Black Consumers spend $1 trillion a year on goods and services, are tech-savvy and image conscious, and willing to spend with brands that align with their values. Yet advertising spend to reach Black Consumers has declined and stereotypes persist despite 1 in 10 Black people living in the U.S. being foreign born.
Join AMA Nashville for a panel discussion on the state of marketing to Black Consumers and how marketers can move beyond performative gestures to meaningful connections.
Half of the proceeds will go to the AMA Foundation's Diversity Student Leaders Fund which provides opportunities to student leaders from underrepresented communities.
Panel Moderator: Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, AMA Nashville
Panelists:
Danielle McGee
Black Business Boom - Danielle McGee is a small business advocate, entrepreneurship professor at Tennessee State University and the founder of Black Business Boom, a social enterprise helping small Black-owned businesses grow through training and mentorship. Her achievements in her industry have made her a pacesetter with significant contributions. Danielle’s background with an MBA from Saint Xavier University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management, coupled with more than 10 years’ worth of learned and acquired knowledge and skills have enabled her to build a successful career.
In 2019, Danielle launched the Boomin’ Mobile App to expand services and drive more revenue to black-owned businesses. With deep market knowledge, coupled with an analytical, detail-oriented approach, she is equipped to understand the needs of the most discerning audiences, delivering an experience rooted in customer service, integrity and expertise. She was the recipient of the Power Moves Award in Entrepreneurship in 2019 and the Southern Entertainment Awards Influencer of the Year 2020.
Through her vision, the Black Business Boom brand has expanded to include Boomin University, offering group coaching and classes for business owners, and Black owned Nashville, a directory of over 1400 Nashville-based Black owned businesses. Danielle’s strong negotiating and marketing skills make her a keen advocate for clients, proactively seeking out new opportunities to enhance her services and continually attain excellence, with client satisfaction the ultimate objective.
A certified digital marketer and the surefire solution for small business, Danielle leverages her passion and platform to help bridge the gap between business owners and their customers. Through numerous workshops, conferences and coaching sessions, she has taught other entrepreneurs how to build sustainable businesses. Her ability to use effective and efficient communication skills, attention to detail, time management and organization, always bringing her best self to the task with a positive attitude has contributed greatly to her success.
Danielle has consulted with top executives of renowned corporations, and traveled extensively, granting her a sophisticated and nuanced perspective that elevates her current work, enabling her to match business owners with the outcomes they require. Outside working, she loves spending time with friends and family and finds engaging in self-developing activities like traveling the world most fulfilling.
Dr. Contrecia T. Tharpe
FayeVaughn Creative : A MarCommBrand Agency - Dr. Contrecia T. Tharpe, affectionately known as Dr. T, is a marketing, branding, and communications practitioner and founder of FayeVaughn Creative formerly neuIMC, a boutique integrated marketing and communications firm in Nashville. With nearly 15 years of experience in the industry, she has worked with national and international brands, businesses, and individuals in the non-profit, sports, entertainment, travel, small business, and education sectors. She is an advocate for small and medium business success and works to maximize and identify opportunities, craft strategies, and create solid business foundations for her clients.
Aside from her work with her agency, she is also the Chief Business Officer of Imperial Cleaning Systems, a Nashville based commercial and construction cleaning company where she puts her business development and marketing expertise to use.
Contrecia is a current board member of women’s leadership organization Nashville CABLE, youth advocacy organization Impact Youth Outreach, and the national organization Shelters 2 Shutters where she serves as their Chair of Communications. With a passion for second chances, she co-founded The DREAM Initiative - a reentry education, resource and tech development company geared towards the development of opportunities and resources that are geared towards returned and returning citizens.
Aside from her professional and board roles, she is also a mentor with SCORE and Nashville’s Entrepreneur Center and is a member of 2023 Nashville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 class.
Having obtained her doctorate from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2019, she is currently a faculty member at Nashville’s Tennessee State University in the communications department where she teaches marketing and communications courses.
Her second book, Getting to Done, will be released in 2023 and is penning her first textbook, IMC Decoded: Introduction to IMC Theory, Concepts, and Practical Application set to release in in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Vannesia Darby
MOXIE Nashville & Shondaland - Vannesia Darby is an experienced marketing consultant who has launched campaigns for Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, the YMCA and more. A dynamic public speaker and writer, her works have been featured in Teen Vogue, Thought Catalog, and The Drake Management Review.
In 2016, Darby founded MOXIE Nashville, a social media agency that provides creative services to clients in the entertainment industry. She is currently a Social Media Manager for Shondaland.
Most recently awarded the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Nashville Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Darby holds a masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University and is a former Tennessee State University professor.
Javier Prater
The 13th Talent Agency - From serving as Executive Assistant to independent artist, Kyla Jade and Love Jade Inc. To acting as Assistant Stage Manager for Dr. Bobby Jones Presents (Impact Television Network), Javi is well versed in various roles within the music industry. After relocating to Nashville to pursue a degree in Audio Production and Engineering, Javi began working with artists and media outlets such as Stellar Award winning radio station Yes Lord Radio. Adding to his versatility, Javi has provided background vocals for shows such as the Country Music Awards, TBN, and The Dove Awards.
While matriculating at the Art Institute of Tennessee, Nashville. Javi also engineered projects by Philip Lassiter, Wess Morgan, and Kenneth Whalum. Following his graduation, he opened his company, Javi Artist Management. Later changed to 13th Talent Agency. Where he is expanding his brand and client roster.