Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Orion Carloto

THE ONE TO WATCH. 

Orion Carloto is in Flux. 

 But her approach to life's realities has a twist. 

After writing for Local Wolves magazine, Orion decided to bare her soul, publishing her first book of poetry, Flux. With original illustrations by artist Katie Roberts, Orion pulls from her own experiences with love and loss, creating a safe space for the brokenhearted. Solitude, sex, and yearning for simpler times dot her pages. 

Born in a small town in Georgia, the writer and poet first became popular on YouTube. Such is the world we live in. But growing up with her nose in a book and stuck deep in her own imagination, Orion was never fated to stick to the video platform. (It doesn't hurt that she understand the art of a good pic.)  A fan of hot coffee, the color yellow and baring it all on the page, she's a Gen Xer to keep an eye on. As she writes on her Instagram, which has over 500k followers, "2017 was magical for many reasons. I traveled the most I’ve ever traveled. I wrote music. I moved to NYC. I came out as bisexual. I fell in love with a beautiful woman. I released my very first book of poetry and prose. I healed."

In this digital age when many young influencers take to video to express themselves, it's refreshing to see the 21-year-old take to paper. 

More from Orion below.  

Where do your drive and passion come from?

If anyone taught me how to go after the things you want the most in life best, it would be my mother. I know it's a cliché to praise one's own mother, but that woman has continuously enlightened me with the importance of working smart and working hard. Make mama proud.

When you run into a career obstacle, what drives you forward?

Pulling inspiration from everything that's surrounding my life. Literature, films, strangers, travel, music, photographs, stories, big cities, and the people that I love with my entire being. That's what pushes and excites me to move forward. Or by traveling to a place that I've never been to before. Experiencing unfamiliar places has a funny way of pulling heaps of creativity out of you.

What was it like putting your first book of poetry out in the world?

If I could describe that experience in one word, it would be bittersweet. Releasing 'Flux' was something I've always dreamt of achieving even before it was written. Yet, when the social release day came about, I was completely beaming and overwhelmingly terrified all at once!! My heartbreak, something that once only belonged to me, now lives on the shelves of thousands of people and I'm still trying to adjust to that.

My heartbreak, something that once only belonged to me, now lives on the shelves of thousands of people and I'm still trying to adjust to that.

Will you do it again?

Absolutely without a doubt! Exposing your vulnerabilities is a tough position to be in, but I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

Since you work with curious creatives, where do you think good ideas come from?

My best ideas come from warm coffee in the morning, the people I cross souls with, and both the strange and endearing endeavors my life takes me on. 

You have a young following with a ton of ideas and feelings. Based on what you read and see from them, if you ran the world, what one law you would enact?

Easy-- a law that ensures and protects everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community across the entire world.

"Exposing your vulnerabilities is tough but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Tweet this

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who constantly interrupt!

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I think it's easy for people to assume that just because I'm a writer, that I write every single day! Truthfully, it takes a thoughtful sit down, complete solitude, and feeling inspired for me to successfully write a new piece that I'm proud of. Although I try to journal every day, when it comes to poetry or prose, I find myself greeting writers' block more often than I'd like.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

When others can connect with my words and truly feel them while reading. To me, that makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

Malia Obama. I know being a college student is her full-time "job" at the moment, but MAN, could you imagine having Barack and Michelle as your parents?!

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

I can think back to two points in my life. The first was when I began working with my excellent team of strong and confident women. Like my manager, Rana Zand, for example. Watching her work ethic and absorbing her continuous advice inspired me to take charge and to absolutely never stop no matter the obstacle. The second was the moment I finished writing my first book. It was that moment that I let go of all of my heartbreak. I gained an appreciation and better understanding of who I am as a person and my potential in achieving absolutely anything I put my heart to.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Patti Smith said it best, "Build a good name. Keep your name clean. Don’t make compromises, don’t worry about making a bunch of money or being successful — be concerned with doing good work and make the right choices and protect your work. And if you build a good name, eventually, that name will be its own currency."

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Anything Amy Winehouse!

Do you have any resolutions for 2018?

To begin and finish my second book. Oh, and also to be reasonable at texting people back much faster.... not days later.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE CONTENT CREATOR LIST CLICK HERE. 

---

FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST HERE.

Create & Cultivate 100: Philanthropy: Monique Coleman

THE EQUALITY AMBASSADOR. 

She's using her platform to make real change. 

From High-School Musical to the United Nations, actress and activist Monique Coleman has dedicated her life and celebrity to empowering girls and women. Recently named the UN’s newest Girl Up Champion, the GimmeMo talk show host continues to uplift, using her platform to advocate for keeping girls around the world educated, healthy, and safe. Named the first ever United Nations Youth Champion in 2010, Coleman visited 24 countries in just six months, tackling the most pressing issues affecting our at-risk youth.

While you may know her as Taylor McKessie from the hit High School Musical franchise, her true passion lies in fighting for human rights.

More from Monique below.

Name: Monique Coleman

Instagram Handle: @_moniquecoleman

Where do your drive and passion for Girl Up come from?

My passion stems from my deep belief that empowering girls does change the world.

Philanthropy means the "love of humanity." It's so beautiful and simple. What does it mean to you?

To serve without limits.

Much of your work involved traveling. What have you seen on your journeys that inspired you to keep going?

I’m amazed at the resilience of humanity. The strength of a mother to walk for days with her family to escape a war; the dedication of young students who see education as a way to a better future; the pride of a village who receives clean water. I’m also inspired when I see how little it takes sometimes to make an enormous impact.

What have you found to be the most pressing issues facing today's youth?

Self Esteem, Comparison, Feeling like their voices aren’t heard.

Do you think you've found your true calling?

I believe my purpose is to empower, inspire, and motivate people however the form that it takes is ever evolving.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

The ability to use my platform to make a difference.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

The Dalai Lama. I’d love to spend my days engulfed in teaching Peace & Compassion.

At what point in your life did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

Still working on it :)

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Nothing is ever “life or death” unless it’s literally “life” or “death”

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

I don’t. I cry.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE PHILANTHROPY LIST CLICK HERE. 

---

FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW. 

Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Karen Okonkwo

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO. 

Karen Okonkwo of TONL, a platform which seeks to transform the idea of stock photography by displaying images of diverse people and their stories around the world, has said, “For people to feel welcome in any industry, they need to see online that there are other people that look like them, in those particular fields. Imagery, in the form of advertising, is the first step in saying, ‘hey you are welcome and we want you here.’ That angle is very powerful and underutilized.” 

“Sometimes, especially in the black community we feel tokenized,” she's explained. "I’m not trying to act like the spokesperson for the black community. I’m simply someone who is trying to provide change and influence. I may have some missteps along the way. Try to give people grace as they launch their businesses and feedback.”

But representation is of the utmost importance to the entrepreneur and content creator. For TONL, photography and storytelling can help humanize and hopefully diminish the stereotypes and prejudice against black and brown people, especially. They are committed to showcasing the ethnic backgrounds of every day people. And the Nigerian-American social entrepreneur believes anyone can do this. 

“If you don’t see what you want— anyone who has a skill set, be that change. Start your own Facebook group or start your own meet up, or agree to mentor one person, that’s how we create that cascade of people. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, either. That knowledge is there for you to take." 

More below on why she says she's a secret gangsta. (We don't think it's too secret.) 

You've said that with TONL it was not only important to create a database of diverse photographs, but to also tell the stories behind the people in the shots. Why was this important?

Often times the narrative for people in our community is already decided for them: criminal, thug, loud, low income and the list goes on. We felt that it was important that we allow the underrepresented the opportunity to tell their own stories; allow us to really get to know them. The hope is that people reading will embrace who these people are and not what they think they are.

When your work is redefining a category, what are you up against?

The biggest hurdle for many of us is access. We are up against household stock photography names so we have to not only be up to speed but one level better as a niche business.

How hard is it to fight the system?

Based on so many racial injustices, it is very hard to fight the system. It's the same system not designed for the underrepresented in the first place.

Where do your drive and passion come from?

I attribute my drive and passion to my Nigerian roots. We are fighters, competitors. We strive for excellence in the littlest and biggest things-its just in our nature and a part of our culture. My Dad is a successful entrepreneur and my Mom is a hardworking woman with several accolades under her belt so I had great examples growing up.

"I attribute my drive and passion to my Nigerian roots."

Tweet this. 

When you run into a career obstacle or road block, what drives you forward?

When I run into a career obstacle, my why drives me forward. I know that I'm positioning myself to impact the world tremendously and so for every obstacle I know it's just a groove, a stepping stone for the best that is yet to come. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people smoke cigarettes in front of public facilities, especially the hospital! I hate cigarette smoke around me period!

What are your biggest fears about running a business?

My biggest fear within running a business is not being able to properly compensate people helping to build our business. When you're bootstrapping, you have to be very careful in how you try to expand, but you also want to be fair to those willing to put in the work to see your business to fruition.

When you're bootstrapping, you have to be very careful in how you try to expand, but you also want to be fair to those willing to put in the work to see your business to fruition.

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I handle the Marketing and Business Development for TONL. I think sometimes people think that I'm a photographer and I can't help but chuckle because that's not my strong suit. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can take some okay pictures, but I leave all of that to Joshua, Temi and Sam.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

I feel so complete whenever our phone buzzes with a new order. It tells me that someone was able to solve the long, frustrating issue of locating imagery of people of color online. It makes me pleased to know that we are a trusted outlet for that.

"When I run into a career obstacle, my why drives me forward."

Tweet this. 

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I would love to be Oprah for a day! She is my mentor from afar and it would be an honor to see life through her lens.

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

I had moved to Seattle for a Medical Sales position and while the job was everything I had wanted professionally and financially, I knew it didn't align with my deepest desires. All the while, I was starting to build new friendships in a city where I knew no one, hosting events and really making a name for myself in that realm. A friend of mine complimented me on how well I through events and suggested that I turn it into a business. It was at that point that I decided to take charge with full confidence and start my very first business which is still in existence today: Party With a K, LLC.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk? 

Give it to God. There is so much power in that piece of advice because when you realize that God has it already planned out for you, you can just sit back on autopilot mode. Every move we are making in life has been set forth before we were even conceived. When you understand that, you live life with an immense amount of peace.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Cardi B's Bodak Yellow has me hella hype these days! I'm a secret gangsta so it's fun to rile up that side of me haha.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE CONTENT CREATOR LIST CLICK HERE. 

---

FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW.

Create & Cultivate 100: Health & Wellness: Massy Arias

THE MOST FIERCE. 

There are body goals, and then there’s Massy Arias aka MankoFit.

With 2.4 million Instagram followers, the rockhard rockstar is setting the precedent for workout ethic with a holistic approach to body and mind wellbeing. What began as an effort to overcome depression soon became a life-saving lifestyle for the fitness fanatic, who says that failure is the ultimate opportunity for learning. As a certified personal trainer, Arias aspires to shape futures, not just as six packs.

Follow along for MankoFit’s thoughts on cheat days, motherhood, and more.

Name: Massy Arias

Instagram Handle: @massy.arias

When did your passion for fitness begin? Do you have any cheat days? If so, we can’t tell.

About 5 years ago when I went through a depression. Fitness was my outlet to beat it. I don’t believe in cheat days. I like food and I eat healthy. If I decide to have something that has less nutritional value and a bit more calories than usual per meal, I don’t consider it cheating. I am just eating what my body felt like eating.

What are the basics of a healthy morning routine for busy women?

Fitness and nutrition isn’t a size fits all approach in my book. When it comes to my habits in the morning, I’ve established a routine for myself. I prep the night before so it’s easy to make the things I love in the morning. Overnight oats, oatmeal pancake batter, and even overnight Greek yogurt are my top choices in the morning especially if I am super busy.

You were super honest about learning to accept your post-preg body. What have you learned about your body since having your daughter?

Since having my daughter I’ve learned I’m a superwoman. I did something amazing that took close to 10 months, it’s going to take time to feel like myself and look the same way I used to before her. I love my body even more because it was the body that helped me bring my daughter into the world.

"Since having my daughter I’ve learned I’m a superwoman."

Tweet This.

Are there parts of your life that have become more clear since her birth?

Every aspect of my life and even I have changed since giving birth to Indi. I have become a better trainer, daughter, and wife. I can relate to a whole new “hood” I’ve never been able to relate with; motherhood and parenthood.

What’s the legacy you want to leave on your community?

The day I die, I’d like people to remember me as someone who taught how to be fearless and how to create their own destiny. I would love my daughter to say I was her motivator and role model.

"I would love my daughter to say I was her motivator and role model."

Tweet this.

What advice do you have for women working towards cultivating the career of their dreams?

Have Integrity. Don’t give up on your big goal once things get tough because I didn’t. The tougher it got for me, the more I learned how to navigate the things that today are easy for me to accomplish. I have never lowered my standards and I haven’t lost integrity to get the things I’ve wanted in my career. Too many people fall short and lower their standards for the things they want at the moment not realizing they are compromising their goals. Look at the big picture and don’t settle for less.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When my husband eats my food. Drives me insane especially when I ask beforehand if I should get extra of “that something” and he says, “no.” Then it’s gone and I want to scream.

Top 3 artists on your workout playlist?

Leikeli 47, Major Lazer, Kendrick Lamar. (Cardi B but until she makes more music, I’ll continue playing Bodak Yellow, lol).

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I handle all my social media, create my programs from top to bottom, and all the decisions I make for my supplement company are my own. From ingredients to new products. I don’t play around with neither my business or my fans. The reason I am here today is because of them and they deserve me staying genuine and telling them only the truth.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

I love what I do. I’ve been complete ever since I started helping people and doing fitness. I LOVE what I do. I think I’ve found my purpose and I hope my love for fitness and helping others shows even if those who show me support haven’t met me directly.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I’d trade jobs with Ayesha Curry. I happen to be really good in the kitchen and she seems to have so much love and passion for cooking that it looks so rewarding. You can tell she loves what she does.

"I’d trade jobs with Ayesha Curry."

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

At the point, I had a serious talk with my mother and I had anxiety about everything I was doing. She told me to read Ecclesiastes in the Bible and that was it. I never doubted myself. I’m very spiritual and that gave me so much confidence because of the man above always, ALWAYS, backs me up.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

The best advice I was given was by my mother. She’s always told me to be myself and not try to be what people expect me to be.

When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?

I hit bumps every day. I don’t look at failure or anything for that matter as a negative. I’ve learned a lot more failing or through bumps in the road than I have when everything is going great. I learn from the situation and I find a solution. But I keep moving forward with applying what I’ve learned and hopefully not make that mistake again.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

"Stronger" by Tank.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE WELLNESS LIST CLICK HERE. 

---

FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW. 

How CRWN Magazine Founder Is Changing the World by Being Herself

Real Queens fix each other's CRWNs.

“Don’t touch my hair! “ Many of us have heard Solange Knowles sing about it, but Lindsey Day co-founder of CRWN magazine is doing something about it.  Lindsey launched CRWN, a hair and lifestyle magazine for black women, with longtime collaborator, Nkrumah. It’s no secret that women of color go to inexplicable lengths to transform their natural hair to Caucasian standards of beauty.  It’s an arguably negative cycle of self-denunciation with a great financial and cultural burden.  However, in this age of information saturation, there has been a surge of natural hair influencers on social media and a boom in Black hair care products.  Both Nkrumah and Day felt compelled to contribute to this movement, finding that the one thing missing was “a premium magazine documenting the phenomenon, or authentically portraying our narrative”(Day). And thus, CRWN magazine was born, a culturally aware art platform that prides itself on showcasing only NATURAL Black hair. 

Day is no stranger to running magazines, uplifting social morale, or being on the cusp of innovation, but the road to her existential success was not direct.  She landed her first full time job at Interscope Records, while also editing a blog called “livelevated.com” with collegiate friend and creative director Nkrumah.  At the time they were working in the corporate music industry and found a little haven in this side project.  During Lindsey’s six years with Interscope, she witnessed the economic crash and the corporate industry flip inside out due to expanding technology.  This uncertainty drove Day to crave ownership.  And in 2009, she co-founded “Made Woman,” “an online magazine that helps young professional women connect and learn from each others’ careers.” 

She quit Interscope, worked full time at MW, and took some freelance gigs along the way.  One of which turned into a full time position with Intern Queen, doing content, business, and project management, honing in on her digital marketing skills.   

As she was approaching 30, the wordsmith needed a change.  She reconnected with Nkrumah on a Brooklyn rooftop in 2014, where they reflected on ownership, career, and voids in the marketplace, but most importantly “what life would look like if we could sustain ourselves by serving our people.” That was the beginning of CRWN.

CRWN is a quarterly print magazine with an e-commerce offering.  It is 100% independent and self-funded, and has built successful advertisement relationships based on its ability and promise to stay true to its core message of authentic Black culture.   This authenticity is what drives the owner. Lindsey says it’s her “love of my people, and the work,” it’s about seeing “a woman or girl flip through CRWN and her eyes light up…or when a sister confides in me about her hairstory and how CRWN is a place where she can finally see herself…These are the reminders that CRWN is so much bigger than Nkrumah and myself.”  A profound feeling that most of us hope to evoke at some point in our life.   

CRWN is culture. It is the Black musicians, painters, photographers, writers, activists, and visionaries of a culture that have never been honestly represented in the media, nor maybe even to it themselves.  It is healing Black people in America by saying ‘it is beautiful to be you.’  The team at CRWN feel a moral obligation to tell their story and document their culture.  In years to come, Lindsey sees CRWN growing into a “true media platform and hub for the culture,” where creatives and business people alike can come and “cut their teeth,” as she says. 

CrwnMag Issue no. 01; CrwnMag Issue no. 02. 

The co-founder's ability to show up, persevere, work hard, and trust her gut instinct, has brought her to a place of ownership, pride, humanitarianism, and cultural revival.  She has created a tangible change in the Black community, and most importantly, an awareness of truth and self-love.  In a world where African Americans have been systematically misrepresented, discredited, and traumatized throughout the course of history, Lindsey Day and CRWN have created a haven of acceptance, beauty, self-love, and open conversation.  The powerhouse tells it like this, “This is the first time in my life I’ve known I’m walking in my true purpose.”     

Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

The One Thing That Gives Women Power Over Men

Portland went off last night. Last night we landed in the PNW for a night of cocktails and conversation! We'll talked all things entrepreneurship, creative & tech with women who are breaking down barriers and actively putting in work to build a better future. Over 300 guests attended the popup at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, hearing  from panelists Grace Mahary, Jessica Naziri, Karen Okonkwo, and Heather Lipner about their life in STEM, their aspirations, and how women are the true superheroes. 

Read some of our favorite takeaways below and head to our Facebook to watch the full live stream including our keynote with Sonja Rasula. 

FIND YOUR TRIBE

TechSesh founder Jessica Naziri quit her job in the startup world when she felt like she didn’t belong. She told the crowd, “I never want to feel like that again. I want to make it my mission to empower myself and empower others.” So she taught herself to code— well, with a little help from her friends. “I am part of a network called Persian women in tech. We all meet once a month.” One of the women in the group help Jessica learn to code. “I’m not going to say I’m a programmer. I know the basics and that enabled me to understand the foundation. Even if you don’t want to code, just knowing a little bit is so important. These days it’s so easy— you can take  an online course and empower yourself.”

Model and Project Tsehigh founder Grace Mahary also brought up that in such a digitally dependent world, there is no way to survive without getting involved in STEM in some way. So get on it. 

TURN PASSION IN PROJECTS

Heather Lipner, the founder of then now-closed, but highly popular, Clashist (they made James Franco leggings) and now Drawsta, knew that she wanted to continue in the fashion world, but incorporate tech. “Augmented reality at that point was not really even a word people were talking about.” Before Snapchat even came out with face filters, Heather was doing R&D to figure out how to make Augmented Reality work in the fashion sphere. “If you don’t know what it is, it’s adding a digital layer to a physical thing you can touch and feel, and the digital layer can only be experienced through a device like an iPhone. With Drawsta you can have real time changes to your clothes. With AR you can upload a new animation— you can program your clothes in real time. It’s a powerful tool and a new way to experience wearing something. With Snapchat and Instagram stories everyone is changing their face, but it could be on clothes and surfaces.”

It could also make fashion more sustainable— something that Grace Mahary brought up.

OFFSET YOUR WORK 

"I work in an industry that’s one of the most polluting on the planet, so it’s all about offsetting,” the activist told the crowd.

Project Tsehigh (PjT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing uninterrupted energy to impoverished or remote communities around the world via renewable energy sources. 

“While I was visiting and living in some of these developing nations I realized, very quickly, I couldn’t charge my phone, I would go to a restaurant and the power would go out. When you live in that condition you’re forced to see how people live and wake up every day. To think that you can't wake up every day and have facilities that run consistently— that’s how I became passionate about it. We’re working with solar panels, and as of this month, we’ll be launching our first project in Eritrea, and we’re donating 101 solar units to households — and then a school, a church, and a mosque.” 

PROMOTE INCLUSITIVITY 

Karen Okonkwo of TONL, a which seeks to transform the idea of stock photography by displaying images of diverse people and their stories around the world, explained, “For people to feel welcome in any industry, they need to see online that there are other people that look like them, in those particular fields. Imagery, in the form of advertising, is the first step in saying, ‘hey you are welcome and we want you here.’ That angle is very powerful and underutilized.” 

“Sometimes, especially in the black community we feel tokenized,” Karen told the crowd. "I’m not trying to act like the spokesperson for the black community. I’m simply someone who is trying to provide change and influence. I may have some missteps along the way. Try to give people grace as they launch their businesses and feedback.” 

She also dropped a version of this gem: Be your own Dora the Explorer and teach yourself. 

"Be your own Dora the Explorer and teach yourself."

Tweet this. 

“If you don’t see what you want— anyone who has a skill set, be that change. Start your own Facebook group or start your own meet up, or agree to mentor one person, that’s how we create that cascade of people who can enter into STEM. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, either. That knowledge is there for you to take." 

WOMEN ARE FREAKIN SUPERHEROES 

“A lot of money is controlled by men, and that’s the biggest problem," shared Heather when talking about raising money and going into VC meetings. "When you go and try to raise you’re almost always talking to a man and they don’t understand the female perspective. Until you experience something or have that problem, you’re not going to understand what the solution is. It’s harder for women to get funded, it sucks,” she said frankly. “For me I’ve been jumped into a room and seen a total glaze.” Which is why she says, "The money has to also be diverse in category, gender, race, and everything so you can create companies that are targeted for what your niche is.” 

Heather then dropped this AMAZING bomb during the Q&A portion.

“I just had a baby. The baby was in me and then it came out of me. And I feed the baby with my breasts. Men cannot do that. I wish I could go back to all the VC meetings I had and to the men in those rooms  say, ‘You have no power.’ I wish I could have a different mind shift and just go for it without being intimidated or being scared. It’s a crazy thing to think about. They might have the money. It’s artificial. It’s contrived. And we can change that. You just need that mind shift. 

Any questions?

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

5 Women of Color You Need to Follow on IG Right Now

Fact: Women of color are dominating the business world. They represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

According to Fortune “black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.” A 2015 report found “women own 30% of businesses in the U.S.” Of that, women of color own 14% of these companies. Hello! The facts are all here. From clothing lines to nonprofits to tech startups, let’s just say these 5 women of color are KILLING the entrepreneurial game. You are going to want to follow them ASAP. Here’s why.

1. Morgan Debaun

Company: CEO and Founder of Blavity

About: @MorganDebaun, the founder of @blavity, is a forward-thinking black millennial who is pushing the boundaries of culture and the status quo. As @blavity’s Founder + CEO, Morgan is disrupting traditional media by creating a (much needed) world class community of diverse creators + influencers.

2. Gabrielle Deculus

Company: Founder of Business Rules for Women

About: @BusinessRulesforWomen is a mega media platform making life easier for the emerging entrepreneur. @Gabrielle.Deculus has created an online business community for women that is guaranteed to help you succeed. Looking to grow and expand your business? Business Rules for Women will give you all the tactics, tools, and connections you need to be successful.

3. Grace Mahary

Company: Project Tsehigh- Clean Energy For All

About: Not only can @GraceMahary rock the runway, but she’s the founder and executive director of @ProjectTsehigh. This nonprofit organization has one goal: to decrease global energy and improve the quality of life for impoverished families. Using her entrepreneurial skills, she has worked passionately over the last four years to help get closer to accomplishing her goal. This powerhouse is a force to be reckoned with.

4. Carly Cushnie

Company: Co-Founder and Designer for Cushnie et Ochs

About: @CarlyCushnie is changing the game of fashion. The co-founder and designer for @CushnieetOchs has been featured on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 List,” and she is not stopping there. According to Complex, Carly is showing us how to “let a woman’s most feminine side shine.” She is bringing her beautiful, most alluring seductive side to the runway making Cushnie et Ochs a forefront in the fashion world.

5. Kitty Cash

Company: Founder of “The I Am Woman Project”

About: A successful fashion publicist and DJ? What more could she do? Well, @kittycash is at it again. The successful DJ Kitty has created a multi-media platform for women looking for some motivation and celebration. The @iamwomanproject is an online community to empower women. DJ Kitty Cash is doing it all, and we can’t wait to watch the @iamwomanproject grow.

These 5 #powerhouse women of color are not only rocking the world of business, but are working to make the world a better place. Now it’s your turn to contribute.  Add some daily inspiration into your life and follow the journey’s of these amazing women. We can’t wait to watch their growing success, can you?

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Why "Insecure" Star Feels Good as a Black Woman in Hollywood

R: Yvonne Orji by graphic illustrator Monica Ahanonu

When Insecure actress Yvonne Orji says, "I feel good as a woman in Hollywood. I feel good as a black woman in Hollywood," you can tell she means it. And she doesn't think her job would be easier if she were a man. "No, because I like being a woman. I think there is beauty and benefit to being a woman. I like being able to go into male-dominated spaces and blow people’s minds away."

That’s not to say she is blind to the discrepancy in Hollywood. Race issues. Age issues. Wage issues. There’s no way to avoid them.

"I like being able to go into male-dominated spaces and blow people’s minds away."

Tweet this.

Her journey through Hollywood certainly hasn't been without sexist moments. Having first made a name for herself on the stand-up circuit, Orji says there was always a moment where the  announcer would prep the crowd. "Are you ready for a woman? are you ready for a woman?" they'd ask. These are the micro-aggressions that continuously diminish women at work. "They never do that for man," she says and it's no laughing matter. "Apparently," says Orji, "there are rules as a female standup comic. You can’t be pretty, skinny, and funny. Pick one. You can’t be all these things. To be funny, you have to be overweight, and you have to be dirty with your jokes." That's not the case for Orji. "I do clean comedy and just really want to make people laugh in a positive way. Yes, I know how to work out and put on makeup. Why are there so many fractions in order to make people laugh as a woman? You don’t hear this from guys. You can just be funny."

But she's never let those intros deter her or hold her back. "I stand my ground and stand my own. This is me. I am not backing down. You may not know me now, but by the time I finish my set, you’re going to think I’m incredibly funny."

These are also stereotypes she’s been working to break with Insecure, which is about to release its highly-anticipated second season on HB0. Orji plays BFF Molly (a high-powered DTLA attorney) to Issa Rae's character, Issa. The show has been properly lauded for being an important show with great roles with great roles for women as well as one that tackles social and race issues while avoiding cliches. "Molly can be insecure. Everyone can be insecure. And that happens in life. You have one thing set and then you don't. You’re dating someone, but then you want a new job. You have the job, but you don’t have the relationship. There are always things that aren't working." 

Orji and Rae on Insecure.

It's this kind of material, and the specifically multi-faceted role she's currently playing, that makes Orji love being a woman in this town. "Especially now," she says. "With the type of content we put out there and the content creators that are allowed to have their voices expressed." She brings up Living Single. “There were shows that were popular in the ‘90s that featured strong black characters, and then that fell off for a minute. There was a gap in programming." But shows like Living Single allowed for the progress and next iteration of strong black female-led comedies. i.e. you can be a high-profile black, female attorney who also doesn't have it all together. It's the true Millennial experience, where women, and here specifically black women, are more than one thing. 

When asked about the latest success of Wonder Woman and Gal Gadot, Orji quotes an article that talks about how true success will be when a female-led movie is allowed to fail and Hollywood will still make another. “Men have been failing for years. And they are still given development deals and big deals with studios. There is so much pressure on women. ‘Oh if this fails, Hollywood will NEVER make another movie like this. It HAS to be great.” It’s a dangerous setup. For Orji, “Divide and conquer doesn’t work here,” she says. Not if Hollywood wants to make progress. "Women helping other women is the way." And it's why she explains, "It’s so important for Issa and I and why we work really hard at it. It’s also more comfortable to look around a set and see a female sound tech, a female executive producer." She brings up award-winning director extraordinaire Ava duVernay, a champion for diversity in Hollywood. “It’s the same thing with directors like Ava. When people say, 'I don’t know another black actress.' Ava will say, 'Well, how about her?'” We bring up the all-female set of Zoe Lister-Jones’ new movie Bandaid. “Ooh, checkmate, Hollywood,” she says. Except Orji isn’t sitting around waiting for Hollywood to make its move. She’s making her own. Taking her future into her own hands— a space where she is clearly comfortable. She's been tied down with ADR for Insecure Season 2 (which returns Sunday, July 23rd of HBO) and she's also hard at work on her own show, First Gen, which draws from her stand-up and her experience as a Nigerian-American and the daughter of two immigrants. 

"I came to Hollywood as an intern in the writer’s room and I didn't really know what that meant, but I saw how much power exists in there. With First Gen, maybe I didn’t know structure, but I knew people. And you have to be willing to take the risk. At least for me. It was up to me to take this into my own hands." Thats’s the kind of go-getter she is. And that part is so crucial.

"I stand my ground and do my thing as me. I can go toe-to-toe with the next guy."

Tweet this.

"I stand my ground and do my thing as me. I can go toe-to-toe with the next guy. There is strength and power in being a woman: we are smart, we are creative, and we are compassionate. Are there great women out there doing amazing things, with a guy coming in not doing anything extravagant and everyone thinks what he’s doing is amazing, but yet she has to prove herself? Yes, that does still exist and it does still suck, but not to the point where I want to be something other than an African immigrant black woman. No, no, no! I’ll take my portion, I like it." 

She also notes there has to be more diversity because the women at the forefront of society are more diverse. “Who is going to play the First Lady (Michelle Obama), who is going to play Oprah?” she asks. Good questions. We have a couple of answers and a strong feeling she'll be in the running. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

When This Editor Was Told 'Fashion Is Not for You,' She Did This

photo credit: Becki Smith/ Smith House Photography

"They looked me up and down and said, 'Fashion is not for you.'” That was the experience of Fashion Bomb Daily founder Claire Sulmers while working in the editorial department at a magazine. But instead of letting that slammed door stop her, Claire stuck to a mantra of "I will not lose," and built something different. Something inclusive. Something that matters. The @fashionbombdaily IG currently has over a million followers and the site serves as a platform for people who had the audacity to exist, when an industry told them otherwise. "We decided to take the bull by the horns," the editor and Harvard grad explained. "With a tremendous platform, you can’t afford to be silent." 

It is a sentiment echoed by all of the women who took to the stage for the Beyond the Binary panel at Create & Cultivate NYC, moderated by Bobby Kim. "If you're not going to give me the job, I’m going to go out there, find it, and do it better," said Deddeh Howard, the Liberian-born model who last year released her Black Mirror photo series, where she replaced models like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in major campaigns.

“There are a lot of women who feel like they don’t fit inside a pretty little box, but there are a lot of people out there who are looking for something different,” shared Claire. 

“I worked in the fashion industry for nine years in public relations,” shared Katie Sturino of 12ish Style. “My mentality was always, ‘Why am I so fat?’ ‘Why can’t I fit into these clothes?’ But I flipped the script and asked why am I punishing myself like that?”  

Also joining them on stage was model Emily Sears who gained notoriety last year when she began DM'ing the girlfriends and wives of men who would send her dick pics. "There is no picture of what a feminist looks like," Sears told the crowd, acknowledging that her predominately male following hates when she talks about feminism, but that doesn't stop her. She's not excluded from the conversation simply based on her looks or the fact that she posts sexy photos. "That's my decision and it's not an invitation for abuse," the Aussie-born model explained. 

photo credit: Becki Smith/ Smith House Photography

The main thread pulled through the conversation by Bobby Kim, co-founder of The Hundreds, and, most recently JENNIFER, was the question of whether or not it's getting better. 

"Is the industry changing?" asked Bobby. "Is it open, more embracing?"

“There’s a lot of ‘token,’ explained writer and blogger Nicolette Mason. “Here’s our person of color, here’s our person above a size 12, here’s our gender non-conforming individual, and that’s supposed to be enough. But brands need to think what they’re actually representing, the passive choices they’re making in all of their collateral, in-store signage, language that is used, and if it’s not leading the conversation, if it’s only for those marketing and PR moments, then it’s not worth anything.” 

“We need to stop with the labels, the categories, and give more people more opportunities,” said Deddeh. “I wasn’t trying to attack the brands,” she said of Black Mirror. “I was simply trying to get them to see what I can do and what any girl out there can do.” It’s about consciousness and awareness.   

Right there with her was Venezuelan actress, writer, and executive producer, Maiah Ocando who told the audience, "First of all I’m a human, then I’m a woman, and THEN I’m Latina. What opens the door for me is also the thing that closes the door." Just because she's Latina, Maiah explained doesn't mean she likes tacos and is curvy. Not shocking: typecasting is a thing. She refuses to let it be her thing. 

"First of all I’m a human, then I’m a woman, and THEN I’m Latina."

Tweet this. 

“Look, if I can’t change their minds, I’m going to create my own path,” explained the actress in reference to “white men.” She was interrupted by enthusiastic applause from the audience. "Well, I am," she projected. "I’m going to be my own executive producer. My own writer." 

The conversation didn't stop at the jobs held by the women on stage. "You also need more diversity behind the scenes,” explained Claire, so that major mistakes don’t keep happening. “You need nuance and context.”

For Nicolette, politics in her “brand” are a “non-negotiable,” even if that means losing a job now and then. “It’s imperative to me. I’m a queer, Middle-Eastern woman, and I can’t imagine not using the platform I have to speak to intersectionality. Working together and being part of the resistance together is such an important part of how we’re going to grow as a society. The personal is political and hopefully that’s how we create a better tomorrow.”

"The personal is political and hopefully that’s how we create a better tomorrow.”

Tweet this. 

photo credit: Becki Smith/ Smith House Photography

Similarly, Emily shared that she has "absolutely lost jobs" because of the stances she takes, but she likewise encouraged the audience to “stand by what you believe in and the right jobs will come.” 

“The reason we’ve all found success is because we have a point of view and we’re vocal about it,” elaborated Nicolette. “It’s important to give visibility to our individual identities, our voices, and to show people that they’re not alone.”

This is not the easiest road to walk. And for every two supporters, there’s a hater.

Protecting the indentity of what she called a "family and Catholic" brand, Nicolette told the story of a prominent Italian designer that reached out to her and said, “We really love you, but you’re gay.” So she recommended ten other people they could use. "That’s one example,” she said, "but there have been many. I do talk about Black Lives Matter, I do talk about trans rights, and some brands won’t touch me. On the flip side," she furthered, "there are brands that are so grateful and supportive.” She cited Target as one her “biggest cheerleaders,” as well as Barbie, which has doubled down on diversity efforts. 

Claire jumped in to agree. “You have to stay true to yourself.” When honoring the lives of black men shot by police, Claire said, “We decided we were going to have a ‘black out’ day where we posted nothing." She paused, noting, "You can’t afford to be silent.” 

Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

11 Badass Women Share Their Thoughts on International Women's Day

Future is Female poster designed by Kimothy Joy

We asked 11 women the following question in anticipation of International Women’s Day (today!!), a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Q: If you could steer the conversation around International Women’s Day, what would that dialogue be about?

These are their badass answers.

LAUREN MILLER ROGEN 

Oh man, so many important things! I think there are many conversations worth having. But, I think one of the biggest issues that women still face is breaking gender stereotypes that have been laid out for them for generations and generations, so for me I love to celebrate women who really broke the mold whether it be Eleanor Roosevelt, Malala, Beyoncé, or Kamala Harris. Women are doing AMAZING things and I think that there are so many worth highlighting to inspire women everywhere by examining the choices trailblazers made along their way.

DAYA

As women, we need to focus more on building each other up rather than tearing each other down. We need to lead the way to change and we are not going to make progress unless we focus on bringing other women with us so we can rise together.

FRANCHESCA RAMSEY 

I'd encourage more women to be intersectional in their activism. It's important to acknowledge our privilege and remember that there are all types of women from a variety of walks of life that face challenges that we do not. If you're truly committed to advocating for women you have to be willing to stand up for all women regardless of race, sexuality, physical ability, religion, class or gender identity, not just ladies that look like you.

CONSTANCE ZIMMER 

Equality. I find it unbelievable that a woman doing the same job as a man is not making the same amount of money. That's mind boggling to me.

SANAA LATHAN

I want us to focus on anything around mentoring and empowering young girls-- from body image to cultural pride to self-esteem and self-worth.

NICOLE BYER

That all women are beautiful, smart, strong as fuck and special. We also have to listen to each other and remember to be inclusive. There's feminism and intersectional feminism.

LAUREN CONRAD  

I think the progress we've made in recent years is fantastic, but we still a lot of work to do. As women we should do all we can to support each other and continue to move in the right direction. We are always stronger together.

LAUREN PAUL 

I would hope that the conversation is well rounded and that it would make every woman feel celebrated.  Whether you are a politician, CEO or a mother. There is no specific definition to what a strong, empowered woman looks like because that varies for each person. To define that, ultimately creates exclusion because we are all different. In this beautiful chapter where feminism and girl bosses are highlighted (yay!) I really want stay at home mothers to feel celebrated and reminded that they too are hard-working HEROS.

PIERA GELARDI

The world is sitting on a huge untapped natural resource: billions of women who have not been able to reach their full potential. I’d love to create a vision statement and paint a picture of what the world would look like — what greatness we could unleash by bringing Women’s Equality and Empowerment to the forefront. And show that there’s a huge business case for doing this.

MANDY MOORE

I hope the dialogue continues around gender equality and recognizing the need for a larger political, cultural and social shift when it comes to pro-women policies on a global level. When women and girls are empowered, educated, healthy and free of violence, they can recognize their full potential and make an enormous impact on their communities and ultimately the world economy.

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR

I hope to see more women supporting other women. I have always believed that when women work together we can do anything. So often we are pitted against each other instead of remembering we are a big tribe.

What do you hope for today? Share below!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG 

Beauty: Jackie Aina

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with Dove, you can view the full Beauty List Here. 

The glow get 'em goddess. 

Beauty Youtube star Jackie Aina’s mission is to encourage those “often overlooked on social media.” As a woman of color, she was invigorated to start her YouTube channel in 2009 after looking for both a creative outlet and online community to “learn about new makeup techniques for darker skin.” 

She says it was challenging to “get people engaged in my content as a darker skin-toned woman.” Explaining that “Most people naturally just assumed I only do makeup tutorials for African American women, not realizing that we come in so many different shades and you don't have to necessarily look exactly like someone to learn a new tip.”

However, her followers and subscribers quickly loved the message she was sharing. Now Jackie’s turned her “hobby and side-hustle” into her “baby and passion,” boasting over a million subscribers. 

“You don't have to look exactly like someone to learn a new tip.”

Tweet this. 

The woman is also hilarious (her Twitter bio lists her as "Le Bronze James), unafraid to go barefaced, and often addresses the diversity issue the cosmetic industry faces, calling out brands that are “the worst EVER for POC.” Saying as a beauty vlogger it’s her job to side-eye what’s not working. 

Her fans are constantly championing Jackie to have a line of her own, something that she’s set as a career goal for herself. 

She’s weathered the troll storm on social media a couple of times, recounting a particularly dark time in her life. While in trade school, one of Jackie’s best friends and roommate was killed in a car accident. “Since she lived with me at the time and we shared rent, I had to figure out how I was going to afford rent for the month while being on unemployment and collecting limited earnings from YouTube,” she shares. “I mustered the courage to start a GoFundMe account to get support outside of my closest friends and family and the support my followers was tremendous, but the hate was too.” She says people accused her of using both her friend’s death and her schooling as a way to exploit money from her followers. Both of which were “grossly untrue.” 

“I was used to troll comments, but that was on a different level and it was very hard to not to take it really personal. Not only did I lose my friend, but to also be accused of it for personal gain was really hard to deal with at the same time. I think that was the first and last time I got a real taste of just how ugly people on social media really could be, but it made me tougher and I got through it! Luckily the support and encouragement of my real supporters kept me going and I will never forget the way they all rallied together to help support me.”

Now she advises to use prayer and positive affirmations to hoof it (with the help of God) through the hard times. “Do not go out of your way to read negativity about you,” she says. “Block out negative energy as best you can. The people who truly love you are there to criticize you when need be, not random trolls on the internet.”

“Block out negative energy as best you can."

Tweet this. 

That experience likely shaped how she feels about female empowerment: “It means uplifting one another before we assume the worse about each other; having each other’s backs!”

She also says that nine times out of 10 she would support a female-owned business before a male-owned business. “Women are just easier to work with and get the job done!” she says. “And we're so used to being pre-judged we are rarely ever given a chance to prove our worth.”

Adding, “I love and value myself a lot more to ever go back to where I was when I first started my channel. I was so, indecisive, easily triggered by things, and not as confident in my career as I am now!”

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Music: DJ Kitty Cash

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Music List Here.

Brooklyn's resident badass. 

Kitty Cash has a new routine that has nothing to do with music, but maybe everything to do with where she is in her career. “Every morning,” shares the born and raised Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and model, “I write down three things I am grateful for.” 

Those might include some career highs like: looking up from a DJ set to see Beyoncé grooving, playing for performance artist Marina Abramovic, who told her “Kitty, you are the future,” and a tribute set she played to Missy Elliot at the Essence Festival.

Her support from other female artists surely arises out of Cash's own feeling on the matter; what you put out, is what you get back. "Female empowerment is understanding that women unifying is a powerful force," Cash shares. "That we can create by being there for each other." She recently took to Instagram to show her love and support for friend and rising musician SZA.

But she didn’t get her start DJing. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BA in advertising and marketing communications, Cash worked in public relations at Ralph Lauren, moving on to work as head of marketing and communications at G-Star. “When I first graduated, I set a goal and I stuck to it,” the denim obsessed DJ shares. “I wanted to work for a brand and climb the social ladder until I was an EVP of a company.” 

It was during her time at G-Star that she began DJ’ing for artist Kilo Kish. She loved it so much that she decided to replace her 9-5 with her passion. “When I was working at G-Star, the more I developed Kitty Cash, the more I realized I was an asset and I should make my position work for me just as much as I worked for my position.” Now when it comes to her career her approach is drastically different, calling it “more of a symbiotic relationship or a partnership.” Adding,  “When it comes to my career I am structured, but I also leave room for life to run its course. I am always open to trying something new because you never know when you will discover a new passion.”

Read more from Kitty Cash below on how she found a new passion and why strengthening her relationship with her mother led to a place of self-love. 

What are some of the challenges you've encountered along the way? 

There was definitely a learning curve, starting fresh in a new industry slash a new world and finding my own lane. As an entrepreneur time management is extremely important and was a challenge in the beginning as well.

The DJ space is traditionally male. But more female DJs and artists are emerging. Are there women you looked up to? Who paved the way?

I really love Spinderella, DJ Beverly Bond, and Annie Mac.

And how does it feel to be a woman in the music industry today?

I think now more than ever I feel very empowered. Although it is a male-dominated industry I have come across some very powerful women who are very supportive and are able to teach me and help me grow within this space.

"More than ever I feel very empowered."

Tweet this. 

What keeps you going?

Knowing how amazing it feels to be behind the decks and really control a room. You can't buy that feeling!

What is the best piece of "real talk" advice you've received? 

Stay true to yourself because that is what got you here in the first place.

What is a time in your life when you thought, 'I can't do this anymore?’

I probably have that moment once a month. It is so easy to think or say you can't do something but you have to remember why you started and that nothing ever comes easy.

Do you have any extracurricular activities?

I love making stationary and African/Caribbean dance.

International Women’s Day is coming up. It's a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. If you could steer the conversation around International Women’s Day, what would that dialogue be about?

I would talk about women being the champions of their own causes. Highlighting what they have done within their field and their contribution to society rather than them being a woman. This is why I believe it is important to give recognition to movies like "Women of Brewster Place," "Hidden Figures," and "The Color Purple."

How has your relationship with yourself changed in the last five years?

For the first three years out of the five, I realized that strengthening my relationship with my mother allowed me to fill a lot of voids and questions I had about myself. Through her I learned a lot about myself, and through her mistakes I saw how I could be a better me. With her love I developed self-love. I've been able to understand what makes me happy, what I deserve, and what deserves my energy. I learned to be grateful, honor my worth, and love myself the way that I am, just being proud of myself and who I am blossoming into. It is so easy to see all of the wrongs, the imperfections, the things you want to change about yourself but what about everything that makes you you? I have learned to allow myself to live everyday to the fullest and I am still learning to love and respect the journey.

"I learned to be grateful, honor my worth, and love myself the way that I am."

Tweet this. 

What does female empowerment mean to you?

Being open to nurture, cultivate, honor, and grow with other women. It's understanding that women unifying is a powerful force that we can create by being there for each other.

Entertainment: Franchesca Ramsey

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Entertainment List Here.

Morally resolute, intersectional feminist. 

Franchesca Ramsey had been making her own hilarious YouTube videos, a mixture of song parodies, impersonations, and socially conscious comedy sketches, since 2006, but it wasn’t until she made “Shit White Girls Say…To Black Girls” and went viral, racking up 1.5 million views in just 24 hours, that Ramsey was really put on the map. The video has 11 million views to date, and it gave Ramsey the confidence to pursue entertainment full time. “Quitting my day job took a huge leap of faith, but I knew I wouldn't be able to pursue the opportunities I was most interested in with a 9-5.” We’re all better off for it, as since then the actress, video blogger, and writer has quickly become of the most exciting voices, in both comedy and social activism, of our time.

Ramsey spent time as a writer and contributor to "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore," where her recurring segment #HashItOut was a stand out part of the show, and in 2015 landed her current gig as the host of "Decoded," an MTV News web series that speaks to issues of race and culture. She also still creates original content on YouTube, both for her comedy channel Chescaleigh and her lifestyle channel Chescalocs, which focuses more on beauty, natural hair care, and styling (the two channels have over 250k subscribers and 29 million views combined), and does speaking engagements at colleges, inspiring and educating (and cracking up) students around the country with her incisive wit and cutting intellect. In short, she’s killing it. But ‘twas not always so. In fact, just a few short years ago, Ramsey was considering giving up on entertainment altogether. “In 2014 my videos weren't doing very well and I had a hard time booking auditions, so I seriously considered abandoning entertainment and leaving NY,” she recalls. “Instead, I got a remote job writing for Upworthy and used that to supplement the few acting jobs I was able to pick up until things started to take off.”

Even now, as accomplished as she is, Ramsey still encounters more than her fair share of challenging moments. “Being a woman of color on the Internet is challenging, let alone being one that openly talks about racism and feminism. I deal with an intense amount of harassment, which at times can be discouraging, but is also a reminder of why these conversations are so important,” she says of the trolls who follow her every move. Ramsey credits her husband, her parents, and her audience for keeping her going when things get rocky. “I'm really fortunate to have people around the world that enjoy my content and continuously reach out to let me know that it's making an impact on their lives,” she says of her devoted fans. A self-described “gym rat,” Ramsey also works out five days a week at 7 am. “It’s when I really let go of everything and just focus on accomplishing whatever my trainer puts in front of me,” she says of her routine.

"Being a woman of color on the Internet is challenging."

Tweet this. 

Aside from her family and fans, Ramsey raves about her friend and mentor, Tracee Ellis Ross, as an ongoing source of influence and inspiration. “I'm incredibly inspired by her talent, work ethic and humility. She's given me tons of great advice over the years and most recently I got the chance to write for her when she hosted Black Girls Rock for BET,” Ramsey says of Ross, whom she met a few years ago through her YouTube channel. “She's incredibly gracious and a firm believer in supporting and uplifting other women which, is something I think is incredibly important.”

Another thing Ramsey (and we) think is incredibly important? Activism, and specifically, a commitment to intersectional feminism. “It's important to acknowledge our privilege and remember that there are all types of women from a variety of walks of life that face challenges that we do not,” Ramsey says. “If you're truly committed to advocating for women you have to be willing to stand up for all women regardless of race, sexuality, physical ability, religion, class or gender identity, not just ladies that look like you.” For her part, Ramsey is already making a big difference in the steering the current cultural conversation. As for her personal goals? “One day I'd like to be in a position to break and foster new talent,” she says. We have zero doubt that will happen, and probably much sooner than she thinks.

Music: Faarrow

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Music List Here.

Touching the world through song.

Somali sisters Siham and Iman Hashi makeup the Canadian pop duo Farrow, a name which combines combines the translation of their names into English -- Iman means "Faith" and Siham means “Arrow." They released their debut EP “Lost” in 2016, with tracks like “Shut Up” and “Chasing Highs,” both deal with subjects of empowerment.  

They released since “Rule the World,”  a jazz-infused pop track in 2013 and then took a three-year intermission while working on their EP with producer Elijah Kelley. The majority of the tracks are written and produced by the sisters and Elijah. 

The sisters are also political refugees from Somalia, who took refuge in Canada. Born in the Somali capital of Mogadishu they fled the country after war broke out in 1991. They are the the first female Somali artists to sign a major deal with a U.S. label. 

Though to the music world they are “pop,” Faarrow sees their work a bit differently. “We feel like the culture clash of our upbringing really shaped who we are as women and artists,” they share. ‘Our music is what we like to call underdog, girl power anthems and has the spirit of breaking out and wanting to be heard.” 

They’ve found that “the biggest challenge,” to their work has been, “people trying to put us in a box when there are so many layers to us.” It’s music they’ve said is “pop with undertones of hip hop and rhythmic African percussion. It's a fusion of everything.”

Having recently walked away from their record label, they gained more insight into themselves and their music. “The relationship between us became so toxic that we had to walk away. The biggest thing we learned was when a situation creates chaos within yourself, the best thing to do is let it go.”

"When a situation creates chaos, the best thing to do is let it go.”

Tweet this. 

These are wise words from women, but this duo also describes themselves as “ageless.” 

Siham and Iman are wearing Keds' Triple Metallic and Triple Solids.

“Being able to see yourself in every woman regardless of race, class, religion..." the site duo says. "When that happens empowerment is just a byproduct.” 

Boundless as well. In the last five years they say their relationship to their career has changed for the better. “We've completely let go of the notion that a label or anyone for that matter can make or break us. We are the architects of our lives.” Dream gigs include performing at the World Cup. They like to keep it in the family. “Dad was a professional soccer player in Somalia and I think we'd secretly be fulfilling one of his dreams as well,” they share. 

As for secrets to success? “We're taking responsibility for everything that happens in our life both good and bad. Thankfully it’s mostly good.”  

Their music and their capital "P" Purpose, which includes working with the UNHCR, keeps them going. “We know that our musical gift is our tool to touch the world.”

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Content Creator: Cleo Wade

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Content Creator List Here.   

Power to the people's poetess. 

Cleo Wade has a presence about her that cuts through the digital divide, a kind of solar-powered positivity halo that recharges our batteries when we need it most. It’s rare to be a poet in 2017, but the 28-year-old made the decision to “lead my life with vulnerability,” 

Poet, artist, and speaker, Cleo was born in New Orleans and moved to New York City after high school where she began interning, taking jobs in fashion, and working for designers. 

She says her favorite thing about her childhood, “was attending poetry summer camp.” But though she was “always writing,” she needed “some time to grow up and get brave enough to make things with words.” 

They are words that interrupt a regularly scheduled Instagram stream of humblebrags,  Sometimes handwritten, sometimes typed, she’ll employs a feminist narrative: “every mother/is a boss/every woman/is the president…/of/the/universe.” Or she’ll challenge her readers with a more simple: “First things first— give a damn.”

Though she models and collaborates with big fashion brands like Barney’s, she says today she spends most her her time, “making things with words. Sometimes as poems. Sometimes as painting. Sometimes as public art installations.” She’s also currently writing her first book, sits on EMILY’s List’s creative council, supports Planned Parenthood, and canvassed neighborhoods in Charlotte, North Carolina during the last presidential election in support for Hillary Clinton. But Cleo is not a list of things or activities. “Sometimes all people need is to be seen and heard,” shares Cleo. “Sometimes I invite my friends over just to listen. Compassionate listening is the greatest and simplest form of peacekeeping.”

“Compassionate listening is the greatest and simplest form of peacekeeping.”

Tweet this. 

In a world in which picking up a phone to speak with someone, let alone talking face to face with a stranger, Cleo is an anachronism. She is the woman with a booth at the Hester Street Fair in downtown Manhattan, set up specifically with the intention of conversing, offering “peaceful and loving conversation.” She is the “hello” that pulls you out of an echo chamber. 

“My life goal,” says Cleo, “is to just get up everyday and create tools that help others, listen more, and love big.”

More below.  

What keeps you going?

The people who have allowed my work to be apart of their day keep me going. it is a privilege and an honor.

Who are the people you consider mentors or influences? 

My brother, my best girlfriends and my parents. The people in my life who have shared with me their most intimate stories are my biggest inspirations and influences.

What is the best piece of "real talk" advice you've received?

My brother really taught me how to be radically honest with myself. The best advice he ever gave me was "seriously, it’s not that serious."

What is your favorite life advice?

There is a sign in someone’s yard in my hometown that says "Until Further Notice...celebrate everything" That is honestly the best advice anyone ever gave me and I stumbled on it on the way to the grocery store!

What is a time in your life when you thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore?’

I think we all have mini-moments of that feeling throughout our day. Our brain is constantly second guessing our decisions. I think you know you are doing something great if you have moments of feeling overwhelmed.

“You know you are doing something great if you have moments of feeling overwhelmed.”

Tweet this.

International Women’s Day is coming up. It's a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. If you could steer the conversation around International Women’s Day, what would that dialogue be about?

I think there are certain points in time when women feel like they are continuously fighting and they aren't sure if things are getting better because the fights feel like the same fight over and over again. There is a Coretta Scott King line that Kamala Harris sites often in her speeches that says "Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it every generation." If there is anything I would like to discuss, it is the importance of continuously recommitting yourself and rededicating yourself to the betterment of women everywhere in every aspect of life, and because all of the issues intersect we must care about and root for them all. There is no future in the economic advancement in women without a future in social advancement for all women of every race and background. I always tell my friends there is no future of feminism without a future of anti-racism.

“There is no future of feminism without a future of anti-racism.”

Tweet this. 

How has your relationship to yourself changed in the last five years?

I get a little braver every day and as my audience grows, I feel a deeper responsibility and dig more deeply to create a conversation about the challenges of today.

What does female empowerment mean to you?

Knowing that you deserve to feel safe and take up space in this world and knowing that if you have the privilege to know that then you have a responsibility to help other women realize that too.

Beauty: Nikisha Brunson

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with Dove, you can view the full Beauty List Here. 

Fresh-faced, refreshingly honest, and free. 

For Nikisha Brunson — Austin-based blogger and owner of 100% natural skincare line Folie Apothecary — it was a bumpy road to becoming one of the realest health and wellness influencers in the game. But it’s one she wouldn’t trade in for anything. As co-founder of Urban Bush Babes and Pineapple Life, the definitive online destinations for natural hair, fashion, health, lifestyle, music, arts, and culture, Brunson inspires legions of women with daily beauty and wellness tips. While she’s undeniably, and enviably, stylish in that effortless sort of way that feels especially unfair, what really sets this lifestyle guru apart from the throngs of beauty bloggers is how boldly and transparently she’s shared her struggles with depression, abuse, ADHD, suicide attempts, and becoming a mom at the troubled age of 16.

Holding a BA in Psychology and an MA in Childhood Education — the blogger, mama, and skincare goddess has also taught public school in New York and Virginia — Brunson brings a refreshingly real and unaffected perspective to the notoriously curated blogosphere. “My teenage son has ADHD, and I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety disorder, and depression in my later years, which has inspired me to share my journey in hopes of helping others going through the same things,” says Brunson, who’s been blogging since 2011, but has recently shifted her focus to her health and wellness journey. She has also been vocal about her personal experience as a rape survivor — proving herself nothing short of a superhero, support system, and beacon of hope for the countless women battling, overcoming, and triumphing in similarly oppressive situations. “My depression and anxiety take every heartbreak and dagger I've felt and elevate it to the next level. I've attempted suicide in the past over heartbreak, over being a single teenage mom in college,” she bravely shares. It’s a rare transparency in a world more concerned with what type of foundation a woman is wearing.

"Life is too magical to put barriers on it."

Tweet this.

For Brunson, there have been scores of barriers to self-acceptance, but her true power is evidenced in the ability to transform these low-points into lessons. She describes the challenge and ultimate victory of letting go of toxic relationships to free up the energy for fulfilling her greater purpose. She also chronicles her ongoing struggle with ADHD and the daily effort to focus and juggle without succumbing to procrastination, burnout, and anxiety. For strength, she turns to her son, husband, and those who’ve previously warred with these demons. “There is nothing more inspiring than to have a person tell me that my vulnerability, transparency, or health information that I've shared has helped them change their life and has inspired them.” For this reason, she cites “anyone who is transparent or vulnerable” as her greatest mentor.

Brunson’s journey to self-care and wellness has undoubtedly been an emotional rollercoaster, which it’s why it’s only fitting that she name her new skincare line “Folie,” after the French word for “madness.” Personally, we wish it was considered far less crazy for a beauty influencer to be as unapologetic and honest as she is. “I'm transparent with my mental health issues and disorders. I teach various ways of staying healthy from the inside out such as exercise, smoothie recipes, and DIYs. I listen a lot and offer help to anyone who reaches out to me for it.” These are just a few of the ways she hopes to move feminism forward.

Currently, Brunson is focused on what’s directly in front of her. As far as five year goals, she says that “life is too magical to put barriers on it,” but that she isn’t afraid to reinvent herself and go wherever life leads. In the meantime, you can find her listening to music in the morning, making smoothies and ceramics, and dancing. “My only goal is to stay true to myself and never stop exploring.”

Food: Kai Kani

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Food List Here.

Chopping it up at 16.

What were you doing at 16? Dreaming, maybe. Likely not about creating “a museum based on arts, food, and fashion,” in your spare time. But you also probably didn’t start a baking business at 10 that gave you the opportunity to make pastries for The Oprah Winfrey Network. 

However, there’s nothing traditional about the ingredients that makeup 16 year-old chef and creative entrepreneur Kai Kani. “I began helping in the kitchen when I was three years-old,” she says. By the time she was six, her mom, recognizing an early talent in her daughter, let her cook and use a knife on her own.  “At 14,” she shares, “I began my pop up restaurant, KAI, which features a 12 to 16 course Progressive American Tasting Menu.” Coming from a “multi-cultural background” Kai says that she grew up cooking and eating foods from different cultures, an upbringing has influenced the way she cooks. She also has used her talent to support organizations like St. Vincent Meals on Wheels and The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. 

And while she has plenty of normal teenage extracurriculars— tennis, drawing, hanging out with her friends and exploring Los Angeles, she’s got a pretty rad list of things she also wants to accomplish and equally impressive insight for how she wants to get there. 

Read more with Kai and her inspiring work ethic below. 

What is a habit or routine you swear by?

I swear by PREPARATION. It’s the most important thing to me, it helps me stay organized and not have to worry about little things when the main event comes. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered? 

People not understanding how much work that I put in to what I do. 

Who are the people you consider you mentors or influences and why?

My mother and father. My dad is an business owner who began his business at 18.

What is the best piece of “real talk” advice you’ve received?

Believing in the Law of Attraction through Manifestation.

What’s your favorite life advice?

If you don't take the time to design and plan your life, you will have to settle for what life gives you. 

"Take the time to plan your life or settle for what life gives you.”

Tweet this. 

What’s next? Do you have any five year goals?

Now, I’m focusing on some product development of my own, working on getting my cookbook published, as well as starting a high end streetwear clothing line. My five year goals, are to have a few successful restaurants, my clothing line, and to have a magazine focusing on art, culture, food, and fashion. 

What does female empowerment mean to you? 

Women have the authority to make our own decisions, make changes, and have a positive self image. 

What keeps you going? 

Determination and focus. 

Entertainment: Nicole Byer

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Entertainment List Here.

Breaking all the rules. 

Loosely speaking, Nicole Byer, is a boss. The comedian, writer, and actress who stars on the semi-autobiographical comedy Loosely Exactly Nicole, her show on MTV, has broken every typecast mold. But it wasn’t something the comedic storyteller intentionally set out to do. Nicole didn’t want to be an actor, but rather, an illustrator. One hitch, she couldn’t draw. 

What she lacked in technical skill, she made up for with energy. It was the comedian's mom, the person whom Nicole credits as “being so supportive,” encouraged her to join her high school play, and work out some of that energy on stage. The performance was a comedy. 

It was the first time she received a lot of laughs and it had a life-changing effect. “Making someone laugh is magic.” Nicole shares. “It’s also powerful and therapeutic.” 

She’s been after that feeling ever since. After spending many years doing “doing a lot of free improv shows in a basement,” Nicole reticently credits her career to “being at the right place at the right time.” 

But being in said "place" has taken plenty of work. In 2013, Nicole launched her career on MTV with Hasan Minaj’s Failosophy. A few months in the network worked Nicole and her comedic chops into the reality-comedy-advice series Girl Code. There was a bit of learning curve for the actress, who didn’t fully understand the show’s concept. Basically, she went into the studio and talked. “We live in a world,” she says on the show, “where we’ve made it very easy to give opinions.” And opinions were given. The women on the show discussed feminism, slut-shaming, gay besties, and pussy power. They talked about it all. But Nicole, growing more disinterested in being a talking head, was looking to break into scripted-television. However, when the roles available weren't up to snuff (aka, fully-formed, not typical typecast bull) Nicole did what any intelligent badass woman would: wrote her own. 

For people breaking into the biz, Nicole says it’s important to, “stay in your lane,” and “keep your eyes on your own paper.” But she’s more than willing to lend an ear to an aspiring comedian. “I try and be as helpful as possible when someone has a question about comedy.” 

Nicole wants all women to know that they are “are beautiful, smart, strong as fuck and special. We also have to listen to each other and remember to be inclusive. There's feminism and intersectional feminism.”

Recently telling the Hollywood Reporter, “It went from me going out for a part of a hooker named Bertha to making my web series that I loved and I'm so proud of.” She wants to change the roles available for women, especially women of color, to be three-dimensional, fully-formed characters. 

“All women are beautiful, smart, strong as fuck and special.” 

Tweet this. 

She knows that her humor isn’t for everyone, but adds “nothing is off limits if I find it funny.” 

As for what’s been a roadblock on her journey, “Life,” she jokes. Which is also what she says keeps her going. That and the hope of one day making Whoopi Goldberg laugh. She’s already got both her grandma and Beyoncé to giggle. We’re thinking Whoopi isn’t too far a shot. 

Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Entertainment: Sanaa Lathan

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Entertainment List Here.

Paying it forward. 

Many of you know Sanaa Lathan, the famous Tony nominated actress, but what about Sanaa Lathan, the philanthropist who conditions young women out of foster care? In August 2015 Sanaa established the Sanaa Lathan Foundation, a charitable organization that helps women transition out of foster homes and into adulthood.   

Blessed with a supportive and ambitious family, Sanaa grew up with many advantages not afforded to many. Raised in New York she followed in her mother’s footsteps with a passion for acting. After studying the arts at Yale University's School of Drama, the actress moved to Los Angeles at the behest of her father, a television producer. It was on her very first day at school that an acting teach doled out a piece of invaluable advice. Telling the young thespians, "Success is measured more by the ability to preserve in the face of adversity than your talent." Without a doubt, the presence of family and the opportunity for education molded Sanaa and prepped her for success and unavoidable rejection. "This business is not for the faint of heart," she shares. Her father also help prepped her for the world of Hollywood, telling his daughter: "Every audition, give it everything you've got, because it will literally or figuratively be an investment in your future. It will pay off eventually. Even if you don't get the job." Sanaa says, "He was right."

Today the working activist hopes to do the same for these young women experiencing hardships.  "One positive moment with a young person provides the possibility of changing their path in the right direction forever," she shares.

"One positive moment with a young person can change their path forever." 

Tweet this.

Did you know… there are currently 28,000 children in foster care in Los Angeles county alone.  Half of those kids won’t graduate college and experience grave learning disabilities and developmental delays.  At age 17 these children become legally emancipated, unprepared for the reality of adulthood, and fifty percent become homeless or incarcerated.  The vast majority of these emancipated young adults turn to drugs and sex trafficking, with no structure or understanding of where to go.  “Without actual support they could wind up in the same cycle that got them in foster care in the first place,” explains Sanaa.  Hence, the Sanaa Lathan Foundation’s mission is: to empower young women aging out of foster care to transition into adult independence through improved self-esteem and access to higher education. 

“Making a real difference in people’s lives” has always been the most important part of Sanaa's livelihood. So she has a very hands-on approach. Working alongside Kenadie Cobbin, the founder and creative director of HerShe Las Vegas, the Sanaa Lathan Foundation provides housing and facilities to abused and neglected foster children transitioning into adulthood and empowers them towards healing and change.  She also provides an annual 7-day summer camp where these young girls blossom, build a new community and friends and learn life tools they’ll have forever.  

Sanaa believes in the power of “mentorship, time, and giving youth the possibility of hope for their future” and builds the philosophy of her foundation in it. She hopes to provide these young women with role models and a sense of family, citing her mother and the women in her family as her guiding light. "They are some of the strongest spiritually and emotionally people I know,” says the actress who also started transcendental meditation four years ago after a particularly stressful year. Twenty minutes a day, plus the her family's light and humor in the face of life's challenges is what uplifts her spirit. It is her hope to share that same positive mentorship with her girls. "Hope and perseverance," she says, are crucial steps to achievement and tools needed to break intergenerational cycles.

As for what she hopes for her future? Simple: "To still be joyfully doing it all when I'm a little old lady like Betty White." 

Why Diversity and Representation Matter in Business and Media

photo credit: Sidney Copeland

Gigi Gorgeous looked into the Create & Cultivate crowd this past Saturday in Atlanta and said excitedly, "There is so much diversity under this tent!" The audience cheered, acknowledging the importance of representation at the conference.

The six women on stage, Gigi, Jodie Patterson, Nicolette Mason, Daniela Ramirez, Maya Penn, and Mattie James were gathered to discuss the importance of diversity and representation in business and media. Nicolette put it simply, "People deserve to see themselves in the media."

Here are some of the other important takeaways. 

ON NOT PUTTING OURSELVES IN BOXES

Jodie Paterson, co-founder of (recently sold) DooBop and mother of a trans son, Penelope, told the crowd, “We have to be able to choose all of the things that we are, not just one. We have to let our whole selves out." 

"I never thought working for a fashion magazine was ever in the realm of possibility for me," said blogger and writer Nicolette Mason. "I had the education and the background, but there was no one who looked like me. No one I could look to as an example," she shared. "When Vogue Italia reached out to me and asked if I would be a contributor and a year from that point Marie Claire asked me to come in as a columnist and I penned a column for five years-- it was so amazing and surreal to know that my voice did have the potential and ability to be part of the mainstream." 

ON HOW TO OVERCOME STEREOTYPES

Maddie James, moderator and the blogger behind Mattieologie kept it simple, but succinct “Stories kill stereotypes,” she said. The more we share, the more the outliers become part of the cultural narrative. 

This was echoed by Jodie who said, "I see diversity as a domino effect. Diversity is some of us taking the first steps and putting ourselves out there and then asking and demanding it from all. If it's stunted in one area, it's stunted in all areas. People see and feel their way through change, not just statistics. It’s our job to tell stories. It’s also the media’s job to let the story happen."

"It’s our job to tell stories. It’s also the media’s job to let the story happen."

Tweet this.

Gigi agreed. "Being a transgender woman I know the hardships that the people in my community go through," she shared. "I think it's important to get my story out there for the world to see. We saw this with Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox-- they're huge media icons but they made transgender a household topic and that's really powerful. It changes people's perspective." 

"When you start sharing stories," said Jodie, "people are able to see and feel their way through change, rather than statistically analyze change. 

ON THE MEDIA'S ROLE IN RESHAPING THE NARRATIVE 

Maya Penn, CEO of Maya's Ideas, and the youngest (16) on the stage told the crowd, “I think the media needs to start stepping up. They need to say we need more diversity.” 

Nicolette added, "It's the job of content creators and media creators to reflect our real world." 

Maya said no one should feel like an odd one out. "We need diverse voices to show that representation matters. In non-traditional fields like STEM and science."

“I think the media needs to start stepping up. They need to say we need more diversity.” 

Tweet this. 

"My third child is trans and we did a video with Cosmo and it received 9 millions views," said Jodie. "It's the media's job to allow the story to unfold. I read this quote that everything is copy, meaning if you slip and fall on a banana, people laugh at you. If you slip and fall on a banana, and then you tell people, you own the laughter because that's your story." 

"There have been baby steps along the way," explained Nicolette, "but there is so much more room to include diverse voices."  

MORE FROM OUR BLOG