SPEAKERS

Julian is a transformational brand strategist, award-winning designer, author, and speaker who specializes in building transformational brands for purpose-driven clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to nonprofits and small businesses. As the founder of EMERGE Live! and CEO of JBK Brand Design LLC, her expertise in design, branding, and marketing has helped her clients land multi-million dollar sponsors, sell out events, and increase sales by 800% overnight. Her roster of clients include Iyanla Vanzant Enterprises, Steve Harvey World Group, Cushman & Wakefield, the National Urban League, and the African Union. Julian and her work have been featured in The Washington Post, ABC News, Forbes Woman Africa, NPR, NBC and FOX5DC. A voice of authority in her industry, she’s taught branding and marketing courses at Bowie State University, and has spoken at the United Nations, Georgetown University, the Motion Picture Association of America and Capitol Hill, amongst others. Known for giving talks as transformative as her work, Julian speaks around the country on building brands through storytelling, effective communication, and living with purpose.

Gina Paige, an influential figure at the crossroads of culture, science, and business, is a seasoned entrepreneur and expert in DNA-based ancestry tracing. With almost three decades of experience, Gina’s journey from corporate America to co-founding AfricanAncestry.com has reshaped how more than one million people of African descent connect with their ancestral roots using genetics. Notable personalities like Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, and Taraji P. Henson have discovered their African roots through AfricanAncestry.com. As a global speaker, Gina shares her insights on Black identity, empowerment, and community at prestigious events and institutions. Her impactful work has earned her an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree. www.AfricanAncestry.com

Lydia is an accomplished strategic communications executive with over 25 years of experience across diverse sectors, including the White House, federal agencies, mayoral offices, and academia. Currently serving as Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Howard University, she previously held leadership roles at Spelman College and PAI, a nonprofit advocating for women and girls. With a proven track record in brand elevation, crisis management, and organizational strategy, Lydia has successfully restructured communication teams, led high-visibility events, and secured media placements in prominent outlets such as NPR, ABC, and The New York Times. Lydia is also recognized for her advocacy work, which led to changes in financial consumer protection policies and historic preservation efforts for African American heritage sites. Lydia holds degrees from Temple University and American University, with certifications in corporate community relations and crisis communications.

Dian Holton is an art director at AARP, the largest US nonprofit organization, where she oversees creative for TheGirlfriend.com and Sistersletter.com, as well as design for AARP The Magazine. With a background that includes book design, branding retail installation, styling and footwear design, Dian is the book art director and designer behind New York Times bestseller, Do The Work: An Anti-Racism Activity Book for Adults. Her passions, which include education, philanthropy, fashion and travel, help to enrich her multifaceted approach to life.

Viola Llewellyn, the visionary co-founder of The Tulle Box, is reshaping the landscape of self-curated leadership and empowerment for women across generations and backgrounds. Renowned for her groundbreaking work as the co-founder and president of Ovamba Solutions, an award-winning African TradeTech firm, Viola earned global recognition as a World Economic Forum Global Technology Pioneer. Her illustrious career encompasses building a $500 million life insurance investment fund and pivotal roles at IBM, KPMG Consulting, and Rothschild’s. Viola is a trailblazer featured in Vanity Fair and Digital Undivided’s exclusive list of only 34 Black women in the U.S. who have raised over $1 million for a tech company. She holds prestigious spots on Innovate Finance’s “Women in FinTech Power List” and Latice80’s “Top 100 Women in Fintech 2019.” Born and raised in the U.K., she is a published author and a staunch advocate for women in business, having served on advisory boards like The Africa Professional Services Group and the European Women’s Payment Network. Viola Llewellyn is a dynamic force driving transformative change and championing women’s success in every sector.

Kate Byrne, Co-Founder of The Tulle Box, is a dynamic leader in women’s empowerment. Before co-founding The Tulle Box, she led as CEO at SOCAP Global, KatapultX, and Chief Growth Officer of GoodLight Capital—a venture capital disruptor supporting women founders. Kate’s dedication to underrepresented groups is evident in her role as Chief Brand Officer at the Tides Foundation, connecting doers and donors globally, mobilizing $4 billion for impactful projects. With a background in advertising and as Acting Publisher at Fast Company, she earned recognition as one of the 40 Most Influential People in Media. Kate’s impact extended to Future LLC, leading the US Technology division and winning awards for innovative digital offerings. A respected speaker, moderator, and podcast host, Kate Byrne holds a BA in Psychology from Stanford and an Executive Degree in Education and Finance from Wharton. A fourth-generation Bay Area native, she now resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, blending her passion for business with mystical studies and enjoying outdoor activities with her family.

Dr. Amber L. Wright is a relationship communication expert and founder of Words Well Said, a personal development company that helps organizations do a better job at making their people feel seen, heard, and valued. As an executive coach and speaker, she guides leaders toward expressing their highest selves with authentic authority and grace. Her popular TEDx Talk entitled, “Ask Better Questions to Build Better Connections,” has inspired people all over the world to become stronger communicators in their everyday lives. She has been mentioned in Fast Company, Essence, and Mashable, and is the creator of Can We Talk? Cards – 50 questions designed to help you take the guesswork out of small talk.

Lisa Medley is a seasoned executive coach and advocate for Black women in the workplace. With over 16 years of corporate leadership experience, she intimately understands the challenges facing women of color striving for advancement. As the founder of the “I Belong” Movement and Lisa Medley Executive Coaching (LMEC), headquartered in Charlotte, NC, she provides professionals and teams with a supportive environment to assess strengths, enhance leadership skills, and maximize impact. As one of only 24 individuals holding a Masters of Science in Executive Coaching, Lisa is a certified Executive Coach through the ICF, with additional certification from the Center for Credentialing and Education. She has worked with clients from esteemed companies such as Amazon, Capital One, and Facebook, and has been featured at high-profile events including the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit. Lisa’s coaching is lauded as transformative, empowering clients to overcome obstacles and achieve career success with confidence.

Dr. Ivy Hylton, LICSW, Ph.D., is a seasoned professional with a rich background in health, wellness, and mindfulness. With expertise in mental health, restorative justice, spiritual enlightenment, and social justice, Ivy is a sought-after inspirational speaker, certified restorative justice trainer, soprano soloist, sound healer, and licensed independent clinical social worker. She is at the forefront of a new era of healing, utilizing groundbreaking techniques like Sound Vibronics™ to promote personal transformation and inner peace through sound and vibration. As the owner of Serenity Healing Arts and Youth and Families in Crisis, LLC, Ivy leads initiatives such as the Balanced and Restorative Justice Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform in the District of Columbia. She is the author of three books and the producer of six CDs, all dedicated to restoring the human spirit, fostering inner peace, and achieving emotional balance. Ivy’s work is deeply rooted in her commitment to healing and empowering individuals, communities, and organizations alike.

Danielle Washington specializes in empowering women of color to prioritize self-care through transformative travel experiences, coaching programs, Reiki treatments, yoga and self-care journals. As the host of the Hella Well With Danielle podcast, she delves into topics surrounding wellness and travel. Danielle is also the author of Travel is My Therapy, a guided self-care travel journal, and the Redefine Mindset 21-Day Self-Care Journal. Drawing from her life experiences and certification programs, she has honed her coaching and wellness skills to guide clients in interrupting patterns that no longer serve them, awakening to new possibilities, and redefining life and joy on their terms. Danielle’s insights have been featured in travel industry publications, and she has been a speaker at numerous summits, as well as a guest on podcasts, where she shares the importance of self-care and travel as therapeutic practices.

Dr. Trenace Richardson is an internationally sought after keynote speaker, vocalist, and an award-winning educator, author, and CEO. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors, Dr. Richardson is a highly respected leadership researcher and practitioner. The founder of Real Women Rock, a nonprofit that seeks to create a safe space for women to do real work on themselves, she has spoken to audiences across the country, helping businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals excel in the areas of personal and leadership development. She has an innate ability to connect with diverse audiences across various disciplines.

Riche Holmes Grant is an award-winning TV host, lifestyle expert, writer, producer and serial entrepreneur whose work has been featured by Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, REAL SIMPLE, Williams Sonoma and The Home Depot, among others. She is the executive producer + host of “The Riche Life” web series, founder of BambiniWare patented baby + mommy products and executive producer of “Good Home Training,” her first documentary film. Riche is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Brown University, including a year at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She lives between the Washington, DC area and Los Angeles, CA with her family.