Darlene “McCoy” Jackson, born Darlene Jenise Johnson, is an extraordinary force in the world of urban inspirational and gospel music, as well as a pioneering radio personality, author, speaker, and award-winning Christian R&B recording artist. In 2005, she burst onto the music scene with her debut single “Fallen in Love,” released by EMI Gospel. The song became an instant hit, appearing on the platinum-selling soundtrack of Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.”
Following her successful single, Darlene released an extended play (EP) version of “Fallen in Love” on April 24, 2007. This EP set the stage for the release of her fi rst full-length album, Darlene McCoy, in May of 2007. The album was executive produced by the renowned super producer Dallas Austin, earning a Top 15 position on the Urban AC charts. It also reached No. 22 on the Gospel Album chart. This breakthrough success garnered her a nomination at the 39th GMA Dove Awards for Urban Album of the Year, while her song “Simply Because” received a nomination for Urban Recorded Song of the Year. Critic Tony Cummings, from Cross Rhythms, rated the album nine out of ten, stating, “All in all, outstanding urban gospel.”
In 2011, Darlene released the powerful single “I Shall Live and Not Die,” which climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard chart for Hot Gospel Songs. As a radio personality, she made history as the fi rst African American female host of a nationally syndicated nighttime radio show, The Nightly Spirit, on the Stellar Award-winning Urban One stations. Between Her Nighttime Syndication on Weeknights and her Chart topping weekend Countdown “The Top 15 Inspirational Hits in America, Her voice reaches more than 6 million homes across the country . Her charismatic presence and engaging style have kept her consistently at the top of her markets.
In 2022, Darlene “McCoy” Jackson was inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame, marking another milestone in her illustrious career. Darlene is not only a radio
and music sensation; she is also a certifi ed meditation practitioner and the founder and creator of RËALM Meditation Sessions, a faith-based meditation class instructing her students in this spiritual discipline to hear from God through breathwork and stillness in the tone of prayer and worship.. This innovative approach to meditation refl ects Darlene’s commitment to holistic wellness and spiritual growth.
In addition to her many accomplishments, Darlene has been nominated for Radio Announcer of the Year at the 2023 Stellar Awards and for Syndicated Radio Show of the Year at the 2024 Stellar Awards. Her remarkable career, coupled with her passion for empowering others, continues to inspire listeners across the world.
Stay tuned to see what’s next for this powerhouse of talent, and join her in her journey of faith, music, and inspiration. Follow Darlene “McCoy” Jackson on social media on Instagram @darlenemccoy, Threads @darlenemccoy and on Facebook Iam Darlene or visit her website www.iamdarlene.com to stay updated on her latest projects, meditation sessions, and upcoming events.

Tomisha Jessup, an Atlanta native, is a mother to a charismatic 2 year old, influencer, brand owner and a Spanish teacher to millions through her social media platforms. Her interest in the language and culture began in middle school and while attending the HBCU Oakwood University, Tomisha studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. Upon receiving 2 degrees in English & Spanish, Tomisha moved to Chicago where she taught highschool Spanish for 5 years on the city’s west side. In 2018, Tomisha moved back to her hometown to teach Spanish in the very neighborhood she grew up in and is in her 11th year as an educator. In 2020, Tomisha created TrapLingual, a brand focused on creating language learning opportunities that are relevant to the students and families she serves. Under this brand she released her first EP with 4 songs that teach Spanish with Atlanta trap beats! Most recently Tomisha started the It’s Chalked Up Podcast in which she discusses the transitions of life and the experiences that we “chalk up” to lessons. Tomisha is passionate about bridging the gap between black and brown through language and culture and focused on black people broadening their worlds and perspectives through travel.

Chelsea Alexandra Davis, aka Your Industry Bestie® is a 2x award-winning journalist with over 10 years of experience. She is also an influencer, marketing professional, musician/ songwriter, published model, a 2x Top 15 contestant of Miss GA USA, a pet mom, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Throughout her media career she has corresponded on the red carpet for the 2022 and 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards, the 2023 BET Awards, conducted interviews at Essence Brunch, SXSW, DefJam’s Media Mixers, and interviewed prominent figures such as Rocsi Diaz, La La Anthony, Nick Cannon, Xernona Clayton, Erica Campbell, Big Tigger and more. She also received a proclamation and her own special day on November 19, 2023 for her contribution to media and entertainment.
In addition to media, modeling, pageants and music; she has a love for movies and film. As an aspiring actress, she prides herself knowing she has many experiences to pull from.
All in all, her heart for the community is what stands out the most. This is reflected through her volunteering/ donating to organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the United Breast Cancer Foundation, D.A.R.E. America, the ASPCA and fostering with the Lifeline Animal Project. She is also currently building, Discovering YOU: Through the Arts, to empower students to embrace their creative talents, explore creative entrepreneurship, and support underfunded arts programs with resources and inspiration for future artists.

Sunjia Burks-Dupree is a dedicated mother, loving wife, and ordained minister with a deep passion for fashion and modeling. She has proudly earned several titles in state, national, and international pageants, showcasing her grace and confidence on and off the stage. A U.S. Army veteran, she brings discipline, resilience, and leadership to everything she does.
Currently, Sunjia is a licensed insurance agent specializing in Life, Auto, and Homeowners Insurance, helping families and individuals secure their futures with the right coverage. In her spare time, she helps her husband in their Limo Service, Coach Dupree Limo Service. With a heart for service and a keen eye for style, she continues to inspire and uplift others in all aspects of her life.

A proud New Orleanian from the 5th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana and Mass Communication graduate of Southern University and A&M College. Proven by over a decade experience in Music Television Production, Live events, Sports & Entertainment, A-list clientele, Artist Management, Podcast, and YouTube Shows. Her engineering is next level, successfully developing people and ideas.

Kristin serves at the President and Executive Producer of Iconic Saga, a digital media and film production company by Cam Newton, where she is cultivating the voices of Athletes in the entertainment business.

Candace Buchanan is a dedicated event planner and sales professional with over 10 years of experience in the Atlanta market. She has worked in various settings, including multi-use sporting arenas, hotels, and large “eat-er-tainment” venues. She has a passion for turning others’ dreams into reality, whether it’s organizing a birthday party or a corporate event.

Her motto is: “Your wish is my command.” She strongly believes in maintaining a positive presence within the community and giving back in every way possible.

Raven Ward is a proud Georgia native from Decatur. She attended Georgia Southern University, where she earned a degree in Kinesiology, before pursuing her Master’s in Sports Administration at Arkansas State University.

Her career began with the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, where she spent four years honing her skills in sports operations and event management. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Raven pivoted toward her true passion—event production. This led her to J. McAllister Events, where she started as an event assistant. Over the past five years, she has advanced to the role of Event Production Coordinator, working with major brands, artists, and athletes to produce some of the industry’s most high-profile events.

Beyond her career, Raven is a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her commitment to service continues to make a meaningful impact in the East Atlanta community.

Felicia J. Elibert’s story starts in the small town of LaGrange, Georgia. In that small town, she dreamt big; inspired by strong, female mentors like her mother, to chase her goals with tenacity and determination.

With this support, Felicia, RN, BSN graduated from The College of New Rochelle, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She prides herself on striking a balance between career and personal life, as she is a loving mother of two incredible sons and an amazing partner to her husband, Winchel Elibert.

Felicia has held several healthcare positions throughout metro Atlanta, where she specialized in Med Surg, Telemetry, and ER medicine. However, her experiences stretch beyond the borders of Georgia, with several travel assignments impacting patient lives throughout the country.

In 2003, Felicia decided to pursue her entrepreneurial career. It all started with a series of her own colon hydrotherapy sessions — the benefits of which changed her life. In 2004, she received her certification at the Awareness Institute and became a member of The International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy, hoping to open doors to a healthier lifestyle for the people in her own community.

All of this hard work came to a head when, in 2005, Felicia opened her first wellness center located in Stockbridge, GA, specializing in colon hydrotherapy. Since then, she has opened two more locations in Fayetteville and Peachtree City, Georgia. Cleansing Waters Wellness Center has become one of the leading health and wellness centers in the industry, performing over 30,000 colon hydrotherapy sessions since opening and expanding services to include medical weight loss, vitamin IV hydration, and more. With this success, Felicia’s dreams of franchising soon became a reality. She is happy to announce that Cleansing Waters is set to become a franchise in 2025, which will open the doors for others who want to make a wellness impact in their community.

In addition, she and her husband — a dynamic business duo — opened a Smoothie King in Fayetteville, GA, which has been a healthy alternative for community members since 2008.

Their entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. Together, Felicia and Winchel made history by becoming the first African Americans to develop a strip mall in Fayetteville, GA. Their vision came to life with Kingdom Corners Plaza, which broke ground in late 2022 and officially opened its doors in 2024. This groundbreaking achievement stands as a testament to their resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in creating opportunities — not only for their family but for the entire community.

Felicia’s passion is and has always been self-care and self-love. She believes that “true beauty is being the best version of yourself, both inside and out.” Her goal is to spread that message to others, giving them the self-confidence and well-being to pursue dreams of their own

Apryl Fort is the dynamic founder and CEO of N-Finite Spirits, a trailblazing brand known for its smooth, 100% vegan, and additive-free tequila and bourbon. After spending 25 years in corporate banking, Apryl took a leap of faith to follow her passion for creating high-quality spirits. The idea for N-Finite was born from a personal and heartfelt mission: Apryl disliked the taste of traditional tequila, and her diabetic mother struggled to find sugar-free options that still tasted great. Driven by a desire to craft a product that was both flavorful and health-conscious, Apryl set out to create N-Finite — a brand that embodies authenticity, excellence, and inclusivity.

N-Finite Spirits officially launched in 2022 with its signature Blanco and Reposado tequilas made from 100% Blue Weber Agave, slow-cooked and uniquely fermented for a smoother taste. The brand has since expanded to include Papa Tek Bourbon, named after Apryl’s grandfather, who used to make bourbon in barrels with caramel candy — inspiring the bourbon’s rich caramel undertones. N-Finite also offers Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails available in Lime, Paloma, and Strawberry flavors, crafted with both tequila and tequila wine options.

Apryl’s vision for N-Finite extends far beyond the bottle. She’s preparing to introduce Spiked! Infused Coffee Creamers, combining the smooth taste of spirits with rich coffee flavors, perfect for brunch and coffee lovers alike. In 2026, N-Finite will host its first N-Finite Voyage, a branded cruise experience featuring top-tier entertainment, exclusive N-Finite cocktails, and unforgettable moments at sea.

A proud graduate of Southern Methodist University and a native of Arlington, TX, Apryl’s entrepreneurial spirit is matched only by her devotion to family. She is a proud mother to Amare (19), Amiyah (10), and Austin (9), and she cherishes time spent with her partner and their beloved fur baby. When she’s not growing the N-Finite brand, Apryl enjoys exploring new restaurants, hanging out with friends, and embracing life’s adventures.

Apryl Fort’s journey is one of resilience and purpose — turning setbacks into success and creating a brand that reflects both her personal story and her commitment to excellence. N-Finite Spirits isn’t just about great drinks — it’s about building a legacy of quality, innovation, and authenticity.