A new year means the chance to rebrand, recalculate, and excel in your new life. It is the opportunity to change your mindset, learn more about yourself, and grow into the person, business owner, and woman you want to be.

While many want that change, few may know how to start it. There are a plethora of ways to go about changing your life for the better. Some people change their diets, set new schedules, or even read new books. Media is the catalyst for innovation, education, and inspiration. Filling your timeline with people who model your dream life is the key to becoming your dream version of yourself.

Here are ten thought leaders you should follow in 2025.

Maude Okrah Hunter - Black Beauty Roster

Photo Credit: WWD

Maude is the co-founder and President of Black Beauty Roster (BBR), a digital DE&I platform whose main mission is to connect the TV, film and editorial world with hairstylists and makeup artists needed for both “on and off-set needs.” BBR works to bring “meaningful beauty diversity into the industry through opportunity, advocacy and education.”

BBR has been featured on top-performing media outlets such as Forbes, Variety, MSNBC, The Hollywood Reporter, and Allure. Ensuring that diversity does not just stop at the models that grace the cover of the magazines, but that it starts with the makeup artist and the hair stylist.

Maude accredits her need to create this company to the racial reckoning faced during the murder of George Floyd, she and her company thought “What more can we do?”

With over 14 years of professional experience, Maude has learned the importance of following a dream and putting your all into it. “When your vision and goals are massive, you have to take a step back and understand that there are little things you can do each day, week, and month to help you get to that. It’s also important to remember that you never have it right. There is always something to learn—one day, you might be on top of the world, and the next day might feel like, now what? And that’s okay. You don’t need to know everything; you just have to be willing to take the first step. Each day I’m learning something new, and that’s amazing. It’s a beautiful journey.”

Ellen Rucker Sellers & Ione Rucker Jamison - Rucker Roots

Photo Credit: Two-Sided Southern

Ellen and Ione, the Rucker sisters who started the legacy of the natural hair care company, Rucker Roots, had a heavy influence from their mom back in the 80’s. With their mother creating natural hair care products using oils, eggs, and vegetables from the family garden, the Rucker sisters developed a rich and deep knowledge of Black hair care.

After becoming mothers themselves, the Rucker sisters got reignited with their passion to care for their hair and now, their daughters. Their passion for black hair care even trickles into who is creating and producing their products. “Our chemist is African American, and we try to make sure that our products work for all different hair types and textures but we are proud Black women,” says Sellers

These sisters understand the importance of meeting their customers where they are and connecting with who they are. Their dedication to these principles helped them secure a deal with Walmart, leading to their products being featured in 785 Walmart stores. However, their hard work and consistency didn’t stop there—their products are now also available in Target, JCPenney, and Belk.

Rucker Roots is another example of staying true to yourself and following suit in your dreams. “For those curious about how to get here, I want them to know we’re all humans, all just working really hard on our God-given abilities and God-given gifts. And if you are a hard worker, it takes you to so many different places and so many different meetings,” said Sellers

Ndidi Obidoa & Chinelo Chidozie - Bolden Cosmetics

Photo Credit: Popsugar

Ndidi Obidoa & Chinelo Chidozie, co-founders of Bolden Cosmetics launched their company in 2012 and have now massed to a well-performing skincare brand for women of color. This dynamic duo has created a collection of facial skincare and body care products that are now available in over 200 Target stores.

Ndidi Obidoa grew up in Nigeria where she met Chinelo Chidozie who would later become her future business partner and sister-in-law. After spending a lot of time together in their later years in life, they started to realize the lack of products that were available to genuinely suit the needs faced by women of color, specifically black women.

A family 'vacay' became the turning point for the creation of Bolden Skincare. After visiting a drugstore to pick up sunscreen, they were left disappointed when every option left a white cast on their skin. It was then they knew they had to do something about it. That is where the inspiration came for Bolden skincare. “We wanted to create a brand that embraced women who shared our skin tones, with a product range, images, and messaging that truly celebrated our beautiful richly pigmented skin,” said Obidoa.

This pair is yet another example of trendsetters who came together to solve a problem and created an influential precedent for the women who will come after them.

Nic Cober Johnson - Bow Collective

Photo Credit: 1190 iHeart

Nicole Cober Johnson is the founder of the Bow Collective, “an organization and sisterhood of the Nation’s top 1% of small business owners.” The Bow Collective was created to help foster an indescribable community for women of color and create a platform for the media that want to work with diverse women.

The Bow Collective is just a cornerstone of the multifaceted woman Nicole Cober Johnson is, she is also an author, media influence, and principal managing partner with over 25 years of professional experience. The Bow Collective generates $1 billion annually. Nicole was also appointed to the National Women’s Business Council which helps to advise the White House, Congress, and U.S. Small Business Administration on policy as it is related to women in the field of business.

As a TEDx speaker and guest lecturer, she uses her passion to teach and educate other women of color on how to succeed and grow in their field of business and as a small business owner. Nicole Cober Johnson is yet another example of excelling in what you do and letting your passion be the shining light in all your endeavors.

Shontay Lunday - Black Girl Sunscreen

Photo Credit: Business Insider

Shontay Lunday created her influential company, Black Girl Sunscreen, back in 2016 after a long, well-known battle faced by most Black women: finding a sunscreen that did not leave a white cast on their face. Similar to the story of Ndidi Obidoa and Chinelo Chidozie with Bolden Cosmetics, Black Girl Sunscreen was created out of passion. Shontay worked to create a formula that “would nourish, as well as protect” and eliminate the issue at hand.

“There have been so many rewarding and exciting moments, but to know that Black Girl Sunscreen is literally changing the conversation amongst sun safety signifies that the education was needed in the Black and Brown community,” says Lunday, working to ensure that the conversation around skin care is inclusive for all women of color.

In 2019, Black Girl Sunscreen products were sold in 250 Target stores and became the “first and only” indie, sun-care, black-owned brand carried by Target. Not too soon after, Black Girl Sunscreen became available in Ulta stores in 2021.

Lunday’s success is credited to being tired of never finding a product that worked for her skin, noting that she knew there had to be a product that would work, and if she couldn’t find it, she would make it herself.

Lunday serves as yet another example of seeing a problem and creating a solution to it, not letting your fears or doubts get in the way of creating the product of your dreams.

KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson - Mented Cosmetics

Photo Credit: Tara McMullin

In 2017, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson created Mented Cosmetics to help “celebrate all hues and to make beauty truly, wonderfully inclusive.” With a line of lipsticks, foundations, and more, these co-founders wanted to ensure that there were products available to women who faced the same struggles of not being able to find makeup brands that were truly tailored to them.

With features in publications like Allure, Cosmo, and Essence, these founders have worked to place their brand in a positive light. KJ Miller has used her passion to help women and minorities not only in the beauty world but also in the entrepreneurial world.

This dynamic duo met at Harvard Business School and graduated in 2014, both exploring different career options post-grad. The rekindling happened when both saw an issue and wanted to solve it. “I love helping every woman find herself in the world of beauty,” says Miller.

This pair is a great example of networking, understanding your skills, and working to solve issues that you see in your community.

Melissa R. Hibbert - Beauty Founders Agency

Photo Credit: H3R Magazine

Melissa Hibbért is the Founder and President of Beauty Founders Agency, which formally held the name of SHYFT Beauty Consulting Agency. Beauty Founders Agency serves as a brand strategy and marketing firm for upcoming beauty brands. Some of her most notable work is working with Cécred, the hair care line created by Global Popstar, Beyoncé.

With the help of Melissa, brands have landed shelf life at places like TJ Maxx, Target, and Sephora. Combining her passion for beauty and the world of advertising, Melissa works every day to bring success to brands that help set them apart from their competitors.

As a proud graduate from a historically black college and university (HBCU), Fisk University, she understands the importance of hard work and making space in places for women of all kinds. Working with brands that have “a great story and product" is the goal for Hibbert, as she can help the founders bring a vision to life that they may not have seen themselves.

“We must know how and when to trust our gut.” is advice Hibbert not only gives herself but to others. Knowing the skills you have and what you bring to the table is not only important but vital when working in a field where you are underrepresented.

Nancy Twine - Briogeo

Photo Credit: Experience McIntire

Nancy Twine is the Founder and CEO of Briogeo, a “clean, high-performing” hair care line that landed Nancy the spot as the youngest Black woman to “launch a product line at Sephora” at the age of 29. Launched in 2013, Briogeo Hair Care has amassed a revenue of over $40 million.

Starting her career in finance at Goldman Sachs, Nancy had a different career trajectory. Yet, after the loss of her mother, Nancy felt as if she had to pursue a new and fulfilling life calling. The creation of Briogeo was inspired by memories of her childhood with her mother. After over 10 years in the industry, the company continues to excel in the hair care space. Constantly growing and changing as a company.

While her brand was bought by Well Company in 2022, Nancy still serves as the CEO, ensuring the standard she established early on, stays. “Just take baby steps and see where things start to unravel. You don’t have to overwhelm yourself…with a master business plan(s), just start setting some goals, taking baby steps, and little by little, things will start to unravel organically” says Nancy when asked for advice she would share with aspiring business owners.

Olamide Olowe - Topicals Skin Care

Photo Credit: Coveteur

Olamide Olowe is the Founder and CEO of Topicals Skin Care, a “skincare company transforming the way people feel about skin through effective products for eczema and hyperpigmentation.”

Olamide explores her passion for mental health awareness and skin care as the founder of Topicals. The brand has a focus on treating and helping people who suffer from skin conditions, to ensure that they feel beautiful every step of the way. Olamide graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics from UCLA in 2018 but knew that she wanted to explore a different world. Heavily inspired by her family, she wanted to pursue her interests in entrepreneurship.

“I think entrepreneurship is a beautiful thing…it changes people’s lives,” said Olamide. Topicals Skin Care and her journey is a true testament to just going for things. Understanding that the path may be difficult and that you will run into issues, but not letting that outshine your passion.

Akuba Torvikey - BeautyWise

Photo Credit: Akuba Torvikey

Akuba Torvikey is the founder of BeautyWise which was made to help encourage discussion, networking, resource, and idea-sharing for Black beauty professionals who work in the industry of product development.

Outside of being the founder of such a pioneering network, Akuba is an award-winning professional in her field. Currently working as the Director of Product Development at Pattern Beauty, a beauty company owned by media mogul, Tracee Ellis Ross. With reformulating over 175 products across “several multi-million dollar brands”, this is a game that Akuba knows all too well.

She attributes her success and passion for creating spaces for underrepresented groups in industries like hers to her own experience of feeling as though she didn’t have a seat at the table. She is committed to ensuring that children from all backgrounds are exposed to this multifaceted world and understand that there is a place for them.

“When it comes to Black women, hair is an expression of how we feel…To be allowed into that process and those traditions is sacred. It’s something I don’t take for granted.”, says Akuba when talking about her desire to be in the room where it happens when creating products for women of color. Constantly proving the importance of making room for yourself in spaces and advocating for what you need.

It is important to find people who enlighten you and empower you to continue to go for your dreams. Filling your timeline with people who constantly push you to be the best version of yourself. With this new year, there are endless opportunities to become the person that you want to be!

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Sources

https://schedule.sxsw.com/2025/speakers/2205241

https://www.ipsy.com/blog/black-beauty-roster-maude-okrah-interview

https://blackbeautyroster.com/contact/

https://ruckerroots.com/pages/our-roots

https://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2024/05/18/business/hair-care-entrepreneurs-credit-mom-s-inspiration/#:~:text=Sisters%20Ione%20Rucker%20Jamison%20and,co%2Dfounders%20of%20Rucker%20Roots.

https://www.munaluchibridal.com/a-story-of-sisterhood-behind-the-brand-with-bolden-co-founder-ndidi-obidoa/

https://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Article/2019/03/22/Indie-Beauty-Profile-Ndidi-Obidoa-and-Chinelo-Chidozie-Bolden-skin-care-for-women-of-color-woc/

https://www.thebowcollective.org/about-tbc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/niccoberesquire/

https://www.blackgirlsunscreen.com/herstory-behind-black-girl-sunscreen/?srsltid=AfmBOooyZNRv3vRHKGhjQ3u2BLqTKzJRLegmhd6wH2PR3lLa0BQGXIML