Leadership With A Conscience: Meet Our Newest Change Agent Fellows
Have you ever dreamt of changing the world? These new change agents have. Being a change agent is a pretty powerful title that leads to a lot of responsibility. The most effective agents of change can recognize the need for change and create a strategy for action. In many cases, a change agent implements the change they envision throughout a business, community, or another type of social group.
These change agent fellows were selected to join a community of changemakers committed to enacting real, lasting social change in their communities. They deal with more opposition, rejection, and challenges than the average person. Yet, a change agent has an unstoppable drive to connect and organize others for the most significant advantage of all those involved.
Meet the new Change Agent Fellows of Black Girl Ventures:
PHILLY
Renai Ellison serves as a Reconciliation and Leadership Coach, Consultant, & Facilitator. She is the Founder & CEO of EMBRACE LIFE Enterprises and leads with love rather than fear. Renai earned a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership at Stockton University and is currently studying Diversity and Inclusion at Cornell University.
Devon Caudle is a Philadelphia native who is passionate about community engagement and ethical development. She leveraged her career experience in multi-family property management and leasing to create her own boutique property management company.
C&C Property Management stands for community and care. The goal is to assist minority homeowners with real estate asset management while providing low to middle-income renters with safe and affordable housing.
Loretta Gary is the Founder and designer behind a bold art and gift brand called Radical Hearts Print Lab, committed to creatively supporting everyday activism. A self-taught graphic designer from Philadelphia, PA, Loretta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology & Anthropology and Film & Media Studies from Swarthmore College. Loretta believes deeply in collective power, and economic justice is a prominent theme throughout everything she does.
CINCINNATI
Dr. Calisha Brooks is a Detroit native, Fisk University alum, and a champion for Black Mental Health. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Tennessee State University and received her training from the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University. She believes that “our community is our immunity” and teaches her daughter using words and actions to build a legacy.
Alice Msachi is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the principal owner of NKC Accounting, offering tax preparation, tax planning, tax resolution, accounting, and QuickBooks® consulting services. Alice is passionate about guiding entrepreneurs to save money on taxes and take charge of their cash flow by implementing best practices to create a solid foundation for a financially sustainable business.
Alexis Williams is the co-owner of Selfie City Cincy, located in her hometown Cincinnati, OH. After obtaining her B.S. in Public Relations, she returned to Cincinnati to further her education at the Ohio Media School. Alexis is the Co-host of Concrete Rose the Podcast and serves on the High Achievers Aim High Nonprofit board.
Stepping out on faith, Dr. Terri M. Hurdle established T Marie Consulting, where she serves as the Executive Director. She is the former Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Mount St. Joseph University and Instructor for the Center of Ethical Leadership’s Pathways program.
Cyrina Thomas utilizes her background in chemical engineering and tech to democratize the plastic industry. As Chief Plastic Officer at Precious Plastic Cincy, Cyrina is creating a global movement by One Army to Tackle the Plastic Waste Problem. Precious Plastic Cincy started as a workspace to bring the same movement to Cincinnati. Cyrina graduated from FAMU and currently resides in Cincinnati.
Erikka Gray is a charismatic entrepreneur, passionate about entrepreneurship, diversity, and community. Erikka is the owner of District 78, a Mood Co. specializing in elevating every space through hand-poured luxury candles, houseplant, and hand-selected adornments by other Black-owned businesses. District 78 manufacturers candles for boutiques and niche retail spaces. Erikka is also co-owner of PAUSE, an alternative collaborative wellness space in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CHICAGO
Ticina Williams is an author, business consultant, and community leader from Chicago, IL. She is an alumnus of Chicago State University (Business Administration/Management) and the owner of Creativiti Custom Designs and Events LLC., an event planning, design, and party supply company. Ticina’s purpose using her talents and skills to provide resources and opportunities to disinvested communities.
Lakeeta Williams is the Founder and CEO of Keeta’s Place Inc., a life coach program for middle school and high school-aged girls in low-income and underserved communities. You can always catch her saying things like give us your ordinary girls of today and let us turn them into the extraordinary Women Of Tomorrow. Lakeeta is a genuine Change Agent.
Leah Castleberry is the Founder & Chief Strategist of LYC Strategies, LLC. Leah is passionate about using her business acumen to support entrepreneurs and small business owners in achieving their business goals. As a business strategist and tech equity advocate, she explores how innovative technologies create a more equitable future for marginalized communities.
Dana Todd Pope is a Chicago-based mompreneur, visual artist, & author. She's Fearlessly Hue's founder, which provides wall art prints, pillows, and clothing highlighting Black children & the author of "Know Money, Grow, Money," a children's picture book.
Shanté Elliott is passionate about education, college access, and servant leadership. She's the founder of