CAROL MARAJ is a Philanthropist, Singer/Songwriter, Evangelist, Motivational Speaker and Playwright. She is profi- cient in these varied roles but it is when she wears the hat of a motivational speaker that she commands our attention. In this role, she declares that the “rocky road” of life has its purpose. She should know. She has walked many miles on that “rocky road,” but survived its horrors proving that no matter how long the night, there is always a joyful morning.

In between these illustrious titles is the one she prizes the most: that of loving and devoted mother of two boys and a girl. Born in the twin-island Republic nation of Trinidad & Tobago, Carol migrated to the United States in 1985 later bringing her three children who include superstar rapper Nicki Minaj. It is Carol’s love and passion for her children that sustained her during years of do- mestic abuse which had the small family depraved for an unrelenting number of years. Maraj has turned the pain of that experience into a passion and so Carol the philanthropist is the Founder and CEO of the Carol Maraj Foundation (CMF) — an organization dedicated to eradicating the moral blight of domestic violence in our society.

CMF is a non-profit organization which advocates on behalf of families affected by domestic violence and helps restore the lost self-esteem of its many victims. Launched in 2012, the Carol Maraj Foundation produc- es programs and events that allow battered women an opportunity to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Carol the Evangelist works at reminding us that where there is life there is hope and to live by faith. Her theology is based on the tenet that faith resides beyond the struggle. So even in the darkest moments in life, it is faith that will carry you through, she affirms. The second to last in a family of 11, Carol is a former banker who cherished a long held passion for linguistics. She also had designs on being a teacher but gave up both dreams in pursuit of a life of human service. In 2004 she graduated from La Guardia Community College in New York with a degree in Liberal Arts and Human Services.

Rhonesha Byng is founder and CEO of Her Agenda, a digital media platform for millennial women. Byng won an Emmy award as part of team breaking news coverage for while she was a field producer with NBC New York, and has also received awards from the Associated Press and other organizations.

Rhonesha was named to the 2017 Forbes Magazine 30 under 30 list in the media and dorm room founders categories. ESSENCE magazine named her among 50 Founders To Watch. She’s also one of NBCBLK’s 28 under 28, and 29 People To Know by BET.

Most recently, Rhonesha co-founded the nonprofit org The Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI). The org was created to unite and advance Black-owned media businesses, educate the public on the importance of these platforms, and provide resources to strengthen sustainability.