Fashion/Beauty

Abena Boamah-Acfhempong

Hanahana Beauty, Founder & CEO

Abena Boamah-Acheampong is the dynamic and innovative founder of Hanahana Beauty, a skincare brand recognized for its commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and empowering women. Her journey into beauty and skincare was unconventional. Formerly a teacher, Abena has grown Hanahana organically from her kitchen onto the shelves of Ulta Beauty. Known for effective, clean body care products, Hanahana stands out by paying twice the standard price for shea butter from  Katariga Women's Shea Cooperative in Ghana, This commitment to creating consciously clean products has resonated with a global audience. Beyond products, Hanahana fosters a vibrant community through wellness activations,  education, and brand collaborations.

Amira Rasool

The Folklore, Founder & CEO

Amira Rasool is the Founder and CEO of The Folklore Group, which owns and operates The Folklore and The Folklore Shop. The Folklore (thefolklore.com) is a global membership community for independent brands to learn, connect, and sell. The Folklore Shop (shop.thefolklore.com) is the premier e-commerce destination for conscious consumers to discover and shop the greatest selection of sustainable, diverse, and innovative global brands.

Amira’s work with The Folklore has landed her on several prestigious list including Forbes 30 Under 30, Vogue Business 100 Innovators, and Entrepreneur’s Next Generation Industry Change Makers.

As a writer and fashion editor, Amira has worked with several notable publications including TIME, Vogue, Teen Vogue, i-D, PAPER, Glamour, InStyle, V Magazine, and WWD. Her work focuses primarily on Black culture in relation to fashion, travel, music, visual arts, and social justice.

Amira is also a passionate Black history scholar. For her undergraduate education, she attended Rutgers University, where she received a B.A. in African American and African Studies. She later earned a Master of Philosophy in African Studies from the University of Cape Town.

Blake Newby

Digital Creator, TV Personality, Host

With bylines across major publications, Blake Newby's love for beauty and style has catapulted her work across numerous platforms. Transforming her longtime knowledge of all things hair, makeup, skincare and fashion into a career where she wrote, conceptualized, and reported on everything encompassing the high-demand industry, the former magazine Beauty & Style Director's voice now shines off the pages. 

Blake's gift of gab now lands on her on the big stage and on the small screen. You can frequently catch Blake hosting major red carpets and events as well as lending her expertise on shows such as Good Morning America, Access Hollywood and The Tamron Hall Show. She also hosts her new weekly podcast, “According To Blake" where she discusses everything pop culture, beauty, mental health and everything in-between.

Erin Goldson

Unilever, PR & Influencer Marketing Lead

Erin Goldson is a marketing leader with a proven track record of driving impactful, purpose-driven campaigns that champion diversity and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience spanning brand strategy, experiential marketing, PR, product development, and multicultural marketing, Erin has consistently delivered exceptional results across iconic brands at Ogilvy & Mather, American Express, and Unilever.

As the PR & Influencer Marketing Lead for Unilever's Personal Care division, she has spearheaded award-worthy campaigns for brands like Shea Moisture, Dove Men, and Degree. Notably, she orchestrated high-profile activations for major sporting events, including the Men's Final Four and COPA America, and forged impactful partnerships with influential figures like Grammy winner Coco Jones and NBA legend Giannis Antetokounmpo, cultivating deep connections with diverse creators across beauty, sports, and entertainment.

Erin’s commitment to social change is deeply woven into her work. She was a driving force behind Dove’s groundbreaking efforts to dismantle race-based hair discrimination through The CROWN Act. Her leadership on the "As Early As Five" campaign and the creation of CROWN Day, a national holiday, directly contributed to the passage of this landmark legislation in 25 states. She also spearheaded Dove's Hair Love Collection, inspired by the Oscar-winning film, to celebrate the beauty of natural hair, creating a powerful message of self-love for young people of color.

Demonstrating her versatility, Erin led Degree's March Madness campaign, which featured WNBA legend Candace Parker and amplified the visibility of the NCAA® Women's tournament. Prior to Unilever, she enhanced the premium experience for American Express Platinum Card members and laid the foundation for her career at Ogilvy & Mather, where she was a founding member of OgilvyCulture, a division dedicated to serving multicultural audiences.

This summer, Erin will launch E.Goldson Consulting, a marketing, talent, and influencer management agency, with a flagship event on Martha’s Vineyard celebrating Black love and legacy on the island. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Columbia Business School, Erin is a dynamic leader who brings passion, expertise, strong relationships and a commitment to creating meaningful change for her community. 

Neil Brown

Amsale, Co-Founder & CEO

Neil Brown is the co-founder and CEO of AMSALE, the internationally revered fashion brand he built alongside his late wife, Amsale Aberra. AMSALE continues to set the standard for modern bridal and eveningwear, blending timeless elegance with innovative design. Founded in 1986, AMSALE is one of the oldest continually operating Black-owned fashion brands with international recognition. Amsale Aberra was also the first Black woman admitted to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Before leading AMSALE, Brown was an early executive at HBO, where he became Vice President of Film Programming and a member of its New Business Development Task Force. A seasoned media industry professional, he also co-produced the WEtv reality series Amsale Girls. As an attorney, he practiced law at Shearman & Sterling and HBO.

Brown holds degrees from Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Business School. He serves on the board of the Infrastructure Investment Fund advised by J.P. Morgan and is Treasurer of the Black Filmmaker Foundation. He is also the founder of Amsale Aspire, a scholarship and career-pathing initiative designed to empower Black students and professionals in the fashion and creative industries.