Uplifting Black Voices

Happy Black History Month! We are honored to uplift the creatives of color in our FitPros community, amplifying their voices, celebrating their accomplishments, and learning from their stories.

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My name is Jesse Byrd, I work in publishing and animation for kids and family content as a writer, creative director, and publisher. The companies I work with are NPR, Baron Davis Enterprises, and Jesse B. Creative.

I feel fortunate to have launched a workshop that turns kids ages 8-12 into published picture book authors. Over the past 18 months, I've been able to help over 50+ 2nd-6th graders experience becoming published writers while learning more about story design, color theory, character development, writing, and more. I'm grateful to be joined on this mission by amazing artists and guest instructors from PIXAR, Disney, the NBA, the world of publishing, and more.

I love the pride I feel about being Black -- knowing the value of our contribution to every facet of American history and society despite narratives that may hope to minimize or misconstrue how important our culture, music, art, inventions, science, tech, writing, public service, and more has been to national and international development.

My name is Krista Yapp-Cooper, I am a LMFT, Life Coach, Yoga Teacher, and founder of Waves Of Change. My new most important title is "Momma" to my beautiful twin girls.

A year ago I moved from California to Florida, got pregnant, and gave birth to twin girls all while starting my own private practice Waves Of Change. I am now back from maternity leave and starting to build up my practice once again with the addition of a few new services TBA.

The value placed on culture, community, and family has always been what I love most about this community. Even more now, the African Proverb quote, "It takes a village to raise a child" comes to mind when I think about my roots, my childhood, and how I would like to raise my children.

My name is Kimberlee Morrison, award-winning author, yoga teacher and founder of Love Revolution Yoga an online yoga studio where I teach people to love themselves through the practice of yoga. I provide an on-demand library of yoga classes and meditations for members of the Love Revolution community, as well as private group classes for select mental health and wellness organizations. Here's a free progressive relaxation meditation to help reduce anxiety and chronic pain.

In my off-the-mat life I am an author and a Freedom Writer. I recently contributed to a new book with the Freedom Writers (Dear Freedom Writer), which is coming out in March, and I'm very proud of the work we're doing to pass the baton to the next generation.

What I love is being part of a community of people actively working to dismantle the systems of oppression that tell us we're not good enough. There are so many Black creators like myself teaching people to love themselves and to reject toxic ideals about food, body image, mental health, spirituality, sexuality and so much more. I'm so proud to be part of the self-love movement and a community that turns love and compassion into tangible action.

My name is Tiffany Loggins, Psy.D., I am a licensed clinical psychologist and mental health wellness speaker. I specialize in minority stress within BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, eating disorders, and helping organizations with social responsibility. I currently have a private practice in San Francisco, Discovers the Authentic Self, where I provide virtual individual, group, and couples therapy to help others in their process of transformation and resilience. In addition to individual wellness, I have taken my passion to help combat the effects of life stressors and discrimination by developing and delivering psycho-educational talks and workshops to help both people and organizations acquire a toolbox of coping skills and healthy habits to improve their mental health and productivity, even amid adversity. I believe therapy is not a one-size fits all, rather she focuses on mutual collaboration to create a unique approach catered to everyone, as one should be the author of their own journey to healing and growth.

I recently published a self-help and therapist workbook, Essential Tools for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that will be available for purchase on Amazon on 3/1/22. This workbook provides evidence-based techniques and coping skills to manage an array of common clinical issues including depression, anxiety, anger management, sleep, self-esteem, OCD, PTSD, and eating disorders. It is a user-friendly resource that can help guide individuals on their self-healing journey or beneficial for therapists, as it can be used to complement therapy by expanding your client's coping toolbox.

The most inspirational aspects of being part of the Black community are our resiliency and creativity. The black community is widely diverse and brimming with innovation and boldness.

I am proud that although our lived experiences may be marred with discrimination, violence, and inequality, we continue to strive and attain greatness while maintaining a compassionate spirit. I continue to be energized to break glass ceilings and society’s box of what it means to be Black.

Every day, I witness generations of Black brilliance in STEM, politics, arts & literature, entrepreneurship, and entertainment that I believe will be forever fueled by our ancestor’s strength to fight through slavery and attain civil rights for all.

I am Amanda Butler, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor based out of Los Angeles, CA. My focus is working with women to empower them to feel confident, find balance physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and create a wellness routine that works for their life that isn’t restrictive or obsessive.

I have truly overcome so many obstacles in my life and have had hundreds of doors shut in my face. When I was just starting my fitness journey, I had someone once tell me that I would never make it to LA as a fitness instructor. I was devastated but knew myself and that I would work harder than anyone in the room to perfect my craft. And that's exactly what I did. I now teach at some of the top studios in Los Angeles and have just booked a lead fitness position with one of the best companies in the world. It is still a secret, but word will be out very soon :) I couldn't be more proud of myself for trusting myself, believing in my worth, and taking the confidence advice I give my clients.

Being multi-racial, I've always struggled with my identity in relation to the black and white communities. It's a hard thing that not many people talk about. But as I've gotten older, I've really leaned into who I am as a person and have embraced the side of me that was repressed.

Being a female black fitness leader is a true minority that I am proud to be a part of. So many women, especially black women, deal with limitations and access to fitness.

I want to be an example that finding a healthy relationship with fitness and wellness can be done, even with limited equipment and time. Seeing black women take charge of their health and find confidence within themselves to lift heavy and feel sexy doing it, is so inspiring.

My name is LeRon Barton, I am a writer, author, and speaker. I write and give talks about race, mass incarceration, politics, business, technology, and dating.

I have recently written "What's It Like To Be A Black Man In Tech" for Harvard Business Review and receiving many emails and messages from Black people in technology thanking me for speaking up and talking about our story.

Being a voice for my people. I love that I can write, speak, and follow in the spirit of Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Michelle Alexander to tell the truth about our condition on this planet and highlight the stories of other Black people.

My name is Alicia "ACE" Easter, I am the Owner/Founder of ACE Enterprises LLC. A holistic wellness brand which includes I AM wellness workshops, retreats, yoga, meditation, intuitive eating, joyful coaching and reiki as a way to help people feel and look their best. It's a journey that began when ACE discovered the emotionally healing powers of yoga while grieving the loss of her mother, who died of pancreatic cancer when she was 19. Her mission is to lead and inspire clients by intuitively guiding the transformation of their vulnerabilities into strengths.

Here are some recent acccomplishments i am proud of:

I have started my own Marketing Consulting Agency and have brought on three new clients. I was featured on the Mine’d App as an expert on Joy, Forgiveness, and Love. I sold my first retreat ever in Mexico over the holidays, A JOYFUL NEW YEAR HOLIDAY Retreat and have sold out my second retreat in Joshua Tree Valentine’s Day weekend called, I AM LOVE.

What is most inspirational about being black? Everything. I am the bravest person I know, not only because I’m black, but because being a human is hard, and when you throw in being black and a black woman, it can become even more challenging.

I persisted because my story isn’t unique but it’s mine and where I came from does not dictate where I am headed, I shifted the narrative. God broke the mold when he made me and what a blessing I was first a soul, then I was born black.

Look at God! I allowed myself to surrender to making joy my goal which saved and changed my life. I love being black because we are beautiful. My skin is rich, my heart is gold, and my mind is sharp. Being a black woman yogi and fitness lover is everything and I’m happy to bring all people, not just black people, together to heal hearts, bodies, minds, and nourish souls. I get to be a space holder and that’s pretty delightful!

My name is Shaun Leverett, I am a Los Angeles based Muay Thai instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Life Coach and Motivational Speaker.

After partnering with multiple nonprofits for the last 22 years we are proud to say that we have started our own. The Rooted Friends Project is a community-based resource center impacting and empowering the lives of disadvantaged and underprivileged youth. Offering Career Services, Sports & Fitness, Nutrition, Childcare, Visual and Performing Arts, Mental Health and Cultural Development at no cost to the families participating.

I love the history of my culture. I come from a family that is not shy away from being proud of being black. Taking nothing away from any other cultures or races we have been taught since day one to be proud of who you are and represent your culture well. The black culture plays a part in making everything better. From science, music and sports to engineering, medicine and education we have been at the forefront of making society better.

My name is William Huston, I am the CEO of Bay Street Capital Holdings

I have recently partnered with the Founder of S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting and Co-Founder of College Equity First, Inc. Sydney Montgomery. Learn more here.

Being able to inspire and invest in the next generation of BIPOC entrepreneurs

My name is Torriente Toliver and I own Mind Body Defense which is a kickboxing and self-defense school in Chicago. I have been the head instructor over the past 5 and a half years leading group classes, private lessons, workshops, and virtual training. We use kickboxing and self-defense as a vehicle to help our students empower themselves both physically and mentally.

My business was selected by our neighborhood chamber of commerce to represent the strength of our community through how we survived Covid. Our niche was using partner drills in our classes, but the pandemic made that impossible. We evolved our structures to serve our students while maintaining the community we created. The highlight showed that what we created was powerful enough to survive and become a source of inspiration.

The Black community is a collection of trailblazers. The people that had the strongest impact of my life shared the interests that were not recognized by popular culture as being Black. My heroes were unsung, but they instilled a pride and determination to be the public face that will help someone who looks like me believe that they can achieve things once thought impossible. I love that my desire to learn and surpass my instructors has become the goal of my students.

My name is Smith, I am the CFO & Principal Owner of KW Financial Services LLC, a Tax Advisory & Virtual CFO Firm headquartered in Charlotte, NC; a boutique firm where we provide finance, tax, and wealth management services to entrepreneurs & small business owners.

I recently celebrated my first “official” year as a full-time entrepreneur in an industry and space where I rarely see others at the head of the table that look like me. This has allowed for an unforeseen and permanent mindset shift for which I am truly grateful! There were lots of ups, as well as numerous downs over the past year but those experiences allowed me to learn a lot about myself, my strengths, and to identify the areas where I have opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. I’m proud of myself for not throwing in the towel when it would have been easier to do so than to keep going, and I’m excited for what’s to come as year two progresses!

I love the resilience and vivaciousness of our community! Our community has such a rich history of positive contributions to what we know as modern day America in areas such as STEM, Art, Music, Food, Philanthropy, and the list goes on. Even when faced with disparity and injustice, we have an ability to dig deep and replace our tears with laughter, our sorrows with joy, and press forward. I’m proud to be a member of such a multi-faceted community, and I love being unapologetically Black.

Support our amazing Black community, talk to us about getting these FitPros in front of your employees today!

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