Ta’Rhonda is a rapper from the Southside of Chicago, who is well known for her first role on Empire. She is also a fashion designer and designs all of her own red carpet looks. Ta’Rhonda is a philanthropist and is an active member of The Brady Campaign, which helps to prevent gun violence. She is also known for being a make-up artist and hair stylist and does all of her own hair and makeup for the show Empire. Ta’Rhonda grew up in a large family and is the fourth child out of eight. In her spare time she writes, participates in speaking engagements to empower young girls, and she loves to cook. Before starting her career in acting, Ta’Rhonda worked at a nursing home and also as a butcher at a Chicago grocery store.

Sharaun Brown is an international supermodel, media personality, and cultural force whose career spans fashion, television, live events, and entertainment. First introduced on the hit reality series America’s Next Top Model after being discovered by Tyra Banks, Sharaun has worked with brands including Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Givenchy, McDonald’s, and Hulu.

In 2025 and 2026, she served as the official Trophy Model Presenter for the Grammy Awards, appearing onstage alongside Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Cher, Diana Ross, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Doechii, Miley Cyrus, and more.

Signed with Elite Model Management, Sharaun continues to build her presence across fashion, media, and entertainment while inspiring others through her journey from Chicago’s South Side to the global stage as a keynote motivational speaker and founder of The Model Tribe, her self-embodiment modeling academy that mentors girls and women of all ages.

Eva Maria Lewis is an award-winning humanitarian, impact strategist, sociologist, and creative, shaping a new blueprint for community safety by making space for the power, healing, and leadership of women. A proud African-American and Afro-Indigenous (Biloxi, Chitimacha, and Choctaw) woman of southern descent, she draws on her lineage, lived experience, and research to catalyze progressive impact in Black and Brown communities from Chicago to Paris and beyond. Lewis began this work at 16 years old, emerging early as a leading voice on the structural roots of violence. At 27, she is the Founder and Executive Director of Free Root Operation (FRO), a rapidly growing organization on Chicago’s South Side that disrupts cycles of violence by building the healing, agency, and generational capacity of families. Under her leadership, FRO has served thousands of residents in five years, raised over $1 million for community-based work, grown into a multidisciplinary direct service team, launched a citywide network of more than 2,000 women, and expanded into a 3,500+ square foot community space for trauma-informed programming, counseling, civic engagement, and transformation. Eva Maria is the creator of BLOOM, a pioneering gender-responsive prevention and intervention model supporting women directly and indirectly impacted by gun violence. She is currently co-authoring a peer-reviewed article on BLOOM’s impact and conducting narrative research that positions Black women’s lived experiences as critical data for community transformation. Her thought leadership has reached millions, including through a TEDxTeen Talk, two appearances at the United Nations, and representation of the United States at the Human Rights World Defenders Summit in Paris. Her work has been featured by Adobe, Teen Vogue, Ebony, Complex, and more. Lewis is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Local Leader, Reebok Human Rights Awardee, VS PINK With Purpose Award honoree, and maintains a digital platform of 30,000+ followers amplifying wellness and community-driven solution.

Davia Frost is a Certified Intimacy Coach, Sex Educator, and Tantric Practitioner dedicated to helping women reclaim their confidence, pleasure, and connection to themselves. As the founder of Frosted Pleasure, LLC, she combines modern sexual wellness education with embodiment practices that empower women to cultivate self-trust, body confidence, and authentic self-expression. Born in Jamaica and based in Chicago, Davia has taught at universities, wellness events, and national relationship and intimacy conferences, including serving as a featured educator aboard Temptation Grand Cruises. Her work focuses on breaking shame, fostering meaningful conversations around intimacy and women’s wellness, and helping women view pleasure as an essential component of overall well-being. Through workshops, speaking engagements, coaching, and educational programs, Davia creates transformative experiences that encourage women to embrace their desires, honor their bodies, and live more fully empowered lives.

Jhalesa Seymour (also known as Jhalesa Lewis) is the CEO and founder of Salt.xo, the multi‑million‑dollar feminine hygiene and natural skincare brand she launched in 2018 with just $67. What began as a small, kitchen‑based operation quickly evolved into a powerhouse beauty brand, driven by her commitment to clean ingredients, women’s wellness, and transparent product education.

Under her leadership, Salt.xo has produced multiple best‑selling products—including the signature Yoni Gel, natural pH‑balancing formulas, and plant‑based skincare essentials—that have cultivated a loyal global community. Jhalesa’s story reflects resilience, innovation, and the power of building a purpose‑driven brand from the ground up.

Dr. Ifreke Denteh is a pharmacist, wellness educator, and content creator passionate about making wellness information more culturally relevant, accessible, and actionable for Black communities globally. Through her platform, WellnessbutBlack, she explores the intersection of food, movement, skin health, culture, and holistic wellness from a Black millennial perspective. She is also the co-founder of KA Skin, a holistic skincare brand focused on empowering individuals through culturally rooted, science-backed approaches to skin health and overall well-being. Throughout her career, Dr. Denteh has prioritized bridging the gap between evidence-based wellness and the lived experiences of everyday people across the diaspora.