Superb Women: September 2022

By Cheryl Smith
Texas Metro News

Our Superb Women!

2021 was the “Year of the Woman,” especially the Black Woman! For 10 months we dedicated this space to uplifting Black women and spreading a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. We celebrate Black Women and call them SUPERB! AND WE ARE KEEPING THE CELEBRATION GOING IN 2022!

RINA RISPER

Rina Risper is focused on educating, motivating, and immersing herself in connecting with people and businesses.

The publisher of The New Citizens Press, Rina Risper definitely gives a voice to so many and armed with a degree in sociology, she has engaged in consulting, press release services, contacting media, photography, referral services, creating and developing marketing and advertising plans, and image consulting for other businesses. She’s a poet, an activist, and a brilliant strategist who has a sense of humor and love for her people. An active participant in the Black Press Initiative and Black News Link, Rina is bold, committed and resilient and she is celebrating the 21 years as a publisher. Check out her publication at www.tncp.net.

ISABELL COTTRELL

Isabell Cottrell is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and community servant

Isabell Cottrell was born and raised in Bessemer, AL. At George Washington Carver High School she was Homecoming Queen. She furthered her education at Booker T. Washington and Lawson State Jr. College. She also attended the University of Chicago and The London Business School and the Salk Institute for NonProfit ad Anthony Robbins Life Mastery Program. She is a former co-owner of the Texas rangers and a Founder Club Member of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. A marketing guru, she focused on domestic and international marketing initiative. She also played a key role in Proline Corporation’s focus on establishing its presence in Africa

DEBRA DENNIS

Debra Dennis is respected for her work ethic, gentle spirit, resolve and dedication.

Debra Dennis is the senior news manager for Dallas College. An award-winning journalist, Debra was a reporter for the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram. She received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. A talented and focused writer, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the National Association of Black Journalists. Debra Dennis is passionate about civil rights and social action, education, human rights, health, poverty alleviation, social service, veteran support, children, arts and culture.

MEKO KROUT

Meko Krout is a self-described executive producer, bestselling author, mother|Public Speaker|A.I.N. Founder and FinTech Geek.

The Chief Administrative Officer at BSB Collaborative, LLC, Meko Krout works at GirleeGirlz Getaway, of which she is a co-founder. Meko is also founder of Accessories in the Nude Fashion Showcase. In high demand, she studied at Dallas College after graduating from Justin F. Kimball High School and also attended Health Professions Magnet. Meko has made it her mission to help guide women through personal changes. She’s a bestselling author who is a popular speaker and motivator. Meko is a positive and productive force in the lives of so many.

JOY CAMPBELL

Joy Campbell is just the person you need in your life if you are focused on bettering yourself.

A native of Dallas, TX Joy Campbell is an educator, the owner of a nonprofit, she focuses on helping others through community service and ministry. Joy received a degree in business marketing from Prairie View A&M University. She also has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Community Development. Also a graduate from The Potter’s House School of Ministry, she owns Guiding Minds Ministry, LLC., focusing on he rehabilitation of second chance offenders through education. She also has Your Discovery Place, Inc., a ministry that brings people and services together in a positive way. Check her out at www.guidingmindsllc.com

CHERYL THOMPSON-MORTON

She is kind, she is patient, she is smart and she is loving; that’s Cheryl Thompson-Morton.

Cheryl Thompson-Morton is a leader in promoting diversity and equity in the news industry. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Drexel University, she is the Black Media Initiative Director for the Center for Community Media at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. A newlywed, Cheryl leads Lenfest’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy, focusing on individual support to journalists of color, investment in news organizations owned by people of color, and newsroom collaboration programs. Meticulous, focused, engaging and brilliant, Cheryl is a team player and a born leader. A trusted advisor to the Black News Link, she’s a joy to work with and her excellent communication skills are a definite bonus.

BELINDA MAY

An entrepreneur, a caregiver to the community and a philanthropist, that’s Belinda May.

The founder of Home Care Network, Belinda May is passionate about providing improved in- home health care in several locations and she serves more than 33 North Texas Counties. A registered nurse, Belinda is committed to knowing more about the clinical component of her business so that she can help others understand the need for her company’s services. Belinda feels she can serve her patients by knowing what their needs are. The City of DeSoto named February 9th as Belinda Day. Check her out at www.homecarenetwork.com

STEPHANIE D. PRYOR

An educator by heart, First Lady Stephanie D. Pryor inspires in the classrooms of the world.

First Lady Stephanie D. Pryor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (NBMBC) is faithful and active in all services and functions` of the church. She is a wife of more than 30 years and a mother of four. Stephanie has been employed as an educator for the Dallas Public Schools for almost 30 years. She serves as a Sunday School teacher for the junior girls, and a musician/choir director for the NBMBC. In Stephanie’s spare time, she loves spending time with family, exercising, decorating, watching Family Feud, and playing spades. Stephanie is a source of inspiration and support so many and she is positively influencing so many young women.

SYBIL WILKES

Sybil Wilkes is the voice of African American consciousness.

When you want to know the truth, when you want it broken down, when you want to know what’s really going on, then you want to be informed and entertained…tune in to “Sybil Wilkes, for What You Need To Know. Sybil Wilkes has been an important listener resource for decades. She was known as “The Voice of Reason” on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, where she delivered news, information and entertainment with honesty, accessibility and integrity, earning the trust of her nationwide audience. Hailing from Chicago, Sybil is a graduate of Northwestern University, with a B.S. in Political Science and Communication Studies.

KIM EFFIOM

Kim Effiom, Dallas native, is a wife and mother of four children, Kendrick, Tynee, Laura, and Lauren and four grandchildren, Jordon, Kadence, Cailee, and Yoshima.

Kim is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing Arts in Dallas. She has a B.S. degree in Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a M.Ed degree in Education Administration from Concordia University. Her new CD, My Father’s Heart, is an outpouring of her deep love of God. She served as choir director at the great New Birth Baptist Church in Dallas for 10 years and she has served as choir director at United Christian Fellowship of Arlington for the past 11 years, Kim also enjoys writing plays, and has written and directed four original plays and adapted two.

AJ BARKLEY

AJ Barkley is a true servant leader and bettering her community is what she is good at!

AJ Barkley is head of Neighborhood and Community Lending at Bank of America. She is responsible for identifying opportunities to drive successful homeownership and small business ownership among low and moderate income borrowers, underserved communities and multicultural borrowers across the economic spectrum. She is chairwoman of Women Build Dallas. A native of Temple Hills, MD, AJ has a B.S. degree in Marketing from Morgan State University. A wife and mother, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

CAROLYN MCMILLIAN

Carolyn McMIllian is charming, funny, easy going and full of love.

Carolyn McMillian has worked as a billing/medical director for Loncar Lyon Jenkins for more than 20 years and previously she was an executive secretary at Kaiser Permanente. A graduate of Marshall High School, Carolyn has a reputation for being highly efficient, organized and dependable. Carolyn is a example of a leader who is committed because she is a team player who knows how to step up and galvanize, motivate and take charge.

CANDACE SWEAT

It was a joy to have Candace Sweat returning home to North Texas to join the NBC 5 team in April 2019.

Candace Sweat earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a graduate degree from Florida State University. Candace is the recipient of awards from the Associated Press and the Radio Television and
Digital News Association. In 2017, she was part of a team at WRAL-TV that received the National Association of Broadcasters Service to Community Award for the documentary “Black and Blue,” which explored the relationship between local law enforcement and Black communities. As a self-proclaimed “adventurer,” Candace
is always looking for enriching experiences, delicious food and interesting people in her community. She has an appreciation for the outdoors and the arts.

SHEWAN FOSTER

Beautiful, talented, smart, fun-loving and full of energy, she’s vested in her community and committed to service.

Shewan Foster is making big moves with Queen Bee Lifestyle Management and DivaSport & Entertainment. She also enjoyed stints at Advantage Marketing Group, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. Shewan received a BS Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University and an MS Degree in Sports Administration from Georgia State University. Hailing from Atlanta , GA she graduated from Henderson High School. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and she loves getting together with her sisters. This Queen of style is a joy to be around and she can be the life of any gathering.

JULIA DUDLEY NAJIEB

Julia Dudley Najieb is an author, journalist, playwright and television producer and director.

Julia Dudley Najieb is the CEO of Info Media Distribution, creating original video content and online news copy to be distributed through several offline and online news media, video, and audio podcast platforms. She’s also executive producer and publisher of The ONME Network. A talk show host, Julia has managed and produced original, regional, TV news programming for Bounce TV, local NBC & CBS affiliate TV channels, and nationwide business channel, BizTV. Julia attended Hampton and CSU. A wife and a mother, she received a BA degree in journalism, with minors in French and marketing. Julia is an integral component of the Black News Link. She is also the brains, beauty and BOSSyness of Black Headline News. Check Julia out at www.amptvnow.net.

OCIE KAZEE

The face of grace and style, always wearing a smile, and dressed impeccably, Ocie Kazee is about taking care of business.

Ocie Kazee hails from Dallas, TX and is a member of the L. G. Pinkston High School Class of 1973. A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, she received her MBA in Business, management and Marketing from Abilene Christian University Ocie has served as District Director for State Rep. Eric Johnson. She was also an analyst for JPMorgan Chase, Washington Mutual and Xerox Capital Services. Ocie is always helping someone and providing service with a smile.

L. SHONNY DEBOUSE-YOUNG

L. Shonny DeBouse -Young is a Social Entrepreneur, Community Advocate and Outreach Director.

L. Shonny DeBouse-Young describes herself as a charismatic business management executive director, nonprofit co-founder, minister, and community advocate with diversified experience in many areas. Currently the executive director of community engagement and outreach at Mona’s Heart Outreach, Inc. she has worked as the principal owner of DBA Paradigm Market Solutions, as Executive Director of SAN Enterprise LLC, Director of Communications at Destiny Pointe Christian Center and owner of Sassie Face Cosmetics.

ROBIN J. WILLIAMS

Robin J. Williams is bright, energetic and a consummate
professional.

Robin J. Williams is the president of the J Williams Group (JWG), based in Plano, TX. A graduate of UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in political science, she received a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan; and she has certifications from the American Institute of Certified Planners and LEED AP BD+C. Robin has served as president of the Sci-Tech Discovery Center Board. She also enjoyed stints as an environmental Lanner for Halff Associates and senior planner for Parsons Brinckerhoff. Robin is a certified meeting facilitator and is experienced in extensive public involvement and outreach coordination – conducting public meetings, hearings, and workshops.

ANGELIA WILLIAMS

A leader, a team player, a servant — Angelia Williams.

Her extensive portfolio includes stints as Vice President of Futures Operations Clearing for Citi, Senior Manager Mortgage Operations for Sourcepoint, Executive Director of Florida A&M University Rattler Boosters, Inc., Corporate Operations Trainer for IBERIABANK Mortgage and Marketing Director for Soul Purpose and Senior Mortgage Underwriter for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Angelia is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Management where she was initiated into the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, She received her MBA Degree in Human Resources from the University of Dallas. The National Recording Secretary of the FAMU National Alumni Association, she is also a member of The Links, Inc.

DR. CHERYL CARR

Everyone can use Dr. Cheryl Carr, “Your Work Doctor,” in their lives!

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Dr. Cheryl Carr received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and her MBA from Southwestern College after receiving a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland in Munich. In addition to certification In industrial and Organizational Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, she received a Doctorate of Business Administration, Leadership and Organizational Development/Positive Applied Psychology from Argosy University Chicago. Also a community servant, she has volunteered as a reading tutor for Reading Partners, a Court Special Advocate for Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support; and she is an adjunct professor and mental health expert.

JANICE BISHOP LEMELLE

Janice Bishop LeMelle is a professor, counselor and PR consultant.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a charter member of Pi MU Chapter at Baylor University where she received a B.A. Degree in Sociology and Communications and a Master’s Degree in Sociology and Gerontology, Janice Bishop LeMelle sure knows how to inspire and uplift others! A licensed Christian Counselor, she is also a professor at Dallas College (Mountain View). She has also taught at the University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas Baptist University, Tarrant County Community Colleges and Texas Woman’s University. A wife and mother, she is the owner of Jebi Unlimited, representing artists, managing and booking talent, helping companies secure sponsorships and planning events

KABRINA LUCKEY GREEN

Kabrina Luckey Green focuses on bettering herself, her colleagues and work environment. She stands for justice.

A consultant at Verizon Communications, she received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management from the University of North Texas. She also received her MBA in Strategic Leadership from Amberton University. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Kabrina is a servant leader. She is an advisory board member of the MINT Foundation and a past board member of the Dodd Education and Support, Inc. Kabrina is a graduate of Wilmer Hutchins High School.

LISA ROGERS

Lisa Rogers, PhD is an educator, author, trainer, speaker and private tutor.

A special education teacher for more than 21 years, Lisa Rogers, PhD. has also enjoyed stints at Kaplan University, Westwood College, Waco Independent School District, Cesar Chavez Academy, and Parkdale Elementary School. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Baylor University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University, and a PhD in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University.

ANGELA JOHNSON

Angela Johnson, PhD is an author, entrepreneur and a scholar.

The Founder and CEO of Angela Arnell Johnson LLC, she has served as executive director of Deaf Action Center and Vice President of Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University at from winning multimedia servant. Lola Wilson is a senior consultant with Espy Sports Group, providing high-level branding and marketing. She has served as a deputy director for Biden for President; regional director for Beto for Texas; acquisitions assistant for Johnson Technologies, Inc.; as a proposal development coordinator and pharmacy care coordinator for US Bioservices; and in several positions for CVS Health. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis on creative where she received Bachelors of Applied Arts & Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, she received a Master of Business Administration in Executive Leadership, a Masters of Arts in Women’s Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy in Multicultural Women and Gender Studies from Texas Woman’s University. She also has a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from SMU.

L. MICHELLE GIPSON

L. Michelle Gipson is charming, loving and a
consummate professional.

A freelance writer, L. Michelle Gipson has worked as a proposal manager and bids & proposal specialist at EF Johnson Technologies, Inc.; as a proposal development coordinator and pharmacy care coordinator for US Bio services; and in several positions for CVS Health. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing and a Master of Arts in Biblical Theology from North Central University.

LOLA WILSON

Lola Wilson is a leader, businesswoman and community servant.

Lola Wilson is a senior consultant with Espy Sports Group, providing high-level branding and marketing. She has served as a deputy director for Biden for President; regional director for Beto for Texas; acquisitions assistant for Panini (NBA Summer League); executive assistant for West Brand (Kanye West); marketing coordinator for Compound Entertainment; and executive/personal assistant to Roy Williams. Lola received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Theatre from Clark Atlanta University and she was 1st Attendant to Miss UNCF, 1st Runner Up to Miss UNCF and Miss Black & Gold. Her volunteer efforts have extended to Minnie’s Food Pantry, North Dallas Food Pantry and Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church.

SHEILA SOLOMON

Sheila Solomon is a podcaster on Chicago Media Talks and strategic alliance manager at Rivet360.

Sheila attended Hampton University, graduating with a degree in Mass Media Arts. A former adjunct journalism instructor at Columbia College – Chicago, Sheila hails from Virginia where she graduated from Newport News High School. She is the president of the Board of Directors of Journalism Funding Partners and has enjoyed stints at Bay City News, The Obsidian Collection Archives, City Bureau, Chicago Tribune, Daily Press, and Charlotte Observer. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Sheila is a life member of the National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Native American Journalists Association. Highly regarded and decorated, Sheila is a team player and a fearless leader.

KELIA BAZILE

Kelia Bazile is often praised for her servant leadership style.

Recently promoted to Vice President of Operations at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Kelia Bazile has an impressive portfolio that includes 27 years in leadership at Taco Bell. Kelia wears a smile that is infectious and is described as “high energy.” She is described as a versatile leader with a proven track record of building sales and maximizing profit by developing and leveraging the talent of a diverse leadership team. She received her Masters of Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University. Hailing from Vacherie, LA, she graduated from St. James High School. Elementary in DeSoto, Skyline High School and then it was off to college where she received her journalism degree from Southern Methodist University, Next it was A wife, mother and grandmother, this matriarch is a consummate motivator, mentor, and supporter. Family is very important to Kelia and she leads by example.

DR. SYBRIL BROWN

They call her Dr Syb.

Dr. Sybril Brown, affectionately known as “Dr. Syb,” is a Vanderbilt- educated, Harvard-trained, two-time Emmy award-winning multimedia journalist, author, international speaker nd presenter. Dr. Syb is a Professor at Belmont University, where she is close to celebrating her 20th anniversary. A board member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and TEDx Nashville, Dr. Syb earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University, her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from Loyola University of Chicago and her B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication from Marquette University. She has also been a faculty consultant for the Association of American Colleges and Universities, a general assignment reporter at WTCF, assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University, senior public affairs officer at Vanderbilt and desk assistant at WBBM. A well sought after speaker, her passions include volunteering.

DR. “LISA PEARL” THOMPSON

She has an infectious smile waiting for you to match her loving heart!

From Northside Elementary in DeSoto, Lisa Pearl attended Skyline High School and then it was off to college where she received her journalism degree from Southern Methodist University, Next it was an MBA from Prairie View A&M University. She also studied educational administration and leadership at the University of North Texas, and received her doctorate degree from Texas A&M University. She has taught at several universities, including North Carolina A&T State University, Argosy and Prairie View And &M. Her research interests are: School community relations, School board/superintendent relations, Crisis communication and Women’s leadership. An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Lisa is a sisterfriend, always sharing an encouraging and positive word. A servant leader, Lisa is committed and involved and a team player. Beauty and brains, she’s the real deal and the smile is genuine!