A Nigerian-born designer, Kanyinsola studied fashion at Istituto Marangoni in London, earning Best Student of the Year for her collection and a scholarship for an MA in womenswear. She further honed her skills in 3D pattern cutting in Rome and worked with designers like Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon. In 2014, she founded Onalaja, a label celebrated for its richly embroidered, size-inclusive pieces that blend British, Italian, and Nigerian sensibilities. Her collections—such as Into the Wild, Flamingo Paradise, and The Queen’s Alchemy—explore themes of femininity, heritage, and storytelling.
A Nigerian-American creative, Ugo Mozie launched his first fashion line, Aston Mozie, at age 18, and later released a luxe hat line in 2015. After serving as U.S. PR director for Vivienne Westwood, he transitioned into celebrity styling—dressing the likes of Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Celine Dion—and eventually founded Eleven Sixteen, a high-fashion brand. He soft-launched with a custom piece for Diana Ross that captured global attention at the 2025 Met Gala.
Tia Adeola began her eponymous brand in her college dorm room in 2016 while studying Culture and Media at The New School in New York. Her signature aesthetic—sheer, ruffled, Renaissance-inspired garments—quickly gained traction, worn by Gigi Hadid, SZA, Dua Lipa, among others, and she made her NYFW debut in 2020. She aims to “rewrite history through fashion” by uplifting representation, and has received early praise from Teen Vogue and Vogue for her creative vision
Born in Paris and now based in Atlanta, Elly Karamoh is a celebrated celebrity wardrobe stylist. Inspired by his upbringing in France and early exposure to American Black culture, he channels authenticity and bold aesthetics into his work. He is best known as the head stylist for Steve and Lori Harvey, and has curated looks for celebrities like Serge Ibaka, Jacob Lattimore, and Monta Ellis.
An American actress and producer born in 2000, Yara Shahidi rose to fame starring as Zoey Johnson in Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish. A Harvard graduate (2022) with a degree in Sociology and African American Studies, she blends activism and artistry underpinned by her cultural heritage and a family deeply rooted in creativity. She founded civic initiatives like Eighteen × 18 (now WeVoteNext)to mobilize young voters and Yara’s Club to mentor girls through education—a direct reflection of her commitment to representation, equity, and social change.
Mobolaji Dawodu is a Nigerian-American stylist and the Fashion Director at Large for GQ and GQ Style. Raised between Lagos and Virginia, he honed his craft as a longtime Style Editor-at-Large for The Fader before joining GQ. He’s known for his editorial styling and costume work—including for the film Queen of Katwe—and for blending traditional African aesthetics with sleek editorial vision across global shoots
Idunnu Tomori is the founder and CEO of Misayo House Jewelry, a contemporary jewelry brand that offers affordable, high-quality pieces made from sterling silver and plated metals. Deeply mission-driven, Misayo House supports Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta through sales funding, motivated by her daughter’s battle with sickle cell disease. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, she built a career as a solution-focused therapist, shaping her work as a consultant and brand strategist
Texas-born and Cameroon-raised, Idelle Taye founded Guzangs in 2020 to shine a global spotlight on African designers through storytelling and cultural pride. A former nurse practitioner turned cultural entrepreneur, she channels her bicultural upbringing and early affection for African textiles into a platform often referred to as the “Vogue of Africa.
Yagazie Emezi is a Nigerian self-taught photojournalist and multidisciplinary artist known for her impactful, socially conscious storytelling. Based in Lagos, she documents topics like gender, sexuality, education, and climate through photography, sculpture, and textiles. Emezi has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, National Geographic, Vogue, and The Washington Post, and is a National Geographic Explorer Grantee and Canon Ambassador.
Nigerian-American creator known as enigivensunday, Eni Popoola crafts popular beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content from New York City. A Harvard alumna and former middle school history teacher, she launched the #EniGivenSunday blog to share her signature Sunday church outfits—and from there, built a vibrant digital community.
Caroline A. Wanga served as President & CEO of Essence Ventures, joining the company in 2020 after a 15-year career at Target—where she served as Chief Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Her leadership on the Essence side aimed to reimagine media, commerce, and Black women’s culture.
At Meta, Amala Okpala serves as a Strategic Partner Manager (Global Marketing) at Instagram. She leads initiatives that support BIPOC-owned beauty and fashion brands in scaling their social presence and revenue—working with names like Telfar and Uoma Beauty. She also spearheaded Meta’s first BIPOC brand audit.