Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

The inspiration behind my business is Black women. I was raised, shaped, and supported by them my entire life, and I’ve seen firsthand how often their beauty, softness, and power go unseen or uncelebrated. My work as HMTWNHERO is about changing that narrative. Through photography, I create space for Black women to see themselves fully, confidently, and without apology. This business is my way of honoring the women who made me and giving that same love back to the community.

How do you stay motivated?

What keeps me motivated is the transformation I witness. When a Black woman steps in front of my camera unsure and leaves seeing herself with pride, power, and softness all at once, that fuels me. I’m driven by the mission to document our beauty and create images that remind Black women they are already enough. Every session becomes a small act of healing and a piece of cultural legacy.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded the $25,000 investment, I would scale my self-love photography business and expand the BRWN SUGA BAE project to create immediate impact. The funds would support upgraded equipment, marketing, and additional portrait sessions, allowing me to photograph and uplift more Black women right away. As the business grows, revenue from sessions, prints, and digital products will be reinvested into hiring Black women creatives and sponsoring sessions that celebrate their stories.