Speakers
Kebrina F. Carter
Kebrina F. Carter is currently a Director of Operations at the New York City Department of Education’s (DOE) Division of School Support and Instruction, where she oversees 125 million dollars in federal, state, city and private funding.
Prior to her career at the DOE, Kebrina was a full-time student at Fordham University Graduate School of Business where she received her MBA in Marketing and Finance in 2005. Kebrina was committed to the Fordham community and dedicated her spare time to school clubs and activities. While at Fordham, she was the Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations for the Black & Hispanic MBA Association (BHMBAA), Chief Fundraiser for the Women in Business Society and an active member of the Marketing Society. Kebrina, along with seven other African American students made history at Fordham Graduate School of Business as they were the first to host a banquet that provided a platform to address issues effecting African Americans and other minorities in the business world. After graduating, Kebrina continued her support of BHMBAA, acting as the alumni liaison for the 2007-08 school year.
Prior to her matriculation at Fordham, Kebrina completed her undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College where she graduated cum laude. She earned a Bachelor of Science with a dual concentration in Business Management and Finance. Upon earning her undergraduate degree, the Brooklyn native worked for several years in management for Macys’ Federated Department Stores. Subsequently, Kebrina became a licensed New York City Public School Teacher. Always dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others, Ms. Carter served her community by working as an educator at P.S. 150 in Brooklyn, NY.
Although her teaching years are behind her, Kebrina is still committed to helping our youth. She often volunteers to speak at local high schools and has recently joined College Awareness Symbolizes Hope (CASH) to mentor high school students as they prepare for college. Kebrina also sits on the board of director for World of Money.org, a non-profit that provides financial literacy workshops for undeserved urban youth. Apart from helping the youth in her community, Kebrina enjoys raising her son, Devon, who attends Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn.
Kebrina F. Carter is currently a Director of Operations at the New York City Department of Education’s (DOE) Division of School Support and Instruction, where she oversees 125 million dollars in federal, state, city and private funding.
Prior to her career at the DOE, Kebrina was a full-time student at Fordham University Graduate School of Business where she received her MBA in Marketing and Finance in 2005. Kebrina was committed to the Fordham community and dedicated her spare time to school clubs and activities. While at Fordham, she was the Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations for the Black & Hispanic MBA Association (BHMBAA), Chief Fundraiser for the Women in Business Society and an active member of the Marketing Society. Kebrina, along with seven other African American students made history at Fordham Graduate School of Business as they were the first to host a banquet that provided a platform to address issues effecting African Americans and other minorities in the business world. After graduating, Kebrina continued her support of BHMBAA, acting as the alumni liaison for the 2007-08 school year.
Prior to her matriculation at Fordham, Kebrina completed her undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College where she graduated cum laude. She earned a Bachelor of Science with a dual concentration in Business Management and Finance. Upon earning her undergraduate degree, the Brooklyn native worked for several years in management for Macys’ Federated Department Stores. Subsequently, Kebrina became a licensed New York City Public School Teacher. Always dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others, Ms. Carter served her community by working as an educator at P.S. 150 in Brooklyn, NY.
Although her teaching years are behind her, Kebrina is still committed to helping our youth. She often volunteers to speak at local high schools and has recently joined College Awareness Symbolizes Hope (CASH) to mentor high school students as they prepare for college. Kebrina also sits on the board of director for World of Money.org, a non-profit that provides financial literacy workshops for undeserved urban youth. Apart from helping the youth in her community, Kebrina enjoys raising her son, Devon, who attends Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn.
KESHA FRANKLIN
THE BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE- Events, Design, Lifestyle
Kesha Franklin has worked in the Special Events Industry for more than ten years producing and executing national and local events in the corporate, nonprofit, and social arenas. Kesha wields exceptional organizational skills, and a key eye to detail, giving production projects the intricate management attention it deserves while providing client satisfaction. She has long been connected to the entertainment industry and brings her extensive celebrity contacts to enhance the talent procurement services for her clients and her company. She has had the pleasure to work with some of the top names in the film and music industry.
Coupled with her great sense of style, Kesha is a major factor in managing high fashion related events and decor design on projects, which has led her to fulfill her new passion of Interior Design. She has been successfully transforming interior spaces for the past 3 years. The Beautiful Experience was formed to combine her love for events, interior design and fashion. Her motto is to always “Experience Something Beautiful”, when you meet her or attend one of her events beauty is definitely experienced.
Kesha attended Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania. She has received certification in Strategic Event Planning from Baruch College in New York and Floral Design Certification from the Flower School of New York. Kesha is also a proud mother of two and has been happily married for 10 years. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.
THE BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE- Events, Design, Lifestyle
Kesha Franklin has worked in the Special Events Industry for more than ten years producing and executing national and local events in the corporate, nonprofit, and social arenas. Kesha wields exceptional organizational skills, and a key eye to detail, giving production projects the intricate management attention it deserves while providing client satisfaction. She has long been connected to the entertainment industry and brings her extensive celebrity contacts to enhance the talent procurement services for her clients and her company. She has had the pleasure to work with some of the top names in the film and music industry.
Coupled with her great sense of style, Kesha is a major factor in managing high fashion related events and decor design on projects, which has led her to fulfill her new passion of Interior Design. She has been successfully transforming interior spaces for the past 3 years. The Beautiful Experience was formed to combine her love for events, interior design and fashion. Her motto is to always “Experience Something Beautiful”, when you meet her or attend one of her events beauty is definitely experienced.
Kesha attended Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania. She has received certification in Strategic Event Planning from Baruch College in New York and Floral Design Certification from the Flower School of New York. Kesha is also a proud mother of two and has been happily married for 10 years. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.
GEORGIANA HOLDER
Ms. Georgiana Holder has over 7 years experience in the fields of Education and Project Management. Ms. Holder is a professor, and also serves her community as project developer, speaker and social entrepreneur. Her mission is to purposely enjoy life and passionately serve others. Her innate strengths are communications and creativity. She is a person of great integrity and strength.
Ms. Holder is also the founder of G.I. Holder Initiatives Inc., which comprise of private, not-for-profit and philanthropic ventures. These projects include training development, events planning, inspirational advertising campaigns, information distributions, public relations and communications. Georgiana resides in New York City and she is dedicated to enhancing lives through innovative projects.
Ms. Georgiana Holder has over 7 years experience in the fields of Education and Project Management. Ms. Holder is a professor, and also serves her community as project developer, speaker and social entrepreneur. Her mission is to purposely enjoy life and passionately serve others. Her innate strengths are communications and creativity. She is a person of great integrity and strength.
Ms. Holder is also the founder of G.I. Holder Initiatives Inc., which comprise of private, not-for-profit and philanthropic ventures. These projects include training development, events planning, inspirational advertising campaigns, information distributions, public relations and communications. Georgiana resides in New York City and she is dedicated to enhancing lives through innovative projects.
Heather Hughes
STYLE... UNLEASHED! “MANIFEST what you REPRESENT”
Heather Hughes is an Image Stylist who received her professional training at the world renowned Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Her innate gift of style coupled with her God given mandate to facilitate individuals to “manifest what they represent”, led her to found her image styling company Style...Unleashed! The company’s name articulates Heather’s collaboration with her clients to help them build confidence and esteem by “unleashing” their personal style.
For more than five years, Heather’s styling and wardrobing services have been sought after by premier national and international fashion houses, runway fashion show producers, Broadway Theatre productions, television productions, entertainers and various people from all walks of life. Her clients are consistently ecstatic with Heather’s use of her talents to transform not just their outward appearance but inward self perception. On the corporate level, she effectively assists her clients with the deliberate work of persuasively relaying their brand to the public.
Heather is grateful for the impressive roster of clients she has serviced, but her greatest desire is to empower young people. She seeks to use her “passion for fashion” to be a catalyst for young people to creatively define themselves lest they allow others to define them.
Heather is the proud mother of a sixteen year old entertainer who puts what her mom has taught her into practice. Witnessing her daughter live freely, expressing who she is through her clearly defined style and character, is what brings Heather her greatest joy.
STYLE... UNLEASHED! “MANIFEST what you REPRESENT”
Heather Hughes is an Image Stylist who received her professional training at the world renowned Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Her innate gift of style coupled with her God given mandate to facilitate individuals to “manifest what they represent”, led her to found her image styling company Style...Unleashed! The company’s name articulates Heather’s collaboration with her clients to help them build confidence and esteem by “unleashing” their personal style.
For more than five years, Heather’s styling and wardrobing services have been sought after by premier national and international fashion houses, runway fashion show producers, Broadway Theatre productions, television productions, entertainers and various people from all walks of life. Her clients are consistently ecstatic with Heather’s use of her talents to transform not just their outward appearance but inward self perception. On the corporate level, she effectively assists her clients with the deliberate work of persuasively relaying their brand to the public.
Heather is grateful for the impressive roster of clients she has serviced, but her greatest desire is to empower young people. She seeks to use her “passion for fashion” to be a catalyst for young people to creatively define themselves lest they allow others to define them.
Heather is the proud mother of a sixteen year old entertainer who puts what her mom has taught her into practice. Witnessing her daughter live freely, expressing who she is through her clearly defined style and character, is what brings Heather her greatest joy.
Tiwana Jackson
Tiwana Jackson has worked as an educator for over 7 years in urban communities, during her career as a Teacher she has taught in the NYC public school system, and on the college level in the U.S. and in Africa. In 2004 Tiwana Jackson left the education field and became an entrepreneur starting her first business Urban Peace Atlas, Inc. a Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention Marketing firm although short lived Tiwana did not give up. In 2006 she Founded Mind Body N Socials, Inc. which is a marketing, Branding and Event Management company that organizes and promotes events to highlight and market businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and authors. Tiwana’s first love for event marketing was developed in 1994, Tiwana planned and organized her first Talent Show, coordinated a fashion show, and was the lead dance choreographer.
Reintroduced to the social scene after the breakup of a 5 year relationship, Manhattan Native Tiwana Jackson and Founder of Mind Body N Socials, noticed Harlem had changed and so had her expectations socially. Urban professionals were moving uptown in droves taking advantage of the Renaissance but were still going downtown to socialize. Meanwhile, innovative businesses were blossoming in Harlem and established proprietors were seeking creative ways to reel the people in. Ms. Jackson saw a niche that needed to be filled, Tiwana’s out of the box thinking allowed her to help new businesses to connect to their consumers in unique and different ways and develop their brand, she offered strategic event marketing services through Mind Body N Socials, Inc. producing niche marketing events like... Wine Tasting Scavenger Hunts, Soul Magnetic Poetry, Create Your Own Tea & Network, Spades & Game Night, Mars/Venus Speed Chat for Singles, and educational workshops on a variety of topics to name a few.
It is Tiwana’s unique skill to be a multi talented, innovative, extraordinary social marketer that allows her to understand the consumer’s needs and how they relate to ones brand. Ms. Jackson holds a M.A. degree from Columbia University in Social-Organizational Psychology, a certificate in Conflict Resolution & Mediation and a B.A. degree from Syracuse University in Sociology and a Minor in African American Studies. She is a leader for the small to mid size business that wants to understand the BIG ideas in Marketing and Branding, once called the next “Oprah of small business branding” she is talented beyond her time and has a lasting impact on every business she has worked with. Recently featured in ESSENCE Magazine in February of 2009 some say, “It is magical to watch her work she finds ways of marketing your brand that you would never think of” ( Natasha Davison, Coach) Tiwana Jackson also known as Tiwana J resides in New York City, is a vegetarian and is a highly sought after consultant for her marketing, branding, and event management expertise.
Tiwana Jackson has worked as an educator for over 7 years in urban communities, during her career as a Teacher she has taught in the NYC public school system, and on the college level in the U.S. and in Africa. In 2004 Tiwana Jackson left the education field and became an entrepreneur starting her first business Urban Peace Atlas, Inc. a Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention Marketing firm although short lived Tiwana did not give up. In 2006 she Founded Mind Body N Socials, Inc. which is a marketing, Branding and Event Management company that organizes and promotes events to highlight and market businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and authors. Tiwana’s first love for event marketing was developed in 1994, Tiwana planned and organized her first Talent Show, coordinated a fashion show, and was the lead dance choreographer.
Reintroduced to the social scene after the breakup of a 5 year relationship, Manhattan Native Tiwana Jackson and Founder of Mind Body N Socials, noticed Harlem had changed and so had her expectations socially. Urban professionals were moving uptown in droves taking advantage of the Renaissance but were still going downtown to socialize. Meanwhile, innovative businesses were blossoming in Harlem and established proprietors were seeking creative ways to reel the people in. Ms. Jackson saw a niche that needed to be filled, Tiwana’s out of the box thinking allowed her to help new businesses to connect to their consumers in unique and different ways and develop their brand, she offered strategic event marketing services through Mind Body N Socials, Inc. producing niche marketing events like... Wine Tasting Scavenger Hunts, Soul Magnetic Poetry, Create Your Own Tea & Network, Spades & Game Night, Mars/Venus Speed Chat for Singles, and educational workshops on a variety of topics to name a few.
It is Tiwana’s unique skill to be a multi talented, innovative, extraordinary social marketer that allows her to understand the consumer’s needs and how they relate to ones brand. Ms. Jackson holds a M.A. degree from Columbia University in Social-Organizational Psychology, a certificate in Conflict Resolution & Mediation and a B.A. degree from Syracuse University in Sociology and a Minor in African American Studies. She is a leader for the small to mid size business that wants to understand the BIG ideas in Marketing and Branding, once called the next “Oprah of small business branding” she is talented beyond her time and has a lasting impact on every business she has worked with. Recently featured in ESSENCE Magazine in February of 2009 some say, “It is magical to watch her work she finds ways of marketing your brand that you would never think of” ( Natasha Davison, Coach) Tiwana Jackson also known as Tiwana J resides in New York City, is a vegetarian and is a highly sought after consultant for her marketing, branding, and event management expertise.
Nikki B. West
Nikki B. West is the youngest of 3 children born and raised in New York City to parents of South American descent. As a child she stood out and was often praised for her outgoing personality and creative spirit. Those qualities have followed her into adulthood as she pursues her passion to encourage and inspire others. After leaving the University of Buffalo, she spent the next 9 years working in the Advertising and Strategic Marketing field for 2 Fortune 500 companies. It was during this time that she founded Shyy Girl USA, a program geared towards strengthening self-expression and confidence in girls ages 9-17. Currently, she is working on her first book entitled “Color Girl”. She is also the Executive Director of “The D.U.C.K Group”, an organization founded to uplift and enrich the lives of people globally by focusing on the production of film, events, and workshops that encourage, inspire and enlighten others. Nikki currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with her handsome 9-year-old son David Gabriel.
For more information on current projects or to have Nikki B. West speak at an event, please visit: www.theduckgroup.com
Nikki B. West is the youngest of 3 children born and raised in New York City to parents of South American descent. As a child she stood out and was often praised for her outgoing personality and creative spirit. Those qualities have followed her into adulthood as she pursues her passion to encourage and inspire others. After leaving the University of Buffalo, she spent the next 9 years working in the Advertising and Strategic Marketing field for 2 Fortune 500 companies. It was during this time that she founded Shyy Girl USA, a program geared towards strengthening self-expression and confidence in girls ages 9-17. Currently, she is working on her first book entitled “Color Girl”. She is also the Executive Director of “The D.U.C.K Group”, an organization founded to uplift and enrich the lives of people globally by focusing on the production of film, events, and workshops that encourage, inspire and enlighten others. Nikki currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with her handsome 9-year-old son David Gabriel.
For more information on current projects or to have Nikki B. West speak at an event, please visit: www.theduckgroup.com