influence atlanta. influence the world.45.55.129.247/assets/chooseatl-influencers_r6jv33l.pdf ·...
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JUANITA VELEZFounder & President, Hispanic Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs (HYPE)
Juanita Velez is a product of the immigration surge during the 96’ Olympics in Atlanta. Born in Colombia, but raised in the
A, she has trailblazed her way through Atlanta’s UPS and Delta Air Lines corporations developing their first international
social media strategies as they expand their businesses globally. She’s also the founder and president of HYPE, Hispanic
Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs, an organization focusing on the empowerment, engagement, exposure, and
elevation of multicultural next-generation professionals and entrepreneurs ages 21-35. Her true passion is serving others
by connecting people in the community to opportunities.
SATCHEL JESTERWriter, Editor, Media Maven, and Social Savant
Satchel B. Jester is one of the nation’s most sought-after experts in the African-American lifestyle and entertainment
markets. The Westside native has been the go-to-guy for the details that embroider urban lifestyle for over three decades,
contributing to print publications and online destinations, including Ebony, Essence, Vibe and UPTOWN, and is the current
senior editor at Upscale magazine, a luxury lifestyle publication that houses his “Scene by Satchel” column.
ANISA BRENEÉEntrepreneu’HER’, Radio Personality and Entertainment Host
After high school graduation, Anisa Breneé continued her education at the University of West Georgia where she later
received her degree in mass communications, focusing in digital media and telecommunications. Today, Anisa is most
recognized for her distinct voice on Hoodrich Radio with DJ Scream on 96.7 The BEAT and her influence with tobacco-free
campaign, Fresh Empire.
EMMA LOGGINSFounder and Director of Strategy, Excite Creative Studios
Self-proclaimed geek girl and serial entrepreneur, Emma Loggins is the founder and director of strategy of Excite Creative
Studios, a full-service creative agency based in Atlanta. In addition to her work at Excite, she also runs FanBolt, a geek
lifestyle and entertainment blog, which reaches roughly half a million fans a month, as well as Women’s Business Daily, a
site that focuses on motivating and inspiring female entrepreneurs.
CARLOS GONZALEZFounding Managing Director, Latinos in Tech ATL (LiT ATL)
Carlos L. Gonzalez is a community catalyst with more than a decade of entrepreneurship and technology innovation
expertise. His natural ability to understand new industry trends, strategize, and promote awareness through networking
and cross-cultural community building has led him to collaborate with top global companies like AT&T and Harman. As
co-founder and COO of Tyrannosaurus Tech, Carlos leverages his product development experience to ensure clients meet
market needs while employing agile and lean methodologies. Together with his team, he has helped clients from highly
competitive industries increase revenue by embracing technology and innovation. With years of explosive growth in the
city of Atlanta, Carlos and his founding members are on a quest to propel Tyrannosaurus Tech into a top-tier, globally
competitive agency. Passionate about serving his community, Carlos is the founding managing director of Latinos in Tech
ATL (LiT ATL) and an active leader in Atlanta’s rapidly growing Latinx tech scene, where he looks to empower and create
opportunities for underrepresented minorities working or aspiring to work in technology.
JUSTIN MCLEODBusiness-Savvy Visionary
Justin McLeod combines his passion for events, marketing, and innovation into all of his endeavors. Over the span of three
years, Justin has launched an award-winning event discovery startup (Event Tent), a marketing agency specializing in brand
communications and event production for emerging brands (Surthrive), and a pre-accelerator program giving startups led
by women and people of color direct access to community, curriculum, and capital (Atlanta Tech Village).
Justin’s main objective is to uplift the community in the most positive way possible by exemplifying leadership and
encouraging the next generation to pursue their passions and dreams through entrepreneurship.
ADAM CRAWFORDArtist, Designer, and Curator
Adam Crawford’s paintings have been showcased from the gallery walls of Miami’s Art Basel to the streets of New York.
Crawford curates activations around Georgia to engage the community with arts and culture. Crawford has done brand
activations for Home Depot and Wicked Weed Brewing to Community Crosswalk Art projects for Streets Alive funded by
the City of Atlanta.
SNEH PARMARTech Entrepreneur
Sneh is a tech entrepreneur with experience building companies with corporate innovation labs, VC firms, accelerators,
and multiple startups. He started his own technology company called Parka Solutions, which is the first native advertising
platform built for the digital mobility industry. He believes that the intersection of culture and technology has the ability to
create game-changing paradigms. His deep passion for art and fashion has led him to employ processes and skills from
these creative industries to improve his own company and himself.
EBONE SHARDAEFounder, With Ease Strategic Agency
Ebone Shardae is the founder of With Ease Strategic Agency, a boutique consulting firm curating ideas into experiences
and digital copy for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations. After attending Howard University,
Ebone developed her logistic and program management skills as executive assistant for the founder and CEO of the Estell
Group, the only full-service government relations firm owned by a WOC in Washington, DC. Beyond business, Ebone
prides herself on being a change agent for the communities that raised her. The Atlanta native is active in the political and
advocacy space, working with groups such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to GOTV, and starting
a book scholarship at her alma mater, Benjamin Elijah Mays High School. In her spare time, you can catch this creative
enjoying Taco Tuesday with friends or heading to a yoga session for a little self care.
SHIRLYNN BROWNELLDirector of Economic Development, City of Brookhaven
Shirlynn Brownell serves as the director of economic development for the City of Brookhaven. In this role, she works to
increase Brookhaven’s visibility in the corporate, small business, retail, development, and real estate worlds as an ideal
location to do business. Her responsibilities include marketing, site location assistance to new and expanding companies,
business retention, serving as a liaison between the State, County, and utility partners and other key stakeholders,
spearheading redevelopment efforts and sourcing redevelopment opportunities within the City, and managing the City’s
tax incentives program via her role as executive director of Brookhaven’s Development Authority.
STEFANIE JEWETTFounder and CEO, Activvely
Stefanie Jewett is the founder and CEO of Activvely, the premiere social-pairing app that connects you with platonic
fitness buddies. After five years of covering hard news at CNN, her creativity breached the spillway and Activvely was born.
A Miami native, Stefanie grew up in a Spanish-speaking household, her Cuban roots never too far from her heart.
Her commitment to building intentional and impactful communities led her to create, Startup Sisters USA, a space where
women of wild ambition can come together and collaborate. Most recently, Stefanie was selected as one of 15 female
entrepreneurs for the City of Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI).
INFLUENCE ATLANTA. INFLUENCE THE WORLD.