The Chenese Lewis Show

Aqila "Mimi" Benjamin of The Fuller Side of Things serves as an Emcee/Host, Body Positive Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Plus Model and her most popular role: Social Media Correspondent. With an infectious spirit and a keen sense of what it means to mobilize others, Mimi takes her roles seriously all while empowering everyone to be the best version of themselves. She gives her backing to any cause with the objective of the empowerment of people; and puts her money where her mouth is supporting numerous community service organizations. She also spends time promoting her own anti-bullying campaign: #Advocate4You. Through this initiative Mimi puts her pumps to the pavement, spreading body positivity and self advocacy. You can catch her traveling city to city on a mission to Unify, Mentor and Inspire others through her newest venture: the NetWerq Your Ass Off Tour!

Josiane Laure Modjom, also known as Malia Indigo, is an accountant, business analyst, social media specialist, plus-sized model, and body advocate. She is the founder and CEO of Malia Indigo Corporation (International Fashion Network) and listed on "Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada". Combining her multiple skills to help grow the plus size fashion industry, she is the producer of Toronto Plus Size Fashion Show and Paris Plus Size Fashion Show. Malia was recently awarded by CBC as one of the most innovative and creative young entrepreneurs in the Greater Area of Toronto. The 2018 Toronto Plus Size Fashion Show is November 10th with Gwen Devoe as the special guest.  [Interview starts at 3:45]

Naimah Terry is an in-demand plus-size model represented by Dorothy Combs Models and State Management. She is the plus muse for contemporary brands like Adore Me, Fashion to Figure, David's Bridal, Christian Siriano, RBX and many more. She also models for major brands including Levis, Avenue, Ashley Stewart, Macys, and JCPenny to name a few. Naimah will be making her acting debut in the Curvy Girl Rock digital series, which aims to show authentic representations of plus size women, premiering Nov. 25th!

Zak Dunbar-Bell, also known as “K. Secret” is the creative director and CEO of the Jon Marc Collection and founder of National Curves Day. In 2015, National Curves Day launched as a movement for the empowerment of the curvy and plus size community with an inaugural event on the second Wednesday of October. The purpose was to encourage women to embrace and love who they are, stop body shaming and walk in confidence. As the movement grew so did the urge and desire to empower men who faced the same challenges and in 2017 became COED, an all-inclusive movement celebrating both women and men. In 2018, the registrar at the National Day Calendar proclaimed National Curves Day to be observed annually on the second Wednesday in October. The National Curves Day Honors and Fashion Gala, officially registered as #TheMetOfPlus, will feature a series of events to highlight fashion, diversity, confidence and to thank industry innovators and powerhouses for their contribution to diversity. The 4th Annual National Curves Day Honors and Fashion Gala is October 13, 2018 in Washington, D.C.

Actress Jen Ponton is a comedic force, consistently serving up big laughs on screen. A Muppet enthusiast, horror fanatic, and body love activist, Jen’s seasoned resume continues to grow. Jen appeared on the groundbreaking drama Dietland on AMC, as the recurring character, Rubi. Jen has also guest appeared on The Black List, 30 Rock, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Deadbeat, Orange is the New Black, Blue Bloods, Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order: SVU, The Slap, and The Good Wife. Jen’s film credits include a starring role in the indie film Love on the Run with Frances Fisher and Steve Howey, the Warner Brothers film Going in Style and Chuck with Liev Schreiber. Jen is also a producer and writer with several pilots in development.

Erica Watson is an award-winning actress and comedian. Her acting talent has led to principal roles in films such as Christine Swanson’s “BlacKorea”, Spike Lee’s “ChiRaq”, Chris Rock’s Top Five, Steven Soderberg’s “Side Effects”, Lee Daniel’s “Precious” as well as top rated tv shows such as Showtime’s “The Chi”, NBC’s “Chicago Fire”, Fox’s “Empire” and TV One’s “Love That Girl”. Erica’s fearlessness makes her a fan favorite on ABC7’s Windy City Live, WCIU’s The Jam, Freeform’s “Happily Ever After” and TLC’s “Big Sexy”.

Erica is breaking barriers as one of the women featured in plus size retailer Avenue latest “Confidence Series” campaign as a size 28. The campaign is currently being featured nationwide at Avenue stores, on Avenue.com, across social media platforms, and on the September 2018 cover of Plus Model Magazine.

Theresa Larsen Royals is Miss Ashley Stewart 2017. She was the first to win Ashley Stewarts's nationwide #FindingAshleyStewart tour in search of their Miss Ashley Stewart brand ambassador – a woman who effortlessly embodies the qualities that Ashley Stewart stands for kindness, resilience, confidence, community, and fashion. Finding Ashley Stewart 2017 stopped in multiple cities across the country, identifying regional winners and through an online contest. Theresa won the 2017 title, a $10,000 prize package, a new Ashley Stewart wardrobe, makeover, tour-sponsored gift prizes, and participation in features across Ashley Stewart media platforms for one year. For a second year, Ashley Stewart is conducting a nationwide #FindingAshleyStewart tour which will conclude this Fall on September 15, 2018 with a finale event at the historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y., to crown Ashley Stewart 2018!   92qpx3m7

Chanté Burkett made her blogging debut on Everything Curvy & Chic in 2011. With a dedicated audience of close to half a million followers, Chanté uses her platform to educate, prepare, and empower readers to spark conversations around style, entrepreneurship, and being a woman in the modern digital world. Her body of work includes collaborations with major brands such as JCPenney, Rebdolls, Sephora, River Island Plus and more. She’s been featured on many media outlets such as Stylecaster, Fashion Bomb Daily, Bustle, Ebony.com, and Refinery29. In 2015, Chanté shattered glass ceilings and broke ground as the first plus model featured in Target’s body-positive campaign, “Target Loves Every Body”. In addition to her success as a blogger and influencer, Chanté opened One Curvy Boutique, Florida’s first plus-size boutique offering trendy, but unique clothing and accessories at affordable prices. Chanté will be a featured speaker at the 2018 TCFStyle Expo in Atlanta!

Marie Denee is a plus size business expert and the Editor In Chief of The Curvy Fashionista, a fashion and style blog that is a one-stop shop for all things curvy, confident, and chic! In 2017 she was honored as The Root 100’s List of the Most Influential African Americans and was a recipient of The Network Journal's 2018 "40 Under Forty" Achievement Award. Marie has been featured in Ebony, Essence, Lucky Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Marie Claire Italia, The London Times, The Wall Street Journal, Madame Noire, Shape Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and more. She is also the creator of the TCFStyle Expo, an annual plus size shopping event where women and men bond over style, entertainment, and empowerment.  This year is The Curvy Fashionista's 10-year anniversary and Marie will celebrate the milestone with a party during the TCFStlye Expo! The 2018 TCFStyle Expo will be taking place in Atlanta on August 11th and 12th at the Cobb Galleria Centre!

Ashley?Nell Tipton won season 14 of Project Runway in 2015. She went on to sign a contract with JCPenny to design and be a brand ambassador for their Boutique+, a line designed specifically for plus-size customers. She has also designed plus sized patterns for Simplicity and her own jewelry line for K&M Accessories. Gifted in understanding the needs of the plus-size consumer?Ashley?released?her first line of apparel and eyewear?in November of 2017 and continues to work as a design consultant for other brands. On the show Ashley talks about why she decided to have weight loss surgery in the height of her success, being overwhelmed by fame, and what’s next for her budding empire! Ashley will be a featured speaker at the 2018 TCFStyle Expo in Atlanta on August 12th!