Founders

Morgan Taplin

I am the founder of Female Executives of Texas (FETX), a nonprofit dedicated to breaking barriers and building community for women of color in business. Rooted in my deep love for community, I launched FETX in 2018 to create space for mentorship, education, and support. Since then, I’ve led its growth across Texas, empowering women through connection, leadership, and access to resources. Learn more at: theexecutivesinc.com

Tyisha Ferguson

Tyisha Ferguson is the founder of Brown Girl Candle Café, a handcrafted candle brand that blends dessert-inspired creativity with healing and self-care. What began as a personal journey through grief after the tragic loss of her daughter has evolved into a purpose-driven business that brings light, comfort, and connection to others. Tyisha is also in the process of launching the Purple Butterfly Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals navigating grief and trauma through therapeutic art, emotional wellness programs, and community outreach. With a background in social sciences and case management, she brings compassion, resilience, and heart to every aspect of her work. Through both her business and foundation, Tyisha is on a mission to turn pain into purpose — creating safe spaces for healing and inspiring others to rise with grace and strength.

Nicole Rayfield

Nicole is a creative and dynamic leader, entrepreneur, author, and educator. Her doctoral research into the lived experience of Black and Brown women in majority-led institutions served as basis for creating the Polish Me Unbothered brand - a custom nail polish brand designed to celebrate and recognize women of color in the workplace. Additionally, her years of experience in social service laid the foundation for the creation of polisHaven - a company designed to support the fundraising efforts of organizations dedicated to stopping violence and bullying.

Shon Emanuel

Chef Sunflower, also known as Shon Emanuel, is a self-taught vegan chef and founder of BTW, It's Vegan, a Philadelphia-based plant-based food brand specializing in premium, handcrafted consumer packaged goods. A third-generation restaurateur and former licensed paramedic, she transitioned from emergency care to preventive wellness through bold, flavorful vegan creations. Her mission is to make plant-based eating delicious and inclusive, showing the world that you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy vegetables.

Shameka Sawyer

SunKissed Group is a creative marketing agency specializing in brand collaborations and community-building for multicultural women and non-binary content creators. Founded by Shameka Sawyer, the company empowers creators by providing strategic partnerships, networking opportunities, and premium educational experiences. SunKissed Group operates at the intersection of content creation, influencer marketing, and digital strategy, offering services such as brand matchmaking, social media consulting, and event production. One of its signature initiatives, The SunKissed Collective (coming soon), is an exclusive membership community designed to help women creators elevate their brands through curated events, expert resources, and collaboration opportunities. With a growing presence in the content marketing and media industries, SunKissed Group is dedicated to transforming the creator economy by fostering inclusivity, visibility, and long-term success for diverse digital storytellers.

Khadijah Robinson

Khadijah Robinson Rice is the founder and inventor of AQUA Waterproof Headwear, a patented line of stylish turbans and headwraps designed to protect hair from water, rain, and humidity without sacrificing style. Inspired by a personal need and completely self-funded, she turned her idea into a nationally recognized brand—recently featured on Amazon Prime’s “Buy It Now” with judges like Gwyneth Paltrow and JB Smoove. A proud West Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, Khadijah is committed to empowering women, mentoring youth, and proving that beauty, function, and purpose can thrive together.