Special Guest Speakers and Panelist
Dior Davis
Dior Luxe Queen HoneyBee, the CEO of Truth Honey, a prestigious Luxury Honey Brand recognized by Forbes Magazine, has a unique distinction. She is the first urban woman beekeeper to be featured on the Weather Channel TV Show Patrrn, a testament to her pioneering spirit and dedication to her craft. The inception of Truth Honey was not just about creating a unique product, but about a mission. Dior's vision was to enhance understanding of Agriculture and sustainability within the community. But it did 't stop there. Dior recognized the importance of promoting individuals' mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, inspiring her to advocate for holistic health engagement amongst diverse demographics.
Sibyl Slade
Is founder and president of IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC. an independent financial services firm. She lends her 30 years of banking and finance experience to provide personalized comprehensive financial planning and advisory services to executives, small business owners, and professionals. She is recognized as a 2024 Investment News Awardee for Philanthropy and Community Service. In 2023 she was recognized as one of *Investopedia’s Top 100 Advisors. In 2022, she was recognized as a Visionary for Oasic’s Women Forum. In 2019, she was a nominee for the Ladenburg Institute of Women & Finance. Prior to founding IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC, Slade began her financial services career as a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed, where she was recognized as a recipient of Waddell & Reed’s 2015 Pacesetter as well as received her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Designation.
This commitment to well-being sets Truth Honey apart, reshaping perceptions and consumption behaviors surrounding honey. Driven by a steadfast commitment to luxury and excellence, Dior is a revered authority in luxury branding and marketing, earning comparisons to the pioneering entrepreneur Madam CJ Walker for her groundbreaking contributions to the honey industry. She oversees operations at her Luxury Branding and Marketing Firm, embodying the motto " If your look is not becoming to you, then you should be coming to me to Luxe Your Brand. Dior holds a master's degree in business administration with a specialization in mass communication within business management/HR, and is a certified business coach in marketing/branding for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Janean Armstrong
Has been in the financial industry for over 25 years. She began her banking career with Bank One in Houston, TX. Janean was employed at SunTrust, now Truist Bank for 15 years. She was promoted to a Region Executive in February 2018, leading a team of over ninety branches and over five hundred teammates in the Maryland and Northern Virginia Market. Janean joined Wells Fargo in March 2019 and was responsible for several counties in South Atlanta. She joined VyStar as the Market President for Georgia March 2023. Janean is known for being an incredible coach and developing others to reach their full potential, which has been her legacy in her banking career. She believes people, process and precision are the three pillars in creating a successful team. Janean has held several board positions in the Atlanta community and believes in giving back. She is active in the community and has mentored girls with the I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L nonprofit organization.
In 2017, Slade became an independent financial advisor and emerged as an industry thought leader. A 21-year veteran of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, in this capacity, Slade served as a senior regional community development manager. Slade is a contributor to Investopedia and has been featured in several media outlets and publications providing industry insights and expert knowledge to include but are not limited to CNBC, U.S. News Report & World Report, Investment News, eMoney, RollingOut, Thrive Global, and Insurance Net. Likewise, she has been recognized by Congressman John Lewis, David Scott, and Hank Johnson for her work addressing unnecessary foreclosures in Georgia.
Janean is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a member of the 100 Black Women of Metropolitan Atlanta, where she previously served as the group’s treasurer and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Janean is a graduate of Grambling State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing. Janean is married to her husband Tony, she has two dogs Bella and Ace, and she has one daughter Kourtney. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Clarissa J. Sparks
Is the founder of Sparks & Co. "She Sparks," a brand strategy and digital design consultancy. With over a decade of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and digital design, Dr. Sparks is a recognized branding and marketing expert who empowers and mentors entrepreneurs. Using her SPARKS Brand Method™, she has helped over 6,000 women entrepreneurs gain clarity on who they are, what they do, and how they can brand, market, and grow their businesses. Dr. Sparks leverages her extensive knowledge to inspire and educate women in business, fostering a new generation of empowered entrepreneurs. She is also a local college Marketing Professor and Course Facilitator for the Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell University.
She serves as a Board of Trustee and Communications Director for Leadership Perimeter, a Board of Director for the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, and the VP of Marketing and Communications for the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education. 2023 Forbes' Leadership' Contributor, 2023 Black Ambition Pitch Evaluator, Verizon Micro Mentor; other honors include ATL+ Magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women in Atlanta", Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce 2024 Woman of Distinction, 2022 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., South Atlantic Region Entrepreneur of the Year, 2017 Small Business Association (SBA) InnovateHer Regional Award.
Clarissa enjoys domestic and international travel, hosting, and entertaining family and friends.
Ebony Porter-Ike
A prominent Executive Producer, Publicist, Entrepreneurial Maven, and Author in business and entertainment. With over 15 years of strong business consulting experience with Fortune 500 companies in the space of mergers, acquisitions, energy, public sectors, and entertainment, Ebony has solidified herself as the guru in assisting new start ups through comprehensive marketing plans and strategic, realistic objectives for exponential company growth. Her clear and precise view of business has allowed her to broker deals for reality shows, large-scale entertainment productions, fashion events, national hair shows, and building the brands of industry mega stars. With an MBA in International Management and a certificate in Six Sigma Black Belt, Ebony has successfully guided new product development projects offshore to provide maximum return for her clients. Her experience is unparalleled and unique in nature.
Ebony has been featured in business magazines, journals, blogs, and has spoken at numerous entrepreneurial conferences. She has received numerous awards for her exemplary work in Public Relations & Business. Ebony is revered in the industry as the "Guru of Business" with her creative skills in helping new and existing brands to maximize their market share. Ebony is also the author and founder of Coinology™: The Series, the Coinology™ Program, Coinology™: The Podcast. and Ebony has dedicated her life to her passion of assisting aspiring entrepreneurs to become successful by living their truth. This is the premise of the programs, events and the EPIConference™.
Ebony has a genuine passion for storytelling , and a strong desire to identify the lack of thought that provoked stories while correcting the “truth” that many of us believed. She has also worked on several television projects, and was the catalyst for evolving Fox Soul’s CheMinistry from a live panel to a groundbreaking digital platform. Through her decade of leadership within the publicity industry, Ebony noticed that there was a lack of thought-provoking stories that corrected the "Truth" that many of us believed. Ebony set out to create an entertainment company to highlight the mistruths that we have been told and to educate humanity as a whole.
As a publicist, Ebony has a natural gift in storytelling and a passion for bringing thought-provoking projects to life. These natural gifts inspired her to diversify her storytelling methods. Inspiration eventually turned into execution as she grew into an Executive Producer role; thus creating Ebony Eyes Entertainment. Under her creative direction, Ebony Eyes Entertainment matriculated from an idea to an ever-increasing production roster. In November 2022, Ebony executively produced the groundbreaking and notable NBCUniversal documentary “Casey Anthony: Where The Truth Lies”. Ebony is currently expanding Ebony Eyes Entertainment’s focus into true crime and scripted content. With several television and film projects under her belt, Ebony continues to be one of the industry’s most highly-sought after and highly respected creators.
Dr. Nicole Garner Scott
Is a sought-after licensed Financial Consultant, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. Nicole received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University, her MBA in digital entrepreneurship, and was 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 Mayor of 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 financial 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 practices, approaches, and thought processes.
Lisa Walker Holloway
Is a Senior Manager in External Affairs at Comcast. She is an enthusiastic leader, with more than 20 years of experience in customer strategy, community initiatives, project management, and coaching, and development. After 17 years of supporting Customer Care Operations and Strategy, in 2018, Lisa, pursued her passion for Community Impact by accepting a role, as Senior Manager, External Affairs in the Big South Region External Affairs Department. In her current role she supports government and community affairs and collaborates closely with elected officials, community partners and nonprofit organizations in the Atlanta and surrounding areas. Lisa is focused on digital equity, community investment, franchising, and advocacy in the communities Comcast serves.
Lisa is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia and earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix, in 2010 and in 2021 she earned her MA in Psychology from University of Arizona Global Campus. She is a loving wife, daughter, friend, and Godmother. She is a faithful member of the Church of Christ at Bouldercrest and a dedicated servant to the community.
Dr. Jenni JCHIC Graham
Is the Brand Style Curator at JCHIC LifeStyle®️ Agency, a pioneering force in elevating brands through image consulting, PR, marketing, and operational excellence. With over a decade of leadership in the luxury services sector, Dr. Graham has transformed JCHIC LifeStyle®️ into a global leader known for its customized approach to business and style solutions. Her visionary guidance ensures that brands not only thrive but authentically resonate with their target audience, customers, and partners.
Beyond her role at JCHIC LifeStyle®, Dr. Graham is a seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for empowerment. Her expertise in branding, marketing, and business development has empowered countless brand guests to achieve their goals with confidence and clarity. As CEO of the JCHIC Foundation nonprofit, she extends her passion for community impact through initiatives focused on education, mentorship, and economic empowerment.
Dr. Jenni JCHIC Graham's commitment to excellence and innovation continues to set new standards in the industry, reinforcing her reputation as a trusted advisor and leader in business transformation.
LeVar Norsworthy
Career branded content developer and key strategist Le’Var Norsworthy, founder of Marc Norsworthy & Co., wields a service brand portfolio of over 3.4 billion dollars and over a decade of experience working with corporations, government agencies, entrepreneurs and personal brands.
After previously holding the executive director role for various agencies, Norsworthy, successfully etched a niche in the media content development and strategy space. Transitioning from
developer to a trusted intuitive consultant in key decision making,“The Blackboard” was
launched to give entrepreneurs and executives a LUXE “C-suite” development experience for
their next “big” move.
With a mantra that “Innovation in motion creates room for something impactful,” Le’Var has been an influential catalyst on several ad campaigns and currently working in Atlanta, Georgia with various brands on new marketing rollouts.
Samantha Alexander
Samantha “Sam” Alexander joined the team at Porsche Cars North America 9 years ago after 12 years in the hotel industry. When she took the position as Catering Director for Bon Appètit at Porsche, she was given the incredible task of “creating the dream” through events at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta. Hospitality has always been her passion and working for Porsche, a company that does not compromise in the delivery of a premium experience, has been such rewarding career move especially now leading all of Sales at the PEC Atlanta. As a sales leader, her job is dream big and surpass those dreams. Whether it is delivering an exceptional event, leading her teams through record-breaking years or taking time to enjoy those wins… it all empowers her to keep going.
The dreams do not stop and neither will she! Sam is an active member of the hospitality community with a position on the Membership Committee for the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and a member of the Board for the Atlanta Airport District Convention and Visitors Bureau. Sam and her family reside in South Fulton, GA. She is a wife and mom to five children
with ages ranging from 10-26 years old.
Kelsey Rooks
Is an Area Manager in the Metro South Region of Georgia Power, where she is responsible for leading and guiding external partnerships and strategies. Externally, she develops and coordinates public and government affairs efforts to promote Georgia Power’s goals and objectives. She also provides leadership and support for power delivery, customer service, sales, and community and economic development efforts in the region. Kelsey is an Electrical Engineer, and previously worked with strategic initiatives in the Customer Solutions organization, working with internal and external teams on the executive strategic vision across the company to help expand energy-related needs of customers, while achieving profitable net income.
She has worked in areas of college & university energy management, residential development, commercial load analysis design, and distribution & nuclear engineering design. She is the past board member for two of the company’s Employee Resource Groups in addition to different employee development councils. In the community, Kelsey is a member of Psi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is a graduate of Leadership Clayton and Georgia Economic Development Academy and a member of National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), African American and Blacks in Energy (AABE), Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Association, INROADS Atlanta Alumni as well as past volunteer with multiple mentoring groups. Kelsey earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tuskegee University. She is a native of Dublin, GA and currently resides in Ellenwood, GA.