We are proud to announce that our esteemed Ivy Box Ambassador, Kinna Thomas, was selected to grace the cover of the Winter 2025 issue of HBCU Times Magazine, where she shared her empowering story. A proud Lane College alumna and a high-ranking retail executive, Thomas has built an impressive career by blending business acumen with a commitment to service and community uplift.
A Legacy of Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Thomas’s entrepreneurial spirit was cultivated from a young age, growing up in a family of business owners. “I spent most of my elementary school years hanging out with my dad at his auto body shop and gas station,” she recalls. “On weekends, he’d let me use his manual typewriter—with the white-out and all—to help with customer invoices. That’s how I became a fast typist, but more importantly, it taught me early on about customer service and the importance of treating people with respect.”
From her grandfather’s convenience store to her mother’s talent as a seamstress, Thomas was surrounded by examples of hard work, innovation, and perseverance. These formative experiences laid the foundation for her own entrepreneurial mindset, which she has carried into every role throughout her career.
Choosing Lane College and the HBCU Experience
Despite initially planning a long-term career with McDonald’s, where she was the younger manager in the region at age sixteen, Thomas’s path changed when Lane College’s president personally invited her to attend. That decision, she says, was life-changing. “Being a small school, I received individual attention from professors who genuinely cared, and my classmates weren’t just people I saw in class—we motivated and supported each other. That environment made a huge difference in my growth.”
Thomas credits her HBCU experience with instilling in her a deep sense of confidence. “It reinforced my sense of belonging in any space—that I’m prepared and that I come from a legacy of excellence,” she shares. This sense of self-assurance has been key to her success in corporate spaces, where she has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including the development of Patti LaBelle’s Sweet Potato Pie, which became a cultural phenomenon.
Balancing Authenticity and Perception
Thomas is intentional about how she positions herself in professional settings and is proud that she has found a way to her authenticity always shines through. “I’ve mastered the balance of being my true self while also shaping the narrative of how I’m perceived,” she explains. “It’s not about changing who I am but rather making sure that my impact and reputation align with my goals.”
Her approach is also a tool against impostor syndrome. “When you own your story, control your narrative, and step confidently into every space, there’s no room to doubt whether you belong—you already know you do.”
A Commitment to Service and Sisterhood
Thomas’s journey with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. began before she even fully understood what the organization was. “When I was younger, living in affordable housing, I remember seeing women in pink and green out in the community, cleaning up the fields and sidewalks in front of our home at least once a month. At the time, I didn’t fully understand who they were, but that image stuck with me,” she recalls.
That early exposure to service left a lasting impression, ultimately leading her to join the sorority and dedicate nearly three decades to uplifting communities. “My 27-year experience with AKA hasn’t just been about membership; it’s about creating change and uplifting communities, especially those that are underserved,” she says.
We’re Honored to Have Kinna Thomas as an Ivy Box Ambassador
With her passion for service, her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her ability to inspire others, we are incredibly honored to have Kinna Thomas as an Ivy Box Ambassador. Her leadership embodies everything we stand for—empowering and equipping women to lead with confidence, purpose, and impact.
As Thomas continues to make strides in business and community engagement, her story serves as a powerful testament to the impact of HBCUs, entrepreneurship, and sisterhood. She reminds us all that success is not just about personal achievements—it’s about lifting up others as you climb.