Juanita A. Portlock and four of the most recently honored outstanding entrepreneurs
Nationwide — The Juanita A. Portlock Memorial Scholarship Fund, the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization that acknowledges African Americans excelling in cosmetology, culinary arts, event management, fashion design, interior design, and hospital management, will host its annual TeaVersation on January 11, 2025, combining tea and conversation on the beach in Malibu, California.
Attendees will engage in a moderated panel with special guest speakers Tonya Thompson and Warren George. Tonya is the co-founder of both DreamGirls Hair in Culver City and the Mixed Institute of Cosmetology & Barbering, the first Black-owned cosmetology school in Sacramento. Warren has also been a stylist for over 35 years and is the owner of Oasis Hair Studio, a Black-owned salon in Los Angeles.
The Fund is the vision of Zna Portlock Houston, who is the CEO and Founder. She created the fund in honor of her late mother, Mrs. Juanita A. Portlock who excelled in the areas of cosmetology, culinary arts, event management, fashion design, hospitality management, and interior design.
2024 has been a year of progress and milestones for the Fund as it engages in community-based programming and continues to provide student scholarships and business stipends to those pursuing the areas beloved by Mrs. Portlock.
The TeaLights were launched as ambassadors helping to “Expand the Definition Fine Arts” to young people just like them. They include ten-year-old Chief TeaLight Sydney Duncan, a dancer, apparel designer, and Tae Kwon Doe black and red belt; seventh grader Chloe Orr, a volleyball player and church choir member; and ten-year-old Lillian Grey Mozelle Hayden, a “Soaring Sankofa” news anchor at her elementary school and actress.
Over the summer, the Fund honored four outstanding entrepreneurs: Marilyn “Bunny” Brown with the Artistry Award for her 27-plus years as a hairstylist and salon owner; Dion Mial received the Bespoke Award for his interior design style; the Connoisseur Award went to Charlene Hamilton of Food Decor; and the Pinnacle Award was received by Tanisha Harper, actress, and model.
In addition, over $20,000 was awarded in business stipends to Tye Barrett of Amami Luxury; Taylor Holeman of Ivan’s Cooking by Taylor, LLC; Justin Hunt of Saint Hunt; Nkihu Merah of Kytura Naturals; and Sherie Campbell Pollard of Big Easy Soul Kitchen, LLC; and student scholarships to Destiny Baltazar – Universal College of Beauty; Jordan Phillips – California State University, Los Angeles and Zion Otaño – Cornell University.
The Advisory Board expanded to nine members including Connie Bass, Hospitality Management Industry Expert; Marcia Darden, CFO, Michael S. Smith, Inc.; Warren George, Stylist and Salon Owner, Oasis Hair Studio; Bridget Harper, Marketing Executive + Creative; Frenchye Harris, Area Marketing Director, Saks Fifth Avenue; Lisa J. Jackson, Consultant + Creative; Zion Otaño, Student, Cornell University; Tonya Thompson, Co-Founder DreamGirls Hair; and Valerie Williams, Senior Group Manager, Neiman Marcus.
Looking back at 2024, the Fund made a difference for those seeking the expanded definition of fine arts, and the road ahead is vivid!
For more information on TeaVersation, The Juanita A. Portlock Memorial Scholarship Fund, and its mission to “expand the definition of fine arts,” please visit the official web site at JuanitasRedroom.com
For press inquiries, contact Manifested Entertainment Management, Zya Ojeikere at assistant@manifestedentmgmt.com.
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