BLACK WOMEN CELEBRATE PITTSBURGH AUTHOR T’KEYA ANN CORBIN AT THE “IESHIA INSPIRES” EVENT. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)
While some people pass the time scrolling endlessly on social media, and others spend their time gossiping about other people’s lives, some of Pittsburgh’s Black women are busy improving themselves.
Ieshia Nicole Hearn, a product of Manchester and a member of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40 “Class of 2022,” and her team are making preparations for the third “Ieshia Inspires” event, to be held at a yet-to-be-determined date in June.
But no matter what date it is, one thing’s for sure —Black women will leave from the event with more knowledge and more connections.
IESHIA NICOLE HEARN, JUNE SEALE
About 30 Black women showed up, invite only, to Hearn’s second event, called, “An Ieshia Inspires Production Sip N’ Style: Hats Off To You,” Feb. 7, at Emerald City, the second-floor space inside the Black-owned The Pitt Building, Downtown Pittsburgh. That’s where Black women heard from others like Robyn Greer, who’s had a beauty and stylist career in Pittsburgh for some 40 years. They heard from Veniecia Robinson, who dared not to let her growing up in public housing in Northview Heights stop her from becoming a huge success. She’s spent time as a Chief Financial Officer, family therapist, and a mentor to other Black women in the city.
VENIECIA RS ROBINSON WAS A PANELIST DURING THE EVENT…
“How do you balance being a wife, a mom, a partner, a sister, an entrepreneur at the same time while also showing up being stylish, being yourself and showing all of your personality?” was the main theme of the event, Hearn told the Courier. “How do you do all of those things and maintain the success you want to have?”
As the Trump Administration tries to eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the U.S., including pressuring private companies to do the same, Black women coming together to learn from each other and inspire each other is needed, maybe more now than ever.
Hearn told the Courier she wants these events to occur at least quarterly, and has formed a Board of Directors to more formalize the organization. The members are, in addition to Hearn: Reesha Jackson, Monique Smith, Shaquala Swinton-Betts and Brandon J. Clay.
“My main goal is to create an exclusive, empowering space where fashion and networking collide,” Hearn told the Courier. “I want to connect professional women and entrepreneurs through curated experiences that foster confidence, collaboration and community.”
