I am heartbroken, disgusted, enraged and simply sick and tired of the systemic racism that continues to play out over and over and over again. And EVERYONE, regardless of your race, should be sick and tired of seeing this too. Why are we consistently seeing these sick strings of senseless murders of black people – from Breonna Taylor to George Floyd to Rashard Brooks and countless others – being executed by the very “SYSTEM” and police defense that’s supposed to protect us?

I believe its for the exact same reason these following SYSTEMIC racial disparities also exist:

The net worth of the average white family is $171,000, nearly 10 times more than the average black family at $17,150

Less than 1% of Fortune 500 CEOs are Black
Less than 1% of U.S. wealth is owned by Blacks
Black women are paid 62 cents to every dollar paid to White men

Yep…such statistics that reflect the harsh realities of 250 years of chattel slavery and another 50+ years of systemic racism is by no accident. Like civil rights activist Shaun King says, “The SYSTEM
is not broken, it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.”

So it’s time to BREAK THE WALLS OF INEQUALITY BY BREAKING THE SYSTEM! We have been marginalized and taken advantage of for far too long.

As Sara Lovestyle, a black female influencer who has worked day in and day out tirelessly to create a personal brand platform and voice as a lifestyle blogger, celebrity chef, fitness enthusiast, special needs and Autism advocate, mommy entrepreneur, and angel investor – I know for an unapologetic fact that I am just 1 of countless bad azz black women who deserve a seat at the table.

There are too many black women influencers and experts in numerous fields that have never gotten their just moment to shine, in comparison to their white counterparts. So as companies come out in support
of Black Lives Matter, we are going to make sure this conversation continues to evolve around greater representation, compensation and equity valuation to fairly acknowledge and reward our work that often comes second to none.

And guess what? We’re not just asking for a seat at the table anymore and falling into the SYSTEMIC pacifying tactic of tokenism where it’s just 3 black “chosen ones” rotating around. I’M DONE WITH THAT ISH. I’M A FIND MY OWN ROOM & CREATE MY OWN GOT DAMN TABLE!

Because true equality ultimately lies within the unapologetic, uninhibited ability to create OUR OWN!

With that being said, here’s my list of 35 Amazing Black Women Influencers You Need To Know and get familiar with asap (also know there is so much #BlackGirlMagic by way of dope influencers I could drop 30 new names every day for the rest of 2020 and still not cover a fraction of the talent up and down our timelines). This is just a sample of great black female influencers you need to know, because trust there’s not even enough bandwidth to fit us all in 1 blog.

So these 35 black women, 5 ladies per 7 categories of influence I’ve chosen to highlight. Each are amazing and well deserving of a follow to enhance your Level Up game - regardless of if your black, white, brown, yellow, green, pink or aqua alien.

Ohh…and don’t forget to click away & SHOP BLACK!

1. BUSINESS & FINANCE

Dana Chanel.png — Dana Chanel

Dana is a multi-millionaire Christian entrepreneur dedicated to spreading messages of wealth and breaking the curse of poverty through entrepreneurship. Dana holds no punches, keeps it real, and does it all with a million dollar smile to leave you in awe.
@danachanel

Tiffany Alice The Budgetnista.png — Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Alice

Tiffany “***The Budgetnista***” is an award-winning teacher of financial education, w/her signature annual course the “Live Richer Challenge” reaching over 800K women.
@thebudgetnista

Tonya Rapley2.png — Tonya Rapley

Tonya is a nationally recognized millennial money expert who uses her story & experiences to empower people in disenfranchised communities, with tools to change their lives.
@tonya.rapley

Bola Sokunbi - Clever Girl Finance.png — Bola Sokunbi

Bola is the founder of Clever Girl Finance, and saved her first $100K in less than 3yrs with a starting salary of just $54K, She helps women ditch debt, save money & build real wealth.
@clevergirlfinance

Patrice Washington.jpg — Patrice Washington

Patrice went from being $18K in debt to owning a 7-figure business, & created a wealth building a “purpose fulfilment prosperity movement of chasing purpose, not money.
@seekwisdompcw

2. LIFESTYLE

Adrienne Raquel

Adrienne is a NYC based imagemaker and art director. Inspired by femininity, soulfulness and color, Adrienne's work is rooted in nostalgia and fantasy while remaining contemporary.

@adrienneraquel

Mattie James.jpg — Mattie James

Mattie is a Wonder Woman to the Level Up mommy influencer game. Mattie teaches influencers how to pitch brands so we can secure the bag and get paid what we want. Her IG and blog keeps you in the know with the latest beauty trends, breakthrough influencer tips, home décor and self care best practices.
@themattiejames

Tash James.jpg — Tasha James

Tasha is a digital influencer, photographer and founder of the lifestyle fashion blog “The Glossier.” Tasha seeks to share ways to overcome a world always trying to tear down our self-esteems, by learning how to love ourselves, and be proud of what we do—unapologetically.
@theglossier

Alexis Adjei.jpg — Alexis Adjei

Alexis classifies herself as a “Home Economist” whom is one invested in the affairs linked to the dynamics of the home. This ranges from but not limited to food (with some of the most amazing recipes), family life and teaching.
@alexis_adjei

Taylor Winbush

Taylor is a marketing professional and owner of Agency Lux Co. Taylor inspires a world of magic through her captivating life insights, mesmerizing selfies, beauty inspirations, fitness goals and faith-driven motivations to get you through the day.
@taylorwinbushtv

3. HAIR

Pekela Riley

Pekela aka “PK” is a global artistic director, Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member, educator, “Salon PK” owner and leading authority pioneer to the texture movement. PK’s breathtaking social and campaign images always reflect a phenomenal execution of transformational hairstyling that validate her status as one of the most sought-after beauty innovators in the industry.
@pekelariley

Nikki Nelms.jpg — Nikki Nelms

Nikki is a phenomenal master celebrity hairstylist who according to Vogue “*seamlessly weaves everyday objects fine jewelry into natural texture*.” Nikki’s transformed the tresses of icons like Janelle Monae, Solange and Zoe Kravitz.
@nikkinelms

Jade Kendle-Godbolt

Jade aka “LipsticknCurls” is a dynamic beauty and lifestyle creator that has built a social empire full of haircare and beauty tips and tutorials fueled by her contagious positivity and zeal for life.
@lipstickncurls

Dayna Bolden

Dayna is a beauty and lifestyle digital content creator with a fierce signature tapered natural look and dynamic curl poppin’ texture tips and tutorials. Dayna celebrates and uplifts women to not only dream, but to work relentlessly to make them a reality.
@daynabolden

Chime Edwards

Chime is a sophisticated texture naturalista and hip hop culture content creator. She shares compassionate messages to promote love and justice for humanity, as an unapologetic storytelling guardian of melanated history, beauty and excellence.
@chimeedwards

4. EDUCATION

Vera Tutu Teacher.jpg — Vera Ahiyya

Vera “The Tutu Teacher” is an educational presenter and consultant who earned her alias by dancing and twirling during lessons as a tutu wearing Kindergarten teacher. Vera has the most fun while sharing countless reading resources and recommended black kids books.
@thetututeacher

Tanesha Tabb.jpg — Lanesha Tabb

Lanesha is an educator, national presenter and founder of “Education With An Apron,” Lanesha motivates primary educators for K-2 to “break out of the box” with fun and innovative teaching ideas.
@apron_education

Lemi Ola.jpg — Lemi-Ola Erinkitola

Lemi-Ola is founder of “The Critical Thinking Child” and co-founder of “The 5:30 Scholars” - both of which are elite K-12 fast track academic programs. The genius proof is in the pudding, as her 2 twin daughters were co-valedictorians with 4.0 GPAs and received full scholarships to Duke and Northwestern.
@thecriticalthinkingchild

Kelly Fair

Kelly “The Mentor” is the dynamic founder of “Polished Pebbles” non-profit mentoring program that increases the communication skills and employ-ability of young women 7-17 for the future workplace.

@kfairthementor