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meet Schanora
Her Story
Schanora Wimpie is a professional actress, model, digital creator, and poet. She studied at Northern Illinois University in a four-year Meisner-based Professional Training Program. There she obtained her BFA in Theatre with an emphasis on Acting. After graduating in 2017 Schanora went on to pursue her acting career in Chicago starring in several theatre productions across the city.
Soon after Schanora became curious about finding new ways to marry her love of storytelling with her passion for fashion. In 2018 Schanora decided to switch gears and pursue a modeling career full-time as a freelance model while working with local photographers to help build her portfolio. She primarily used her Instagram to promote and display her work which lead to her being discovered and signed by Lily’s Talent Agency as a model and actress.
These steps later awarded her the opportunity to partner with brands like Topgolf, Hershey's, Luster’s Pink & Smooth, and Suave. Schanora’s modeling career has grown substantially since 2018 and continues to grow as she is awarded more opportunities. Her most recent accomplishment includes her being published in the November 2022 issue of GMARO Magazine.
Growing up on the rural Southside of Chicago, I had very few creative role models due to the lack of resources. For a short period, I was homeless and didn’t have much time to think about what I wanted to be or do when I grew up. However, I did love watching Tyra’s show America’s Next Top Model. I think this was the moment I fell in love with modeling without realizing it. Although today I can recognize that some episodes were indeed problematic at that time, the show still offered groundbreaking insight into the beauty and fashion industry that we had never seen before on screen. As a model, I think it’s still one of the greatest gifts an inspiring model could have. To this day I still go back and study the show for free techniques, advice, and tips.
Another great role model who was a bit closer to home was my dear mentor Sa’Rah Valentine. Sa’Rah is an amazing Chicago black woman and business owner of an organization called Swag The Runway. I was a part of this organization for most of my adolescent years. I worked for over 5 years as a participant and mentor in their after school program. During that time, Sa’Rah taught me everything I knew about modeling from stage presence, my walk, auditioning etiquette, and poses.
She was also the first person to offer me creative professional development when it came to my art. The tools that she gave me as a mentor later gave me the drive to truly pursue my modeling career years to come. I truly owe her many thanks for providing less fortunate children, like myself, a safe space to dream and flourish in our confidence and beauty. I strongly believe her mentorship coupled with the realization that pursuing a modeling career was even a possibility had a huge impact on my trajectory in life. I can only hope to continue to pass that torch to the next generation just as beautifully.
meet Kaila
Her story
Kaila was born in Washington DC and raised in PG County MD. She always had a passion for fashion and beauty which she acquired from her grandmother. Her grandmother was extremely stylish, loved makeup and hair was always perfect.
She would take Kaila shopping a lot, dress her in cute outfits, fun colors, different hairstyles often, etc. This played a HUGE role in who she is today. Kaila loved getting dressed, shopping and putting together looks, getting her nails and hair done, being creative, etc.
Kaila was super creative growing up as well as her sister has been an artist her entire life. She admired her sister so much that she began loving the arts like drawing, painting, 3d arts, photography, you name it, she has done it. Kaila has a BA in Fashion Merchandising which is the business of fashion in short.
Kaila has always been interested in not only fashion design but the business behind it. She has dreams of having her own brand, opening a store, etc which she still has dreams of!
Kaila has worked retail at various levels for 6 years before going full-time with social media and Youtube. She has been doing Youtube for 7 years and doesn't plan on stopping any time soon as she truly enjoys what she does. Kaila started with fashion lookbooks and makeup reviews. She slowly moved into doing hair content and vlogs.
Kaila still has so much she'd like to accomplish but she is very grateful for all that she has accomplished, the people she has met along the way, and the blessings and opportunities she has been presented to be a part of.
Meet Jessi
Her Story
My name is Jessi Engda, I’m originally from Ethiopia. I moved to New York 10 years ago for higher education (college). My passion for skin care came from my own struggles with severe breakouts throughout most of my life. Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, our family always had natural home remedies for almost everything.
I started experimenting and treating my acne with products I created using solely organic ingredients. I quickly started seeing progress and feeling more comfortable in my own skin. I know from my personal experience that achieving healthy and radiant skin is a journey and not an overnight process. I felt inspired to create an eco-friendly skincare line with all-natural and organic ingredients to encourage others to embark on their personal skincare journeys and feel beautiful in their own skin.
The name JéLuid comes from my name and my brother's name, Eliud. I wanted to create a company that honored his influence in my life. To me, JéLuid symbolizes our unbreakable bond.
meet Bianca Bee
Her Story
Entrepreneur & Author Bianca Bee moved to Los Angeles at the age of 17 to attend film school in Detroit, MI. While attending film school, Bianca worked for The Oprah Winfrey Network, TMZ, VH1, E! News, and The Steve Harvey Show. She then later moved to New York City to work as a Booking Producer for The Mel Robbins Show.
At 19, Bianca Bee created her own talk show showcasing young entrepreneurs and interviewing a wide range of celebrities. In addition to her television hosting experience, Bianca launched her non-profit organization called ‘The Bianca Bee Foundation‘ just at 20-years old. The foundation is to provide at-risk youth and young women opportunities for life advancement. A year later she became a self-published author releasing her first book titled ‘The 20’s Chronicles.' She later released her second self-published book 'Plot. Plan & Slay.'
After serving her purpose in filmmaking Bianca Bee has always had a passion for beauty and always finding beauty in women. Bianca Bee is now the Founder of BFF Cosmetics Company. The Detroit native and founder are all about empowering millennials and creating change in the digital media world. This busy bee has made appearances on The Steve Harvey Show and has collaborated with brands such as Galore, Rolling Out, Ipsy, Fenty Beauty, WhoSay, and much more. Ms. Bee has even received the “Young Entrepreneur Award” from the Small Marketing Business Association.
Website: http://itsbiancabee.com/
meet farah
Her Story
Farah, a singer, model, and actress from Riverside, CA started singing at the tender age of 6. She has also performed in plays since she was younger. She began going to the studio to come up with her own sound and experimenting with music in her early teens. Once that was complete, she dropped her first project called Neoteric. Neoteric is a modern person that advocates new ideas and that name stuck with her the most.
After her project, she took a break and had a son. That motivated her to take her career to the next level, which led to modeling and acting. She began working with agencies and managed to get herself TV, Netflix, and & Music Videos with popular artists such as Migos, Saweetie, Yung Gravy, T-Pain, & Flip Dinero. She plans on dropping another project in 2021 & doing a lot more things within modeling.
meet Gina
Her Story
Gina L. Suggs is a native of Decatur, GA. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from The Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, and her Master of Science degree from Keiser University in Ft. Lauderdale. FL. Gina Suggs was the youngest African American woman in Georgia to own and operate a private institution Her determination and passion for education have been a driving force behind Kids C.A.R.E. Kids C.A.R.E. was founded by Suggs to provide exceptional educational support for families seeking quality schooling through leadership, arts and culture. Her goal has and will always be to make a positive impact on her community.
The Kids Center Academic Resources and Education (Kids C.A.R.E.) is a Black Owned, private institute servicing students from K3 through 5th grade, founded by Gina Suggs in 2019. Since its opening, Kids C.AR.E. has provided. over 100 families with the opportunity to learn comfortably in an intimate-based setting, catered to the betterment of each student. Students have improved tremendously from this connection with their teachers and this is only the beginning.
If you are interested in enrolling or donating, please reach out to her via social media @KidsCareAtlanta or via her website www.kidscareatlanta.com
Meet Cynthia
Her Story
I am Cynthia Godslaw mindset coach and founder of cynbycyn.com a brand that empowers young millennials to become a better version of themselves by adopting a mindset of higher consciousness. I am also an author of "alchemize your human experience' a book for humans who struggle with seeing the purpose within their pain. I have always believed that it isn't about what we are going through in life, Instead, it's all about how we view it, and how we rise above it.
I wrote Alchemize your human experience during the pandemic. God kept telling me that although it didn't feel like the timing was perfect, I had to trust that it was. So at a time when many were dying and most were uncertain about what the future held, I was writing.
The book is a daily self-development read that gives young millennials the courage they need to change how they view what they are going through. There are hard truths, affirmations, a journaling section in the book, and the empowerment needed to leave the struggle and embrace the power that lives within.
Growing up I never had that mentor that could guide me into understanding my individual place in the world. Because I never had that I created a community that would serve to empower others so that they always know that their power is limitless and it all begins with a mindset change.
Meet viola
meet Saderia
Meet Marvieon
