Kinna currently serves as a Senior Divisional Planner at Target after a highly decorated 9-year career at Walmart Incorporated where she served as the Director of Global Customer Insights and Analytics. She is the proud mom of two boys as well as an active member of the Phi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Northwest Arkansas. Kinna has been happily married to her husband, Gerry Thomas, for seventeen wonderful years.

A proud HBCU alumnae, Kinna received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee where she was initiated into The Beta Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She then furthered her education by receiving her Master of Arts in Management and Master of Business from Webster University.

Black Women Who Love Fashion began as a passion project for Kinna in 2020 as she felt moved to create a safe space for Black women to uplift one another after the May 25^th murder of George Floyd. Though she worked from home during the pandemic, Kinna continued to dress up as though she was going to the office as an act of self-care and started the group by sharing photos of her chic outfits with members. The group has gone on to achieve rapid success and its membership currently spans over 72,000 Black women across the globe.

Kinna is no stranger to innovation as she is also the founder of the best-selling Patti Pies and the Patti Labelle Peach Cobbler. She conceptualized the dessert line just two weeks into her role as the Senior Buyer for Cakes and Pies at Walmart. What many may not know, is that the recipe for the base of the famous pie is Kinna’s family recipe. In fact, when she approached the President of Bakery and Deli at Walmart about her idea, it was only a mere 24 hours later before she was in contact with Patti Labelle and the finishing touches were being crafted for the Patti Pies.

Patti Pies went on to take the world by storm in 2015 and became an overnight internet sensation-selling out on shelves across the country. Five years after its launch in 2020, Walmart reported that 36,000 Patti LaBelle Sweet Potato Pies are sold a day. Following the success of the Patti Pies, the line has expanded to include peach cobbler, banana pudding, bread pudding, and many more variations of African American dessert staples.

A highly decorated executive, Kinna is the recipient of the 2017 Buyer of the Year for Walmart and was nominated in both 2015 and 2016.  On her KNWA segment, Kinna stated that she is “very serious about making sure that her purpose is realized and is very intentional about showing up for people in a positive way.” Through the creation of the Black Women Who Love Fashion Facebook group and Patti Pies, Kinna has found a way to uplift the culture, share our stories, and amplify our voices in a meaningful way.

Ivy Storehouse is extremely proud to commence Women’s History Month by celebrating one of our very own! Kinna is a phenomenal talent, a bright light, and an inspiration to us all. As an Ivy Box subscriber since 2018, we are extremely proud to have her serve as a Brand Ambassador, and we look forward to seeing what she creates next! Visit here to read her USA News article and here to view her segment on Good Day NWA.

Students and family and friends threw virtual watch parties to see Jennifer accept her award. She is is now on billboards and kiosks throughout Henry County. Jennifer made sure to represent Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as she wore her June Ivy Box sweater during the photoshoot for her billboard. Her students couldn’t be more proud! Currently, she teaches English/Language Arts at Hampton Middle School.

Jennifer has been an educator for nine years, and she’s taught over 1,200 students throughout her teaching career. Congratulate her on this phenomenal achievement in the comments below!

Outspoken on social justice issues, Medina is passionate about creating real change by spreading awareness about human trafficking and evidence-based body positivity. As a volunteer for P31 Girls, she served as an Emotional Mental Health and Wellness Mentor and Coach. While volunteering with FAIR Girls, she conducted several webinar series on the adultification of Black girls. She also moderated youth panels and conducted Human Trafficking 101 training nationwide. A talented performer, she is also a classically trained opera singer and has been using the gift of her voice to serve others since beginning her musical training at age 4. Her love of performing and service “ultimately became the foundation for her platform, Peer Empowerment and Community Engagement (P.E.A.C.E),” a social justice community comprised of students who are committed to making an impact on their campuses and globally. She has had the pleasure of singing the National Anthem for  President Obama at a rally in Hampton, Virginia, sang for a sold out crowd of over 17,000 people for the NBA Washington Wizards,  The Capital City Go-Go (NBA G league of the Wizards) and the WNBA Washington Mystics.

“During (her) recent externship with NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children), (she) learned that there was a real need for education and awareness for human trafficking and to help and demand an end to missing children, human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. So in 2017, in addition to continuing to encourage and inspire youth to become active in their community, (she) changed her platform to Demand an End: Stop Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking.”

Medina is a 2x alumna of George Washington University (GWU), where she obtained her M.A. in Forensic Psychology and M.Psy. in Clinical Psychology. For her undergraduate studies, she received a full-ride scholarship to Hollins University as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen in 2012. In addition to pageant preparations, and managing a full course load, she practices as a licensed therapist in Washington DC and Virginia. Furthermore, she serves as a student representative and Clinic Instructional Assistant for GWU, allowing her to advocate for both her colleagues in faculty meetings and in training the next cohort of psychologists. An avid volunteer, to date she has over 7,800 volunteer hours.

If crowned the 100th Miss America, Medina would make history as the first Afro-Latina, due to her Puerto Rican and African American ancestry, and she would also be the first military member to be wear the crown. She is hopeful that becoming Miss America will show the next generation of girls that they can have it all. “I feel blessed to be in the position I am in and I thank God for all of the many blessings he’s given me,” says Medina. “I am humbled by all of the many memorable moments I have experienced thus far and look to the future for many more.” To learn more about Andolyn Medina, visit her website here.

Currently, she is raising money for the Miss America Foundation as a part of the Miss America 2022 competition. To donate to her cause, click here. 

We wish Andolyn much success in her pursuit of the Miss America title and welcome you to leave your well wishes in the comments below!

Jones’s impressive background as a New York City prosecutor and senior district attorney allowed her to and examine headlining news from a legal lens and provide a legal education the audience. Soror Sunny Hostin thanked Jones for “bring(ing) the law to daytime television.”

When reflecting on her best moments on The View, Jones stated that “Being able to introduce Black and Brown people as experts, not just TV stars or celebrities or sports stars, but to be a contributor, was really one of my great honors.”

Jones shared a sisterly moment with fellow Alpha women, Sunny Hostin, when she began reciting the Greek Alphabet, to The two Alpha women raised their pinkies and high-fived one another after Jones recitation of the Greek alphabet-warning the audience members that the “Delta” variant wouldn’t be the only Greek letter they would become familiar with if people refused to get vaccinated.

We are so thankful that we got to witness Star make her return to The View, and we are honored that she allowed the Ivy Box to be a part of her special moment.

Godwin is a 1984 journalism graduate of Florida A&M University, the first HBCU to have an accredited journalism program. Her long career includes a role as acting news director and assistant news director at WCBS-TV in New York City. She also served as vice president and news director at both KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, and KXAS-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth. Throughout her 14-year career with CBS News, Godwin served as CBS News executive director for Development and Diversity, senior broadcast producer of the CBS Evening News and executive vice president for CBS News.

The National Association of Black Journalists recognized Godwin for her accomplishments in November 2020. She also received the Ida B. Wells Award from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Both accolades acknowledged her relentless dedication to coverage of communities of color, as well as increasing diversity within the newsroom and mentoring upcoming young journalists.

“I have immense respect and admiration for ABC News,” said Godwin. “As the most trusted brand in news, they are to be commended for the extraordinary work and dedication of the journalists, producers, executives, and their teams across the organization. I am honored to take on this stewardship and excited for what we will achieve together.”

We are incredibly proud of Kimberly’s commitment to excellence and are excited to follow along her journey. Add your congratulations in the comments below!