in it. This business reminds and reflects daily the varied beauty that exists throughout the African Diaspora. It teaches selflove and to take bougie as a compliment.
What’s next? A Culturally-inspired brand & boutique experience. In 3-5 years, Bougie Luminaries will be a boutique staple & continue being an excellent gift for the culturally inspired.
For Press Inquiries, Interviews & Features, and/or Wholesale Inquiries
Website: bougieluminaries.com
Email Address: info@bougieluminaries.com
Phone Number: 919.892.8922 (Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
Social Media: @bougieluminaries (All Sites)
Mocha
Spiritual & Holistic Advisor
Mocha Carter is a medical professional with nearly 15 years of experience in various fields of medicine, an event curator and cofounder of The Living Room Event. She is also a freelance writer and vocalist.
A consummate student, Mocha has studied law, journalism, and psychology, finally landing in medicine where she received her AAS in Medical Administration and BA in Health Services Administration with a minor in marketing.
She is a civil rights advocate with connections to the Bronx branch of ASALH, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Mocha brings a level of spirituality, a healthy knowledge of healing stones and their uses, meditation and yoga.
Amerrah
Personal Health & Hygiene Officer
Amerrah Brown began making skin care products 18 years ago in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently founder & creator of four separate skincare and cosmetic companies. Beautiful Amore Skincare, Beautiful Amore Pink Collection (a line that celebrates women and our struggles), IAM Skincare for Men and Honey Be Natural (a line she shares with her eldest daughter). She also works with several companies who use her expertise and product knowledge to help boost their own brand and to break into the skincare industry via her private label opportunities.
Amerrah manufacturers vegan, organic and natural based personal care products designed to help people overcome various ailments of the skin and hair. She is passionate about teaching self love and to help boost self confidence through skincare. The aromatic blends of essential oils used in her formulations help to relieve stress and heal the soul. She is also an advocate for domestic violence survivors. Her mission is to make sure people feel love one person at a time. She hand makes every product by pouring her love and light into it. Her fitting tag line is… If the essence of love could ever be captured in a bottle, Beautiful Amore Skincare comes close to it.
She herself is a domestic violence survivor. She finally got the courage to leave. She had no money and no place to live but that didn’t stop her from leaving. She faced many road blocks and hurdles but her faith in God kept her moving forward. Through her determination to change her life around. Beautiful Amore Skincare was born after she received divine inspiration. She felt the love of God touching her life in many ways. She knew it was her duty was to share that love with others.
Beautiful Amore skincare is a company born from her struggle, imagination, necessity, determination and most of all the love that was shown to her by God.
The name Beautiful Amore is her tribute to GOD and to humanity, it means love is Beautiful. God’s love is endless and beautiful. There’s beauty in loving ourselves and each other. When we do this we please our Creator.
Amerrah’s belief is that when you love yourself it shows in how you treat other human beings, animals and the planet we live on. We are all connected… Loving yourself, others and the skin you’re in… That’s what truly makes a difference in this world. She is working nonstop to bring her companies worldwide exposure.
She is a proud mom of six beautiful children, her eldest is currently attending an HBCU. Her dream school, Clark Atlanta University majoring in biomedical engineering.
Kimani
Health & Hygiene Officer
Kimani is a sexual health and wellness expert with over ten years of studies and experience. With a BA in Psychology and MA in Sexual Health (IP), she works with clients across the world to help improve their intimate quality of life.
As founder of VForVCom, Kimani provides free and low-cost resources to individuals in need of sex health services. She also curates and creates products to facilitate improved education and measurable change in health. As she currently pursues her nutritionist credentials, Kimani aims to further aide in creating a healthier, happier world for all.