Apr 7, 2021
“Lady” is an advocate for social change, vibrant businesswoman, internationally trained makeup artist, celebrity costumer/clothier, style icon, former model, and Mother of two. She is known to many as the empowering facilitator of her classic and signature Return of the Lady (ROTL) tea party seminars, established in 2003. ROTL, a division of Inner Makeup Enterprises (INRME), is a program suited for all ages, genders, ethnicities, and cultures. In June of 2016, ROTL was invited to the inaugural White House United State of Women (USOW) Summit, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Oprah, and honored as a “Nominated Change Maker.” This honor was achieved based on the work the ROTL organization had accomplished in its advocacy work in the areas of IPV/domestic violence and teen pregnancy. It was a honor only bestowed to leading activists, academics, journalists, public officials, and business leaders across the country. Currently, The Lady is working on her first book, with future plans to shop a television show entitled, The Return of the Lady. The Lady can also be seen as a subject in PBS’s new documentary Fast Forward.
L'Oréal McCollum, LSW, MSW, M.Ed., (she/her) is an internationally accomplished multihyphenate--artist, wellbeing practitioner, and educator--on a journey to inspire radical joy, authenticity, empathy, and healing. Born in Richmond, Virginia and raised in Landstuhl, Germany and Atlanta, Georgia, her interests in sociology, the performing arts, and the inner workings of the brain blossomed during her early adolescent years where she drew inspiration from her father (a then-mental health counselor in the Air Force) and mother (a then-spokesmodel/brand executive for an international cosmetics company). Through the years, she has gained unique experience in the areas of community health & wellness, training & education, the healing arts, nightlife/restaurant hospitality, social activism, public affairs, communication media, and entertainment. She currently serves as the Black Mental Health & Healing Justice Training Coordinator/Trainer for BEAM (The Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective). In addition to her work with BEAM, she cultivates joy through expressing her artistry as a commercial actor/model and vinyl DJ. She is a graduate of Widener University where she completed an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Human Sexuality Studies (i.e. all but dissertation), as well as a M.Ed. in Human Sexuality Studies and MSW in Clinical Social Work. She also earned a BS degree in Communications (with a concentration in Media Studies) from Kennesaw State University. She can also be seen as a subject in PBS’s new documentary Fast Forward.
"TK" Dutes is a nurse turned audio producer and co-host of TK in The AM, recently celebrating 1000 episodes of live streaming morning radio on Bondfire Radio. With experience spanning terrestrial radio (WBAI-NY) , online, podcast (Buzzfeed's "Thirst Aid Kit", Function with Anil Dash, Hear to Slay) and audio drama, her life in audio is all encompassing. TK's has a passion for Black audio drama, having produced W.E.B DuBois' The Comet, and The Weeksvile Project, a story about a free Black community Brooklyn, N.Y. She also spreads the gospel of radio and podcasting through workshops and mentorship, and was recently listed on Current.org's "Black Talents in Public Media You Should Know." Currently, she is on the board of the Association of Independents in Radio, and an Executive Producer at Spoke Media at the helm of Good Words with Kirk Franklin and more.
Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), Hysterical at FX on Hulu, Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf