The BOSS Network Blog

Technology expert, speaker, media personality, and entrepreneur, Angela Benton, is the founder and CEO of NewME , a social enterprise that accelerates entrepreneurs with non-traditional backgrounds. Since launching in 2011, NewME has accelerated hundreds of entrepreneurs in changing their lives through entrepreneurship including helping them raise over $17 million in venture capital funding. The company focuses on helping entrepreneurs identify strengths from their non-traditional backgrounds and leverage them in business.  Born in Chicago, IL, Benton spent most of her childhood just outside Washington DC in Northern Virginia. Having her first child at 16 and determined not to become a statistic, Benton graduated high school in just three years and went on to attend several colleges, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications with a specialization in Digital Design. As a young, single mother, Benton armed with resilience and det...

Former White House reporter, prominent political and cultural commentator, Sophia A. Nelson, says all women live by a Code, whether they realize  it or not. Nelson’s second book, The Woman Code, debuted in October 2014 as an instant national bestseller and was featured in national magazines and  major media outlets including NPR, Family Circle, Essence magazine, Ebony magazine, Publishers Weekly, TBN,  Black Enterprise, The Huffington Post, The Daily Caller, American Business Journals and Business Insider. She says,  “It is time for us as women to start looking for what we need inside of us, instead of always looking to be validated  by what or who is outside of us. When a woman isn't living by the Code, her life is out of balance.”  Sophia Nelson is a woman on the move, with an emerging  global platform that is making strides to help women rede fine themselves  and unlock their lives by tapping into the power within. ...

Angelia White’s axiom, “Live, Dream, Inspire,” is what motivated her in 2000 to embark on an extraordinary journey to create a lifestyle magazine for diverse women of faith — a magazine that speaks to all women from all walks of life. What began as a simple idea blossomed into an amazing, faith-defining endeavor.  Having connecting her God-given passion with a purpose, Angelia decided to step out on faith with her dream. She began her mission to present beauty, fashion, and lifestyle issues for today’s aspiring woman. Angelia envisioned a magazine synchronizing diverse women of faith, inspired by true-life stories, providing powerful lessons that inspire, provide hope, and encourage change.  In 2005, Angelia experienced the loss of her grandmother and father within a two-month time period. It was during these difficult times that she was able to discern how short and precious life truly is. Inspired by these revelations, she knew that it was time to take concrete steps t...

    Elder Vikki Johnson is sought after Speaker, Author, Mentor, Sisterhood Advocate, Living Kidney Donor and a “proud Mom”.  Her daughter is her inspiration for living a life of impact!  A thought provoking speaker, Vikki has influenced thousands of women over the last 20 years and has been featured as a Keynote Speaker for TEDx Women, The Pentagon, Department of Commerce, various women’s conferences, retreats, and workshops.  Her Soul Wealth VIP Mentoring Program supports women through their journey of transformation providing insight into soul calling, clarity, and connection.  Vikki says, “ As a result of working with me women break up with the status quo in their life. They no longer live from survival mode but live a life of undeniable purpose. Unstuck, they move through the world with clarity, confidence and self-worth. Adventure becomes their calling card and they’re filled with joy about what’s coming next.”   She is the visiona...

Lauren Maillian Bias is the author of the instant Amazon bestselling business memoir, The Path Redefined: Getting To the Top On Your Own Terms and a serial entrepreneur; she is the Founder and CEO of Luxury Market Branding, a strategic marketing company, and is a Founding Partner at Gen Y Capital Partners, an early stage venture firm focused on investments in mobile and consumer facing technology enabled companies.  At age 19, Lauren cofounded a boutique winery that quickly became an internationally recognized award-winning wine brand, making her the youngest self-made winery owner in the country. She served as the Chief Operating Officer of the company from inception through the brand’s acquisition in 2011.  Lauren’s passionate about marrying marketing, branding, strategy and technology. She is known to spearhead the development of communication concepts to help others build, inspire, engage and connect. Lauren is a marketer at heart, who loves to build brands and de...

Multi-faceted television personality, Lauren Lake, is a certified Renaissance woman who doesn't just talk the talk when it comes to life, love, law and living. She simultaneously balances a diverse career as a licensed attorney, television host, relationship expert, life coach and motivational speaker. As the judge on the nationally syndicated daytime show, "Lauren Lake's Paternity Court," which premiered in fall 2013 and premiering in it's second season Monday, September 22nd, 2014. The sharp-witted, opinionated Lake helps litigants resolve legal issues involving paternity by rendering incisive judgments using DNA evidence. A spot-on blend of feisty and fair, her dynamic yet down-to-earth persona resonates with audiences. Join The BOSS Network  ( @ thebossnetwork) and Lauren Lake ( @LaurenLakeEnt)  for a live #BOSSChat  Friday, September 19th at 7/8PM ET Live on Twitter

Lisa Nicole Bell is an award-winning writer, producer, on camera talent and entrepreneur. She currently hosts a weekly podcast, Behind the Brilliance , where she interviews accomplished  creative people about their lives and work. Lisa created, directed, and produced The American Dream Revised, a docuseries that follows a diverse group of young entrepreneurs. The series was licensed to Procter & Gamble as a part of their multi-platform . Rising Tide campaign with Russell Simmons. Lisa is also the creator, editor, and executive producer of The Legacy Letters, an anthology featuring 30 women writing letters to their younger selves. The letters were adopted as monologues and performed to a sold out crowd. She previously earned a NAACP Theatre award nomination for the stage play Deal Breakers, which she wrote, directed, co-starred in and co-produced. Praised as a masterful communicator, Lisa is the author of Divine Inspirations and a contributo to books such as ...

Lauren Lake is a multi-faceted television personality who now serves as the judge on the new nationally syndicated half hour daily courtroom show, “Paternity Court.”   The sharp-witted and opinionated Lake will help litigants resolve legal issues involving paternity using DNA results.  A blend of feisty and fair, her dynamic yet down-to-earth persona will undoubtedly resonate with audiences.   An attorney and relationship expert, Lake is a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned her law degree at Wayne State University.  She is a member of the New York, New Jersey and Michigan bars with concentrations in family, criminal, entertainment law.  Lake regularly contributes her no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is advice and analysis to some of today’s most popular television programs including, “The View,” “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “CBS This Morning,” “Dr. Phil,” “Nancy Grace,” “O’Reilly Factor,” “Bill Cunningham,” and “Ricki Lake.” She also served...

Stacii Jae Johnson is a well known political and entertainment influencer.  An accomplished business strategist, program developer, fundraiser, and professional actor with over 15 years of experience.  As Entertainment & Special Events Director, Stacii Jae was known as the social secretary of the south, top advisor and a member of Mayor Kasim Reed’s executive leadership team for 3+ years. On behalf of the Mayor, she served as a representative and speaker on various panels relating to the City of Atlanta and the importance of the film/television, fashion, and music industries to the city’s urban community and economy. Prior to working in Mayor Reed’s administration, Johnson was one of the leading fundraisers during his campaign for mayor of Atlanta. She served on Hillary Clinton’s 2008 regional finance committee while also working closely with team Hillary on the development of an overall strategy for building, maintaining, and mobilizing support within the young prof...

Brandi Mitchell has x-ray vision for seeing  peoples very best image and empowering them through  image transformation and coaching to "polish, package, and  position" their image and business to accelerate their  platform.  She is the founder and director of The Visual Branding Institute and the author of Look the Part to Get the Role: The Ultimate Visual Branding Guide, 40 Days to Looking, Branding, and Becoming Your Role You Want to Play in Your Life! Visual Brand Strategist Brandi Mitchell, is a graduate of  Florida A& M University and spent over 20 years as a celebrated celebrity makeup, hair, and men's groomer . Brandi has been in  OPRAH'S O Magazine , on the  FOX  Morning Show, and the  Michael Baisden Show . She has consulted for large beauty companies as in  LOREAL PARIS , and worked on television shows for  TLC, TBS, BET, MTV, and TV ONE , as well as worked with nationally acclaimed speakers as in...