“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
I AM CONNECTED
Stories connect us, and I’ve made it my career to help brands tell theirs with campaigns that stand out and create meaningful change.
I played a key role in the CROWN Act Movement, shaping digital storytelling to raise awareness and drive action nationwide.
I was the digital lead for Dove Men+Care and NBPA’s "Commit to CARE" featuring NBA stars challenging the stereotypes of Black men.
I’ve teamed up with author and social entrepreneur Dr. Jamila T. Davis on transformative projects inspired by her story and mission.
My FREEDOM Is
Finding passion.
Realizing goals.
Eliminating fear.
Embracing change.
Designing pathways.
Opening minds.
Manifesting abundance.
This mantra encapsulates my values and serves as a foundation for my work as a digital strategist, personal branding expert, and advocate for empowerment and authenticity. It’s the thread that connects my projects, interactions, and aspirations.
Finding Passion & Realizing Goals
My journey is rooted in helping clients uncover and pursue their passions and goals through storytelling crafted with multimodal strategies. My aim is to ensure they feel truly seen and heard.
Driven by a deep passion for diverse thought leadership, social justice, and brand marketing, I’m dedicated to amplifying voices and making an impact.
It’s in my DNA. My father, Albert Leon Hearn, rose from a regional beer salesman to an executive of Marketing for Schlitz Brewery during the 1970s and '80s, when opportunities for Black men in corporate America were rare.
He pioneered groundbreaking campaigns that blended Black music and brands in unprecedented ways, turning entertainment into a powerful tool for brand marketing.
He collaborated with legends like The Commodores, Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, Kool & the Gang, and Average White Band and even sponsored events featuring a young Michael Jordan. One of his most iconic creations is the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull crashing through the wall—a revolutionary concept for its time.
But for him, it wasn’t just about ads and sales. He made sure his marketing dollars went toward social justice, supporting causes like Jesse Jackson’s Operation PUSH. That commitment to authenticity, innovation, and social justice—it’s in my DNA. It shaped my marketing approach and how I live my life.
Letha & Leon a.k.a Mom & Dad
My dad was a dedicated provider, always striving to give us the best.
My mom, Letha was smart, spicy, and always my biggest cheerleader. She had a sharp mind and a knack for cutting through the noise, which is where I get it from. While my dad taught me marketing, networking, and an awareness of social justice, my mom gave me my edge.
I was introduced to corporate politics at an early age, ear hustling as my dad shared with my mom his nightly frustrations about the acute micro-aggressions he faced as a Black man in corporate America. He dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, but my mom wasn’t supportive of his vision, and his constant travel for work meant our time together was limited. Still, he always made sure I felt loved - his nightly calls from the road were a routine I could count on.
My dad’s health challenges were tied to both his home life and career stress and his personal choices around diet and self-care. He suffered from ulcers as early as my grade school years, and by my senior year of high school, his health began to decline further. High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes left him increasingly unwell. By my third year of college (I took five to graduate), he passed away at just 56 of a heart attack—the age I am now.
My mom passed much later, in February 2020, just before the world shut down, at the beautiful age of 91. Her encouragement still fuels me today.
It’s humbling to reflect on how young my dad was, the long life my mom lived, and how much they both shaped the person I’ve become.
Inspired by my father’s commitment to blending creativity and social good, I left college in 1992 and stepped into my first real marketing role at BET in the early '90s. It wasn’t just a job—it was a front-row seat to the power of Black culture and entertainment as vehicles for change.
Working on culturally defining moments like the BET Awards, Black Girls Rock!, and the Soul Train Awards, I saw how Black media doesn’t just entertain—it shapes narratives, empowers communities, and amplifies the voices that deserve to be heard. It was my first deep dive into how storytelling can elevate individuals and entire movements.
BET became like family to me, and even after my time there, I continued to serve as a consultant over the years, contributing to various initiatives that aligned with my passion for cultural empowerment and social impact. Those experiences strengthened my belief in the power of storytelling to inspire action and foster community growth, keeping me connected to the legacy BET built-in shaping Black excellence.
After BET, I carried forward my father’s ethos of combining creativity with advocacy by stepping into a leadership role at the Madison Avenue Initiative (MAI) led by Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. Our mission was clear: challenge the inequity in advertising and ensure Black and Hispanic-owned media got their fair share of corporate spending.
This work was about more than securing dollars—it was about creating systemic change. We pushed for better representation of Black agencies and outlets, ensuring their contributions were recognized and valued. Through strategic partnerships, internships, and creative workshops, we built lasting pathways for underrepresented voices in marketing and media.
Armed with well-earned wisdom and a deep understanding of cultural influence, I transitioned into the brand and communications strategist role, focusing on urban and youth marketing. This next chapter saw me leading efforts to develop impactful branding strategies for major athletic and video gaming brands, shaping their connections with diverse audiences.
It was a time of tapping into the pulse of youth culture and aligning corporate strategies with the rise of new digital media technologies, ensuring the messaging resonated authentically with urban communities.
Eliminating Fear & Embracing Change
This experience laid the foundation for my next chapter as I ventured into entrepreneurship and tech. I carried with me the exact drive for purposeful, impactful storytelling, but now, with a focus on the digital age.
It became the perfect stepping stone, bridging my passion for culture and media with the untapped potential of tech innovation.
These elements empowered me to push boundaries and craft digital experiences that resonate deeply and drive real-world change.
In the early 2000s, I refer to a time in life ‘Before Facebook' (B.F.) I was an early adopter of digital content as a marketing means through fertile ground communication. We were early settlers in this space.
Partnering with a former Oracle executive in Palo Alto, I became one of the few Black women I knew to be at the forefront of this burgeoning digital commerce and social revolution.
By the time Facebook and Instagram launched, I had already introduced these innovations to businesses in media and entertainment when many were still unaware of their transformative potential. I had a front-row seat to Facebook's rise and witnessed how the algorithms forever changed how we interact online, reshaping society and creating new opportunities for connection.
This new era ushered in a shift towards Social-Emotional Branding™, where compelling storytelling touches both the brain and the heart. Brands began connecting with people on a deeper, more personal level, crafting narratives that resonate emotionally and intellectually, creating more meaningful, lasting connections.
Designing Pathways & Opening Minds
I’ve gone on to work with some of my generation's biggest brands, movements, and visionary entrepreneurs. By blending creativity with purpose, I design pathways that meet my clients where they are and challenge them to see where they can go, encouraging them to think beyond the conventional.
My approach continues to open minds to new possibilities, helping people break free from limitations and embrace innovative solutions. It’s about sparking curiosity and fostering growth.
After years of helping brands, organizations, and individuals uncover and tell their unique stories, I’m committed to providing pathways for executive thought leaders, advanced entrepreneurs, and young adults. It’s not just about shaping today’s leaders but ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow have the tools they need to thrive in an evolving world.
Manifesting Abundance
I believe abundance isn’t just about financial success—it’s about striking a balance between achievements and personal fulfillment without compromising authenticity. I use my gifts and talents to craft stories and strategies that inspire action and resonate on a deep level.
By focusing on sustainable growth, authentic connections, and meaningful impact, I will continue guiding those I work with—directly or indirectly—to manifest a richer, more rewarding experience in their professional and personal lives.