Share This Article
Celebrating the women curating culture, community, and unforgettable experiences in the events industry.
“I view event space as an environment instead of just a party venue… when guests walk in, they feel like the environment existed long before they arrived.” — Diann Valentine, Event Designer & Creative Director
Curator is a title that carries weight and should be earned. Great curation is more than aesthetic. It’s the venue as canvas, the color story, the menu, the décor, the flow — every element in service of a single, cohesive vision. What appears effortless in the moment is the result of strategy, discipline, and a deep understanding of how people connect, move, and experience culture together. Every choice is intentional. Every detail has purpose. This is what it takes to bring an idea fully to life.
This edition of EN Her Bag celebrates the women shaping the moments that move culture forward. From global conferences and brand activations to intimate dinners and niche gatherings, each experience showcases their mastery in the art of curation.
In a world where experiences define culture, these women aren’t following the standard — they’re setting the blueprint.
Imani Ellis
When Imani Ellis launched The Creative Collective from her apartment in Harlem, the goal was simple: create a space where Black and Brown creatives could connect and collaborate. That vision has since evolved into CultureCon, one of the most influential gatherings for creatives today. Blending panels, workshops, brand activations, and networking experiences, CultureCon has become a cultural destination where artists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders converge. Ellis has transformed community-building into a global creative ecosystem that continues to inspire the next generation of storytellers and innovators.
Morgan DeBaun
As founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., Morgan DeBaun has built one of the most influential media platforms serving multicultural audiences. At the center of that ecosystem is AfroTech, the flagship conference that brings together founders, investors, technologists, and creatives from around the world. What began as a conference has grown into a cultural institution, creating pathways for career growth, entrepreneurship, and representation in tech. Through AfroTech and Blavity’s growing portfolio of platforms, DeBaun continues to reimagine what modern professional gatherings can look like.
Courtnee Futch
Chef Courtnee Futch is redefining the modern supper club through The Brown Butter Supper Club, an Atlanta-based series that blends culinary storytelling, music, and intentional community. In 2025, Futch hosted 12 dinners across four seasonal menus, gathering over 800 guests, with each event selling out within hours. By keeping seating intentionally intimate — just 60 guests per night — she creates spaces where attendees feel welcomed, connected, and celebrated. With her 2026 membership program and a Spring/Summer tour across nine cities, Futch continues to expand her signature experience, proving that shared meals can be powerful catalysts for culture and connection.
Ciara Jibri
Experiential producer Ciara Jibri has built her career around transforming brand stories into immersive environments. As CEO and executive producer of EVLVE Creative, she specializes in producing experiences that go beyond traditional marketing activations. Whether curating large-scale festivals or intimate VIP experiences, Jibri’s work blends creative strategy, design, and storytelling to create moments that resonate long after the event ends. Recognized by BizBash’s 40 Under 40, she represents a new generation of producers redefining experiential marketing.
Crystal DeVone
DJ and curator Crystal DeVone has carved out a distinct space where music, hospitality, and culture intersect. Her event series But Is There Wine transforms the traditional DJ set into a social experience — blending curated sound, wine culture, and intentional connection. What began as informal gatherings among friends has grown into a sought-after series spanning cities like New York and Atlanta. With each event, DeVone creates an atmosphere that feels both effortless and electric, proving that the right soundtrack and setting can turn a simple gathering into a signature moment.
Adrianne Smith
A seasoned inclusion strategist and communications executive, Adrianne Smith has been instrumental in reshaping the global advertising industry’s most powerful stage. As founder of the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective, she launched Inkwell Beach, a groundbreaking diversity-centered activation at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. What started as a bold idea has become one of the festival’s most influential spaces for dialogue, networking, and community-building, proving that meaningful inclusion can transform even the most established industry spaces.
Octavia Toliver
Octavia Toliver is expanding the conversation around cigar culture by creating spaces where women feel welcome to explore the lifestyle on their own terms. As the founder of HERficionado, she built a platform dedicated to education, community, and access for women interested in cigars. Her event series She Smokes Too®, launched in 2016, began as intimate gatherings and quickly evolved into curated experiences that blend cigars, spirits, music, and connection. Through HERficionado and her work as a co-founder of Atlanta Cigar Week, Toliver continues to design experiences that introduce new audiences to cigar culture while fostering community among women who enjoy it.
Quanna Bolden
Through her lifestyle platform Carefree Black Girl, Quanna Bolden has cultivated a national movement centered on joy, rest, and collective liberation. What began as a digital community has evolved into a series of experiences designed for Black women and femmes to gather, celebrate, and simply exist without pressure or judgment. The brand’s signature Carefree Black Girl Cookout Tour transforms parks and public spaces into vibrant celebrations filled with music, dance, and Black-owned vendors, creating environments where joy becomes a shared cultural practice.
Chantel George
As founder and CEO of Sistas in Sales, Chantel George has built the largest global community dedicated to women of color in sales. Through conferences, workshops, and career-focused programming, she has created a thriving professional ecosystem where community, mentorship, and opportunity intersect. By partnering with major corporations and fast-growing startups, George’s events provide tangible pathways for recruitment, leadership development, and career growth. Her upcoming 2026 Sistas in Sales Summit brings together industry leaders, rising talent, and innovators for a weekend of learning, networking, and empowerment — a must-attend for women looking to advance in sales and beyond.
Porchia Marie
Community is at the center of everything Porchia Marie creates. As founder of The PM Firm and the visionary behind Dope People Meet, she has built experiences that connect creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders through intentional gatherings. From major brand partnerships with Nike and Foot Locker to global expansions, such as the DPM League® debut in Cape Town, Marie’s work blends brand strategy with cultural storytelling. Her events don’t just bring people together — they create spaces where collaboration and opportunity can flourish.
Ijeoma Anadu Okoli
As co-founder and CEO of Umu Igbo Unite, Ijeoma Anadu Okoli has helped build one of the most influential cultural and professional networks for the Igbo diaspora. Through thoughtfully curated gatherings, leadership programming, and community initiatives, she has transformed the organization into a global platform that celebrates heritage while connecting the next generation of Igbo professionals. The organization’s flagship gathering, the 22nd Annual Convention, will take place in Chicago from August 6–9, 2026, bringing together leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs for a weekend of networking, cultural celebration, and professional development. Registration for the convention is available now on Eventnoire, inviting attendees to experience a dynamic space where culture, community, and opportunity converge.
As founder of Black Girls in Media, Tasha McCaskiel has built a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and careers of Black women across the media landscape. What began as a community rooted in connection and representation has grown into a powerful ecosystem where creatives, executives, and storytellers convene, collaborate, and champion one another’s work. Through curated events, professional development programs, and cultural conversations, McCaskiel creates spaces where Black women in media aren’t just seen — they’re elevated. Her work underscores the belief that when representation thrives behind the scenes, it transforms what shows up in culture.
Astin moves easily between culture, community, and innovation. As a Key Account Manager at Rémy Cointreau, she helps lead brand partnerships and experiential moments across Chicago’s nightlife and hospitality scene. Beyond the industry, Hayes is the founder of TipOff Game, a culturally driven word-guessing game designed to celebrate Black culture and bring people together through play. Through her work in tech, events, and community leadership, she continues to create opportunities for Black professionals and women across Chicago and beyond.
Chinyere Achebe
Chicago-based curator Chinyere Achebe is redefining how audiences experience film through the Black Film Club Collective. By hosting screenings and discussions in spaces ranging from theaters to coffee shops and world stages, the collective transforms film viewing into a shared cultural event. Each gathering invites audiences to engage deeply with stories from across the African diaspora while building community through conversation. Achebe’s work demonstrates how thoughtful curation can turn storytelling into a communal experience.
Juan Teague
With more than two decades in hospitality and event production, Juan Teague has built a reputation for producing high-impact experiences that bring culture and community together. As founder of Juan and Only Event Design and Production, the Chicago native has led productions ranging from intimate gatherings to major national stages — including activations surrounding the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, NASCAR Chicago’s street race, Bubba’s Block Party, and major broadcasts like the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Whether working with artists, brands, or civic leaders, Teague’s work is defined by thoughtful production, cultural awareness, and an instinct for turning major moments into unforgettable experiences.
Jibri Bailey
Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Jibri Bailey is the founder of Black Women Spin, a platform dedicated to amplifying Black women DJs and music creatives around the world. Through curated events, training programs, and artist showcases, Bailey has created pathways for representation in an industry where visibility is often limited. By blending music, mentorship, and event production, she continues to build stages where emerging talent can thrive.
Amber Mayfield Hewett
Amber Mayfield Hewett creates spaces where culture, creativity, and community intersect. Through her brand, To Be Hosted, she designs events, digital activations, and collaborations that center Black creative voices and elevate cultural dialogue. Every experience she produces is intentional from concept to execution, shaping moments that linger, connect, and inspire. Amber’s work is a masterclass in building environments where people don’t just gather, they belong.
Tamika Newhouse
Author and entrepreneur Tamika Newhouse has built a thriving literary ecosystem through Black Writers Weekend, an annual gathering designed to celebrate and support Black voices in publishing and film. The multi-day event brings together authors, producers, and industry professionals for panels, networking, and career-building opportunities. Through her publishing company Delphine Publications, Jamison has also helped launch the careers of emerging writers — making her events an essential space for storytelling and creative growth.
Event strategist Keneisha Williams is the founder of the Black in Events Network, a global initiative dedicated to expanding access, visibility, and opportunity for Black professionals across the events industry. Drawing on more than a decade of experience producing conferences, festivals, and large-scale gatherings, Williams launched the platform in 2020 to address the lack of representation within the field and to create meaningful pathways for collaboration and career advancement. Through community programming, mentorship, and industry advocacy, the network has grown into an international hub connecting event professionals across continents. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry, Williams continues to champion a more inclusive future for the spaces where culture and business meet.
Follow these trailblazers to stay inspired and see how they continue to transform the events industry. Many of their upcoming experiences, from conferences to curated pop-ups, are featured on Eventnoire, giving you the chance to step into moments where culture and connection come alive.