I’ve been in Chicago for the past few days meeting some of the most amazing and successful women. Last night (Thursday, May 20), I was a part of The BOSS Network’s Launch of it’s Influencer Event. Cameka Smith, Founder of The BOSS Network, honored 12 outstanding women who are successful in various industries.
Dr. Charana Baker, Maya Camille-Broussard, Danielle Wideman, Heather Williams, Tia Dantzler, Cameka Smith, Itika Oldwine, Siobah Strong, LaKesha Womack, Dartesia Pitts, Nirvana Trump, Deida Massey
BOSS Influencers Chicago (click to view photos by Errol Dunlap)
I was the guest speaker about “Networking Beyond the Business Card” and had the opportunity to sit on stage and network with these phenomenal women. Our host for the evening was Itika Oldwine, she is not only extremely beautiful but also has a great sense of humor which kept the audience engaged as each “Influencer” explained what makes them a BOSS. The answers varied from “because I give back to my community” to “because I choose to be”.
BOSS is all about Bringing Out Successful Sisters and this event was a shining example of the organization living it’s mission. Please take a moment to check out the profiles of these women:
Itika Oldwine – Hostess (@msoldwine)
An alum of the University of California, Los Angeles, Itika pursued a Master’s Degree in Social Science from the University of Chicago. While in Chicago, she landed an internship at The Oprah Winfrey Show where she was introduced to the world of broadcast journalism and has been working at Harpo Productions ever since.
In addition to working for The Oprah Show, Itika signed with the Chicago division of the Ford Modeling Agency where she landed an international campaign for L’Oréal and a national campaign with Fashion Fair Cosmetics. She was also featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show modeling some of “Oprah’s Favorite Things For The Summer” and on oprah.com and has since been featured in magazines, billboards and fashion guides throughout the country.
Dr. Chernara Baker D.D.S
Dr. Baker is a practicing general and cosmetic dentist with a private practice in Beverly. She is the recipient of the Lewis Exium Award, Smith Barney Mercantile Award and also University of Illinois Excellence in Dentistry Award.
Maya-Camille Broussard and Chrishon Lampley – Co-Owners of Three Peas Art Lounge (@threepeasart)
Maya-Camille Broussard and Chrishon Lampley are the co-owners of Three Peas Art Lounge. Three Peas Art Lounge is an art gallery with a full, top shelf bar. The gallery is available for rentals for private events and new artwork is featured every other month. Currently, Three Peas Art Lounge is working on developing it’s own brand of wine.
Nirvana Cobb – CEO of Macallan 25 Entertainment Group
Nirvana has always had an interest in all things creative and is a firm believer in following your dreams. She has worked in Marketing, Public Relations and Special Event planning over the past 10 years most notably for the Chicago Cubs, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Illinois Action for Children. Aside from those projects, she has also independently launched a children’s clothing line Pineapple-Eggplant and plans to take children’s clothing to the next level.
Tia Dantzler – Celebrity Makeup Artist (@tiadantzler)
Tia Dantzler is a Celebrity Makeup Artist who has worked with notable talents in both the entertainment and political worlds. Some of her A-list clients include President Barack Obama, Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Gabby Sidibe and countless others. Ms. Dantzler travels the world adding her artistic touch to many projects in Media, Ad Campaigns and of course; the red carpet.
Dr. Carletha Hughes – Pediatrician
Carletha was named the Chief Resident of John H. Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County. She is committed to community service and continuing Stroger Hospital’s tradition of practicing good medicine to the under-served whether they can pay or not. She will complete her Pediatric Residency from Cook County and be Certified as a Pediatrician on June 18, 2010.
As the Stroger House Staff Representative for the Pediatric Department, she is also a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine, recognized by Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and is an active member of the American Medical Association.
Juan Kirkman- Director of Entertainment and Special Events of the Sax Hotel (@juankirk30)
Juan B. Kirkman is the Director of Entertainment and Special Events at Hotel Sax. she has been in the hotel industry for over 14 years. She has three passions – her family, the hotel and working with non profits. Last year, she launched her own company that does events for non-profit centers and celebrity clients. She is a wife, mother, daughter and a Successful Sister.
Deida Massey is the Founder and Executive Director of Reel Beauty, Inc – an organization that assists at risk urban girls. *Look for Deida’s book due out next spring titled: “Discovering Reel Beauty; Inside and Out.* Prior to pursuing her dream of being a makeup artist in the beauty, fashion, music and entertainment industry, Deida obtained a Master’s of Jurisprudence from Loyola School of Law in Child and Family Law. Deida Massey is a native of Chicago but now resides in LA.
Dartesia A. Pitts- Attorney at Law (@daplegaltip)
Dartesia Pitts is the principal of the Law Office of Dartesia A. Pitts where she concentrates on Corporate, Property and Criminal Defense Law. She has multi-billion dollar transactional as well as multi-million dollar litigation experience. Currently, she is working on several projects, one is the high profile criminal defense of a Cook County Sheriff accused of assisting 6 maximum security inmates escape from the Cook County Jail.
Siobhan Strong – Owner, Deliciously Vintage Boutique Chicago/ Wardrobe Stylist (@oakstreetbully)
Known as the go-to-girl for all things fabulous and fashionable, owner of Deliciously Vintage Chicago, wardrobe stylist to the stars and mentor to Chicago’s youth… Siobhan Strong is building her brand and taking the fashion industry by storm. . Siobhan also co-owns No Wire Hangers Style Group, a creative agency that represents hair stylist, make-up artists, as well as other fashion stylists.
Danielle Wideman – Founder/ Editor- In-Chief of Goddess Magazine (@goddessmag)
Danielle Wideman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Goddess Magazine. Goddess Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for high school girls. The mission of the magazine is to give teens a voice and positive outlet to rely on.
Heather Williams – CEO of Glam Luxe and Principle Owner of Flirty Girl Fitness
Heather Williams, a Chicago native is one of the principal owners of Flirty Girl Fitness USA LLC. She is also one of the founders of a non-profit organization called “Project Save the World“. Heather’s most recent venture is GLAM LUXE, a hair extensions company that manufactures and distributes supreme quality clip-in hair extensions to salons and retailers.
LaKesha Womack 