The Chenese Lewis Show

Clarkisha Kent is a Nigerian American writer, culture critic, former columnist, and author of Fat Off, Fat On: A Big Bitch Manifesto. Committed to telling inclusive stories via unique viewpoints from nigh-infancy, she is fascinated with using storytelling and cultural criticism not as a way to “overcome” or “transcend” her unique identities (as a FAT, bisexual, and disabled Black African woman), but as a way to explore them, celebrate them, affirm them, and most importantly, normalize them and make the world safe enough for people who share them to exist. As a University of Chicago graduate with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies and English, she brings with her over eight years of pop culture analysis, four years of film theory training, and a healthy appetite for change. Her writing has been featured in outlets like Entertainment Weekly, Essence, gal-dem, PAPER, BET, HuffPost, MTV News, The Root, and more. She is also the creator of #TheKentTest and the co-creator of The Kelli & Kat Test—both of which are media litmus tests designed to evaluate the quality of representation that exists for Black women, women of color, and fat [Black] women respectively. Currently, Kent is working on a novel about a Black female outlaw and a TV comedy pilot about an immortal familiar.

Ta Morrison is the CEO and Founder of Star Class Travel, a luxury full-service travel agency and hand-crafted and pored T-Lites Candle company in Houston, Texas. Ta became the Texas Ambassador for National Curves Day, Inc. in September 2016 because she saw a need for outreach in her local community. She is currently the Global Director and ambassador for National Curves Day and shares their mission to embrace, encourage, and empower women and men in the plus-size community by teaching them to self-embrace, self-identify, and self-love. She recently helped launch the Plus Travel Network, a division of NCD that is a cultural collective dedicated to redefining world experiences for the big & tall and plus size community. The inaugural Body Confidence Fest is happening August 3-7, 2023 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!

Tawana Blassingame is the Founder and Executive Producer of The Full Figured Industry Awards and the CEO and Founder of Queen Size Magazine. In 2011 she began publishing Queen Size Magazine, a monthly full figured fashion and lifestyle publication for both men and women. Under her parent company Cohesive Minds Inc, Queen Size Magazine has enjoyed ten years of continued success. Tawana has recently embarked on a new journey, she is now the Executive Producer of the Full Figured Industry Awards (also known as the FFIAs). The FFIAs is a prestigious ceremony of awards and of distinguished recognition honoring the craftsmanship and commitment to excellence across various platforms spanning the full figured industry. From models, makeup artists, and designers, to bloggers, photographers, entertainers, influencers, productions, and more. Through the magazine and FFIAs, Tawana and her team are continuously working to ensure that the full figured and the big and tall industry is seen, heard, respected, and recognized. The Full Figured Industry Awards happening Nov. 5th at theJamaica Performing Arts Center!

A former award-winning journalist, Phyllis Brasch Librach traded deadlines for hemlines after she failed to find a trendy plus size prom dress for her curvy teen-age daughter. In the beginning, Librach was just another mother anxious to wipe away her daughter’s tears. Twenty years ago she founded Sydney’s Closet, which has become an international company that sets the bar for fashion-forward prom, wedding, formal, evening and party dresses in sizes 14 to 40 that fit and flatter curvy women and teens. The Company now produces 10,000 dresses annually in 8 different collections. Dubbed the “plus size fairy godmother” by the Chicago Tribune, she is being honored with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award at The Full Figured Industry Awards happening Nov. 5th

Cameron Boyland, also known as “Big Cam,” is a dedicated Big & Tall Model and influencer based in Dallas, TX. Over the past year, he has become a Tik Tok Viral Sensation and the 2021 DXL Big Model Search Winner. Outside of being a professional Big & Tall Model, he is also an entrepreneur, creative director, and producer. Cameron is represented internationally in London and signed to 5 agencies in America. Some of the major brands he has worked with include SavageXFenty, JCPenney, DXL, and Champion. He has been featured in publications such as XL Tribe Magazine, KRAVE Magazine, Voyage Dallas, and Yahoo News. Cameron partnered with National Curves Day, Inc as Co-Founder of “The Bigger Picture” campaign, sponsored by Johnny Bigg, taking place Sept. 10 during New York Fashion Week to advance the Big & Tall Community within the fashion industry.

Tajma "Taj" Myles is a cast member of WEtv’s new hit reality show “Super Sized Salon”, which follows the staff of the first beauty salon that caters to the plus size community. The reality show follows six women business owners from across the country who joined forces to open the world’s first recognized plus size salon, customized to accommodate women of all sizes and shapes up to 800 pounds. Tajma is one of the industry’s most sought-after expert hair stylists and makeup artists. She has worked with celebrity clients such as Vanessa Simmons, Kindred Family Soul, Frenchie Davis, Sherri Shepherd, E40, Lloyd and Karen King, among others. Taj’s work has also been featured on projects for Chris Brown’s Black Pyramid, Amber Rose’s SlutWalk, and John Legends’ Darkness and Light Tour. She is the owner of The StylezByTaj Collection,a full-service luxury salon in Berkeley, California. The StylezByTaj Collection salon exudes glamour and provides a “high-end” one-stop shop for all your luxury beauty needs including hair styling, makeup application, and also features Taj’s Luxury Naked Hair Line, Stylez By Taj Collection. Super Sized Salon airs Fridays at 10:30 p.m. ET on WEtv. The series will also stream on ALLBLK every Tuesday following its WEtv airing.

A-Love is a cast member of WEtv's new hit reality show “Super Sized Salon”, which follows the staff of the first beauty salon that caters to the plus size community. The reality show follows six women business owners from across the country who joined forces to open the world’s first recognized plus size salon, customized to accommodate women of all sizes and shapes up to 800 pounds. The San Diego native is a hairstylist and entrepreneur with her own holistic hair care line. She wears many hats in the entertainment industry ranging from comedy, acting, and public speaking. A-Love is also an influencer on social media for the empowerment of plus size women, self-love, and so much more! Super Sized Salon airs Fridays at 10:30 p.m. ET on WEtv. The series will also stream on ALLBLK every Tuesday following its WEtv airing.

Brittany “BB” Martin is a cast member of WEtv's new hit reality show “Super Sized Salon”, which follows the staff of the first beauty salon that caters to the plus size community. The reality show follows six women business owners from across the country who joined forces to open the world’s first recognized plus size salon, customized to accommodate women of all sizes and shapes up to 800 pounds. Brittany, who was crowned Miss Florida Plus America 2012, is a celebrity artist and owner of BBDesire Glam in West Palm Beach, Florida. The beauty bar is a complete custom luxury one-stop beauty experience that specializes in enhancing and redefining the beauty in everyone. Super Sized Salon airs Fridays at 10:30 p.m. ET on WEtv. The series will also stream on ALLBLK every Tuesday following its WEtv airing.

Erial Ramsey, The Dream Queen, is an author, marketing & brand expert, serial entrepreneur and instructor. With over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience, Erial is the owner of Nimiety Holdings. This is the parent company of many brands, including her longest running business, Imperial1002 (ten-oh-two), a full service design and marketing company. Through her company she has branded / mentored / consulted a few hundred businesses across most industries. The “Dream Queen” title is a nod to her 10 years of participation in the pageant industry. Most recently, Erial has acquired the Miss Plus World International Pageant System and will be serving as Executive Director and Producer. Although Erial has many creative pursuits and brands, she is most proud of two accomplishments: Publishing over 100 women’s stories through her She is the Ish brand AND showcasing her accessory line, e.dele (ee-duh-lee), at NYFW. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Erial currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. She is a proud two-time alumna (MA, BSJ) from Ohio University, in Athens, OH.

Le'Andra Dove affectionately known as Elle is a black American designer. She was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and from the time she was 8 she knew she wanted to become a designer. One of her first designs was inspired by a Georgia O'Keefe painting. She is formally taught and received her BFA in fashion design and merchandising from the International Academy of Design Technology- Orlando in 2012. She later launched Lorenza James by Elle Dove in 2013. "I was making beautiful garments that I couldn't wear the entire time I was in school. Now I want to serve women that look like me..." Lorenza James by Elle Dove has seen its ups and downs over the years since its conception but has always found a way to thrive and serve the plus community through stylish looks that turn heads and provide comfort. Le'Andra is a finalist for The Cultivate Award Year II presented by The Curvy Fashionista with founding sponsor Eloquii.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Howard County, Maryland, Charniece White is an economist, curator, pattern maker, and full-package technical designer with 10+ years of experience. A social justice, civil rights, and women’s rights activist, Charniece lives for being a champion for the underrepresented. She curates and dreams for little Black girls and children who don’t see representations of themselves in fashion on the runway and behind the runway. Charniece was inspired to be a designer after attending Spelman College and getting involved in Fashion Clubs that crossed over with Clark Atlanta to throw fashion shows. Charniece owns two sister lines that offer up to sizes 5X and 30, Pinecone Row and B A R K W O O D. The former is named after the street she grew up on and the latter speaks to the woman she is and aspires to be. Pinecone Row, the fun and trendy of the two, was launched during the pandemic after realizing the need for more moderately priced clothing was eminent. B A R K W O O D, which launched in 2017and was temporarily closed due to Covid but is set to reopen in September 2022, is a more modern, contemporary and elevated brand. Charniece is a finalist for The Cultivate Award Year II presented by The Curvy Fashionista with founding sponsor Eloquii.

Matthew Robinson has loved fashion for as long as he can remember and grew up obsessed with shopping as a child. He designed his first dress at 13, designed high school classmates’ prom dresses, and began his career in the fashion industry at 16, working retail for Lane Bryant, Torrid, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue. He studied fashion at El Camino College in Torrance, CA, and earned his degree in Apparel Design and Merchandising at San Francisco State University. In 2019, Matthew began working as an adjunct instructor for the Academy of Art University. Starting his entrepreneurial designer endeavors in 2011, Matthew created one-of-a-kind pieces, focusing on size inclusivity. In 2017, Matthew showed his first collection – “Part One: Color Block”, a colorful, playful collection inspired by mid 20th century at Full Figured Fashion Week. In 2018, he showcased his second collection which was in partnership with Dress for Success San Francisco at their Annual Benefit Gala. Matthew is a finalist for The Cultivate Award Year II presented by The Curvy Fashionista with founding sponsor Eloquii.

Founded in 2010 by celebrity designer Angela Rene’, Rene’ Tyler creates custom, contemporary designs for women sizes 12 and above. Rene' Tyler designs have been worn by celebrities including Laverne Cox, Dulcé Sloan, Mary Lambert, Marsha Ambrosius, and most recently Vivica A. Fox. The brand was featured on the critically acclaimed AMC television series Dietland starring Julianna Margulies and Joy Nash. In 2016, Rene’ Tyler made history as the first-ever plus-size brand to show at LA Fashion Week. Inspired by the belief that high-end fashion should be inclusive for women of all shapes and sizes, she opened the first-ever plus-size boutique on the Las Vegas Strip, at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort. In 2020 the boutique opened at the Fashion Show Mall. Her Noir et Blanc collection debuted in New York at Oxford Fashion Studio, at Pier 59 Studios, making her the only brand to showcase an all plus-size collection for the fall and winter 2020 season. She believes whether you’re a size four or thirty-four, fashion is for everyone! Angela' Rene is a finalist for The Cultivate Award Year II presented by The Curvy Fashionista with founding sponsor Eloquii.

Shavonne Dorsey is an accomplished fashion designer and the 2020 winner of The Big Find on HSN. The Big Find is a national search on HSN which finds America's top talent. After her win, she partnered with the mega retailer to meet the fashion needs of women all over the USA through her designs. Her clothing line is now sold through HSN, which reaches over 80 million homes through its on-television and on-line shopping network. Prior to her success with HSN, she was the first plus size designer to be selected for Macy’s Chicago Fashion Incubator Program in 2011, which was the catalyst to her designing career. Shavonne believes that women should be respected regardless of their size and should be celebrated through her beautiful designs.

Becky Jarvis is the owner and creator of Curvy Chic Closet, the largest plus-size consignment sales event in North America, founded in 2011. The 4-day, semi-annual event includes over 15 participating vendors and a fashion show featuring women of all ages from 14 to 60+, as well as big and tall men. Twice a year, this event attracts hundreds of women across Portland and the Pacific Northwest to purchase clothes and accessories at incredible discounts, in addition to attending the largest plus size fashion show on the west coast. In Fall 2018, Becky Jarvis created the Curvy Closet Foundation a 501c3 (non-profit) to promote self-confidence and self-love through empowerment workshops. Ms. Jarvis was a nominee in 2017, 2018, and 2019 for Fashion Show Producer of the Year for Portland Fashion and Style Awards. The Curvy Chic Closet Spring 2022 show is scheduled from April 28th through May 1st in Hillsboro, Oregan.

Chelsea Kronengold, MA, is an internationally-recognized media spokesperson and expert on topics relating to body image, eating disorders, diet culture, media literacy, and weight stigma. She has been featured in over 50 media publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NBC, CBS, People Magazine, and USA TODAY. Presently, Chelsea is the communications lead for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), tasked with creating and executing the organization's communications and brand strategy. In this role, Chelsea also advises Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and NBCUniversal on eating disorders content and resources; trust and safety policies; and tips for responsible media coverage. NEDA just launched the inaugural Body Acceptance Week, which promotes body positivity, body neutrality, and body liberation for all, taking place November 1st - 5th!

Melissa Mercedes is a celebrity fashion designer specializing in plus sizes, based in Los Angeles. She has dressed celebrities such as Lavern Cox, Nina Parker and Nia Jax for events such as the People Choice Awards, Grammys, and much more. She is the winner of The Cultivate Award, an initiative from Eloquii and The Curvy Fashionista that supports indie designers of color in the plus-size fashion community. She won the opportunity to design a capsule collection with Eloquii that will be sold on the retailer’s site in 2022. Melissa Mercedes is also a 2021 Outstanding Female Designer nominee at The Virtual Full Figured Industry Awards happening Nov. 6th!

Heather McGarry is the AVP of Public Relations and Social Media for Lane Bryant and Cacique. Lane Bryant is the leading national specialty retailer for plus size women offering apparel, intimates, shoes, and accessories. Lane Bryant and Cacique operate e-commerce websites and over 600 stores throughout the United States. Heather has been with Lane Bryant for fifteen years in a succession of roles in marketing and has over 25 years of experience in apparel marketing. As project manager for numerous Lane Bryant campaigns over the years including #ImNoAngel and #PlusIsEqual, she believes in a client focused strategy, meeting her where and when she is ready to shop. She has been active in the plus community since day one and is being honored at the Silver Fox Fashion Soiree on September 18th for her work as a woman in the fashion industry. Lane Bryant is being honored as the 2021 Retail Brand of the Year at The Virtual Full Figured Industry Awards happening Nov. 6th!

Renee Cafaro is the US Editor of plus size print magazine, SLiNK and designer at her new luxury brand RCA Public Label, serving sizes 16 - 32. She has had a lengthy career in social justice and politics prior to her time in plus size fashion but finds both fields to be rooted in equality and advocacy. RCA Public Label is partly mission-based, not only to serve the sizes most forgotten by the industry but to aim to revitalize the economy in NYC’s Garment Center post-pandemic

Martinus Evans is the founder of Slow AF Run Club™ and 300 Pounds and Running, a self-improvement blog to help plus-size individuals be active without the pressure of weight loss. He started his blog in 2012 after his doctor called him fat and laughed while telling him he would die if he tried to run a marathon. Martinus is breaking stereotypes of what an athlete looks like and inspiring many. He is a marathon runner, author, run coach, award-winning speaker, podcast host, and an Adidas...