Jakia Cheatham

There are moments in life when pushing forward is no longer the answer, when what we truly need is to pause, breathe, and restore.

Wellness is no longer just about how you look, it's about how you live, how you heal, and how you show up for yourself every single day. Few understand that more deeply than Dee Dee Legette, known to many as “The Core Queen.” What began as a personal commitment to discipline and transformation has evolved into a powerful movement rooted in authenticity, accountability, and total-body wellness.

Some businesses are built from market trends. Others are built from lived experience, resilience, and the determination to create something better. For Jasmine Nelson, founder of Umber By J. Lenay, entrepreneurship began with a personal struggle that many women silently navigate. What started as frustration with unwanted hair growth evolved into a purpose-driven brand focused on helping women feel confident, cared for, and seen.

Pretty and Black Owned is a celebration of brilliance, beauty, and bold business moves. This series spotlights Black women who are building powerful brands, creating impact, and owning their lane with confidence and purpose. From passion to profit, these women represent what it looks like to lead, thrive, and win.

Beauty has always been at the center of Chiquita Mason's story, but for her, it has never been only about products or aesthetics. It has been about expression, confidence, healing, and purpose. As the founder of Redefined Beauty, she has created a brand that speaks to women who want quality, ease, and a touch of luxury in their everyday routines.

Dr. Leeja Carter is the kind of leader who doesn't just talk about health equity, she builds it step by step, system by system, community by community. As the CEO of the Coalition for Food and Health Equity, she is helping underserved families in New Jersey and Philadelphia's food deserts access quality, healthy food through a forward-thinking refrigerator delivery model that keeps provisions cool and dependable. The work is making waves beyond her local footprint, earning her a feature in AfroTech.

Tera Carissa Hodges is a world-renowned entrepreneur, certified women's life coach, faith-based empowerment speaker, and best-selling author known for equipping women and families to live boldly, authentically, and on purpose. With weekly teleconferences reaching more than 10,000 people across 30+ countries, her mission has become far more than a career; it's a divine calling that sparks real transformation. Her voice has been featured in Essence, Yahoo Finance, and Hype Magazine, and her work extends into purpose-driven business including her custom greeting card collection with Culture Greetings, now available at Walgreens.

Behind the scenes, she worked on refining her voice before stepping into her own spotlight. She creates stories that unravel love, secrecy, and the deeper complexities of relationships. Through her work, Reayne's desire is to connect with readers on a personal level, inspiring reflection, healing, and honest conversations about love and life.

Robin is a global speaker, author, and founder. Fluent in four languages and rooted in Psychology and Linguistics, she infuses life across continents, the disorientation and the beauty found in between, into everything she writes.

Dr. Dacia Russell Goman is a dual board-certified physician in Emergency Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and the founder of Apex Metabolic, where she combines clinical expertise with a practical, stigma-free approach to metabolic care. She also serves in emergency medicine leadership, working on healthcare quality, operational strategy, physician performance, and patient-centered system improvement—bringing a systems mindset to prevention, long-term wellness, and better patient experiences.