This August, we celebrate Black Business Month, a time to recognize, honor, and amplify the incredible contributions of Black entrepreneurs and business owners who are shaping industries, creating opportunities, and strengthening communities.
At Hera Hub, we believe in the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and thrive. This month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the Black-owned businesses within our community and celebrate the vision, resilience, creativity, and leadership they bring to the world of business.
Black Business Month is an opportunity to support Black entrepreneurs, learn from their stories, and recognize the impact of their businesses not just this month, but all year long. From innovative startups and growing enterprises to businesses serving and uplifting their communities, these entrepreneurs are making a meaningful difference.
Together, we can help create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where every business has the opportunity to succeed.
Mildeen Worrell, Healthcare Xponents
Mildeen Worrell, JD, LLM, is a nationally recognized benefits attorney, healthcare policy strategist, and Founder & CEO of Healthcare Xponents. A former Senior Benefits Counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, she spent nearly two decades shaping national healthcare and benefits policy. Today, she helps employers simplify healthcare strategy, strengthen compliance, and advance healthcare literacy to improve outcomes for employees and their families.
My brother. He built a premier catering business in Barbados from personal savings — no outside investors, no safety net, just vision, discipline, and an unrelenting work ethic. What he created was not simply a business. It was a standard of excellence that earned him a place at tables few could have imagined: catering to visiting dignitaries dining with the Governor General of Barbados, feeding members of the British Royal Family, President Bill Clinton, the cast of “The Young and the Restless”, President Fidel Castro, among others.
What makes his story even more remarkable is the context in which he built it. We lost both of our parents suddenly and tragically when my brother was not yet in his twenties. It was an unimaginable loss — the kind that breaks people. He did not break. He grieved, and then he built. He pursued his dream to own a business and chart his own path, and he did so with a grace and determination that I have never forgotten.
He was also my sponsor. He financially supported me through college, law school, and advanced law school. Without him, the career I built — the years on Capitol Hill, the work at the DOL, the consulting practice, and ultimately Healthcare Xponents — would not have been possible. He invested in me before I could invest in myself.
We lost him a few years ago. But his legacy has not ended — it continues through his wife and his daughter, who carry forward the business he built with such pride and purpose.
When I think about what drives me to build Healthcare Xponents — to start with personal savings, to push through the uncertainty of early-stage entrepreneurship, to keep going when the path is not yet clear — I think about him. He showed me that you do not need perfect conditions to build something meaningful. You need conviction, courage, and the willingness to begin.
He began with nothing and left a legacy. That is the example I carry with me every day.
Chantel M Baylor, Speak Peak Shine
Chantel Baylor is the founder of Speak Peak Shine and a 15-year corporate sales veteran. She spent her career as a top performer, navigating boardrooms where she was often the only black person in the room. She learned that real success in sales isn’t about slick tactics, it’s about unshakable confidence, authentic connection and knowing how to ask for what you want. Today, she helps entrepreneurs and the youth sell with confidence without losing who they are.
I was inspired by Black women entrepreneurs who took the leap to build businesses despite the odds like LaToya of Movement Matters, Crystal of Too Geeked Marketing, and Elisa of Illustrated Melanin. As a longtime supporter of their work and services, I saw firsthand the passion and impact they bring to their communities. Their example encouraged me to turn my own passion for helping others into a business built to serve my community.
Jessica Dunon, JD Agency Experience
Jessica Dunon is the Founder of JD Agency Experience, an educational travel company creating immersive programs in the French Caribbean. Originally from Martinique and based in San Diego, she connects students and educators with the culture, history, communities, and landscapes of Martinique and Guadeloupe through locally rooted experiences.
I love sisterhood and the way women support and uplift each other. I’m inspired by women entrepreneurs, especially Caribbean women, who are taking up more space in business and creating their own opportunities. We’ve come a long way, but we also know how much harder women have had to work to be taken seriously, access opportunities, and have a seat at the table. Seeing more women build, lead, and succeed on their own terms, and support one another along the way, inspires me to keep going and take up my own space too.
Elaine Swann, The Swann School of Protocol
Elaine Swann is the founder and CEO of The Swann School of Protocol, a nationally recognized training and certification company with over 30 licensed locations across the country. A leading lifestyle and etiquette expert, author, and sought-after keynote speaker, she has delivered programs for organizations including Bank of America, Cisco, and LEGOLAND, as well as audiences at Wharton and Stanford. She is the author of *Elaine Swann’s Book of Modern Etiquette*, a comprehensive guide to navigating today’s social and professional world with confidence and grace. Her expertise has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, CBS Mornings, Access Hollywood, and Inside Edition.
I am inspired by witnessing people taking something as simple and basic kindness and either elevating themselves or thriving and succeeding in business.
Alycia M. Huston, The Culture Cru
Alycia M. Huston is an exited biopharma founder, business advisor, speaker, and workplace culture expert. Her work is grounded in neuroscience and shaped by years of building businesses, leading teams, and helping organizations strengthen communication, culture, and performance. Beyond her work, Alycia is a wife and mother of five. Her experiences in business, leadership, marriage, and motherhood have shaped how she thinks about responsibility, relationships, resilience, and what it means to lead with both strength and compassion.
Both of my parents continue to inspire me as a business owner. They led with wisdom, compassion, and a no-nonsense approach to life. Their example shaped how I lead, how I make decisions, and how I show up for others. Even though they are no longer here, so much of who I am today reflects what they poured into me.
Jade Newton, Semantic Strategy Group
Jade Newton is a linguist and multidisciplinary strategist operating at the intersection of language, systems design, and business growth. Jade is the founder of Semantic Strategy Group and the creative director of Vertical Space Magazine. She brings a unique synthesis of subject matter expertise in applied linguistics, enterprise sales, and program and project management for agentic AI, to build scalable, operational frameworks.
As a business owner, I am inspired by Sharon Rossmark, founder and CEO of Women & Drones. She has mentored me for several years, encouraged me to start my own business, and opened numerous doors of opportunity.
Nitara Lee Osbourne , The Infinite Writer Agency
Nitara is the founder of The Infinite Writer Agency and an award-winning screenwriter, author, and editor who writes movie and TV pilot scripts, as well as self-help books for established business owners and other professionals.
Oprah Winfrey, Lena Waithe, Shonda Rhimes, Courtney A. Kemp, Reese Witherspoon, Jen Sincero, Tyler Perry, and Audrey Faust
Katina Warr, Pearls of Paradisus 21 (POP21)
Katina “Pearl†Warr is the founder of POP21 (Pearls of Paradisus 21), a holistic wellness brand dedicated to making self-care simple and accessible. Inspired by her own journey through motherhood, healing, and entrepreneurship, Pearl created POP21 to help women prioritize their mental wellness, rebuild confidence, and take intentional moments to reset. Her signature product, the Airye Bag, embodies the brand’s message: Squeeze • Inhale • Reset.
My mother was my first inspiration as a business owner. Growing up, I watched her overcome a difficult childhood and build several businesses from the ground up, from tax preparation and catering to becoming a director with Mary Kay. She showed me what resilience, determination, and entrepreneurship looked like before I even knew what those words meant.
As an adult, Felena Hanson, founder of Hera Hub, has also inspired me tremendously. Watching her create a powerful network that supports and connects women has shown me the importance of community. Her empathy, leadership, and the way she pours into other women have inspired me to do the same through my own business.
Vanessa Abron, Agency Abron
Vanessa Abron is a creative strategist, marketing consultant, founder, and multidisciplinary artist with more than 20 years of experience shaping brand visibility, audience engagement, and cultural relevance across corporate, entertainment, lifestyle, and creative sectors. As founder of Agency Abron, she partners with global brands, organizations, and founders to develop bold marketing strategies, experiential campaigns, and brand positioning initiatives that move ideas from concept to real-world impact. Her approach blends strategic insight with artistic intuition, helping clients connect with audiences through meaningful storytelling and culturally resonant experiences. Vanessa’s professional foundation in marketing and public relations includes work with leading agencies and organizations such as Burrell, Weber Shandwick, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, Atlantic Records, Ebony/Jet magazine, Nielsen, and Paramount. She now applies that expertise to integrated creative strategy engagements spanning audience growth, influencer engagement, and experiential activation. Her client work includes initiatives for McDonald’s, Hilton, AARP, Netflix, National Geographic, Hallmark, Paramount, ComEd, Magnolia Pictures, Tricocci, and FX Network. Vanessa is also an advisor, speaker, and exhibiting artist. Her recent recognition includes serving as a Golden Trumpet Awards judge, appearing on WGN-TV’s Spotlight Chicago, joining the NABFEME Advisory Council, and being featured in media platforms including Business RadioX, GREY Journal, and WGN Radio.
Too many people inspire me, honestly — but three stand out. My faith is a big one; a lot of what’s worked for me came from listening to intuitive nudges I can only describe as spiritual guidance. Oprah inspires me because of the gamble she took: turning down the safety of a network job to syndicate her show, on Roger Ebert’s advice, when that wasn’t the obvious or popular move. My late mother inspires me too — when I wrote my first book and gave her a copy, she insisted on paying for it. That small act taught me not to discount my own work just because someone’s close to me.
But if I’m honest, the biggest lesson has come from watching other business owners operate — including some who did it badly, and taught me by example what not to do, and gave me the confidence that I could do it better. What ties it all together, from Oprah to Steve Jobs to my own mentors, is that the ones who really succeed aren’t following a formula. They found their own unconventional thing and committed to it.
Danicka Brown-Frazier, Alkemi
Danicka Brown-Frazier is the Founder and Alchemist-in-Chief of Alkemi, where ancient wisdom meets modern productivity. Drawing on Yoruba healing traditions and ancestral plant medicine, she designs corporate wellness experiences — including the “Your Mind Is Not a To-Do List” workshop series and the Alkemic Herbal Bar — that treat wellbeing as business infrastructure rather than a perk. A Certified Mindfulness Practitioner with an MBA from Hampton University and twenty years in partnership development and event production, Danicka has built programming for organizations across wellness, technology, and the arts. She is a Live Well San Diego Partner and an approved Insight Timer teacher. Chicago-raised, San Diego-rooted.
Jermaine Lamarr Cole. J. Cole. This question reached me on the highway. My family and I were driving my son Josiah to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore — his freshman year, his first as a Division I athlete, his whole life folded into the trunk behind us. And J. Cole’s song let.go.my.hand was playing.
A father learning that our children grow up. That our work is to prepare them, teach them, lead by example — and then open our hands.
My mother taught me that first. She was imperfect, and she was intentional: she showed us standards, persistence, buying Black, knowing what you know instead of guessing. Cole let me hear it again in a voice close to my own age, and it landed like confirmation.
That’s what I admire in him as a business owner — the refusal to separate the man from the work. He creates for his community rather than marketing to it. Dollar and a Dream: secret shows, a dollar at the door, fans with their ears to the streets. He brought his people in early, before the world caught up. When my Greenish retail space was open, I ran “Friday Night Drops” for exactly that reason.
And when Dreamville and the City of Raleigh sat down last year, they didn’t cash out. They committed to four more years at Dix Park. Most brands take the check and leave.
He stayed. That’s the kind of business I’m building.
Shalonda Hurd, In the Books, CPA Services
Shalonda Hurd has been a CPA for over 21 years and an accountant for even longer. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Dillard University in New Orleans, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Colorado State University. Over the span of her 30 years in Accounting, her experience ranges from audit to financial accounting & reporting (including financial statement preparation, financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasts) to tax. In addition to her management role in Accounting, Shalonda taught various Accounting technology systems in the corporate sector for almost 10 years. Recently, she has started working with other small bookkeeping/accounting businesses on their AI tools, integrations, and strategies.
My father is my greatest inspiration in life and in business. He was the hardest working person I know. In 9th grade, he dropped out of high school to help take care of his family. He eventually found a job as a porter in a mechanic’s garage. He went from sweeping the floors to purchasing the business when the owner retired. For over 30 years, he owned the garage. He was giving. He created a fun, supportive family environment at the job. He had a big heart and lived with a smile on his face.
This is exactly how I try to run my business. I work hard for my team and my clients. They are my family. I lead with my heart and keep a smile on my face.
Melanie Sheridan, Marketing and Communications Professional
Melanie Sheridan is a digital marketing and communications professional who helps turn marketing ideas into coordinated campaigns that reach the right audience through the right channels. She has experience in content strategy, email marketing, campaign coordination, social media, and community-centered storytelling across nonprofit, creator platform, and agency environments. Melanie is passionate about combining creativity and strategy to develop meaningful marketing that connects with audiences and brings ideas to life.
I’m inspired by so many of the people I’ve met through Hera Hub over the years. I’ve watched them recognize their unique gifts, lean into work that genuinely makes them happy, and find ways to turn their passions and expertise into businesses.
I’m especially inspired by the working moms who are building businesses while raising families, and by the those who have given themselves permission to pivot. I’ve seen members start down one path, realize it wasn’t quite right, and evolve their businesses into something completely different. To me, that’s an important reminder that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to follow a straight line.
One of the things I value most about Hera Hub is the incredible range of expertise within the community. There always seems to be someone you can turn to for advice, inspiration, a referral, or simply to bounce an idea off of. Being surrounded by people at so many different stages of business has shown me that there isn’t one right way to build a career or a business. Create something that reflects your talents, your priorities, and the life you actually want to live!
Carla Nesbitt-Stokes, CNS Consulting and Jan’s Dreams (Non-Profit)
Carla Nesbitt-Stokes is a workforce and leadership development strategist, educator, and founder of CNS Consulting and Jan’s Dreams, a nonprofit organization. Through CNS Consulting, she partners with organizations to develop leaders, strengthen workplace practices, and build sustainable approaches to workforce success. Through Jan’s Dreams, she extends that commitment into the community, creating pathways and partnerships that support workforce development, stability, and opportunity. Across both organizations, Carla’s work is grounded in a human-first philosophy: meet people where they are, recognize the strengths they already possess, and help them move forward.
I’m inspired less by a single person and more by the qualities I see in people who lead and serve well. I’m drawn to people who operate with integrity, remain focused on service, value genuine partnership, and understand that meaningful work is rarely accomplished alone.
I’m especially inspired by people who use their knowledge, influence, and resources to create opportunities for others while staying grounded in their purpose. Those qualities shape how I approach both business and community work—success is not only about what we build, but also about how we build it, who we bring alongside us, and the impact we leave behind.
Lakesha Miner, Lakesha Miner Photography
Lakesha Miner is a headshot and portrait photographer based in Silver Spring, Maryland. She works with entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals across the DC metro area, helping clients see themselves with fresh confidence. After 15 years in federal HR, she left that career in 2022 to build Lakesha Miner Photography. Her mission stays simple: help every client walk away feeling like the most authentic version of themselves.
Maya Angelou inspires me as a business owner because she understood the power of seeing people fully. Her words remind me that everyone carries a story worth telling with dignity and truth. That belief shapes how I approach every session. I want each client to feel witnessed, not just photographed. Her quote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” guides how I run my business. I’m not just capturing images. I’m creating an experience where clients feel valued, seen, and confident in who they are.
Nicole Reynolds, Cake & Sip San Diego
Nicole Reynolds is an entrepreneur and cake decorating educator with more than 25 years of professional experience. After successfully running her first business for 13 years, she followed her passion for edible art and teaching. Through her work, Nicole creates more than cakes, fostering community, confidence, and unforgettable experiences.
My inspiration comes from the joy we bring to people when we help bring their creative side to life (I wasn’t really sure how to answer this question)
