Lauren Ashley Smith is a writer and co-host of the Gracie award-winning SiriusXM radio show, Smith Sisters Live. On the TV side, she is currently in an overall deal at CBS Studios. Prior, she was the head writer and co-EP of the first two seasons of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, which earned her […]

Nikki Buchanan is a sales and marketing executive with over 18 years of experience driving brand investment, innovation, and excellence in multicultural marketing. She currently leads the multicultural marketing and sales practice at SiriusXM Media, including platforms like SoundCloud and Pandora. As the national lead for multicultural audiences and consumer insights, Nikki bridges the gap […]

Richelieu Dennis is the Executive Chairman of the Sundial Group of Companies, spanning beauty, media, technology, and culture. He founded Sundial Brands (SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage), which eventually led to a historic acquisition by Unilever. Shortly thereafter, Richelieu launched the New Voices Fund to invest in and empower emerging entrepreneurs. As Chair of Sundial Technology & […]

José Alvarado is a Honduran-born, NYC-based music curator working at the intersection of art and social impact. At THE OFFICE performing arts + film, he has curated for venues and festivals including MASS MoCA, The Momentary, Celebrate Brooklyn!, and the FreshGrass Festivals, and served as Co-Artistic Director at Guild Hall of East Hampton. He co-created […]

Gerardo is a Group Creative Director and boomerang @ 72andSunny, leading the NFL and Cadillac. Formerly the VP of Creative at The Athlete Storytelling Company, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, and also an alum of TBWA\Chiat\Day. Gerardo has created work for Nike, adidas, the NFL, P&G, ESPN, Gatorade, and more. Born in Denver, […]

Jason Rosario is an award-winning executive, cultural strategist, and impact-driven leader shaping the national dialogue on masculinity, identity, and belonging. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of media, marketing, and business, Jason brings a multi-hyphenate perspective to storytelling, strategy, and systems change. In 2017, he founded The Lives of Men (TLoM), a […]

Adrian Hernandez is a creative director and founder of Need Pastel, a marketing agency shaping culture through music, design, and bold storytelling. He’s also the founder of Ugly Primo, a creative platform celebrating Latino culture. From working with artists like Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma to building brands that cut through clutter, Adrian’s vision centers […]

Ashley T Brundage started her second career as a means of survival. Fighting discrimination, harassment, and homelessness, she found employment as a part time associate, then rose to national VP of Human Resources in less than 5 years when she worked in the banking industry. She captured this process of career development in her award […]

Hunter Mitchell-Adams (he/him/his) is the Equity+Impact Manager for Wieden+Kennedy. In this role, he partners with the Head of Equity+Impact to support the network, fostering an environment where employees feel safe to produce the best creative possible and provide access to the necessary tools for success in their work. Before transitioning into the diversity, equity and […]