www.mesopdx.org @mesopdx
MESO elevates under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs to build resilience, equity and thriving communities through access to capital, tailored business assistance, and education.
DETAILS, ETIQUETTE
• Please be respectful of those on stage and stay in your seat while they speak
• We are in this together! If there is a stumble on stage, cheer on our speakers
Name Tags
We encourage you to wear your name tag so we can get to know one another and learn what empowers each of us.
Social Media
Follow us on our socials for MESO content, announcements, and updates.
@MESOPDX
Use Hashtag #MESOEmpowers
Food & Drink
Help yourself to complimentary snacks!
Please be mindful of crunching while speakers are on stage.
Over 21? Purchase a glass of wine from Stoney Wines! Follow @STONEYWINES
Thank you
PNC Bank
PNC Live Studio
OneApp, Inc.
Joshua Lyons, KeyBank
Tahirah Memory Guest Speakers
ETIQUETTE & AGENDA
Merchandise
MESO Empowers merchandise is available for purchase!
Photography
While taking photos and video is encouraged, please refrain from using a flash.
A professional photographer will be in attendance. They will be available after the show to take individual photos.
Agenda
5:30PM - 6PM: Check-In
6:15PM: Main Event Welcome Entertainment
Guest Speakers
Q&A
8:30PM: Event Ends
ABOUT MESO EMPOWERS
MESO Empowers is not just another gathering; it’s a vibrant platform where entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds come together to share their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Through their stories, we aim to ignite sparks of inspiration and foster a sense of solidarity among fellow visionaries.
Each entrepreneur brings a unique perspective and set of experiences to the table, making our talks a melting pot of wisdom and insight. Whether they’ve navigated through the storms of failure or basked in the glory of success, their stories resonate deeply with all who aspire to carve their own paths in the business world.
But what truly sets MESO Empower apart is the unwavering support of our community. Behind every entrepreneur is a network of mentors, peers, and supporters who have cheered them on during the highs and lifted them up during the lows. It’s this sense of community that empowers our speakers to share their truth openly and vulnerably, knowing that they are surrounded by a tribe that believes in their potential.
SPEAKERS, HOSTS & ENTERTAINERS
Speakers
Lisa C. Willis Tyrone Poole Melody Brown
Hosts
Celina Sanchez, MESO Joshua Lyons, KeyBank
Entertainment
Tahirah Memory
Lisa C. Willis is a specialist in the field of leadership development. She exemplifies the championship mindset compiling an impressive track record during her stellar athletic career. Lisa C. travels the world teaching corporations elite business strategies so they may gain and maintain the slight edge advantage, stay highly competitive and accelerate performance.
Lisa C. was the 5th pick in the first round of the 2006 WNBA draft, playing four seasons until 2010 after retiring due to a knee injury. After her injury, Lisa C. emerged as one of the most requested women’s empowerment speakers, teaching her Leadership Pillars That Elevate Performance.
Lisa C. is a WNBA 3-point Leader, Latvian (European) National Champion and the first woman to coach in the New York Knicks Basketball Franchise. Lisa C. is a USA Team Gold Medalist and a UCLA women’s basketball multi-record holder performing at high levels on and off the court. Lisa C., Amazon Bestselling author of “When the Buzzer Sounds: A guide to transition players from the court to life after hoops”, helps current and former athletes feel empowered by their playing experiences so they may emerge as leaders. She also uses elite mental and emotional performance strategies to help corporations and associations to not only achieve their goals, but to crush them. Guest Speaker
Lisa C. Willis
Leadership Specialist | Professional Speaker lisacwillis.com @lisawillis40
LISA C. WILLIS
TYRONE POOLE
Tyrone Poole is the President and Founder of OneApp, a movement designed to make applying for rental homes easier and more cost efficient for tenants while reducing the burden of paperwork for landlords. A powerhouse of energy and positivity, Tyrone’s journey has taken him from a motivated student, to EMT/Firefighter training, to injured and homeless, to housing advocate, to founder of OneApp.
Tyrone has won US and international innovation awards including the 1776 Challenge Cup Global Innovation Award: First Place People’s Choice Award and 5th Most Promising Tech Startup WorldWide, 2018 Business Journal Forty under Forty Award, 2018 Business Journal Executive of the Year, 2017 Fast Company United States Innovation Award, The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network 2016 Wyatt Starnes Award for most promising early-stage tech entrepreneur, and won the Pitch Black contest in 2015. Poole has been featured on TEDx, serves on several boards, including empowering future leaders through REAP, and is the father of five daughters.
Tyrone Poole Founder and President of OneApp, Inc
oneappguaruntee.com
@oneapprentals
MELODY BROWN
Melody is a Portland businesswoman and master hairstylist driven by her commitment to both hair and community. She co-founded the multi-location textured hair salon business L&M Hair Company which is a first of its kind. Beyond her thriving business, she actively mentors and coaches young textured hair stylists into starting lucrative careers. Melody’s heart lies in making waves and breaking barriers for the community. A passionate educator, she dedicates a portion of her time to teaching her staff, mentees, and people in the community.
Through partnerships with local non-profits, she also brings the luxury of top-notch hair experiences to marginalized populations, fostering inclusivity and selfconfidence. Melody’s true calling is empowering individuals, through coaching and mentoring, to achieve financial stability, particularly in the realm of textured hair extensions. She exemplifies the power of combining passion with purpose.
Melody is also the most recent winner of the 2023 Key4Women Pitch Contest, is partnership with MESO, the Portland Thorns, and KeyBank.
Melody Brown Founder of L&M Hair Studio llmhaircompany.com @lmhairstudiopdx
Tahirah Memory
Jazz and Blues Singer
@tahirahmemory
TAHIRAH MEMORY
International soul singer/ songwriter Tahirah Memory is a Portland, Oregon native. Following the release of Tahirah’s 2nd album, “ASHA”, in 2019, she was nominated by SOULTRACKS for Best Female Vocalist, Best Album, and Best Song of 2019. Most recently, Tahirah was featured in the 2022 PDX Jazz Fest, opening for headliner Robert Glasper, at the 2022 Vanport Jazz Festival alongside Eric Benét, and as a performer on the 2023 Capital Jazz Supercruise.
The Band:
Alex Milsted is a Portland, Oregon based composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. After growing up a student of jazz saxophone, Alex is a virtuoso & multi-instrumentalist who now regularly performs and records on keyboards, bass, guitar, trumpet, and more. His recent collaborations and performance credits include Brian Blade, Tim Lefebvre, The Talbott Brothers, Tahirah Memory, and Haley Johnsen.
Tyrone Hendrix is a Portland based drummer, and Black music venue owner. Bringing immense musicality and a diverse skill set to his technique, Mr. Hendrix has been seen supporting artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, and most recently Allen Stone. Tyrone’s recording credits are innumerable, including two of his own projects which have gained worldwide esteem.
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www.mesopdx.org
@mesopdx