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.

Steven Stotts

Stevie The Inventor Founded by Steve Stotts Stevie The Inventor is on a mission to spark brilliance in the minds of the next generation of creators, especially those often left out of the STEM conversation. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black and Brown youth, this brand isn’t just about robots and building kits—it’s about building confidence, curiosity, and representation. From animated series to invention books and STEM kits, Stevie The Inventor brings bold, hands-on learning to life. Every product celebrates imagination, problem-solving, and the unstoppable spirit of young inventors. We don’t wait to be invited to the table—we build our own labs, classrooms, and platforms to show the world what brilliance looks like. A portion of proceeds helps fund STEM access programs, youth innovation labs, and mentorships in underserved communities. Because the $100B+ toy and education industry often sidelines urban youth—we center them. Your ideas matter. Your creativity belongs here. Welcome to the world of Stevie The Inventor—where kids don’t just dream it, they build it.

Sarai Quinice Reeves

Sarai Quinice Reeves is a faith-forward, podiatrist-trained Medical Nail Technician and the founder of Rye’tious Nails: the first medical pedicure spa in Philadelphia, now expanded to Michigan. She specializes in advanced foot and nail care, providing services that are more sterile than a traditional salon and more personal than a podiatrist’s office. Sarai is also the visionary behind Rye’tious Academy, training the next generation of Medical Nail Technicians to bring healing and wellness to communities nationwide…. Starting with Philadelphia and Michigan. Pitch: Do you know an elderly loved one whose nails were neglected in a nursing home or butchered at a podiatrist’s office? Or Have YOU ever had foot issues, caught a fungal infection at a nail salon, and now feel too embarrassed to wear sandals, walking this summer with your boots on the ground instead? I’m Sarai Reeves, aka Rye of Rye’tious Nails: the first medical foot spa originating in Philadelphia. This vision began when I was 8 years old, just two doors down from my grandma’s porch, giving my first pedicure to Ms. Ann, a wheelchair-bound elder. Also Inspired by John 13, where Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, I knew that this bigger than beauty- it was a calling. At 22, I became the youngest podiatrist-trained Medical Nail Technician in Pennsylvania. Rye’tious Nails provides sterile, faith-led foot care for seniors, diabetics, and high-risk clients those salons can’t safely serve, and podiatrists often rush. We are more personal than a podiatrist and more sterile than a traditional nail salon offering: Fungal nail debridement, Callus and corn reduction, Prosthetic toenail restoration, and Advanced toenail bracing techniques for painful ingrown toenails. Our services restore confidence, mobility, and dignity, while connecting the generations through servitude and becoming a liaison between the beauty and healthcare community. With 30k, we will acquire and start to fully customize our first ADA-Compliant Mobile Medical Pedicure Van, establish Rye’tious Academy in Philly to certify Medical Nail Techs- as young as 16 years old- to help more people heal in confidence. So judges and supporters, will you help Rye’tious Nails bring her boots and roots back to the Philly streets in 2026?

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.

Katrina Thacker

Katrina Thacker is the Founder of Nzuri Kulture, a wellness brand rooted in scent, culture, and healing. A Reiki practitioner and candle maker, Katrina launched Nzuri Kulture in Chicago at the height of the pandemic to help herself and others to find peace, grounding, and emotional restoration through intentional self-care. What started with one candle called Chakra Khan has blossomed into a full collection of handcrafted products including dessert inspired candles, skincare, smudge kits, and aromatic room sprays. Each item is designed to support emotional, spiritual, and ancestral healing. Under Katrina’s leadership, Nzuri Kulture has grown into a recognizable presence at markets, wellness events, and community activations throughout the city. Katrina’s work is guided by the belief that wellness is a birthright, not a luxury. She infuses every product with cultural reverence, spiritual depth, and a commitment to healing, one scent at a time.

Ava Dorsey

Ava started her business at just 8 years old with a big heart and a bigger dream. She loved animals and wanted her dog to have treats made with real, healthy ingredients, just like the food her family ate. What began in her kitchen has grown into a nationally sold pet wellness brand rooted in love, transparency, and purpose. Now 18, Ava is still leading the way, creating better treats for pets while building a space where all pet parents feel seen and supported. Ava’s Pet Palace is proudly on shelves at Erewhon and launching into 200 more stores this year. Her mission is about more than snacks. It’s about belonging, sustainability, and proving that young, black, women entrepreneurs deserve a place in every aisle.

Karlene Davis

Founder and CEO of Vash Beauty Labs, a cosmetic chemist-led private label manufacturing company built to support indie beauty founders with customizable formulas and low minimum order quantities. With a BS in Biology, an MS in Biomedical Sciences, and currently pursuing an MS in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design (expected Dec 2025), Karlene blends scientific rigor with industry insight. With over a decade of experience in cosmetic formulation and a career as a researcher in pharmaceutical marketing, she launched Vash Beauty Labs to fill a critical gap in the beauty industry: accessible, high-quality manufacturing for small and growing brands. Today, Vash offers ready-to-customize base formulas, R&D services, and small-scale production—helping founders bring their products to life without the barriers of traditional labs.