How Black Women Are Building Personal Brands That Don’t Compromise Their Values

Building a brand is no easy feat. Add building a brand as a Black woman in America, and imagine a boulder on one’s shoulders. 

Her Agenda spoke with three power-house Black women whose tenacity and will to succeed overpowered all paths of delay. 

Meet Leah M. Forney. Her brand is SAAVE ME, which stands for Sexual Assault Advocacy for Victims Everywhere. It’s a nonprofit organization rooted in her lived experience as a sexual assault survivor.

“I created SAAVE ME because I wanted to build something that didn’t just talk about change but embodied it specifically for marginalized communities that are often overlooked in traditional systems of care and advocacy” Leah said.

SAAVE ME is built on values of truth-telling, community, advocacy, and healing.

“We don’t water down hard conversations,” she said.

Leah said what drives her is knowing that survivors, especially those who look like her deserve to hear the truth without filters. 

Leah believes that authenticity is your superpower. Don’t compromise it for likes, funding, or fitting in. Your story, your voice, your identity, they’re what set your brand apart.

Leah’s favorite quote is: “If you can’t see us, you can’t hear us. And if you can’t hear us, you can’t help us,” by Kimberle Crenshaw” 

Meet Tephanie Delaney, creator of Brand Like a Celebrity®, a strategy and media agency that helps entrepreneurs and creatives build brands that are celebrated like household names. Tephanie started it after working behind the scenes in entertainment for over two decades.

“Everything I do is rooted in authenticity, excellence, and empowerment,” she said. “I believe in building brands that don’t just sell products, but also tell a story and make an impact. My work reflects my commitment to elevate Black voices, celebrate culture, and create spaces where our narratives are told with dignity and creativity.”

“When we conform, we dilute the very essence that makes our brands powerful,” she said. “For me, staying true to my voice and culture allows me to bring something fresh and necessary to the table.”

Tephanie’s favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: “When you know better, do better.” 

Meet Dr. Jarrett Manning, DDS. She is the owner of JLM Dental Studio, which has two locations (East Point and Smyrna, GA). Her office is staffed by only Black women, which shows a representation otherwise unseen.

“I am America’s favorite dentist,” Jarrett said. “I’m a cosmetic and implant dentist. Dentistry is what I do and that is really the inception of my brand. Everything I do is offset from that. Dentistry is about much more than teeth, it’s about smiles, aesthetics, a blend of clinical expertise, and artistic expression.”

Jarrett believes branding is all about values. She says branding is really how people perceive you, and it’s based on your values and personality. People appreciate authenticity, so she attributes her success with her brand to her authenticity. 

“Creating a legacy is what drives me the most,” she said. “I have a daughter, she’s 15. However, I want to make sure that I create something I didn’t have growing up. I want to expose young girls to what dentistry looks like, because I want them to see what the possibility of what being a dentist could be like. This is an extremely rewarding career.”

She encourages any millennial to establish their own voice and allow people to experience the authentic you.

“When you own your story, you have total control of your narrative,” says Jarrett.

Dr. Jarrett’s favorite quote: “To whom much is given much is required,” Luke 12:48.