The Platinum Mask

Mica Mackenzie is the CEO and Founder of The Quiet Nonsense Entertainment Company and QN Media and Marketing Firm. Her specialties are in the areas of Influencer Outreach and Marketing, Graphic and Website Design, Social Media Advertising, and Content Creation. When she’s not working you can find her with her son, Jio, probably doing yoga and drinking coffee. She likes to spend her free time interacting with clients and working with her team to keep expanding QN. Mica also founded the Talking Nonsense Podcast based in Dallas.

After graduating in 2013 with a degree in journalism and communications, Jazmine Reed-Clark struggled to find my footing as a young professional. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Jazmine tried on different hats within the advertising, marketing, and human resources fields. Each time, I would find some success (though, plenty of failures, too) but I never felt the same content I saw in other friends.

Then 2020 happened.

The world was ablaze and murder hornets were on the loose. Jazmine was at a new job, and was unhappy. She was going through the motions and it was obvious. So on my 60-day mark, during a pandemic, she followed her gut and quit. Time would prove that all of the confusion was for a greater purpose. Now, she's officially a one-woman show, open for business! Her most notable work as appeared in The Financial Diet, The Everygirl, Cupcakes & Cashmere, and MyDomaine. Jazmine helps professionals feel more confident, secure, and inspired in their careers. She empowers women of color to heal generational wounds while rejecting harmful narratives.

I have decided to reach out to Cade Lamirand. Cade joined Wild Rag Vodka at the start of 2021 as the Sales Manager. Prior to Wild Rag, he was a student at Texas Christian University. He graduated from the Neeley School of Business in May 2020 with a degree in finance. When he's not staying busy with Wild Rag, you can find him somewhere outdoors. His favorite spots are on the golf course, at the lake, or anywhere hunting and fishing. Go frogs!

Mamta Rana is an internationally certified natural henna artist (ICNHA) and has practiced henna for over 10 years. She likes everything art but is best known for her henna art and fun personality. She strongly believes in giving yourself the love and nourishment that we so freely give to others, in heart to heart conversations and of course tea (or coffee) table conversations are the heart of Matrika Henna!

Louie T. McClain II is the Founder and CEO of Melanin Origins: a children’s book company that writes about the intriguing lives of African American leaders, pioneers, and innovators.  Louie is intrigued by the resilience and tenacity of African American leaders who stand for truth, justice, and overcoming any obstacles placed in their way.  Thus, he decided to create Melanin Origins to share messages of lesser-known African American pioneers to the children of the world and empower them to aspire for excellence and chase their dreams regardless of any complications they may face.  Mr. McClain has authored five (5) book titles including Brick by Brick: a Snippet of The Life of Booker T. Washington for children and his autobiography, Up From The Trap, for emerging leaders.

Sydney Cessna is a graduate of UCLA's psychology program and a graduate of Texas Woman's University studying special education, with a concentration in educational diagnostics. Sydney works at the June Shelton School teaching mathematics. Additionally, she has tutored private students in Pre-K -12, with a focus of working with students with academic differences. Sydney works with a diverse group of students, ranging from ages 4 through 17.

How do we learn? How do sensory inputs become long-lasting memories and knowledge? What can we do to ensure that high-quality, scientifically irrefutable instruction is available throughout our country?  Learning theories, the intersection of education and psychology, is Sydney's central professional focus. With unwavering dedication, she hopes to affect education policy, specifically STEM curriculum, to ensure students operate at their highest potential.

Cindy Moore is an art specialist by day, and an activist by night. She is the founder of the nonprofit, Creatives Unite, serving up the bold movement of creativity to bring change.

Emma Evans is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and artist with a background in music, dance, and theater. Originally from Dallas, she frequently works as a producer of independent short and feature films that have screened at festivals such as SXSW, Nashville Film Festival, Los Angeles CineFest, and the Beverly Hills Film Festival. When not producing, she can be found writing/directing, acting on-camera, or making music. She is a current business student at UCLA and works at a film distribution company, expanding into office-based film work. Her latest film, “Honey,” a mid-length film (45min), will be premiering in Dallas later this summer.

https://www.instagram.com/honey.the.movie/

Formerly an Architectural Designer, I have a knack for building things - whether it’s projects, communities, or companies. Following my career change, I dedicated myself to learning what it means to do “business”. I’ve worked with prominent startup stakeholders in Dallas, garnering knowledge and experience in everything from early stage startups to venture capital funds.

We speak to Adam Evers, the founder of Blumania, managing partner of EZBev Supply, and co-founder behind Gaslight Dallas. Adam received his bachelors in microbiology and debated on taking his MCAT for a pathway towards medical school. After a thought-provoking conversation with a professor, he realized his ability behind launching success startups combined with his scientific knowledge could prove useful in the beverage market. Blumania strives to go against negative connotations amongst typical energy drinks, like utilizing cutting-edge flavor enhancement and innovative “aftertaste” masking technologies to eliminate a bitter aftertaste.