Written by Sharelle Burt
It seems like everyone is chasing the bag these days. Whether the bag is big or small, there’s enough to go around. But not everyone knows how to secure it, and that’s the problem. If you look on Instagram, Twitter and now TikTok, there are more than just celebrities working with major corporations and small business brands. The influencers of social media have it down to a science. Some may be a little greedy with their secrets, and that’s fine. But there are a few who are more than open to sharing the wealth.
“No one is speaking directly to us.” That’s what influencer and content curator Majesty Acheampong said to herself after attending several blogger meet-ups in the Queen City.
“Other cities have all these things, and Charlotte has such a strong creative community. I want to create a solution to this problem,” she told THE BLOCK.
While attending these meet ups, Majesty often noticed she was the only minority in the room. Like others, she became frustrated immediately but took a different route: adding action. In 2018, she curated an event called Ignite The Influence, “hoping someone would show up.
The first go-round, 81 women from all over came to support Majesty and her vision, confirming what she knew all along.
Charlotte is the largest city between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, and growing more each day. Though it seems like 704 residents feel the need to venture elsewhere to create, there are several opportunities right here in our backyard.
The first Ignite Your Influence event hosted aspiring influencers from all over the Carolinas, both North and South. Majesty knew she had to keep it going. The North Carolina native has worked with many major brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, Pantene and more, sharing her secrets to help others build their presence and brand.
“I want everyone who’s in the room to be able to relate to certain hardships and realize that if they can still get their message across, I can too—regardless of the journey I’m going through.”
Majesty Acheampong
As the years went on, other women started flying in from the DMV, Atlanta and elsewhere, making a weekend of it. And while they all came with one thing in common, everyone had their own special niche.
“It’s so dynamic because as women of color creators, you’re going to find a YouTuber who blogs about designers [and also] a first-time mom [who’s making content], so it varies,” the 34-year-old says. “When I work the room, you have fashion niches, hair, beauty, podcasters—but the main thing I find out is that women are in different seasons.”
Preach.
Being in a certain season is the Black woman mantra, and that’s why events like Ignite Your Influence are so important. Communities like this show how multi-faceted Black women really are
“People try to box us in and we’re so multi-dimensional,” the wife and future mom-to-be says. “There are layers to us that if someone wasn’t a woman of color creator, what’s in their head would be more limiting than what we are actually doing.”
Missed Ignite Your Influence 2021? Be sure to follow Majesty and Ignite Your Influence on Instagram for ongoing updates and insights.
This year’s conference featured dynamic speakers like Marche Robinson, a Carolina-based influencer and attorney who figured out a way to gain 40 million views via Instagram Reels this year alone. And Dayna Bolden, a corporate powerhouse turned six-figure influencer who has partnered with dozens of major brands like Nike and still has time to be a mommy and wife. Also on the roster was Sara Lovestyle who, after having a health scare at a very young age, was motivated to eat better. Since then, she has created a spice line while being the mom of a special needs child, proving that as women, we can do it all.
“The beauty of the speakers this year is that none of these women have it easy,” Acheampong admits. “But as women of color, they’ve all been able to still create and impact people.”
Lifestyle and soul-care influencer Michelle Ana had the room flowing with positivity, while Charlotte multimedia guru Ohavia Phillips hosted with her contagious energy. While Majesty curated this needed event, she’s open and excited to continue to learn while growing her brand. Each year, she is reminded that no matter what attendees are going through, the common denominator is that everyone in the room feels the same way.
Influence comes in many different ways, no matter your age, sex or race, however, attending events like Ignite Your Influence can help guide you and keep that fire inside of you lit.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Charlaye
I had the amazing pleasure of attending Ignite Your Influence 2021 and when I tell you the conference was amazing!! Not only are we blessed with some many nuggets of wisdom we even got to take home some amazing swag bags with some dope products! I would advise any content creator/social media influencer to attend and be inspired. I was so happy to meet so many women of color doing their thing in the creative space! Thank you Majesty for cultivating a wonderful space for creators to flourish!