BHM | LOCAL BLACK CREATORS - UPDATED FEB. 1ST, 2025
Birmingham is more than a city—it’s a movement. As the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, our history is rich with the voices and visionaries who shaped the fight for equality. Today, that legacy lives on in the creators, storytellers, and changemakers who continue to inspire and push our industry forward.
At Birmingham Social Media Club, we celebrate Black History Month by uplifting Black voices, highlighting the incredible talent in our community, and fostering conversations that matter. Whether it’s amplifying Black creators, sharing resources, or supporting Black-owned businesses, we believe social media is a powerful tool for storytelling and change.
This month—and every month—we honor the past, celebrate the present, and build towards a future where every voice is heard.
ShaElla Askew
ShaElla Eskew is a highly creative and analytical Social Media Manager & Strategist with a passion for crafting engaging content and driving community growth. She specializes in developing integrated social media strategies, executing data-driven campaigns, and fostering meaningful audience connections across platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.
With expertise in content creation, community engagement, campaign management, and performance analytics, ShaElla helps brands amplify their presence and achieve real results. She is available for contract or part-time remote opportunities and ready to bring strategic insight and creativity to your team.
Jaz the Creator
Jaz, the creator behind Palate for Culture, is a Birmingham, Alabama native passionate about celebrating Black-owned businesses and culture. Through her platform, she highlights Black-owned foods, fashion, and lifestyle, aiming to contribute to the generational wealth of Black families and promote economic equality.
In addition to her blog, Jaz actively engages with her audience on social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where she shares content related to Black-owned businesses and cultural experiences.
For more information and to explore her content, visit her website at palateforculture.com or follow her on Instagram at @palateforculture.
Funmi Ford
Emmanuella "Funmi" Ford is a Nigerian-born content creator and entrepreneur based in Birmingham, Alabama. She moved to the United States at the age of eight and later earned a liberal arts degree from Auburn University at Montgomery. After working in corporate America, she transitioned to full-time motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Ford has collaborated with major brands, including Amazon, Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Affirm, and Target. She emphasizes the importance of representation and encourages Black women to engage in the influencer and content creation economy.
Jeniese Hosey
Jeniese Hosey, known online as @jenesaisquoithe, is a Birmingham-based plus-size style expert and digital influencer. As the creator of The Je ne sais quoi Blog, she offers fashion inspiration and promotes body positivity.
A devoted Crimson Tide enthusiast, Jeniese combines her love for style with her passion for Alabama football. She has collaborated with brands like Lane Bryant, showcasing her versatile fashion sense. Recently, she discussed body positivity and weight loss in an interview with Javacia Harris Bowser.
For inquiries, she can be reached at Jenesaisquoithe@gmail.com.
Renae Bennett
Renae Bennett is a marketing specialist passionate about storytelling, digital strategy, and social impact. With experience in nonprofits, life insurance, and city youth initiatives, she specializes in social media management, photography, and SEO-driven marketing.
Proficient in tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, Renae is dedicated to creating campaigns that engage audiences and drive meaningful change.
TaLesha Oliver
TaLesha Oliver is an influencer and content creator with seven years of social media experience, building an engaged community through authentic storytelling. She partners with brands and businesses to create impactful content while staying true to her mission—connecting with Black millennial women through faith and integrity.
With a background in PR, media, and social strategy, TaLesha uses her platform to inspire, engage, and drive meaningful conversations.
Logan-Chanel Tillman
Logan-Chanel Tillman is a skilled videographer, editor, and digital communicator with experience in production assistance, media production, and client relations. Proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, she specializes in creating high-quality visual content that engages and inspires.
Logan-Chanel is passionate about storytelling through video and photography, delivering compelling visuals across various platforms.
Angelina Williams
Angelina Williams is a senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, double majoring in Entrepreneurship and Digital Marketing. As a Social Media Manager at DawnG Media, she specializes in content creation, strategy, and audience engagement.
Passionate about digital storytelling, Angelina is dedicated to helping brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
Tia E. Garner
Tia E. Garner is a marketing professional with extensive experience in social media management, event coordination, and community engagement. With a strong background in creating compelling marketing materials, Tia has utilized tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva to craft visually engaging content that enhances brand visibility and audience engagement.
Throughout her career, Tia has successfully managed multiple social platforms, driving impactful digital campaigns while also coordinating events that deliver seamless experiences for participants. Known for her strong organizational skills, Tia excels in executing strategic marketing initiatives that connect brands with their communities.
Darianne Tolbert
Darianne Tolbert is a Louisville, KY native holding a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Communication. Since 2014, Darianne has worked extensively in the intersection of public affairs, digital media and public engagement at the collegiate level and in the nonprofit sector, and most recently within the Department of Defense as a military coordinator.
In 2019, Darianne started her content production company, 2D FilmWorks. Since relocating to Birmingham, she has worked as a digital content creator for clients like Drum the Program and Birmingham Urban League, while also serving as a community engagement coordinator at REV Birmingham.
Darianne is currently a Project and Social Media Coordinator for CBG Strategies, and she also manages her content creation studio, 2D FilmWorks, in Bessemer, AL.
Quentin Renard Gunn
Quentin Renard Gunn is an American fashion, beauty, and celebrity portrait photographer based in New York City who is becoming widely known for his reality based work. He began his career working as photographic assistant to some of the world's leading photographers and is now navigating the future by serving on the diversity committee for
American Photographic Artists (APA).
It is with a growing number of creative collaborations and high visual output that he emerges with his creative team, and production house GUNNMEN+ now traveling between NYC and LA.
Breonna Redd
Breonna Redd is a creative and energetic marketing strategist with 8 years of experience in corporate and entertainment marketing with an expertise in social media marketing and management. Breonna is currently a Content Creator with an emphasis on social media strategy where she manages social properties for a variety of clients and industries.
Chasiti Shepard
Chasiti Shepard is the Owner + President of one of Birmingham’s leading public relations and marketing agency, BGrace Media. Founded in 2012, BGrace Media went from mostly media buying to public relations and social media [Instagram, Facebook, etc.]. With a full staff of talented media professionals, Chasiti and her team help clients grow their business.
Amber Garrett
Amber Garrett is currently a Social Media Specialist for ReBirth Marketing & Consulting.
Kayla Dawn Gladney
Kayla Dawn Gladney is the Founder of DawnG Media, a local media company that empowers service-based businesses to increase their impact and confidently show up on the internet.
Shardel Haden
Shardel Haden is currently a Social Media Coordinator for DawnG Media.
Randall Porter
Randall Porter is a Style + Culture Expert, best known for his column A Man About Town on soul-grown.com. With a deep love for style and Birmingham, what started as a way to highlight trends and local talent has evolved into a platform showcasing the most intriguing brands and artists from near and far.
Along the way, he’s taken on roles as a marketer, brand strategist, and event planner, curating experiences that bring people together. At the heart of it all is fashion—Randall believes personal style is powerful, and through his work, he encourages others to embrace their own.
Ultimately, what he wants the world to know is this: He’s dedicated to bringing people together and exposing them to the rich tapestry of experiences that Birmingham + Southeast have to offer. Whether through fashion, art, or community events, his mission is to foster connection and celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of The South.
His passion, creativity, and commitment to his city have made him a staple in Birmingham’s cultural scene, and it's exactly why he continues to champion local businesses, artists, and events that showcase its energy.
Giani Martin
Giani Martin is a fashionisto and creative curator + brilliant mind behind the gorgeously chic Birmingham Sunday Series.
SUB URBAN Creative
(Isaac Nunn)
SUB URBAN Creative is a local photographer and just recently opened a new shop in Woodlawn.
Isaac Nunn is an Asian Cuisine OBSESSED, Husband, Father, and creator. He created Sub Urban to bring creatives together to be innovative and to create a judgment-free space.
His ultimate goal is to create content that will inspire our community. He specializes in weddings, elopements, events, fashion, portraits, and videography.
Lindsay Price
Lindsay Price is an artist specializing in handmade resin home decor, graphic design, paintings, etc.
You can find her intricate works at EllPea Designs on Instagram & Facebook. If she’s not working resin, you can find Lindsay creating branding, logos and content for a wide range of businesses.
Anthony Chappell
Anthony Cappell is a local realtor who specializes in helping out first time home buyers, with the ultimate goal of encouraging and increasing home ownership in the Black community.
Valencia Ray
Valencia Ray is a creative artist, model and photographer.
Gina Tollese
Gina Tollese is a local DJ/Professional Vibe Setter.
Jacob Guyton
Jacob Guyton is a local music producer.
Elisha Williams
Elisha Williams is an actor, production coordinator and creative director. Elisha is a creative director and owner at Creative Curve, a local photography studio.
Steven Finley
Steven Finley is a local DJ and painter.
Dave Walker III
Dave Walker III has over 10 years as a professional photographer, content creator, model and musician.
Dave loves being able to capture priceless memories. No matte the occasion or whom it may be, Dave found joy in providing people with memories that last a lifetime through his art.
Olivia Anthony
Olivia Anthony is a local fashion designer with a focus on the unification from the nostalgic periods of fashion from the 90’s to early 2000’s. Celebrating the culture during this time, from the pioneering music and eccentric hairstyles, to the iconic movies and party scenes like Freaknik, Olivia’s goal is to be inspired and pay homage to those feelings while bringing new life to the vintage trends of that decade.
Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe is the premiere “Beer Fairy” of Birmingham, Alabama. Ashley and her husband (@father_knows_beer) tour breweries in Birmingham, in Alabama and beyond to their collective following of over 4,300 (.
Ashley founded Brewed Black Girl five years ago because she didn’t see enough black women representation in craft beer.
Eunice Elliot
Eunice Elliot is an award-winning comedian, journalist, producer, actress, author and podcast host.
Eunice performs regularly as a stand-up comedian, and also enjoys acting, radio broadcasting and writing and producing new television shows. After working as a morning show news anchor, Eunice enjoys being “off script” offering her musings about current events, politics and pop culture.
You can checkout Eunice’s podcast Oh No, Girl Yes where she discusses the challenges of dating and relationships with her unique comedic flair and insight. Eunice can also be heard guest co-hosting the City of Birmingham’s podcast “Magic City Spotlight” with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
Eunice was also tapped to host the NEW podcast, The History of Being Black, launched January 2021.
Learn more about Eunice here.
Larry Silver
Larry Silver is a visual artist, illustrator, and Painter. Larry was pulled to the arts by drawing his mother, Betty. You can find his work under his studio name, Silver Arts.
Silver is a self-taught artist that has been honing his craft since a child, creating and mocking technique from those more advanced. Feeling inspired by legendary artists, such as Charles White, Ernie Barnes, Kevin Williams, Jean Michel Basquiat and Salvador Dali, Silver wanted to challenge himself further in oil painting. Through this medium, he wanted more than just to learn how to paint, but to enlighten others by visually showcasing the beauty of our culture to not just tell a story, but make the viewer truly feel the details in the works of the painting.
Silver's central goal is to highlight the positive aspects of African American culture through historic, imaginative and effervescent artistic depictions. He aspires to one day leave a mark on the art world that will pioneer an increase in diversity within the profession and move others to express themselves through art to truly make a difference in the lives of people.
Christopher Davis
Chris Davis is a local improv comedian, standup comedian, host, artist and the occasional tomfoolery.
In addition, Chris (Drawdog) is a local artist that provides colorful pet portraits done in acrylic paint and India ink on acid-free archival quality watercolor paper. Instead of painting the true color of your pet, Chris uses a varying array of colors to capture your pet’s personality (or using fun colors for funs sake).
Jon Osborne
Jon Osborne is a Contemporary artist based in Birmingham, Alabama. Jon draws inspirations from music, dharma and urban art which inspires him to create. Osborne is a self-taught artist that uses a meditative and synesthesia approach to his work to explore pure emotions, feelings and perceptions while illustrating cultural and expression. Jon aspires to bring awareness to art therapy and creativity.
Crystal Mullen-Johnson
Crystal Mullen -Johnson is the CEO/Founder of Strive Counseling Services located in downtown Birmingham, AL. She is an award winning therapist. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Private Independent Practitioner and a Registered Play Therapist. She is the CEO/founder of Nurture, LLC, a mental health nonprofit that offers support groups, counseling service and mental health programs in the Birmingham community.
She has more than 16 years of experience providing mental health counseling to individuals and families. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master’s Degree in Social Work at Alabama A&M University.
In her leisure, she enjoys reading, golfing, exercising, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about providing helpful resources for the community to learn more about the importance of mental health awareness and wellness. She enjoys serving in the community to promote change. She has a 14 year old son, Ethan Johnson and a Labradoodle, Prince Johnson.
Kayla Stinnett
Kayla Stinnett founded Iron City Social back in 2017 as a one-woman operation. Over the last few years, it has grown into a thriving business with a passion for supporting, empowering, and educating small to medium-sized businesses here in the Southeast.
Kayla offers a full range of marketing services, helping brands authentically tell their stories and meet their customers where they’re at.
Brianna Bryant
Brianna Bryant is a photographer and branding extroidinaire based in Birmingham, Alabama. Brianna offers international branding and photography that is accessible to all.
Brianna’s studio, Bryant Studio was created to help small business owners and entrepreneurs broaden their brand awareness online so they can grow their audience.
Keaira Turner
Keaira Turner is a serial entrepreneur, content creator, YouTube queen who is ready to make her mark on the world. Keaira has been in the public relations industry for seven years now working with agencies, corporate and creating her own business to be able to help other entrepreneurs be able to increase their exposure.
Keaira also sits on the board of directors for the Birmingham Social Media Club, overseeing public affairs.
Braxton Holley
Braxton Holley is a photographer, videographer, DJ content creator and entrepreneur. You can find his creative works in Lok Enterprise where he blends these areas of creativity and working passion.
Jonathan D. Knox
Jonathan D. Knox is a creative director & photographer based in Birmingham, AL, specializing in portrait photography. He’s spent the past three years perfecting his craft, capturing memories and creating memorable experiences through his company; Knox Photography.
