GRACE & GRIT: 6 WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS OWNING IT, KNOWING IT & SHOWING IT

GRIT & GRACE

Women Trailblazers

by Kinyatta E. Gray

When I think of a trailblazer, I think of someone who knows it, shows it, and owns it. I think of a pioneer and an innovator who has created and lit the path for others to follow.

Having spent time blazing a few trails myself, I know that the stakes are high, which is why this is not the place for the weak and insecure.

A trailblazer understands the assignment and works to deliver because they know their legacy depends on it.

Trailblazers are also passionate about leaving an indelible mark on the lives of others. They seek opportunities to give back, mentor, motivate, and inspire. They seek to educate and enlighten those around them. They also seek to lead an army of self-starting go-getters intrinsically motivated to live and achieve their best lives.

Trailblazers are the rare, the unstoppable, and the determined. They don’t seek the spotlight, the spotlight craves for them. They possess grit and grace.

As you turn the following few pages, I’ll introduce you to six women trailblazers who are fastcharging pioneers in their industries. These women are highly sought after for their wisdom and ability to lead and influence hundreds and even thousands of people.

These women have achieved massive success and accolades alike for the impact they’ve made in their communities, business, humanity, and the world in general.

LEADING IN SEXUAL HEALTH ADVOCACY & PHILANTHROPY

WHO

Angelia L. Robinson is a Sexual Health Promoter/ Author/Entrepreneur/Philanthropist who resides in Fort Worth, TX.

BUSINESS PROFESSION

As a Senior Executive Director & Senior Board Member for Pure Romance, I empower, educate & entertain women from the bedroom all the way to the banks. My autobiography, entitled Who R U? Tales of A Survivor is serving my mission to simply help women heal from past traumas like sex abuse in order to become the best version of themselves.

HOW SHE’S MAKING AN IMPACT

I give women a voice and a safe place to be able to share their world (good and bad) via my in-home or zoom parties. I teach them about self love through education therefore helping to keep married people married and single people safe. In addition, I help to motivate them into a new way of thinking about entrepreneurship so that they can make their dreams come to fruition.

HER SUPERPOWER

I have many superpowers but the most powerful of them all is my ability to love. I have an energy that is undeniable and intoxicating. As a result, when people plug into me they are supercharged into now believing they can do anything. Love tears down the walls and helps heal the hurt which paralyzes one into thinking they are not good enough.

SHE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT

A mobile phone.

THIS KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT

All of the ideas that run through my head about how to help others achieve and how to further my own career. It’s hard to turn off my brain so most nights I have to crash.

Angelia L. Robinson

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

KEY CAREER ADVICE

It’s never too late to be who or what you might have been.

George Eliot

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.

Maya Angelou

Just Do It and figure out the rest along the way.

Stay connected with Angelia via Instagram at: @angeliaspureromance and online at: angeliarobinson.com Photo Credit: shotbydphotography

LEADING IN MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING AND BUSINESS

Garine Dalce

WHO

Garine Dalce is a Global Director from Severn, MD.

BUSINESS PROFESSION

For over 10 years I worked as an Executive in Corporate America. As of November 2019, I retired myself from that position and launched my own Health and Wellness business.

I provide all natural supplements to over 150 countries.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

KEY CAREER ADVICE

Nothing will work unless you do. Maya Angelou

HOW SHE’S MAKING AN IMPACT

Since launching my business, I have seen many people take control of their health and get their lives back on track.

Getting their lives back on track manifested in many ways. Some have lost enough weight where they no longer needed prescribed medications for previous ailments. They are happier and have more self-confidence.

In addition, I have coached many to financial freedom, whether it was making an extra couple thousands a month to walking away from their current employer.

HER SUPERPOWER

My superpower is my strength to push through even if I may not see results instantly and definitely may faith in God.

SHE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT

My beauty products and nutraburst.

Stay connected with Garine via Instagram at: @gdalce and online at: www.gdalce.com Photo Credit: @celebutonstyle

THIS KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT

• Wondering if I am doing enough for my family. • My next move. • Thinking about my children and their future. • How I can do more for my team. • How I can change Haiti and help the people.

LEADING IN THE RUM INDUSTRY

WHO

Donna F. Durante-Miller is the Owner of Durante Rum and Owner & Operator of The New Elroy Bar DC

BUSINESS PROFESSION

Durante Rum first premiered at The New Elroy Bar DC and was created in the DMV area. Durante Rum is a signature brand that earned me the honor of being the first black woman to create, distill and distribute my own brand of Rum. The Rum, the business, the marketing and sales are all inspired by my Caribbean roots. As a side note: Feel free to stop by The New Elroy Bar to say hi and for a complimentary taste of my Rum.

HOW SHE’S MAKING AN IMPACT

Durante Rum is available in many locally owned and operated liquor stores which increases their foot traffic during our free tasting events.

Durante Rum donates to several local organizations and has also brought on employees (that due to their past) would have been excluded for employment.

Finally, I have partnered with other minority owned business owners who use Durante Rum to create new products.

Donna F. Durante-Miller

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

For with God Nothing Shall be Impossible. Luke 1:37

HER SUPERPOWER

My ultimate superpower is my faith; which has kept me going even when I wanted to quit. Vision is my second superpower, through this vision the Rum has launched and we are already looking at adding another variation of Rum to the Durante family. Adaptability would be ranked as my third superpower and continues to help me pivot in this ever changing world. Mastering chaos is my fourth superpower and serves as a reminder to stay humble and grounded.

SHE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT

I cannot travel without snacks. It warms my heart when I am on the road and find something new to try. Most of the snacks I find are in small business and the feeling of helping another entrepreneur flourish is indescribable.

THIS KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT

The senseless violence that is going on in this world is what keeps me up at night. Because of this, I am in the local community helping those who are overlooked. When the opportunity presents itself, I speak for those who do not have or cannot use their voice to make change. As I have mentioned before, giving back is what fills my heart and feeds my soul.

Stay connected with Donna via Instagram at: @duranterum and online at: www.duranterum.com

KEY CAREER ADVICE

Be patient as good things come to those who wait. When you want to throw the towel in, remember that tomorrow is another day. You can do this!

LEADING IN COMMUNICATION AND “PITCHING”

WHO

Precious L. Williams is the CEO of Perfect Pitches by Precious, LLC and resides in Brooklyn, NY.

BUSINESS PROFESSION MEET THE #KILLERPITCHMASTER.

To understand me is to understand my experience. I once weighed 327 pounds and somehow used my moxie, grit and determination to talk my way into funding for a company that didn’t even exist — Curvy Girlz Lingerie. I made this company a reality and my ability to think on my feet, boldly break the rules and tell a story has since made me the #KillerPitchMaster. Some also refer to me as the female McGuyver of business!

DROPPING NAMES

Besides helping women entrepreneurs and business leaders, I also conduct corporate training, helping teams to create killer communication skills, craft messaging and understand how to pitch and build sales programs. I’m also a world-class speaker for global brands including: Harvard University, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, George Washington University, Intuit Quickbooks, NBC Universal, PwC and more.

HOW SHE’S MAKING AN IMPACT

If you’re an organization, executive, entrepreneur or public speaker that’s ready to increase engagement and revenue with better communications, I give you the tools and tenacity to pitch with power, sell with storytelling and develop a masterful mindset for communication. It’s time for you to learn how to #SlayAllCompetition

I help you learn how to communicate better by crafting messages that radiate authority and trust, so your clients and customers become fans for life. And I challenge you or your leaders to up their game — on their terms — in order to develop the cunning, clarity and confidence that’s been inside them all along. And you can bet we have fun doing it.

HER SUPERPOWER

Precious L. Williams

SHE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT

Snacks

THIS KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT

• Not completing the most important tasks • Forgetting to call/email someone • Taking my night medicine too late • Have I shown love today?

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

KEY CAREER ADVICE

Fortune favors the BOLD!

Create your own lane as a speaker. Get known for your zone of genius and truly own it. I am the #KillerPitchMaster and I am here to help you #slayallcompetition!

Stay connected with Precious via Instagram at: @perfectpitchesp and online at: https://www.perfectpitchesbyprecious.com/ Photo Credit: Erin Michelle Silber

LEADING IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Grenique Harper

WHO

Grenique Harper is a national recording artist and songwriter who resides in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta, GA.

BUSINESS PROFESSION

I’m a renaissance woman. I am a singer/songwriter. I’m an author who paints and an actress who has a vintage boutique.

HOW SHE’S MAKING AN IMPACT

By being a singer/songwriter, I feel that I help heal the world through beautiful music. I feel that music is our universal language and the music that I create exudes love, peace and chivalry. I’m one who believes that chivalry isn’t dead.

HER SUPERPOWER

My superpower is being able to visualize something in my mind and bring it to fruition in this physical world through my hands. Like when I meditate and I hear a song or I see an image, I’m able to write the song or turn the image into a beautiful portrait.

SHE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT

A face mask and hand sanitizer. “These viruses that’s surfacing have everything intense.” ~Grenique

THIS KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT

My 19-year-old son who goes to Morehouse. I also spend a lot of time at night praying for him and visualizing a protective light around him to keep him safe as he walks through this world. Also, I lay in bed at night thinking about my parents because they’re getting older. I just want to make sure that they’re happy and healthy because I love them so much. I’m always planning my next move and that makes it hard to quiet my thoughts sometimes.

KEY CAREER ADVICE

Love yourself and make sure you stay true to yourself. Also, learn the business of music and art because that’s how you protect yourself.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

My mom always says “One lie can erase a thousand truths.” She’s a poet so she’s always quoting some dope lyrics. When I go through writer’s block, I call my mom for inspiration.

LEADING IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY

Rebecca Davi

WHO

Rebecca Davi Queen of Talk, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Philanthropist & Founder of The Davi Magazine and Davi Media Group

BUSINESS PROFESSION

After overcoming depression and anxiety and having a love and commitment for helping others, Rebecca first set out on her successful media career on Radio, devoting herself to taking people from where they are currently positioned to where they wish to be by raising people’s performances.

With a mission of transforming millions of lives worldwide while building a global community of likeminds, Rebecca created The Davi Magazine and The Rebecca Davi Show empowering people who feel stuck and lack hope to step into their greatness.

HOW SHE’S MAKING AN IMPACT

From deep yet humorous conversations with celebrity friends, well-known entrepreneurs, change-makers to hearing relatable real-life stories, my team and I continue to transform people’s lives through the lives of others.

While placing diversity, equality and inclusion at the forefront, through The Rebecca Davi Show to The Davi Magazine, we only share empowering stories focusing on helping our viewers and listeners on their personal growth journey overcome life’s adversities.

No matter your ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, shape or size, everyone deserves to be heard, everyone has an empowering story to share.

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

Remember: the one with the biggest dreams will go through the toughest battles. Victory IS coming your way.

Rebecca Davi

SHE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT

Goodness! It would have to be my cell phone(s). I’m always on the go and check/respond to my emails as they pop up as the media and entertainment industry is very fast-paced - opportunities are quick to come and go so you have to be quick to seize them. Also, there’s nothing greater than a quick interaction with my amazing supporters while traveling to encourage them and boost their confidence for the day.

THIS KEEPS HER UP AT NIGHT

Thinking of how best to be of great service to others keeps me up at night. I’m constantly strategizing, constantly thinking of new ideas and how best to execute these ideas to transform the lives of others. When you have a love for what you do, you are constantly in “work mode,” however, it never really feels like work *laughs*.

HER SUPERPOWER

Hmmm, what is my superpower? I most definitely have a healing ability. This is something my loved ones noticed in my childhood. I can’t think of anything greater than seeing others succeed. However, before we succeed, we must heal the pain of the past.

Stay connected with Rebecca via Instagram at: @RealRebeccaDavi and online at: www.RebeccaDavi.com

KEY CAREER ADVICE

You must persevere until you succeed as nothing great comes easy. Have patience, connect with people, build strong relationships, get a mentor who has great expertise within your field, enjoy the process and always remember: if an idea was planted into your mind, you CAN create it in real life. Keep your eyes on the prize, let God be your guide and don’t let anyone, I repeat, ANYONE tell you otherwise.