BlogHer VOTY 100: Meet Our Community Builder Honorees
Explore the entire BlogHer VOTY 100 digital issue.
Voices of the Year (VOTY) is BlogHer’s annual celebration of women doing culture-shifting work for the greater good. This year, we’ve expanded this initiative into the VOTY 100, a list of changemakers across 10 categories: Wellness Champions, Small Business Owners, Creators, Eco Impact Warriors, Next Gen Creatives, Biz Experts, Innovators, Social Impact Leaders, Storytellers, and Community Builders.
Thanks to these change-makers, underserved groups are able to connect, support, and celebrate one another online and beyond.
Nitika Chopra, Founder & CEO of Chronicon
(and former BlogHer speaker)
What is your proudest moment of the past year?
I am most proud of the pivot we made with Chronicon. What started off as a live event was able to move to an entirely online community in order to continue to serve those who are chronically ill. Since that shift, we have continued to host workshops for our community every single week, post daily content, and build connections that will last a lifetime.
When you’re in a rut, how do you get inspired?
I have such an incredible group of girlfriends. When I am in a rut, I call one or all (!!) of them and am instantly reminded of how much love, joy, and beauty there is in this world. Even though it can be hard to remember that at times.
What is something you wish you knew at the start of your career?
Well, it took me a while to get the courage and clarity to fully dedicate my career to those living with a chronic illness even though it is something I have always been patient about, given that I have had two chronic illnesses myself for the past 30 years. I wish I had taken the leap earlier sometimes. I know that what I learned earlier in my career allowed me to get to this place, but I still wish I had gotten more of a head start!
Brandi Riley, Founder of Courage To Earn
Brandi (Jeter) Riley is a digital content creator and entrepreneurial coach, known and celebrated for her standout, personalized career coaching, and development. She has also managed blogger outreach for hundreds of campaigns, and founded Courage To Earn, a community for entrepreneurs who want to take their earning potential to the next level.
Gesche Haas, Founder & CEO of Dreamers and Doers
What is your proudest moment of the past year?
I am extremely proud of the business I have built and how I’ve built it, however, my proudest moment of 2020 was when I had my second baby just 13 months after my first. It was an intense labor, and admittedly, having my children so close in age was both a personal and business decision. I’m so grateful and proud for being able to navigate being an entrepreneur and leader, as well as a mother (which is one of the hardest leadership positions anyone could be in).
When you’re in a rut, how do you get inspired?
I swear by journaling when I am in a rut. It helps give me perspective, be less hard on myself, and achieve major breakthroughs to difficult problems.
What is something you wish you knew at the start of your career?
I wish I had learned sooner the importance of carving out your own path and that there isn’t a universal definition of success. Trends come and go; it’s so important to know what core goals (and day-to-day) light you up, no matter how the world around you evolves. I’d rather fail at something I love than succeed at something that’s robbed me of my entire soul.
Adwoa Aboah, Model & Founder of Gurls Talk
You’ve seen her walk the world’s most high-profile runways and cover top fashion magazines—but that’s not where Aboah’s work ends. She’s also parlayed her influence into creating Gurls Talk, a digital safe space and resource hub for young people to discuss and process all aspects of mental health. In addition to a thriving podcast series, compelling editorial content, and virtual events, Aboah continues to amplify the work of Gurls Talk through brand partnerships and initiatives, like the recent #MakeTheAsk series for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Chelsea VonChaz, Founder & CEO of #HappyPeriod
What is your proudest moment of the past year?
Creating a PPE (period protection equipment) vending machine that dispenses free period products in a public space.
When you’re in a rut, how do you get inspired?
My Mama. She’s GOD in my eyes so I mainly look to her for strength and/or inspiration.
What is something you wish you knew at the start of your career?
If I knew how much folks don’t respect non-profit founders, charity employees, or folks in social work, I would’ve cared a bit less and not tried as hard to please others. I would’ve given less f*cks, possibly worked harder to make the world better for those around me who were in need of unconditional giving.
Tika Sumpter & Thai Rudolph, Founders of Sugaberry
(and former BlogHer speakers)
An accomplished actor, producer, and mother, Tika Sumpter currently acts on the top-rated ABC comedy series Mixed-ish as Alicia Johnson. She also runs Sugaberry, a lifestyle brand for moms of color, alongside Thai Randolph. She had the idea for Sugaberry after being frustrated with the lack of resources available for brown mamas during her own pregnancy. Tika and Thai also recently launched a new bi-weekly podcast called The Suga.
Thai Randolph is a mother, award-winning marketing, business development, and operations leader who has spent her career at the intersection of content, consumers, and commerce. She has a proven track record of developing brands, audience, and revenue for some of the biggest names in advertising, technology, and entertainment – including WPP, Publicis, Sony, Facebook, and Kevin Hart.
Rhonesha Byng, Founder & CEO of Her Agenda
(and former BlogHer speaker)
What is your proudest moment of the past year?
I am proud of my resilience; the fact that I am still here, and my business is still growing. In keeping Her Agenda afloat, we managed to launch one of the biggest deals in our business’ lifespan so far. In doing that, I also recognized it should not have taken us 12+ years to arrive at a deal of that size, and co-created an organization alongside Devon Johnson of Bleu Magazine and other publishers called the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI) to unite Black-owned Media, and educate advertisers and brands on the importance of these platforms and the best ways to invest in them.
When you’re in a rut, how do you get inspired?
I like to revisit the stories of the women who came before me. When women like Oprah, and mentors in my life actively share their stories, that keeps me going. I also look to my peers with who I can be vulnerable and transparent about my challenges.
What is something you wish you knew at the start of your career?
I wish I knew the value of my voice and the value of my platform. I would have doubled the rates in our media kit!
Angelica Ross, Actress & Founder of TransTech Social Enterprises
From the board room to film sets, Angelica Ross is a leading figure of success and strength in the movement for trans and racial equality. She is the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, an incubator that empowers trans and gender-nonconforming people through on-the-job training in leadership and workplace skills. Angelica has toured nationally, speaking her powerful mission into action with business leaders, educators, and more.
Karama Horne, Culture Journalist & Content Creator
(and former BlogHer speaker)
What is your proudest moment of the past year?:
Launching my online talk show/podcast theblerdgurlLIVE on Twitch. Every week I get to talk to amazing people about the incredible work they are doing at the intersection of geekdom and diversity.
When you’re in a rut, how do you get inspired?
Myself. I’m a multiple stroke survivor, I’ve been through divorce, pain, miscarriage, almost lost my home, and did lose my Dad. I had to learn how to walk again, use my left hand again and believe in myself again. So whenever I’m having a bad day, I look in the mirror and remember that mirror is hanging in a house that I own and that I’m standing on two working legs. As women, we are taught not to congratulate ourselves. But I’m still here, and I get paid to read comic books and watch movies.
What is something you wish you knew at the start of your career?:
That people really do care about what I have to say. There is an audience out there for me as long as I stay authentic.
Victoria Fu & Gloria Lu, Co-Founders of Chemist Confessions
What is your proudest moment of the past year?:
When our book Skincare Decoded was finally launched! The book was our Covid-baby. We spent so much time planning, writing, re-writing with a lot of existential anxiety. We had the lofty goal of writing a comprehensive guide that is easy enough for the absolute beginner to understand but can still serve as a well-thought-out reference for seasoned pros. In the end, we’re incredibly happy with how the book turned out.
When you’re in a rut, how do you get inspired?
Gloria: Across the table to Victoria.
Victoria: My cofounder, my family, my pets… and sometimes alcohol.
What is something you wish you knew at the start of your career?:
Gloria: I think for me it’s just not letting the future unknowns get you down. The “what-ifs” can be really overwhelming in the beginning. Focusing on short-term goals really helps.
Victoria: When you first start out, things can feel incredibly hectic. But it’s still important to remember to take pictures and cherish the moments. You’ll realize that those early-day struggles are some of the best memories of your journey. And it’s something we wish we documented better.
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