Everyday we meet business owners, professionals, artists and creatives. Photographers, florists, realtors and more. They might come from different backgrounds, work in different industries, have varying personalities, and have vastly different income and educational profiles, but the one thing we’ve seen over and over again is that most people have a unique and special reason for why they do what they do. From a realtor helping families afford the first home he always wished for as a kid to a photographer using her skills to give a voice and face to victims who feel voiceless, we have been blown away by what happens when you just ask people a simple question – why do you do what you do?

Heike Martin

What if I told you that I’ve made it through the birth canal twice in my life. Yes, not just once but twice. The first time was at birth and the second time happened in my early fifties. A friend invited my husband and I to go spelunking (cave diving) and without giving it much thought or asking any questions, I simply said YES. It was a beautiful crisp fall day when a group of about 15 of us met at the entrance to the cave. It was pretty exciting thinking about what we might encounter. We put on headlights, warm jackets and as a photographer I also had my camera backpack strapped to me. Read more>>

Rhonda Kelley

Why a lawyer, much less a family law attorney? That is a question I often receive, especially when people hear that I run a “faith based” practice. It makes a difference when you are working in an area where you feel you are called, which is where I am. One of the goals of my “faith based” family law practice is to ensure that I honor God with all aspects of my business. One way that I maintain that goal is through my practice philosophy. Read more>>

Hannah Sanders

Hand lettering was my saving grace in college. As a double major, you can imagine extreme burnout was not difficult to come by. I began teaching myself to hand letter as a means of escaping the mounds of homework and research papers. Before I knew it, hand lettering had become my greatest form of self-care. It challenged me to slow down, clear my head, and deeply appreciate the quiet moments. I’ll be real: I didn’t have the best track record for sitting still, so I needed the challenge and mindset flip. Read more>>

Brandon Carruth

At Sleepyhead Coffee, our mission is to create a safe and welcoming environment for all people. Owned by two members of the LGBTQ+ community, we wanted ensure our space was comfortable for people from all walks of life regardless of your sexual orientation, race, religion, etc. We wear our mission loudly and proudly. Read more>>

Michelle Bailey

I’ve always loved photography; however, for most of my life, I considered it a hobby. After graduating with my Bachelor’s in music performance, I went into the Army bands and played clarinet for them. Shortly after arriving at my new unit, I was selected to be a part of the ‘Public Affairs Office,’ based solely on the fact that I could take an “in focus” photo, and I did let it slip it used to be a hobby of mine. My time in the Army was cut short; because I got medically discharged for having a labrum tear in my left hip and arthritis in my spin. Read more>>

Luis Padilla

Fresco was founded with the goal of assisting brands to remain relevant. I recognized a great need to assist businesses with staying current on technology, social media platforms, and how the internet in general was transforming the way people and customers interacted and engaged with businesses and organizations, especially in the Latino community. Read more>>

Brenda Ramer

My story is very simple. It is based on meeting a need. My husband and I traveled to the Fl Keys to snorkel the ocean for the first time. Being the adventurous teacher that I am, I had share my experience with the students. Which led to sharing it with other teachers and students. this led to asking who has seen a “blue” ocean…which revealed that 65% of students in western NC have never experienced the ocean. this led to the discovery of a need for deeper environmental education resources, especially those connected to marine or ocean studies and understanding. Read more>>

Lisa Meertins

I was just a teen from Queens with a love for hair. I began braiding my sisters hair at the age of 12, and braided hair in my neighborhood. My best friend was my biggest hair inspiration, and she taught me how to do weaves and hair color. I realized how much I enjoy expressing my creativity and style through doing hair. I continued to enhance my skills by teaching myself how to braid unique designs, that showed my innovative and artistic skills. Read more>>

Justine Parker

The story behind my mission: Initially, JusRédor Collection was created for the dance community, designed to develop an easy transition when getting dressed between physical and daily activities, all while helping the environment by wearing sustainable material. Providing go-getters and busy dancers with hypoallergenic clothing while providing the necessary features, a dancer who desires to stay cool, reduce perspiration stains, and perform movement with ease. Read more>>

Jesse Leon

My story is one of perseverance. I moved to California with dreams of making it in the music industry. I graduated with a degree in Business Marketing and felt that would help me get a foot in the door in regards to music business. After almost half of my life toiling away in random “jobs” I was able to get the position of Talent Agent for Breakpoint Booking. Since then, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster with the pandemic, but I have not looked back. At almost 37 years old, it just goes to show that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Read more>>

Shawnta Bowie

The Story of Life Line In spring/summer of 2016 my health had took a really nasty turn that honestly I didn’t think I would be alive to see my 27th birthday in 2017. I just got really sick out of nowhere. I went to see every specialist, every doctor you could imagine and all my tests and exams came back showing nothing.  Read more>>

Wanda Micheal

Our Mission is to provide a service that will benefit each type of learning style and encourage academic excellence at all levels of education. We are committed to educating the whole child through the arts and creative activities. A whole child approach to education is defined by practices, policies, and relationships that ensure each child, in each school, in each community, is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. We strive to meet the educational, health, and developmental needs of students through music and creative activities. Read more>>

LaTonya Butler

LaTonya, The Brown Tooth Fairy,” is a mother, dental professional, and children’s book author. She understands the challenges parents face when it comes to daily oral hygiene care and empathizes with patients diagnosed with multiple cavities and requiring several dental treatments. As a dental and youth advocate, LaTonya can attest to the need for diverse representation in promoting early childhood dental hygiene care in dental offices and schools. Read more>>

Kimberly Chase

Hello, everyone! My name is Kimberly Chase and I am so happy to be here to share my personal journey with you all! The story behind my mission started as a young child. I was sexually abused at age 3 and then again when I was 12 years old. I also witnessed this happen to someone close to me when I was around the age of 9 years old, from the same abuser. Read more>>

Seena Chriti

Hello my name is Seena and I’m the owner of Paktli foods. PAKTLI means JOY in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. I grew up in Mexico eating ALEGRIAS (which also means JOY!), a snack dating to the 16th century made from puffed amaranth and honey or chocolate. I have always wanted to recreate my childhood snack in the US, with the same handcrafted methods used to make alegrias with the highest quality all natural organic ingredients including ancient grains, chocolates, and whole dried fruits and nuts. Read more>>

Fred Brewer

Fireman by trade and passionate barbequer, Fred Brewer’s love for cooking began when he was a child. Fred could be found in the kitchen helping his mother, and as he grew, he would cook nightly dinners while his parents worked. During high school and college Fred worked at Friendly’s as a server where he became fonder of the food service. In 2009 Fred received his first smoker as a Christmas gift. It was a rough start, but with patience and practice, he refined his smoking. Read more>>

Jerry Gibson jr

My mission is to continue to spread the legacy a lot my late cousin Jaquise and continue to be able to help independent artists by providing them with opportunities that the major companies won’t provide. Read more>>

Lacie Dillon

The story behind this mission, wow, well it started simply to be honest. I was in a corporate role, in general surgery. Had it “made” by all accounts, but there was something brewing inside of me that led me to the mission that I am on. Read more>>

Natasha St. Fort-Thomas

My background in social work connected and paired well with the physical part of a healthier lifestyle. I hold a bachelors of social work from the oldest HBCU in the South Shaw University, and a Masters of social work from Case Western Reserve along with being a Certified Personal Trainer. The mission of Spunky V is to promote security and investment into our physical ,mental, and emotional health to assist with feeling confident and good about yourself. Read more>>

King Joseph

My life is a movie… Growing up in my city of New Orleans, it’s not easy for someone who has a dream. It’s so easy to get into trouble but hard to get out of. My family’s roots are deep in the city of New Orleans. By me becoming a mogul, it started because of my mother Marva May, she made clothes and was the best hustler in this world to me. My mother passed away this year on Mardi Gras Day. Read more>>

Ryan Laessig

Milwaukee Makers Market (M.M.M.) is a one-stop-shop small local businesses community experience. During the season M.M.M. showcases over 50+ makers, artisans, bakers, and creatives each month. Focusing on Woman, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Locally Owned Small Businesses; Milwaukee Makers Market brings a special experience to the City of Milwaukee. The stories I hear at our markets are what really show how Milwaukee is being brought together and helping push our local economy forward. Read more>>

Lisa Whitfield

Like so many other women of color, I have experienced biased treatment when entering yarn shops. Back in 2019 when people of color began talking more openly about their experiences, I witnessed the “shut up and knit” backlash and a tremendous amount of ignorance about black and brown folks in general — but particularly relating to the fiber arts. One person specifically wrote in a comment thread that black people had no history in the fiber arts because there are “no sheep in Africa”. I had to put my phone down and walk away after reading that. Read more>>

Natalie Levy

In January 2019, we lost my mom, Linda Fink Levy, to suicide. We’ve now lost several family members to it in total, and in digging into what happened and what we could have changed, I believe investing in our women and creating financial independence for them would have had material impact. Read more>>

Hunter Phelps

Phelps Room Designs was founded in February of 2021, after I decorated a room for a friend that went viral on Twitter. I soon realized that room designing was a gift of mine that could not only satisfy my creativity, but also make others happy in the process. Read more>>

Kamille Caldwell

My mission is to create visual art that will work as a portal for the minds and hearts for each viewer. As an artist, I believe that what we create is a reflection of us. Behind every piece that I create lies a portion of my being. I always set an intention behind each piece that I create and I often decide whether I want to share a piece of my heart or a piece of my mind. I believe that without an intention there is no absolute meaning to the work… it kinda just leaves the meaning to be decided by the viewer, I don’t believe that there’s anything wrong with that but I do believe that leading with a purpose is far more effective. Read more>>

Queenie VESEY

I was hungry. That is my reason why I became a chef. I grew up poor surviving off of pantry donations. The food was old and very nasty. I was on a mission to feed my siblings due to my mother being out all night and day to prostitute to support her crack addiction. My first creation was making Mac and cheese with old noodles and a small piece of cheese from the faded white box. I panic I did not have enough cheese. I decided we had peanut butter and used it. The best Mac and cheese to this day!! I cook because I was hungry port eating out the trash. I work on a farm where I run a full canning kitchen. Because I was hungry!! Read more>>

Veronica Zuniga

Before Inspire Nutrition, I lived a very unhealthy lifestyle which affected my health and relationships. After a medical visit, I decided to change my life forever and began my journey with Herbalife products. With Herbalife Nutrition I lost 107 pounds. Shortly after I opened my first nutrition shop in Patterson, Ca called Cornerstone Healing & Wellness Center. After the hit of Covid, I was forced to close my business. Read more>>

Kelsey Price

As someone born and raised in New Orleans, a city so deeply rooted in food culture, a natural appreciation for good food runs rampant in my blood. I never knew what my passion for food would turn into, but I’ve enjoyed seeing how my love for photography and food has intertwined in a way that connects with the New Orleans community. What started as just a fun, creative outlet has turned into a mission of connecting the citizens of New Orleans with great local restaurants. Read more>>

Questa

When I started my business I had no clue where it was going to take me or if it was going to take me anywhere. Even when I didn’t know what I was I doing I continued to keep going to see how far it will take me. Everything is a process in life the more you push through the further you go. Read more>>

Shanika Gosling

I am a Portrait Photographer specializing in personal branding and portrait experiences. It’s my mission to help celebrate, uplift and empower the women around me… to honour the woman she was, the woman she is today and the woman she’s becoming. Our luxury portrait experience is designed to empower and honour the whole woman, and give her the confidence boost and self-esteem she needs to reset and celebrate their individuality and know that she is worthy of feeling beautiful in all aspects of her life. Read more>>

Jade Adams

or perusing. I actually started the concept on accident. I went to school at the University of Tennessee Knoxville with aspirations and dreams of becoming a surgeon. During my last semester in school, I lost my best friend and partner in a head on collision in December of 2018. After the tragedy, my priorities, desires, and dreams were forever changed. Life became too short. Things that seemed like they mattered… Read more>>

Tasha Dixon

I started Luvthemama in January 2020 out of the need for a tangible item that would feel like a “gift” sent to moms each month as a reminder to pamper, spoil and love themselves. After discovering the shockingly high rates of maternal death amongst black women in America, I became passionate about bringing awareness for the need for better maternal healthcare in our country. Our mission is to highlight the importance of self-care in motherhood in order to improve maternal and post-partum care for mothers all over the world. Read more>>

Raven Byrd

In 2016, I had surgery for endometriosis. After the surgery, My body was different, I was different. I started gaining weight and going through early menopause. I had no idea if the medication was helping at this point because I was not feeling like myself. I started doing some research (actually my wife) to find natural remedies for hormonal balance and endometriosis. The very first essential oil I read about was frankincense. Read more>>

Paige White

One of the reasons I started KC Cocktail Company is because I don’t enjoy my own parties most of the time. What do I mean by that? I truly love hosting parties and having people over, and the more the merrier but the problem with that is I spend the whole time running around making sure everybody has a drink and food and everybody is happy. I am an empath so I am constantly feeling other peoples energy and I never want anyone to be uncomfortable. Read more>>

Dupe Adedeji

I have 2 orphanages and 3 widows empowerment centers in Nigeria and that makes me go multiple times in a year. I love fashion a lot and its just something that comes to me naturally and I love wearing African clothes so much that people will ask me where I get them from. I decided to open an African boutique because its something I can easily do at my own pace considering my health challenges and I can also use some of the proceeds for helping the kids in our orphanages and our widows center. Read more>>

Emaje Singleton

My Mission: Providing affordable & fashionable streetwear for all people In May 2020, I launched Habits Co undermining what was building. In my first 10 minutes of releasing, I sold out my first collection. Of course, exhilarated by the love & support of my city, I began taking the brand more seriously. Since opening, HC has produced over 30+ original designs & has become an in-house manufacturer. My main objective is to create authentic streetwear that is cost-effective for all people. Read more>>

Darnell and Alyssa Gilet

The purpose of Do You Know Black? is to celebrate and uplift Black culture and community through content, events, and experiences. Do You Know Black? started as the trivia card game, House Party the Game, in 2016. The trivia game focused on 90’s pop-culture. As time went on, customers would ask if we planned to create a game that focused on history and education as opposed to entertainment. Read more>>

Lee Batups

Our mission has always been to give volume to the black voices in the entertainment industry! Black independent voices, that would otherwise be muffled in the background! We want to put the independent creative first! Because, we know we can’t compete with celebrity, but we can work hard to make it a fight! Our platform is for the podcaster, the artist, the business, the creative, who feels their art never gets noticed! We want to shine a bright light on them all! And, we do this by being on every platform possible! This is our mission, this will always be our mission! Giving black voices volume! Read more>>

Jenny Shannon

“Tell your story with your whole heart.”- Brene Brown Read more>>

Davenna Shannon

My mission has always been to encourage people to spend time with their love ones all while making memorable moments. During this time I’ve brought friendships together, showed couples how important romance is, strengthened some marriages and I’ve even helped a few start their own luxury picnic business. All of which surpassed my original goal. Read more>>

Omaria “Mushy” White

Omaria is the 11 year old CEO of Mushy Madness. Her mission is to show kids that being unique is always best. Never blend in, always stand up and stand out. The products she sell are always bright and colorful because basic is boring!!! A little bit of Madness is ok. She calls her friends and fans MAD Squad because she wants everyone to always be Motivated by something and Determined to be the best them they can be. Read more>>