meet the Speakers

Dr. Pamela Jolly is an established professional with 20 years experience in the areas of financial services, strategic management, change management, marketing research and community and economic development.

She integrates both her corporate and entrepreneurial experiences to establish a solid understanding of how to bridge the enterprising interests of large corporations and government with minority business enterprises (MBE’s).

Pamela has developed a unique way of negotiating with both sides of investment table to merge shared interests in ways that benefit top line revenue and bottom-line profits of community and the economic systems around it.

Pamela has a BS from Hampton University, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, a MTs from Boston University School of Theology, and an Ed.D from the Graduate Theological Foundation.

In 2010, she formalized her unique process of work with MBE's with the creation of the NarrowRoad™, a custom tailored curriculum that infuses business history with financial literacy, financial management, investment management and risk management. She leverages the NarrowRoad™ methodology to work with committed entrepreneurs to build the required skills and expertise capable of building legacy wealth via ownership in both domestic and global community markets.

Pamela has been a requested speaker nationally and internationally, lecturing and advising businesses, communities and leaders with her research and work in places such as Korea, China, Japan, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica (where she spoke with over 3,000 women business owners about the NarrowRoad™  throughout the Island), and most recently Oxford England. 

Jewel Diamond Taylor, a native of Washington, DC, and now residing in Southern California, is a dynamic force in the world of motivational speaking. Since 1984, Jewel has shattered glass ceilings as one of the first women of color to rise to prominence in this field.

Jewel’s powerful voice of empowerment has graced the stages of colleges, churches, corporations, community events, retreats, and government agencies across the nation. Her groundbreaking book, Success Gems, is a testament to her wisdom and insight, offering readers practical advice and inspiration to achieve their goals.

As a pioneer in the industry, Jewel Taylor specializes in teaching possibility thinking, leadership, emotional wellness, faith, and success principles. Her remarkable resiliency story and extensive experience inspire audiences and coaching clients to transcend feelings of being stuck, unworthy, fearful, doubtful, and stressed.

Known affectionately as ‘The Self-Esteem Dr.,’ Jewel offers impactful insights and actionable steps to boost personal success, deepen faith, enhance emotional wellness, achieve inner peace, and live a purposeful life.

She is also the founder of Women on the Grow, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing training, coaching, mentoring, and her signature coaching sessions, conferences, and women’s retreats.

Jewel’s influence extends globally, with speaking engagements in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cancun, the Virgin Islands, Brazil, Saint Kitts, South Africa, London, and 34 of the 50 United States. Her ability to shine bright like a diamond in every setting makes her an invaluable asset to any event.

Donna Burt is a veteran teacher for West High School for the Torrance Unified School District. She has been the Business Finance teacher there for 25 years. She teaches Introduction to Business, Accounting 1 and 2 as her Career Technology Education Pathway where she wrote the curriculum which was UC/CSU approved by the CA Department of Education. Donna has 32 years of teaching experience as she has taught PreKindergarten to Junior College and taught both elementary and middle school before her 25 years in high school education. Donna was also a Tax Analyst for H&R Block and has served clients in Marina Del Rey area for the past 4 years. Donna is now an Independent Contractor who educates her clients and takes time to explain tax savings and investments to maximize wealth. She is married and has 3 beautiful adult children, one who is currently a senior here at CSUDH. She is on the West High Leadership Team and serves as the Advisor for Future Business Leaders of America. Donna is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Rolling Hills Palos Verdes Alumnae Chapter and serves as the Financial Secretary for her chapter. She attends Faithful Central Bible Church and serves in the One Voice choir since 2007. 

Dr. Sherry Y. Smith is an author, social media manager, and personal finance blogger. She shares strategies on saving, creating extra side income, discount travel, financial freedom, and living life to the fullest. 

I am a licensed wealth and money coach. I help people play the winning money game by teaching them the money concepts used by the wealthy. I have been in the industry for 16 years I educate my clients on how successful families use life insurance for wealth enhancement and tax mitigation. Life insurance is a financial tool to build, protect, and preserve wealth.

From poverty to Ph.D., Dr. Laquore J. Meadows is a #1 Best Selling Author, visionary, dynamic leader and wealth builder, and the CEO and Co-Founder of Invest2Give. Inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, she began her stock trading career with the aspiration to normalize wealth among communities of color while creating a lasting educational and financial impact on the world. She has since co-leveraged a 5.3 million dollar donation to the organization that she led and has successfully utilized the stock market to accomplish her financial goals while helping professionals around the globe to do the same.

Dr. Meadows has educated students of all facets, ages and levels with her strong financial knowledge.  As an additional resource for those new to the stock market, her #1 Amazon Best Selling ebook “Income on Demand: The Complete Playbook for Beginning Stock Traders”, provides beginners a peek into the world of stock trading and investing.  She is also the founder of  Stocks & Sorors, an initiative created to encourage members of Black Greek sororities to become active participants in the stock market. Dr. Meadows is not only a financial powerhouse, but a creative innovator as well. She created The Wellth Exchange mentorship program and apparel line to further empower current and aspiring investors and entrepreneurs who are ready to rise above and beyond the W-2 and leverage their 9 to 5 as a bridge and not a destination.  “We are all uniquely chosen to do a thing; however, limiting beliefs and financial astigmatisms often keep us from realizing the impact that we were designed to have on the world... We must change this narrative.” she adds.

Dr. Meadows received her Bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University, Masters in College Student Personnel from Miami University, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Ohio University. Before becoming a full time stock trader and coach she enjoyed an extensive career as a higher education professional at The Ohio State University. Dr. Meadows is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a trailblazer on a relentless mission to build a bridge between aspiring investors and their financial goals. She will continue to utilize her passion for the stock market to encourage others to leverage stock and options trading as an opportunity to generate income on demand and promote the intergenerational transfer of wealth.

Do you find yourself saying, "How do I...? Where can I get...? Or, frustrated by not knowing the Process, What's Next?" Then, Dr. Aldina Washington, Author, Speaker, Consultant is the answer! She is the author of Easy Grant Writing: 7 Steps in Developing Fundable Programs for your Community and The Secret of Successful Public, Non-Profit Agencies or Faith-Based Ministries and mentoring programs. Dr. Aldina is a speaker and trainer at seminars that presents information, expertise and instruction on all things related to business success.

Briantria (Bri) Smocks is a Visionary Strategist and Gifted Education Specialist who implores her technical training to benefit artists and entrepreneurs through Smocks Media Group (SMG). She is also a co-lead of LET'S  RISE!

Since 2022, she has been developing the Educational Barter System (EBS), a financial and community living model where personal case studies inform daily outcomes and priorities. She uses it as a currency while building SMG and its philanthropic arm, the Arri Kenzo Foundation (AKF). The EBS framework is being formulated in real-time under unbelievable conditions with the understanding that it will grow to be duplicated by other organizations, groups, cities, etc.

As a nomadic mother of two who works with her spouse/Co-Founder, Art Smocks Jr., Bri enjoys sharing her research and innovative methodologies with families, especially. Through her magazine, Diderot, television appearances, and other media connections, Bri promotes a bold wellness philosophy that disrupts old systems and instead integrates our gifts into improving the totality of who we are.

Aside from garnering several professional accomplishments, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is committed to enriching the world through community activation and service. Some of her favorite pastimes include cozying up next to an exhilarating biography, exploring nature, viewing riveting art, listening to/creating music, and diving into deep conversation. 

Dezaree' Lusk, age 31, is originally from Dallas, Texas. She received her Cosmetologist license from Duncanville High School in 2011. Dezaree' received her Bachelor's of Social Work Degree from Prairie View A & M University in December of 2014, and her Master's of Social Work Degree from the University of Houston in May of 2016. Dezaree' is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a specialty in Health & Behavioral Health. With Divine Beauty Bar, Dezaree has combined her love for Cosmetology and Social Work by helping individuals experiencing hair loss (Alopecia). Divine Beauty has been selected to be a Wig Vendor for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation and the Lupus Foundation of Texas. Dezaree' is known for her Medical Wig E-Course: Make the Insurance & Government your #1 Client!

Dr. Tina D. Lewis is a trailblazer in the world of entrepreneurship and business development, with a deep-rooted passion for AI, Technology, Sales, Marketing & Business Strategy. Armed with a Doctorate of Philosophy specializing in Entrepreneurship and Business Development, Dr. Tina is a distinguished 2X Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient under Joe Biden’s Administration. Dr. Tina D is  a 15X International Best-Selling Author, solidifying her reputation as an unparalleled expert in her field.

She is the visionary force behind The 6-Figure Incubator, a transformative community that nurtures entrepreneurs into 6-figure success stories. As an International Certified Global Speaker, Dr. Tina's captivating and transformative message has resonated across various nations. More than being a keynote speaker, she takes pride in hosting the esteemed annual international conference, GLOBALcon. Driven by her fervor for empowering women, she established Global Women Speakers, a professional platform committed to propelling women onto global stages, enabling them to embrace technology, share their message, sell their products and expand their reach worldwide. Their five core values are Charity, Culture, Community, Communication and Collaboration.

Dr. Tina's dedication to fostering positive change reaches far and wide. From being a teenage mom to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur, she boldly asserts that "entrepreneurship” saved my life. In alignment with this belief, she founded the Her Business Matters Foundation, a non-profit organization empowering young girls aged 9-19 in mastering S.E.L.F - STEM/AI, Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Financial Literacy. The foundation has notably enhanced academic performance, boosted confidence, fostered self-sufficiency, encouraged college attendance, and nurtured an entrepreneurial spirit among young women from underserved communities and nations.

Dr. Tina D. is the curator of Global Women Travel, a subsidiary of Global Women Speakers that exposes women entrepreneurs to other cultures, countries and once in a lifetime experiences. In 2023, GWT had an itinerary of eleven geographies such as Dubai, Paris, Italy, Nigeria, Philippines, Cape Town, Johannesburg just to name a few.

Yicel has been working with CALSOAP LA since 2016. She has extensive knowledge in developing, managing, and assessing community programs targeting underrepresented communities in Los Angeles County. As a fund administrator, she has been able to determine funding opportunities for organizations focused on the education and health & wellness of the Latino community. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Turning down a partnership with a former media company, Frances Fomai launched LML Logistics, a freight dispatch company better known as Dispatch Help. Frances assisted in recreating the company logo that was inspired by her sister who was in truck driving school to get her CLASS A commercial license. While designing the logo, a clothing brand was born called CLASS A CHICKS. This line was dedicated to women in trucking, creating an identity of sisterhood in a male-dominated industry. Frances' sister had taken a hiatus to pursue other endeavors, but Frances continued with dispatching. In a parking lot conversation, a new opportunity presented itself to partner with a new freight brokerage firm in the Los Angeles area which she still holds tenure. Now she adds author to her list of accomplishments with the new book: Can You Hear Me?. In October she'll be launching her coaching business aimed at releasing frustration. 

Lisa has been in the entertainment industry well over 23 years planning star-studded red-carpet events and managing publicity & marketing campaigns for celebrity superstars such as: EMMY-winner Kim Estes, Kevin Hart, KiKi Shepard, Dawnn Lewis, LisaRaye McCoy, Margaret Avery, Dorian Missick, Paul Jackson, Jr., corporate/political entities, authors, non-profits, influencers, and a variety of reality stars.

Educated at USC and Cal State Long Beach, Ms. Humphrey received her B.S in Business Management/Mass Communication. Shortly thereafter, she began her career with LAPD and simultaneously started her Event Planning and Public Relations company - Premier Concepts.

Premier Concepts PR is a full-service, client-focused public relations firm specializing in entertainment, sports, beauty and non-profit industries offering a range of strategic public relations campaigns utilizing a fusion of publicity, special events, cross promotions, product placement, viral marketing, and social media management. Recently, Lisa added TV/Film Producer credits to her name after producing specialized projects the past 5 years. New online services such as Digital PR Courses and Business/Life Coaching Experiences have been added to the company’s offerings.

Corporate entities and non-profits such as Kerry Kennedy Foundation, AT&T, Special Olympics Southern California, Magic Johnson Foundation, BET Corporate Communications, Hollywood Black Film Festival, The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc., California Hawaii NAACP, The Blackhouse Foundation (SUNDANCE), Coca-Cola, Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch and more have also retained Ms. Humphrey’s array of event and public relation services.

Owner of Kiasi Technology Solutions, Ms. Somone D. Washington is a Learning and Development Professional with 20 years of creating effective learning experiences to her credit. Ms. Washington is a graduate of Florida International University, Barry University, and California State University, Long Beach. She is a 24-year member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A more recent accomplishment is being awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanity in 2023 for the decades of service to her community and abroad.

Ms. Washington served as a Network Administrator for a school district in Miami-Dade County, Florida before starting a ten-year career in information technology education. She has facilitated learning experiences at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. 

Ms. Washington has a passion for facilitating technology learning experiences. It is her personal mission to help others improve their quality of life through knowledge sharing that elevates self-sufficiency in technology use.

Ms. Washington currently serves as a Software Analyst on a university campus and resides in Long Beach, California. 

Dr. Catrena Elliott is a mother, an HR leader, an executive coach, an emotional intelligence coach, and a Gallup Strengths Coach. She is also a leadership advisory board member for the UC Santa Barbara leadership certificate program. As an HR Executive and business partner with over 20 years of experience, she continues to drive continuous improvement across HR services, formulating and implementing people management strategies and analyzing and improving interpersonal conflict factors. Dr. Elliott has led organizations through growth and contraction while coaching and developing leaders. She is the published author of the book I Love Me, Intentionally! 10 Transformational Principles to Loving You First

Over the last decade, she has worked with many leaders to look inwardly first, so they can become more inclusive leaders who lead from the heart. She is often called the Introspection Leadership Doctor. She is currently a Human Resources Business Executive Partner for a Fortune 100 retail company. Dr. Elliott enjoys mentoring up- and-coming leaders; where she shares her knowledge and passion for introspective leadership and people development. She equally enjoys coaching and mentoring women in leadership, where she shares her findings and strategies on "How Exemplary Black Women Business Leaders Use Influence to Achieve Extraordinary Results".

Dr. Elliott is also a business owner of Amore Leadership Enterprise, where she helps build up leaders to lead from the heart and from the seat they are in. Ultimately, leaders become more effective personally, professionally, and in their communities.

Kaine Nicholas is a qualified financial expert and former CFO of the YWCA USA. With over 15 years of experience, he has worked with entrepreneurs, technologists, and executives, driving growth for corporations and nonprofits with revenues nearing $20 million. Kaine has provided strategic and operational training to over 900 startups, small businesses, and nonprofits across the U.S. He has served in the global financial sector with firms like Merrill Lynch, PwC, and JP Morgan, and founded ABLE Consulting in 2013. Kaine holds an MBA from Babson College and a BS in economics and finance from Bentley University. He chairs the board of trustees for the Coalition for Engaged Education and volunteers with the YWCA Harbor Area and the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.  Kaine is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Pennie Douglas, M.Ed., Founder & Executive Director of the (CBO) William H. Douglas Foundation, a Student Advocacy Group situated in Southern California.  Created in 2012, WHD supports African American and BIPOC communities bridge the gap to inclusion and diversity in post-secondary education.

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, exposure to socioeconomic disparities in her community came early making her a fierce advocate for human rights.  Douglas has earned two associate degrees in Humanities and Natural Sciences from Riverside Community College, Project Management Certification from UC, Irvine, bachelor’s degree in English from Cal Poly Pomona, and Master of Education in Post-Secondary Administration and Student Affairs from USC.

Early in her work career she accepted an opportunity in France which gave her exposure to the European education k-12 system. In early 2011, she formally engaged with the American high school system by aiding a colleague’s son with the college admissions process.  Disappointingly she discovered little change in college equity, diversity, and access since she left South Central.  Realizing the on-going barriers facing students, a fire ignited to launch the Foundation.  Through the Foundation, she has worked tirelessly to revolutionize education and to be a staunch educational activist for change.

Tatiana Turner, with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, has successfully managed a production company and has extensive expertise in marketing and advertising. She holds degrees in audio engineering, music, business, and professional technology. Tatiana is the founder of Urban Social Services and Advocacy, a nonprofit that tackles urban social issues such as employment, housing, and recidivism. She is deeply involved in legislative efforts, advocating for policy changes to benefit marginalized communities. As a justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated individual, Tatiana has overcome significant challenges to improve society. In addition to her credentials in social support services, she is a certified human rights consultant. One of her dedications is to educate formerly incarcerated and low-income individuals on careers in the stagehand industry, continually working to foster positive change and inspire others.