2019: Women 2 Watch
2018 has been quite a year for all hues of women in the US and abroad. From our Saudi sisters given the right to drive to the historic wave of black women to win during midterm elections! Women’s voices have been outspoken & direct. And The BRICC Foundry has been in the middle of the action.
As the year comes to a close, take a look at some of our favorite moments & favorite women making an impact in their space.
1: Jasmine Nicole | Black Love
First up we have none other than Jasmine Nicole, CMO of BlackLove.com. The site is an extension of the hit series, Black Love that airs on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). We had the pleasure of attending the site launch party in Hollywood this year before the second half of the second season aired. Jasmine (@reallyjsmn) also runs her own marketing & event production company. She produces conferences, music festivals & curates all female art shows. When Jasmine is not making her clients look good, what is she doing? Showcasing her own More Juice brand with business partner Marissa.
2: Marissa Wilson | Blavity
Speaking of Marissa (@rissadwilson), did we tell you she’s a creative mastermind at Blavity. As a digital media company, Blavity connects young black millennials to culture, politics, and news through their own unique lens. Marissa has been with Blavity since its early days and is now General Manager of Travel Noire, overseeing high impact content and creative forms for black minds to expand. The BRICC Foundry was able to chat and rub elbows with her at the 3rd AfroTech Conference in San Francisco. Jasmine and Marissa have hosted events across the country spreading their #BlessingsComeInConnections mantra to young creative professionals.
3: Melissa Butler | The Lip Bar
Who else did we meet at AfroTech? We were able to girl talk with the CEO of The Lip Bar, Melissa Butler (@melissarbutler). Headquartered in Detroit, The Lip Bar is a beauty brand that designs vegan & cruelty-free lipsticks at prices everyone can afford. Melissa shared her come-up story from when she started making lipstick in her kitchen, to losing on Shark Tank, to now having her products sold in Targets across the country and her 2019 plans for expansion. She is well on her way to challenge beauty standards one lip at a time.
4: Keysha E. | Actress & Comedian
Another Detroit native, Keysha E. (@itskeysha.e), is an actress & comedian living her California dream. Keysha E. closed out the last 2018 Uncut Comedy show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. The show was hosted by Ohio native & comedian Donald George (@donaldmgeorge). Donald gave Keysha her first shot at comedy two years ago, debuting at Genghis Cohen restaurant in West Hollywood. Since then, Keysha E. has been taking off with a McDonald’s commercial currently airing & booking gigs with Google, & Bank of America. Not to mention, Keysha co-starred in The Corornor last year & recently finished up filming I Got the Hook Up 2. Not stopping there, Keysha is moving into the new year filming in Atlanta for a new Tyler Perry film.
Los Angeles comic Keysha E. has been in Hollywood for 6 years and has learned how tough dating in LA can be.
5: Mary Margaret Groves | Refinery 29
Last, but hardly least, we had the pleasure to connect with painter & multimedia artist, Mary Margaret Groves (@mary.margaret.art), at 29 Rooms in Los Angeles. As an artist in residence with Refinery 29, Mary walked us through her creative process when she hits painter’s block. Using our bodies as utensils, we designed our own masterpieces while being surrounded by original art. Refinery 29 fostered a fully immersive experience like Mary’s ‘Ready to Move’ installation. Alongside her girlfriend, Kimber Springs (@kimbersprings), Mary is planning something big for the LA art scene. Coined “The Church of the Holy Opening” for it’s play on religion though a feminist lens, the two are planning their own art installation debuting February or March.
READY TO MOVE
@29Rooms Immersive Art Installation by Mary Margaret Groves
Boldly & beautifully, these women are showcasing their talents authentically and unapologetically. Energy is contagious. Be intentional. Be protective. Surround yourself with like-minded people to infect your glow up. Wishing you peace, prosperity and success in the new year!
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The vision of BRICC Foundry is to cultivate minority women through the pursuit of knowledge, mentorship & professional development to inspire women to pursue their career & life goals in spite of obstacles in their present state. Registered 501c(3), tax-exempt organization.