Impact Magazine, August 2022

IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 1 IMPACT LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Editor in Chief Tunisha Brown Instagram: @impactmagazine Twitter: @impact_magazine Email: [e-mail] Web: www.theimpactmagazine.com Layout and design by Final Draft Design www.finaldraftdesign.com Instagram: @reggiedupree Email: [e-mail] One thing about me, I’m going to keep black women at the forefront of all I do! Why? Because I can and because it’s my business to do so. Why not? Black women shape the culture! We are the most educated, fastest growing entrepreneurs, and Black women have the highest labor force participation rate of all women… we will work for what we want! There’s nothing we cannot do or be because we are black girl magic! In this issue, we are highlighting the magic with some bonafide black BOSSES! This issue is all about black female CEOs who are making an IMPACT around the globe! Whether it’s in fashion, wellness, financial, or beauty, we are dominating the industry! Enjoy learning about these amazing women who are true bosses shaping the culture! Be encouraged… TUNISHA C. BROWN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @momentswithtunisha | @impactmagazine 2 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 3 CONTENT 06 WHAT’S HOT IN THIS ISSUE COVER STORY DEON TAYLOR \\ 10 Flipping the Script - Be inspired when you read the story of a creative force who didn’t take no from Hollywood! 10 DR. NICOLE GARNER SCOTT \\ 26 Do you have a plan for your money? The Money Plan takes a unique approach in Dr. Nicole Garner Scott’s practice by helping people achieve financial security through holistic integrative planning. FISKANI \\ 18 When creatives need that standout look for a blockbuster movie, reality show, or magazine spread, they look to Fiskani of The Ivy Showroom to have that fire ensemble! 26 18 TUNISHA BROWN \\ 06 With an understanding of representation matters, Tunisha Brown set out to empower, encourage, and educate black men and women with IMPACT Magazine. Read how she began her journey and what she’s up to now! 4 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 5 Tunisha Brown I grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, and that’s where I worked for Merrill Lynch for almost nine years. While with the company, I shifted so much because they really believed in promoting from within. I was able to be moved around, from Human Resources to being the Executive Assistant to the President of Technology. In my first role, I was an advisor for people who would call in to figure out their health insurance. I then moved on to the recruiting department, where I learned so much while working under five executive recruiters who hired about 10,000 people a week—they hired for all of the domestic international Merrill Lynch executives, which is where I learned a lot about time management. From the recruiting department, I transitioned to being an admin for an executive in technology, then an admin for five high-level executives in relationship management. In my last four years before leaving the company, I was a recruiting coordinator for Global Wealth Management, acting as the gateway for people seeking to become financial advisors. It was a point in my life when I was heavily into church and I began a newsletter and it was well-received. The church members loved the content and graphics, which I created myself. When I left the church, I asked myself, “Now that I’m gone, should I continue the newsletter?” There was this guy in my neighborhood named Darrin Morris; he had a newspaper called CREAM, and it showed the whole neighborhood, such as the people who graduated, the people having children, the people getting a new job—anything positive happening in the community—he had photos of them and he would put them in there. I would notice how people would react every Friday when it came out, they would go to wherever they were to get a copy. After noticing how they responded to seeing themselves in the newspaper, I thought to myself, “That’s it. I don’t want a newspaper, but I’m going to create a magazine.” From their reactions to seeing themselves, I understood the importance of representation mattering. I researched how to put a magazine together and I got a publisher. Once I figured out how to design the magazine, I researched John H. Johnson, the founder of Ebony Magazine and then Susan L. Taylor, who was the editor-in-chief of Es- 6 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE sence—she is the person who got Essence where it is today. What I learned from John H. Johnson, was about going into a market he wasn’t familiar with when he started in Chicago. He had to learn key factors about the city and put news out that reflected what he saw. What I admired about Susan L. Taylor was how she was so adamant about black women, and she was a single mom. She also went to school at night while building an empire. So, I researched all of that and after I felt I could do it, I released my first issue of IMPACT Magazine in 2007 and showed it to people in the community, and it just went like hotcakes. I would put out 500 copies a month and the next day they would all be gone. I saw how that was and then I took it around the country. For a long time, I didn’t have corporate advertisers; it was people in my neighborhood who had businesses that I wanted to support and I just created ads for them. For years, I didn’t receive any money for advertising, all of the funding came from my salary, 2018 was my first time ever receiving sponsorship. It wasn’t about the money, it was really about getting this information out because I understand what it is like to hear a story and be inspired and then be able to move off of that inspiration. The magazine didn’t skip a beat until I was laid off from Merrill Lynch in 2009 when Obama came into office and Bank of America bought up Merrill Lunch, and I had to make a decision. It dawned on me, “I can do this full time,” and I was on unemployment and thank God for the magazine because at the time, I thought to myself, “This has to make some kind of money for me. This has to begin to pay off because I’m pouring my life into it.” That’s when I started to charge for my events and advertising, but it took a minute for it to just click and work. My son and I went through a lot of sacrifice. Up until that point, I was working a great job, I had a great salary, I had a great house, you know, he was going to private school, and when I put it in my mind that I was going after my purpose, that’s when life really happened...just going after your dreams 100%. I could deal with the sacrifices, but my son was young. He didn’t understand what was going on. I didn’t know until he IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 7 was older and he was able to explain to me what it felt like for him, so I’m grateful we have a great relationship and communicate. Who’s Who Networking Mixer” and highlighted the who’s who of black Utah. I did that event and partnered with Facebook and William Marks, who reached out to me afterward. I was unemployed for about five years. During this time, I left New Jersey and at first, moved to North Carolina and in 2010, my son and I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where we lived for 11 years. I didn’t go back to work until 2013 when I went straight back to Merrill Lynch but this time it was under Bank of America, which kept a portion of Merrill Lynch. I left Salt Lake City and flew to LA and thought, “That only took me an hour and a half to get to LA?” So, I’m sitting here in the airport waiting for a client and William texts me and he said, Bank of America kept Global Wealth Management, the biggest part of Merrill Lynch that was making the most money. Since I had worked there previously, my old supervisor, Jean Kohlhepp, hired me back. This is where I stayed the last four years working for an employer. Moving from Atlanta to Salt Lake City A friend of mine had accepted a job at Young Living and at the time, it was 2017. I had begun these five star dinners called, “The Women of IMPACT ‘’ honorary dinners, and I honored mediamogul Karen Civil, some people from the Obama Administration, and a lot of reality stars—there were 50 black women and it made a huge IMPACT. “You know, I would like to do this again. I would like to partner with IMPACT if you’re thinking about doing things out west, with Utah. William said, “I just think everything you’re doing is amazing and it could be a really great partnership if you were here, and so I said, “Okay.” I had already told my son I was ready to leave Atlanta because it was time. I thought about moving and I came back to Salt Lake City and went and looked at a place and I was like, “You know what, I told her, “I’m not coming to Utah, it’s cold and there are no black people!” That was the 2019 Sundance. So, Sundance happens and I see Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, everybody was here in 2019 and I was so hurt, so mad I did not come. That was one of the biggest, the worst things I’ve ever done in business and so, I promised myself I’d never miss another Sundance. In 2020, I came out to Sundance and I did a film screening for a black indie film and about 75 black people came. I was shocked there were so many black people, and I met so many great people like Emma E. Houston, the late Cameron Williams, and other incredible individuals in Salt Lake City who are doing amazing things. “You know what?,” I said, “ I want to honor you guys for the work you’re doing,” and so I created an event called, “The 8 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE great things,” and I was like, “Really? You want to hear my story?” We have the “Who’s Who Networking Mixer,” where the movers and shakers come together in different industries to network with each other to discover how they can support each other, and it has been really great. We’ve received such great feedback and I added in the pitch competition so they win money and also have articles in the magazine, on the website and things like that to help them receive media attention. I heard that a couple of times and I figured, “Let me just tell my story to explain the things I went through to shape me and who I am today with the relationships I have with people, with my mother. Basically, tell people how I was able to heal my traumas from my childhood in order to move forward in this life. We make decisions through our traumas and that’s what the book is about.” While reading an article in the Salt Lake Tribune, I read how women’s equality is nonexistent here. In the article, it came from the perspective of how it was for white women. It did not consider black women or women of color. It hit me to create the “IMPACT Black Women Experience” during Women’s Month in March. The Experience is a three-day opportunity for women to network, have a panel discussion, and then a brunch. In March, I hosted the event with NY Times Best Selling Author, Actress, and entrepreneur Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award Winner and philanthropist, David Banner. In the book, I talk about my mom telling me who my biological father was when I was 20 or 21 because she was married to my stepfather and I didn’t know. He didn’t make me feel any kind of a difference. I had no clue about it, and that sent me into this whole fit of rage and halted me in my 20s. All of a sudden, I look up and I’m 26 and I’m about to have my son. Those are the three biggest events that we do each year and the “IMPACT Black Women Experience” is basically a combination of all three, all of the events I do single handedly throughout the year, it’s all in one weekend. The event was featured in Essence and major national media markets and so in 2018, I did it again in Los Angeles at the Ritz Carlton and I had Vanessa Simmons, actress Aisha Hinds, Torrei Hart, and others. She saw the dinner and reached out to me because Young Living was looking for brand partnerships with black creators. She asked me if it would be possible for us to have a partnership and I agreed. I was able to meet with Lauren Walker, who was serving as the chief supply chain officer of Young Living at the time, and she was like, “Tunisha, I think you should come to Utah,” and Iwas like, “I’m not coming to Utah,” and she said, “No, you would be really surprised, your magazine is needed. I think you’ll do well.” And I responded, “There are no black people in Utah, I’m not coming,” but she insisted I would be surprised and she said I should come to the Sundance Film Festival. gether and we honor them for the IMPACT they’re making throughout the country, in their industry and communities. IDENTIFYING BLACK WOMEN MAKING AN IMPACT I identify black women to feature in my magazine by their longevity. How long she’s been doing whatever she’s been doing and how effective is what she’s doing. Something where it’s not just flying by night. It’s not a case of, “I’m just doing this right now to get the shine.” It’s not a criteria I’m looking for, it’s just the journey that’s taken you from one place to the next. why not?” The event did really well, and the magazine was well-received. I was receiving so many invitations from people looking to see how we could do business, how their business could be featured, and basically to tell the story of black people who are here. I just made up my mind to move to Utah and in October, I went to where I live now, filled out the application and in January 2021, I was here. We’re inundated with information about black women all day. It’s not hard to find somebody who has been doing the work in her community or in her industry for years, and I watch people for years and then I’ll say, “Okay, this is the right time,” and every time I choose them, “It will be like oh my God, this came to me when I was going through this and that.” I get that a lot, so that’s why I go with my gut and I choose the people because this is my magazine, this is my baby and I understand what I’m looking for and everything has to come from within my heart. These people have to be authentic, not just to be patted on the back, but these people are really doing the work. IMPACT Magazine goes national Today, IMPACT Magazine is a national publication online and in print. We have at least 20,000 visitors on the website a day and about 100,000 people who read the magazine every quarter that we come out. While it’s a national publication, we do events in certain places where we have the most demographics, including Atlanta, New Jersey, of course Salt Lake city, LA, and Houston. One of my latest projects is my book, “No Designation,” which came out in January. I wrote the book because I always have people asking me about my life because I’m very private. If you see me online, it’s all about business, there aren’t a lot of personal things about me. Speaking of events, we have “Women of IMPACT” honorary brunch and dinners, and that is my five star event where we get dressed in gowns for the dinners or cocktail wear for the brunches, and we honor known and known unknowns all to- In 2014 or 2015, after an event in my hometown, one of the girls came up to me afterward and said, “We really enjoyed the celebrity you just had, but we really wanted to hear your story because you came from here and you’re doing all these BROWN’S FIRST BOOK RELEASE I had my son and then I went on what I call in the book, “spiraling staircase.” I was going up and down and around through life just trying to figure it out and having to figure out how to stop making decisions from my trauma because that’s all I knew. That’s what the book is about, learning how to accept the things that we cannot change and then understand and decide that the choices you make are going to have a consequence. To turn my life around, I learned to accept things because you can’t change it. As I was angry, I didn’t do all of the things I wanted to do because my rage, my rebellion, had me making decisions from the hurt and trauma. I realized something is not going right here, so once I got myself mentally together and it took a long time for that, I was able to talk about it. In order to move forward, you have to accept the things you cannot change. You can’t blame, you can’t do all of those things where your energy is focused on the past. You have to look at where you are right now, the pros and cons and move forward so you won’t repeat the cycle. ABOUT TUNISHA BROWN As a single mother in Trenton, NJ, Tunisha Brown saw the need for positive imagery in her community. Through this need began the journey of bringing forth her love of words in a powerful publication that displays the behind the scenes stories of black people. In 2007, IMPACT Magazine was born to empower, encourage, and educate its readers. As the Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Tunisha believes magazines should get to the heart of a story; to understand and to communicate the root cause of a thing. Tunisha’s passion is to awaken black men and women to an understanding of the power they have within. To use their strengths to take charge of their lives and the communities that surround them. Tunisha brings her gift of inspiration to everyone, sharing her remedy for embracing the best application, both personally and professionally. Through this action, it will aid in finding fulfillment and success in life to be an effective IMPACT to someone else. IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 9 Taylor DEON TAYLOR Flipping the Script Deon Taylor is an unabashed creative force in the world of film and television. In Hollywood, roles vary and job functions are often blurred and blended and few in Hollywood exhibit the capacity and skill set necessary to bridge all functions and roles successfully – Deon is one of the few who does through his production company Hidden Empire Film Group. A prolific writer, filmmaker, director and idea generator, Taylor forges his own path, bringing fresh, original content with a unique voice behind it to audiences. Taylor recently directed the #1 follow-up comedy, Meet The Blacks 2. Film stars include comedy icons Mike Epps and Katt Williams. Additional cast includes Rick Ross, Danny Trejo, Bresha Webwb, Zulay Henao, Andrew Bachelor (aka “King Bach”), and comedians Lil Duval, Michael Blackson and Tyrin Turner. Taylor rst rose to Hollywood’s attention with the success of Meet The Blacks, a lm Taylor wrote, directed, produced and distributed independently, outside of the Hollywood system. The success of the lm’s self-distribution created awareness of his lmmaking skills. Taylor produced, wrote the story, and directed the taut thriller Fatale starring two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank with Michael Ealy and Mike Colter, which was written by David Loughery. In 2018, Taylor directed the lm Traf k, an intense sex traf cking thriller starring Paula Patton, Missi Pyle, Omar Epps, William Fichtner and Roselyn Sanchez, released theatrically by Lionsgate’s CodeBlack Films. The lm was nominated for an NAACP, Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture. Also nominated for 2019 AMAA Best Dispora Narrative Feature. Previously, Taylor wrote and directed Supremacy which received critical acclaim participating 10 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 11 in The La Film Festival, Muse section and winning the AMAA for Best Diaspora. 2021 brought the trailblazer over to Starz to shoot 50 Cent’s masterpiece, “Power: Force.” Taylor said in a video on his Instagram page, “Thank you, you are one in a million, you are amazing, you are a superstar. Connecting me to this. To be able to shoot Force — Power, with my brother, man, and you. Come home. It’s just absolutely amazing, man.” When asked what motivates him, Taylor says, “It has to be a combination of the environment that I come from, and watching my mother push through adversity and obstacles every day and never giving up. It’s interesting, when you come from the inner city and you have struggled in your upbringing, it often is all the motivation you need when you’re pushing for that goal. Thinking about: utilizing low income housing, utilizing those moments of sented the 2019 Location Manager Guild International (LMGI) Humanitarian of the Year Award. Even with all the awards, Taylor says, “One of my greatest accomplishments, I would have to say, is finding a way to be a writer and director and a full time father at the same time. Then I would say– most times in the film and entertainment industry, you will find that people in Power Book IV: Force will follow Tommy Egan, the beloved character played by Joseph Sikora, as he transitions into a new life that leaves behind his mob ties and relentless reputation in the gritty underworld of New York. Taylor’s lms have been nanced by his longtime business partner and lead investor, Robert F. Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners, which is consistently ranked as one of the top Private Equity Firms in the world. Taylor’s producing partner is his phenomenal wife Roxanne Taylor, a visionary producer and executive, who manages Hidden Empire Film Group alongside Taylor. Additionally, Taylor executive produced, with Robert F. Smith, and Roxanne Taylor the series Be Woke. Vote. The digital series, a social media philanthropic initiative to encourage non-voters to vote and young people to discuss political issues affecting our communities, was hosted by CNN’s Van Jones as well as Roland Martin and Tameka ‘Tiny’ Harris. They conducted interviews with major celebrities and newsmakers from Entertainment to pop culture! Interviews included: Kim Kardashian-West, Jamie Foxx, Chelsea Handler, Will.i.am, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Sybrina Fulton (mother of Trayvon Martin), BJ the Chicago Kid, Bresha Webb, Maxine Waters, James Lawson, LisaRaye, Erica Ash, Chuck D, Zuly Henao and Erika Alexander. Be Woke Vote was nominated for two Webby Awards (Best Host and Social Content Series & Campaigns News & Politics). “In closing, for as long as I can remember, I used to always hear this quote, “The game is to be sold, not told.”– I’m hoping we realize this quote is wrong, based on the fact that, the game is to be told AND given away for free, so that we can grow as a people.” wanting something you could not have, utilizing watching your mother work her ass off day after day and still not be able to make ends meet. Simply living in the real world has been all the motivation I’ve needed to drive myself to the place I’m in now.” deon taylor 12 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE viding opportunities for others and what it means to be an IMPACT. “I truly believe as you climb the mountain, your job no matter who you are, is to continue to throw the ladder down so others can climb up. Being an impact is important for any African American professional. You could be a filmmaker, doctor, politician– It doesn’t matter, because we have not had equal opportunities to become leaders and professionals in these fields. When you find light and find a way to become a professional, you are now obligated to tell your story, to answer questions and be a sounding board for others that are trying to get to where you are. It is not solely about me being an impact today, it is about teaching others how to be an impact as well, so that they can impact the culture tomorrow.” Taylor was awarded the Sacramento Filmmaker of the year award in 2016 from the Sacramento Film Festival, Baron Jay Foundation’s 2018 Trailblazer Award, the Extraordinary Families’ 2018 Visionary Award and named the 2019 AAFCA Horizon Award recipient. He and HEFG received the Entrepreneurial Rising Star Award from the Black Business Leaders Hall of Fame and were pre- all categories lose themselves in their work. I learned early on that it is a very complicated balance to always make sure family always wins the battle between work and home life. Simply because a script could not work, a movie could not work, a show could fall apart– but by no means whatsoever could you ever allow family to not work or fall apart. So therefore you must always remember what’s most important in life, and that for me has been my children and my family.” Breaking barriers in the film industry is an enormous feat. Taylor knows oh so well the importance of pro- Taylor has a background in marketing, sports and promotions. A Nike All-American basketball player from Gary, Indiana, he earned a biology degree at San Diego State University on a full basketball scholarship where he was named the conference’s “Newcomer of the Year.” Taylor went on to play professionally and competed in city leagues and pro-am tournaments. Be sure to follow Deon Taylor and Hidden Empire Film Group, @deontaylor @hiddenempirefilmgroup IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 13 TENISHA HICKS B efore she became Tenisha “Isha” Hicks, owner of Isha Esthetics And Wellness, she was a medical assistant and phlebotomist for twelve years. Isha has been in the business of healing and making bodies feel their best for over a decade now, adding post-operative specialist to her most recent certifications. Her well-rounded background has helped her build a business that offers non-invasive wellness and body sculpting procedures as well as top-tier pre- and post-operative support, teaming up with Salt Lake region’s leading plastic surgeons. You may have seen Isha recently in the Salt Lake Magazine giving skin and selfcare advice because, since 2017, Tenisha has also become a licensed esthetician and certified Sculptice specialist. Her proficiency in body treatments earned her a place as one of the honored few SculptICE Specialist Trainers. She also won “Esthetician of the Year” in the Open Category for The Skin Games in 2019 and was one of the first in Utah to receive the Comcast Rise Award as well as the New Pattern grant for her business. She’s been featured on Channel 4, ABC and CBS news, appeared as a panelist for womens’ conferences and as a guest on many podcasts. Supporting others and giving them the resources to live and feel the breadth of wellness available to them from the inside, out, continues to be her number one mission. Let’s heal, grow and GLOW! 14 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 15 Ayanna Allen No stranger to change, Make-Your-Own Make-Your-Own Wellness Inc. is not just Wellness Inc. Founder & CEO Ayanna Allen about tea and family trees, but purpose and has long had a vision to serve her communi- world building as instruments for wellness. ty through innovating our social outlook on Ayanna’s vision is to partner with local non- wellness. profits and community organizations to assist As an Independent Artist, Educator, Genealogist, and Salt Lake City Arts Council board- with providing educational assistance within and beyond their four walls. member, Ayanna is dedicated to innovation Embodying a cafe style approach to pro- and community. Implementing her mantra, viding a La carte products and services,- “InspireLove Dream” in all she does, Ayanna Make-Your-Own Wellness Inc. plans to be the is committed to overall wellness through the hub for Black and Indigenous owned wellness arts. While not teaching or creating art, Ayanna seeks to continue to bring awareness to the rich traditions and history of Black and products and services in the near future that best meet the needs of its community. Indigenous peoples stemming from her Choctaw and Igbo heritage. For more information, follow @myowellnesscafe on Instagram. 16 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 17 Fiska F F I S K A N I iskani Kaira was born in Zambia and moved emerging designer collections, furs and accessories to the United States when she was 10 years from all around the world. “As a stylist I discovered old; Her first foray into the fashion world that there were no showrooms in Atlanta to pull was at the legendary Damselle furs in New York City. from” states Fiskani. “I would have to purchase looks Her keen eye for fashion quickly landed her personal for clients. I also remember a few unpleasant show- styling gigs in the music and fashion industry. room experiences that I had as a new stylist so it One styling job in particular ignited what would become a long standing and respected friendship with her African kinsman, hip-hop artist Akon. Fiskani began traveling the world as Akon’s personal stylist. Her reputation began to circulate in the industry and soon she was landing top styling gigs with the likes was very important for me to create a true fashion showroom experience here in Atlanta. I wanted the showroom to be an inclusive space where celebrities, stylists, industry professionals and the fashionably curious could come, feel welcomed and create incredible fashion moments for themselves, ” states Fiskani. of Keith Sweat, Toni Braxton, TLC, and John Legend to Since opening The Ivy Showroom in 2015, Fiskani and name a few. In 2005, Fiskani opened the doors to her her style experience team have provided wardrobe first showroom, Fiskani Inc., in Atlanta’s posh Buck- and ‘fashion moments’ for over 10,000 clients. Looks head neighborhood. from The Ivy Showroom has appeared in People, Under Fiskani, Inc. she was booked on music videos, and tours, editorial shoots and televisionand award show appearances across the country. Coming from a very competitive family, Fiskani knew that although she was achieving success as a premier personal stylist in the industry she loved, inside she had a burning desire for something bigger, something more. “I come from a very hard working family who impress Vanity Fair, AJC, Kontrol, Rollingout, Sheen, IMPACT Magazine, and Rolling Stone. The Ivy Showroom has most recently provided wardrobe for Meg the Stallion, Quavo, Dess Dior, Porsha Williams, Mulatto, Kendrick Lamar, Kandi Burress, Tyler Perry Studios Opening Gala, the BET Awards, Coming 2 America, Black Panther, The Bobby Brown Story, Wild’n Out, Star, Superfly and P-Valley. that what you did yesterday was great but, what are The showroom is often buzzing with stylists, celebri- you striving for today? So, needless to say, I’m always ties, new designers showcasing their collections and, motivated forward.” States Fiskani. the occasional celebrity impromptu performance! In 2014 Fiskani closed the doors to Fiskani Ink and in 2015 she opened the doors to - ‘The Ivy Showroom’ – a 10,000 square foot showroom in the heart of Atlanta’s posh Buckhead, Miami Circle Design District. Curated personally by Fiskani and her buying team, The Ivy Showroom is Fiskani’s true ‘curator’s closet’, (Teddy Riley was spotted on Social Media serenading the staff on the Ivy Showroom grand piano. “The Ivy Showroom is a magical fashion wonderland.” states Fiskani. “My guests come in and lose all sense of time and reality. It’s an experience most can’t believe and will never forget. housing some of the most beautiful designer and 18 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 19 Nik Morales Goddess of Travel, Intuitive, Activator, Owner of The Travel Agency and founder of Sol Haven. Nik’s passion is experiential luxury travel that leads to transformation of mind, body and spirit. Since founding her agency in 2012, Nik has been recognized by Essence Magazine as one of the top 25 Female Founders to Watch. Her diverse client list, ranging from stadium artists to comedians, to philanthropists and activists is testament to her expertise. 20 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 21 RAZORCHIC OF ATLANTA “Recognized as a miracle worker of scalp and hair, her popularity boomed after releasing a video in which she seamlessly veils the thinning hair of a young client with weave-related traction alopecia, using only the client’s natural hair.” By simply reviewing her extensive portfolio, Hair Battle Competition. Her artistry has been one can tell award-winning master stylist, featured in numerous media outlets including Jasmine “RazorChic of Atlanta” Collins, is a BET, Centric TV, The CW, SELF Magazine, The woman on a mission and truly a master of Huffington Post, Daily Mail, Madamenoire.com, disguise. An advocate for “real hair,” Jasmine The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sophisticates inspires women to ditch their dependency on Black Hairstyles, Hype Hair, weaves, wigs, and braids for a healthy mane of Times and SHEEN Magazine just to name a few. their own. Locally recognized as a miracle worker Furthermore, her work has been displayed on of scalp and hair, her popularity boomed after multiple celebrities including reality-TV stars releasing a video in which she seamlessly veils NeNe Leakes and Porsha Williams, Rapper the thinning hair of a young client with weave- Trina, Comedians Monique & Sommore, Music related traction alopecia, using only the client’s Artists: K Michelle, Monica & Tweet, Celebrity natural hair. The viral video has turned Jasmine choreographer Laurieann Gibson, and Actress into an international sensation, recognized Terri J. Vaughn to name a few. as the cure for distressed scalps and hope for admirers around the world. 22 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE The New York Jasmine is also a fashion expert and has provided clients with support for music videos, wardrobe With more than 30 years of hair styling styling, and other activities allowing her to knowledge, Jasmine is not only the owner of extend her talent. Such opportunities include the stunning Razor Chic of Atlanta Salon but BRAVO’s “Housewives of Atlanta,” Monique she’s also recipient of numerous awards from Show, “The Soul Train Music Awards,” and Laurie competitions, Gibson’s “Born to Dance.” including Bronner Brothers’ IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 23 Lynette Lashawn Lynette Lashawn (a Newark Native) founded OFF THE HANGER nearly 12 years ago online. OFF THE HANGER (Certified Black Owned Business & Minority Owned) is best known as a destination where Edgy Fashion, Art and Decor collide. The studio delivers a cutting-edge experience that encourages visitors to shop for their homes and wardrobes simultaneously. From the crystal chandeliers that elegantly hang throughout the Studio, the enormous royal gold baroque chair and an oversized Dior chair (once displayed at Dior’s Paris exhibit) to the colossal oversized hangers on the wall. Every inch of the space is strategically designed to strike up aconversation, provide an experience and to serve as a backdrop for visitors instagrammable moments that will last forever. The je ne sais quoi design aesthetic in the space usually leaves fashionistas in awe and eager to return for another dose of STYLE, a piece of artwork from a local artist or the perfect set of curtains for their home. Collaborations: Chef Roble from Top Chef and Legendary MCLyte x Lipsynk Cosmetics. Features: Vogue, Essence, Budget Travel, New York at Chelsea Pier Studios and a host of other fashion week productions as a Backstage Stylist. Lynette has coordinated fashion shows, organized style presentations and creatively directed Newark’s Lincoln Park Music Festival first Fashion Moment. Lynette has styled the Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka and student background dancers for his spoken word “What We Want” video featured in the Rolling Stones and other decorated Celebrities such as Tobias Truvillion from ABC series One Life to Live, and Kim Hawthorne from OWN Greenleaf television series. Recently Lynette created Newark’s First Fashion Bootcamp teaching Inspiring stylish how-to break into the Industry. She alzso curated a project at Newark International Airport with Historical Newark artifacts from Tiffany & Co., M&M, Whitney Houston, Shaquille O’neal, Shakur Stevenson, Hannibal Goodwin (responsible for creating film) and many other Newark Icons. NEWARK FASHION FORWARD Lynette, a Style Manager for Newark Fashion Forward curated the “Runway Shows” at Newark’s First Inaugural Fashion Weekend. A production designed to highlight designers, host celebrities, influencers and select Times, a television appearance on HGTV Flea Market media outlets. Flip, PIX11 News, a feature in a published book titled EDUCATION “100 Things To Do Before You Die,” United Airlines Hemisphere Travel Magazine, Instinct Magazine, Sewn Magazine, Sheen Magazine, The Manhattan Digest, United Airlines “3 Perfect Days in Newark” inflight commercial series, What’s eating Harlem and a slew of others prestigious publications. To date, Off The Hanger and ANE Clothier has become one of Newark’s Premier Fashion Destinations. FASHION INDUSTRY Lynette has over 19 years of experience in the Fashion Industry in a variety of capacities. She has worked at New York Fashion Week “The Shows,” Mercedes Benz More than a Style Maven and Creative Artist. Lynette is STYLISHLY SMART. She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from Thomas Edison State University and a Paralegal Degree. She graduated at the top of her class with high honors and has worked for the State of New Jersey, Board of Public Utilities as a Paralegal for 7 years overseeing millions of dollars in grant funding through former President Obama’s “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” In addition she has worked for the City of Newark for 10 years as a Paralegal with over 10+ years of experience in Labor, Litigation and Landlord tenant law. Fashion week at Lincoln Center, Nolcha Fashion Week 24 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 25 Dr. Nicole Garner Scott Dr. Nicole Garner Scott is a sought after licensed Financial Consultant, speaker, author and serial entrepreneur. Nicole received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University, her MBA in digital entrepreneurship and awarded an honorary doctorate recognized for her work in business. A mother and wife, this native Atlantan is a TEDx speaker and has been recognized for her entrepreneurial innovation by the White House under the Obama administration as well as receiving the Mayoral Phoenix award which is the highest award bestowed by the city of Atlanta. Nicole has created a socially conscious digital empire that touches millions. Her work as the founder of The Money Plan (www.TheMoneyPlanInc.Com) takes a unique approach in her practice by helping people achieve financial security through holistic integrative planning. By connecting pieces of her client’s financial puzzle and determining if they are working together in a coordinated strategy, she helps create their ideal financial picture and map out their legacy. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, she believes there is more opportunity to serve by helping mitigate losses through structuring a well designed plan. Nicole’s “why” for her deep commitment to the financial industry is knowing that her work is her contribution to combat the societal constraints that financially impact multicultural communities and to champion diverse practice, approach and thought process. IG: @DrGarnerScott @TheMoneyPlanInc 26 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 27 28 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 29 Dominique Evans “ They say, “Where there is no vision, there is no hope?” Dominique’s vision is to show people how beautiful they are inside and out. D ominique Evans is a Master Celebrity Stylist, belief in herself is irresistible. Her persona is to build Mental Health Advocate and Life Coach, her trainees up to be successors and to dominate the Beauty Influencer and Founder of H.A.B.D hair industry. So, teaches every stylist how to plant their (Hair Art by Dominique). seed to grow and blossom. Her experience, knowledge, and skills in the artistry Dominique has been featured in Essence Magazine, of hair have allowed her to travel the world, educating Galore Magazine, Sheen Magazine, BET, Rolling Out, stylists and inspiring stylists, demonstrating how to and many more. She created her brand by successfully become not just an expert stylist, but an innovator in completing six (6) National Tours, two (2) International the beauty industry. She has traveled the world and tours with a total of 36 cities, and 3 countries. has taught thousands of students and stylists the importance of being a true hair artist. Dominique has developed an “online” hair academy called HABD Academy. Dedicated to skilled stylist They say, “Where there is no vision, there is no hope?” looking to expand and/or improve their installs, cutting Dominique’s vision is to show people how beautiful skills, wigs and more. they are inside and out. She is the voice for women in the beauty industry and encourages women to be themselves , to love themselves , and to be unapologetic doing it! She shows women how to walk in their confidence and true authentic self by carrying their hands and helping lead the way through girl power. She also has a Haircare line of 24 products. H.A.B.D Haircare is specially made for Salon Professionals. These products are carefully crafted by the three (3) R’s: REVITIALIZE, REPAIR, and RESTORE especially geared to women who suffer with loss of hair. Giving them a level of confidence they never had before A Wife, Mother, Sister and Friend, Dominique is a through her movement, her products, her education, & trailblazer and her brand “HairArtByDominique” is set to Herself. Blaze a Trail and Leave Footprints in the Beauty Industry Dominique is a walking vision of hope. She took her vision for the now and for the future. and made it to a well-known brand and reality and shares Follow Dominique on ALL social media platforms: her expertise with other stylists constantly. She is an @HairartbyDominique excellent mentor and breaks down her unquestionable @HairartbyDominique_ will to make not just her dreams come true, but so many @Habdhaircare other women across the world. Dominique’s infectious @Habdacademy personality and will to succeed and her contagious 30 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 31 Lolita MUNIR B ack in 1993, I began my career in Optics as a There were plenty of obstacles between then and part-time apprentice optician at Penn Optical now; but my passion for optics and helping people has in Baltimore, MD. I quickly moved through fueled me to continue to grow and refine my optical the ranks because of my work ethic, eagerness to practice. I love framing and educating patients, stay- learn and support from my manager. While there, I re- ing abreast of the latest advances in lens technology ceived my Opticianry License and led the store in sales and hottest frame styles, and providing unparalleled and patient retention. Later, I transitioned to Sterling customer service. After almost 11 years as an owner, I Optical and worked as a Store Manager for several think what sets me apart is my resilience and love for years, until returning to Penn Optical by request of the the craft. Optics is my passion and I live and breathe it. owner.    Since 2009, my team and I have been fortunate enough In March of 2008, I lost my job as manager at Penn to receive several awards for our hard work and ded- Optical. With two sons in college, a mortgage, and ication. To date, I have been named Top Franchisee two car notes, the bills piled up and my husband’s in- numerous times, recognized four times for Top Sales come alone was not enough to keep our family afloat. Growth in a fiscal year, received 3 resolutions from I searched tirelessly for work, but my search was un- the City of Baltimore for community service projects, successful. We were desperate and needed to find a named Entrepreneur of the Month by Vital Magazine, way out of the hole. There were rumors of an optical and recognized by Black Wall Street. practice for sale in The Shops At Iverson and Emerging Vision’s (parent company of Sterling Optical) CEO at the time reached out to me about it. I had always thought of owning my own practice but never had the courage to step out and do it. After researching the company, pleas and unwavering support from the corporate office and countless meetings with Frame Reps Recently, I graduated from Bloomberg Philanthropies Ten Thousand Small Business Program. With the knowledge gained, I have been able to sustain my business throughout the CO-VID19 Pandemic. I am humbled by the blessings GOD has bestowed upon me and the task he has placed before me and Optical Labs, I decided to put my fear behind me and my vision in front of me. I closed on Sterling Optical in The Shops At Iverson November 9th, 2009. 32 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 33 Carter A S L E E S H A ome people dream of success...while others strategies in the entertainment, music, sports, events, wake up and work hard for it; Aleesha Carter talent/celebrity, and lifestyle industries. took a shot at success and let’s just say that she is giving success a run for its money. Having groomed a mindset fueled with ambition and drive, Aleesha was highlighted as “PR Influencer To Follow Socially in 2021,” and as “Entrepreneur of the Year” presented by Kontrol Magazine. While expanding her brand continuously; Aleesha was selected in 2013 as the “Top 45 Publicist to Hire,” as well as, in 2012 she was chosen as one of the “Top 100 PR Professionals Who Knows Press and Social Media.” She will celebrate 15 years in Public Relations, Publicity and Branding June 2022. Innovative Marketing Executive/ Project Managerial Expert with the experience to develop and execute creative campaign plans while enhancing the client’s goals that shows emphasis on their unique brand awareness. As founder and principal brand strategist of K A C, Images and U, LLC., Aleesha has cultivated a brand with her creative direction skills, experience, and networking capabilities. The boutique firm has assisted in representation of celebrity figures, reality tv personalities, actors, brands to cultivate their overall image, extend exposure, and encompass a strategic Channeling her entrepreneurial and leadership skills, publicity campaign abroad. Aleesha Carter has worked Aleesha has participated in various local and regional with local, regional, national, and international talent. speaking engagements. Aleesha has been recognized K A C, Images and U, LLC. work has been featured and featured by various media brands that include on television networks such as E! News, Univision Revolt TV, Jezebel Magazine (PR Professional Advice (Latin), ABC, Revolt TV, MTV, Nick Cannon’s Wild N Column), MTV Network, Urban Digital, Rolling Out and Out, Freeform network, VH1, BET, Music Choice, Black many more. News Channel, NBC, LogoTV, WeTV and more. The brand Entrepreneur and philanthropist; Aleesha Carter was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Carter is on an incomparable pace that some 41-year-old women cannot attest to. She is a mother of three sons, one of which passed away shortly after birth in 2012, while also maintaining a nurturing career in Public Relations and Marketing. An accomplished communications has garnered and gained media credits/placements from editorials to include People Magazine, People En Espanol, Latina Magazine, Vogue, InStyle Magazine, NewsWeek, USAToday, Today’s Black Woman, Jamaica Star, Rolling Out Magazine, Miami New Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Paper Magazine, NuFlex Magazine UK, Billboard Magazine amongst many more. professional with 15 years of experience in developing Carter creatives, brand messaging, activating publicity/crisis Communications with a concentration in Global management campaigns, negotiating collaborative Marketing and Innovative Strategy. She is a published brand partnerships, implementation of brand/product Author working towards completing her third published launches, and executing public relations and marketing book. 34 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE holds a Masters’ Degree in Business ALEESHA Carter IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE || 35 36 || IMPACT MAGAZINE | @IMPACTMAGAZINE