In Her Shoes + ESSENCE Present: The Beauties & Brains Behind the Brands III

I’ve always been good at holding secrets but this one was definitely a challenge. For the past couple of months I’ve been running around New York City capturing the MAGIC of 25 fly female entrepreneurs with photographer and man of many talents, Alzo Slade, for In Her Shoes’ annual event, “The Beauties & Brains Behind the Brands III” presented by ESSENCE.

This year’s installation of the increasingly popular event series comes to life as a must-see New York City photography exhibition featuring 25 fly female entrepreneurs including:

Ashaka Givens: Fashion Designer

Ashunta Sheriff: Celebrity Makeup Artist

Damali Elliott: Petals-n-Belles

Demetria Lucas: A Belle in Brooklyn, “Blood, Sweat & Heels”

DJ C. Devone: DJ

Elisa Shankle: 5N1 Design

Fifi Bell Clanton: The Crabby Shack

Gwendolyn Niles: The Crabby Shack

Ginger Johnson: Ginger + Liz

Jodie Patterson: Doo Bop Beauty, Georgia

Kai Avent-deLeon: Sincerely, Tommy

Kela Walker: Kela’s Closet

Lita Lewis: Trainer + Fitness Personality

Lorraine West: Jewelry Designer + Metalsmith

Lyani Powers: 5n1 Design

Malene Barnett: Malene B. Carpets

Miko Branch: Miss Jessie’s

Nadia Lopez: Mott Hall Bridges Academy

Renae Bluitt: In Her Shoes & Crush Media

Sara Liz Picket: Ginger + Liz

Somi: Singer/Songwriter

Tai Beauchamp: The Tai Life, “Dare to Wear”

Tonya Rapley: My Fab Finance

Tricia Lee: Polish Bar

Ursula Stephen: Celebrity Hair Stylist & Ursula Stephen the Salon

Each woman was photographed in her element, giving us a sneak peek into her coveted life as a fly female entrepreneur. This women-centric brand exhibition is the third installment of “The Beauties & Brains Behind the Brands” event series (the inaugural one held in 2012), and serves as more than just a stylish soiree, encompassing an engaging conversation with Renae Bluitt (Creator, In Her Shoes), Alzo Slade (Photographer), Pamela Edwards Christiani (Beauty & Style Director, ESSENCE Magazine), Miko Branch (Miss Jessie’s) and Tai Beauchamp (The Tai Life, “Dare to Wear”).

“Black women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs in the country, starting businesses at six times the national average. The Beauties & Brains Behind the Brands photography exhibition will tastefully and artfully capture each woman’s magic and this powerful moment in history.”

Renae Bluitt:  Creator, inhershoesblog.com

The event will also feature the In Her Shoes Marketplace, where brands will have an opportunity to market and sell their products to guests in attendance. Reflecting the blog’s mission to shine light on “fly female entrepreneurs,” the photography exhibition and marketplace serve as supportive platforms that bring the In Her Shoes experience to life. Brand partners for this year’s event include: ESSENCE (Presenting Sponsor), Eu2Be (Platinum Sponsor), OPI (Platinum Sponsor) and The Crabby Shack (Official Caterer).

Visit ihsbeautiesbrains.eventbrite to learn more about the event and purchase your ticket TODAY!