Renee Sterling did not plan to stay for more than two years when she left Miami for London in 2008.  She saw it as a steppingstone opportunity when she was awarded a yearlong City fellowship to work for Goldman Sachs in the City of London.  Seventeen years later, she is still there, now as the Executive Director and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Regulatory Controller and International Data Controller at Wells Fargo. Her stellar career has spanned two continents and multiple financial cycles, but her values have remained constant.

Tiffany Spraggins-Payne’s journey as a leader in Philadelphia’s small-business community is deeply rooted in her deep commitment to empowering others. As the Director of the Power Up Your Business program at the Community College of Philadelphia, Spraggins-Payne works to provide the resources, mentorship, and connections to diverse, minority, and women entrepreneurs.

Malik Majeed did not inherit a leadership role. He earned it. Through relentless work, he moved from his job as a security guard and student to an attorney, then to the top as CEO of one of the largest minority-owned firms in the Philadelphia region, PRWT Services, Inc.

Jos Duncan-Asé believes in the power of love. Not just as an emotion, but as a force to reshape storytelling, amplify marginalized voices, and challenge the media’s traditional narratives.

In a world media landscape dominated by conglomerates, Irv Randolph stands as a pillar of independent Black journalism. As the Managing Editor of The Philadelphia Tribune, the United States’ oldest continuously published Black newspaper, Randolph has spent over 30 years ensuring that African-American communities are not just represented but accurately and powerfully heard.

Michelle Baldwin’s journey in the grocery and specialty food industry is a testament to adaptability, leadership, and a passion for food.