2021 SC Virtual Black Expo Economic Empowerment Summit

Anderson Mack III
Panelist

Anderson Mack III is an infrastructure operations supervisor with Dominion Energy. For the past 15 years he’s led multiple teams within the IT department. He is responsible for the deployment of applications, administration and management of workstations and virtual desktops. Mack is an active member of several organizations including the SC chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the IT Professional of SC. Additionally, he serves as chairman for Dominion Energy’s African American Resource Group Southeast Chapter. Mack is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina. In his free time, Mack enjoys cycling, running, and spending time with his family.

Anela Malik
Founder of Feed The Malik

Anela Malik is the founder of Feed The Malik, a food blog, digital marketing, and advocacy business that focuses on telling complex, diverse stories through food. She's been featured in and written for numerous publications including The Washington Post, is known for her work to promote Black-owned restaurants in the DC region, and is currently writing a book about the deep and enduring contributions of Black peoples to American cuisine.

Bakari Sellers
Strom Law Firm, LLC

Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. In 2014 he was the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in the state of South Carolina.

Earning his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, where he served as student body president, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina, Sellers has followed in the footsteps of his father, civil rights leader Cleveland Sellers, in his tireless commitment to service taking championing progressive policies to address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity.

His impressive list accomplishment in addition to having served on President Barack Obama's South Carolina steering committee during the 2008 election, Sellers is widely considered to be a rising star within the Democratic Party and leading voice for his generation. That coupled with his uncommon ability to reach across the aisle and get things done has led to numerous accolades including being named to TIME Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2010 as well as 2014 and 20015 “The Root 100” list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans.

Sellers practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, SC and is a Political Commentator at CNN.

Chrissy
Singer

Phoenix Music Group newcomer Chrissy is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but she is an emerging superstar as a singer, songwriter and actress that is about to take Hollywood by storm! A child of tinsel town since the day she was born, her father is music producer, screen writer, director, Chris Stokes. But Chrissy didn’t discover her passion for singing and acting until the age of 11. She landed her first paid acting job on the TNT Drama Series ‘Southland’ opposite Emmy Award winning actress Regina King. In 2019, Chrissy got the opportunity to showcase her acting and singing talents on screen when she landed the lead role in the series “Howard High.” The show is airing on the new streaming service Urbanflix and production on Season 1(a) starts early 2021.

Chrissy displayed her singing talents in a major way with the release of her first single titled, ‘Relax’, which released late 2020. The song is available on all major music streaming platforms and playing on all major radio stations across America. She is currently the first artist of 2021 to be crowned iHeart radios on the verge new artist! ‘Relax’ is written by Chrissy and produced by T Black. The song is a love song to her husband...

“All women can relate to their man working hard and never slowing down. When my husband comes home, I always tell him to relax and let me show you how much your family appreciates you. I think it’s a universal message and it shouts out the good men out their working to provide for their families,” says Chrissy

Chrissy’s sound has been compared to H.E.R. and Snoh Aalegra. It’s an R&B flow with a soulful twist. The music takes you back to the 90’s R&B era, but adds a modern flare of this generation’s music. An original California girl, Chrissy was born in Upland, California. She was exposed to the industry at birth and she loved growing up watching her dad in the studio or on the set of a movie. Now with a budding singing and acting career, she’s finally living her dream! When Chrissy isn’t working, she’s vlogging on her new make-up tutorial page on YouTube with her best friend Miya Houston. She enjoys hip-hop dancing and exercising. She’s also a new mom and loves spending time with her ten-month-old son, her husband and their two dogs. Chrissy resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Clark Sisters

Coach Na’dia
Xtreme Hip Hop Instructor

Coach Na’dia is a Certified Xtreme Hip Hop Instructor taught by the Creator himself, Mr. Phillip Weeded. She currently teaches her classes in Moncks Corner SC at her very own nutrition shop, Nu’Life Nutrition.

Xtreme Hip Hop is a revamp of the traditional step aerobics, with routines set to Old and New School Hip Hop, and all genres. The steps may seem hard just watching from the outside, however once you give it a try, you’ll find it to be much easier and FUN while burning major calories!

Join us as Coach Na’dia guides us through a beginners class that you can enjoy with or without the step. Let’s get moving, have fun and burn some calories.

Cynthia Pryor Hardy
Moderator

Cynthia Pryor Hardy is a communications executive and owner of OnPoint Media LLC, a South Carolina-based public relations and broadcast media company. Her weekly Sunday evening radio show OnPoint with Cynthia Hardy is #1 in the state; and her popular television show on the FOX affiliate WACH gets high marks for objectively tackling tough topics and asking the hard questions.

Cynthia also serves as news director for two Alpha Media stations Hot 103.9 and The Big DM. In that role, Cynthia delivers morning-drive newscasts during national syndicated shows The Breakfast Club and the Steve Harvey Morning Show.

Cynthia Hardy is a serious journalist with a unique ability to bring people with different perspectives, political backgrounds and opinions to a common forum for discussion. Her shows always are lively and spirited. An avid reader, Cynthia believes when people are informed; they are empowered to make better decisions for themselves, their families and their communities.

Felita Davis Hicks
Panelist

Felita Davis Hicks has been a part of the Dominion Energy family since 1986. Prior to her current role, she worked as an energy educator and trainer. Davis Hicks is a staffing specialist with the company’s human resources department and is responsible for ensuring hired personnel meet the needs of managers and business partners. She also oversees hiring strategy development to ensure diversity in representation to include women and minorities. She enjoys helping young people to reach their full potential. Davis Hicks is a member of the South Carolina American Association of Blacks in Energy and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and the Dominion Energy African American and Diversability employee resource groups. She is an avid reader, enjoys musicals and ballets, and is passionate about the stories of Women of the Bible.

Jack Denials

Jessica E. Boyd
Branding expert and Illustrator

Jessica E. Boyd is an award-winning branding expert and illustrator who helps authors, media outlets, and lifestyle brands tell their stories through original digital art. Less than one year into her illustration journey, her client roster includes Shondaland, Zoom, VegNews, Partake Foods, and The ABCs of HBCUs children's book publisher HBCU Prep School. Jessica is also the long-time brand manager for Columbia, South Carolina's plant-based culinary gem, A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, ranked by Food Network as one of the top 10 vegan restaurants across the country.

Dr. Jaqui Jones, M.D.
medicine physician with Prisma Health Family Medicine

Dr. Jaqui Jones, M.D. is a family medicine physician with Prisma Health Family Medicine. Before joining Prisma Health, she was the family medicine chief resident at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Il. She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Medicine and received her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from the University of Alabama.

As a family medicine physician, Dr. Jones is an advocate for the overall health of her patients. She is skilled in disease management and cares for many patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic health conditions. She is very involved in community education including recently working with the minority community on the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jones has presented locally, regionally, and nationally to help patients, including communities of color, understand the importance of protecting their health from specific diseases. Her professional and personal affiliations include being a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Her office is located on the Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital campus, 400 Palmetto Health Parkway, in Irmo, South Carolina. She is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call (803) 907-7700 or make it online at prismahealth.org/findadoctor.

Justin Thompson
Panelist

Justin Thompson works at Dominion Energy as a senior human resource specialist. In this role, he serves as a program manager of the Dominion Energy Emerging Leader Program, developing future leaders across the footprint of the company. Thompson has a passion for innovation and developing people with nearly 15 years’ experience as a career development professional. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences from North Carolina State University; a masters of education in higher education and student affairs (HESA) from the University of South Carolina; and a certificate in innovation from MITx. He enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with friends and family.

Zumba Besties
Zumba instructor

Join the #bestieszumba for an hour of fun and fitness

Tammie Coleman Epps has been a licensed Zumba instructor for ten years and teaches weekly classes to stay fit and relieve stress. She is active in her community in many organizations including the Brookland Baptist Church, Leadership Columbia, and the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Tammie teaches weekly Zumba classes with her best friend and fellow instructor Dionna Williams Bush who has been an instructor for seven years. Bush is active in her church, Central Baptist Church.

The tag team created a ministry at Transitions to bring Zumba to its residents. The duo calls their classes #bestieszumba and they are usually surrounded by other awesome Zumba friends. They are joined in today’s jam sessions by Glennie Williams and Laqueta Nichols.

Geoffrey Williams
M.Ed., LPC/S, LAC, NCC

Geoffrey Williams, M.Ed., LPC/S, LAC, NCC is the Director of Outpatient Behavioral Care for Prisma Health Midlands. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has been in the Mental Health Profession for 29 years. He also serves as Past President for the South Carolina Chapter of The National Association for Heath Care Services Executives, a professional association developed in 1968 to promote the development of minority healthcare leaders.

Dr. Linda Bell,
State Epidemiologist South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

Dr. Linda Bell trained in internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and has worked in public health for over 27 years, including as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Viral Special Pathogens Branch and as South Carolina Field Officer.

She has held several positions with DHEC: as medical epidemiologist, director of the Division of Acute Disease Epidemiology and Director of Clinical Services. Dr. Bell is currently the South Carolina State Epidemiologist and director of the DHEC Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control. In that role, she oversees the agency’s programs in Acute Disease Epidemiology; Immunizations; Tuberculosis Control; STD/HIV, and Viral Hepatitis Prevention.

Dr. Bell is active in several community groups and has served on the board of trustees of several entities. She is married to Dr. Myron Bell, a cardiologist in Columbia, South Carolina and they are the proud parents of two children.

Marcus
Business advisor and executive

Marcus is an accomplished business advisor and executive. Having begun his career as a banker and financial advisor, additionally, he successfully fulfilled the roles of CFO and COO; managing multi-million-dollar budgets. He currently serves as business advisor and consultant. Marcus has consulted, advised and trained startups and billion-dollar companies. Today, Marcus travels the country helping mid-sized companies in three primary areas—strategy, automation and scale—while serving as an executive coach for small business owners. Marcus possesses an undergraduate degree in business. A graduate degree in corporate strategy and is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. Additionally, Marcus is a founding member of the John Maxwell team of Speakers & Coaches.

The Physician In The Kitchen™

Dr. Monique May, also known as The Physician In The Kitchen™, is an Amazon #1 Best Selling author and self-proclaimed kitchen gadget junkie who loves to cook and experiment in her kitchen, which she lovingly refers to as her "lab". Dr. May, a board-certified family physician with over twenty years of clinical experience, hails from NYC, and currently calls the Charlotte, NC area home. She is well-known for her skills in the kitchen, and has recently started a home meal delivery service in the Charlotte area.

Master P

Raheem DeVaughn
American singer and songwriter

Raheem DeVaughn is an American singer and songwriter. His debut album, The Love Experience, reached No. 46 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. It featured the singles "Guess Who Loves You More" and "You".

DeVaughn was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards for the single "Woman".

Rhonda Maree O’Banion
Panelist

As the manager of media relations for Dominion Energy South Carolina, Rhonda Maree O’Banion leads a team charged with amplifying the company’s commitment to the customers and communities it serves through issues management, media relations, executive communications counsel, strategic collaborations and more. An award-winning communications leader, O’Banion is a member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, a past president of The International Association of Business Communicators (S.C. chapter) and a Leadership Energy Carolinas graduate. She serves on Dominion Energy’s Community Investment Board, Diversity and Inclusion Council and Social Justice Review Committee. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina-Aiken with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/speech communication. She holds a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of South Carolina. Spending time with God and people she loves brings her joy.

Sergio Hudson
Fashion Designer

Born in the mid 80’s, Sergio Hudson always had a broad perspective of Rock & Roll fashion, admiring icons such as Gianni Versace and Grace Jones. At a young age it was evident that he was destined for a career in Fashion. After attending Design School, Hudson’s career shifted into overdrive when he was chosen as a contestant on Bravo TV's “Styled to Rock”. The fashion based docu-series allowed him the opportunity to work with celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Kelly Osbourne and Pharrell Williams. Hudson advanced throughout the competition eventually becoming the winner, when his designs were chosen by singer and fashion icon Rihanna.

In 2014 Hudson launched his namesake ready-to-wear collection, establishing an aesthetic defined by immaculate tailoring and infusions of androgyny paired with overtly sexy silhouettes. His vision is to bring back the joy of dressing which he is doing- one collection at a time.

Shennice Cleckley
CEO of Smart Cookie

Shennice Cleckley is the CEO of Smart Cookie, a business development firm that helps entrepreneurs grow their business with strategic planning, digital skills training and lifestyle integration. She is also the South Carolina Digital Coach for the Grow with Google Digital Coaches Program.

A sought after keynote speaker and multimedia personality, Shennice has appeared on ABC, CBS, FOX, CNBC, NBC sharing her expertise for helping entrepreneurs embrace the lifestyle they dreamed of with owning a business, being present with family and serving. In 2018, Shennice was featured by Google’s “Grow with Google” program how she successfully transitioned her brick and mortar bakery into a completely online business model by using YouTube and self-trained online tools. Her Google video feature currently has over 670K views.

Shennice earned her B.A. in Political Science and Public Affairs from Columbia College (SC). Shennice is involved in the community as the Chair for SC Whitmore School Board, MC for 1Million Cups (a Kauffman Foundation Initiative), member of the City of Columbia Accommodation Tax Committee, member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc and an active member of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church. Shennice and her husband LeBrian live in Lexington SC. Together they have 4 kids, 1 granddaughter, and 1 beloved pets dog Coco and bird named Sparrow

Zumba Besties
Zumba instructor

Join the #bestieszumba for an hour of fun and fitness

Tammie Coleman Epps has been a licensed Zumba instructor for ten years and teaches weekly classes to stay fit and relieve stress. She is active in her community in many organizations including the Brookland Baptist Church, Leadership Columbia, and the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Tammie teaches weekly Zumba classes with her best friend and fellow instructor Dionna Williams Bush who has been an instructor for seven years. Bush is active in her church, Central Baptist Church.

The tag team created a ministry at Transitions to bring Zumba to its residents. The duo calls their classes #bestieszumba and they are usually surrounded by other awesome Zumba friends. They are joined in today’s jam sessions by Glennie Williams and Laqueta Nichols.