Tiffany Haddish is more than a Hollywood star—she’s a powerful advocate for community empowerment, especially within Black and Brown communities. As co-founder of Diaspora Groceries, Tiffany champions a mission to increase access to nutritious food, uplift BIPOC food entrepreneurs, and create real ownership opportunities. Rooted in her South Los Angeles heritage, Tiffany’s vision for Diaspora Groceries is to keep resources circulating within the community, opening doors for business, land, and home ownership. Her dedication to making a difference continues to inspire, creating pathways for true, lasting change.

Freddy Cameron brings over 20 years of expertise in retail and consumer products, having led operations for major brands like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Cookies, a global cannabis retailer. Freddy is passionate about creating opportunities for minority-owned brands, ensuring they thrive in both big box and local stores. At the Summit, Freddy shares his insights on building inclusive retail spaces and strategies for success that help small suppliers compete on a national scale.

Meet Richea Jones, Co-Founder of Diaspora Groceries—a grocery concept that celebrates culture, diversity, and community support! Richea leads the charge in building a grocery experience that’s truly by the people, for the people. At the Summit, she’s connecting with fellow game-changers and visionaries.

Meet David Sheldon from Perkins & Will! With nearly 30 years in design and business leadership, David brings a global perspective to local impact. Known for his work across 50 countries and his current focus in Los Angeles, David’s insights at the Summit explore how equity, diversity, and inclusion are woven into creating spaces that reflect their communities.

Marva Smith is the owner and principal consultant of Marva Smith Consulting, a boutique firm offering expert support to nonprofits and businesses. With a diverse service portfolio—spanning grant writing, project management, strategic planning, and community engagement—Marva is dedicated to helping organizations make a lasting impact. As a California Notary Public with a solid background in administrative and legislative processes, Marva brings over a decade of experience working with a member of Congress and decades leading nonprofits. Her unique insights into public service and community impact guide her work with Diaspora Groceries, supporting its mission to uplift minority-owned businesses. Beyond consulting, Marva is a vocalist and actor, bringing creativity and a personal touch to her professional endeavors. Join her at the Summit to explore her vision for community empowerment through expert guidance and advocacy.

Meet Aeriq McNayre, also known as Simply 44, a dedicated personal trainer and Executive Director of Simply For the Community. As the author of Simply Motivate Your Mind, Transform Your Body, Aeriq empowers individuals to reach their fullest potential through the power of mindset and physical health. Through his nonprofit work, Aeriq is committed to strengthening communities by promoting wellness, fitness, and motivation from the inside out. His philosophy centers on mental resilience as the key to lasting transformation, making him a true leader in holistic health and personal empowerment.

Affectionately known as “Ani D the Vibe Creator” — is a community connector, cultural curator, and outreach leader with Diaspora Groceries. She brings energy, authenticity, and purpose to every space she enters, helping food entrepreneurs from underutilized communities find their rhythm in the marketplace. Through her work, Ani D champions culture, creativity, and community ownership — proving that when the vibe is right, opportunity flows.

Derrick Chapman has over a decade of hands-on experience developing innovative farming solutions for large and small farming operations in California and Michigan. He has led the charge in numerous community-based urban farming initiatives, with a strong focus on sustainable agriculture practices, food security, and, most importantly, community empowerment. His work has not only provided fresh, locally grown produce to urban neighborhoods but also educated the BIPOC communities on the vital role of sustainable urban farming and environmental stewardship. Derrick is the Managing Partner of Aqua Crop LLC, which operates the Go-Go Grocery Markets, which utilizes electric solar-powered vehicles to operate Mobile Produce Markets for the City of Long Beach, Watts, and Willowbrook, California. He is also the founder of the Community Power Collaborative Inc., a 501 (C)3 whose mission is to bring emerging technologies, such as solar energy and 21st-century farming methods, to underserved communities. Derrick's innovative approaches to vertical farming, hydroponics, and agrivoltaics have made him a respected figure in the urban farming movement. In partnership with UCANR and NREL, Derrick spearheads research projects centered around growing food underneath solar panels (Agrivoltaics). Derrick is a member of the Greater Watts Community Garden and The Growing Experience Urban Farm, where he provides strategic leadership and facilitates shared vision and collaboration amongst partners. He sits on several boards and committees for several non-profit organizations: Board of Directors for Key Tech Labs: AgriSolar Clearinghouse; Advisory Board of Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm-stand Project Regenerative; and Urban Ag Committee with the LA Food Policy Council Past President and member of the Board of San Jose East Rotary Club.

Dr. Shica Little turned her passion for baking into Dr. Shica’s Bakery, now featured in over 4,100 stores. Her unique recipes blend southern roots with plant-based goodness, creating mouthwatering desserts that make customers smile. Sharing her journey at the Summit, Dr. Shica brings inspiration and tips on scaling a brand with heart and quality.

As a loan officer with CDC Small Business Finance, Iman Cotton has dedicated over 15 years to helping small businesses access the capital they need to grow. Iman provides expert guidance for entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented communities, offering funding solutions that break down barriers to success. At the Summit, Iman shares resources and financing options, empowering businesses to thrive in competitive markets.

Gloria Allorbi is the founder of Gloria’s Shito, a small-batch Ghanaian pepper condiment that bridges culinary nostalgia with global flavor. She draws on her Ghanaian roots and her background as a cosmetic scientist to meticulously formulate each jar using time-honored techniques and natural ingredients. Her mission is to share Ghana’s “proletariat flavors” with the world, offering a “gateway to Ghana through food — no passport required.

Queen Nina Womack is a global leader and social entrepreneur operating at the intersection of food equity, media, and community wellness. As CEO of One World Food Hub, she champions food producers of African descent on an international scale, while her award-winning charity, Let’s Be Whole, addresses food insecurity with a holistic local approach. She further empowers underserved communities through Transmedia 360, her global multimedia and marketing company headquartered in Los Angeles and Lagos, which provides affordable brand strategy and storytelling tools to strengthen minority, Black, and African-led businesses. Her work yields significant, measurable results. Queen Nina's hunger relief initiatives support an average of 60,000 households annually and divert hundreds of thousands of pounds of food from landfills, earning her commendations from the City of Los Angeles, L.A. County, and the State of California. Her influence extends from policy-making on the L.A. Good Food Policy Council to international development as an enstooled Queen mother of Development in Ghana and an advisor to non-profits across Africa, solidifying her role as a multifaceted advocate for sustainable and equitable communities.

Meet Apryl Sims, the visionary behind Apryl’s Life in a Bottle, a raw, cold-pressed juice line dedicated to bringing high-quality natural juices to communities in need. With nearly two decades managing Simply Wholesome, a beloved Black-owned health food store in Los Angeles, Apryl has empowered countless small vendors and introduced more than 125 diverse suppliers into retail. Now, with her own business, Apryl combines her passion for health and wellness with a mission to create accessible, nutritious options. Her dedication to the community is clear: “I care and I share,” she says, as she helps others pursue their goals in wellness and entrepreneurship.