The National Professional Women's Network

Outstanding Black Woman In Business

Meet April Ruiz

April Ruiz is a seasoned professional with a diverse background spanning engineering, city government, nonprofit philanthropy, education, and business. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is deeply committed to promoting academic excellence and educational equity.

Throughout her career, April her roles have ranged from serving as a substitute math teacher and professional tutor to working as an adjunct professor, offering her expertise in a multitude of subjects. Holding a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in business administration, April brings a wealth of knowledge to her endeavors.

As the Founding CEO of Mosaic Masterminds, April leads a dedicated team focused on empowering learners of all ages to enhance their academic performance and critical thinking skills. Through personalized learning experiences tailored to individual needs, Mosaic Masterminds fosters personal growth and self-esteem. With proficiency in seven languages, April and her team have supported students and families across the United States, delivering professional tutoring services and facilitating skill development for career advancement among adults.

April’s passion for education extends beyond her business ventures. She has coordinated numerous academic programs and special projects in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as The Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Great Minds in STEM, NASA, and various universities and community organizations. Her efforts have been instrumental in advancing educational initiatives and fostering community partnerships.

In addition to her role at Mosaic Masterminds, April is actively involved in mentoring youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether speaking at conferences or engaging with students in the classroom, she seeks to inspire others to pursue their goals with determination and embrace the power of community collaboration.

Drawing on her expertise in educational advocacy, April excels in guiding strategic efforts for students, families, and businesses seeking to adopt innovative educational practices. Her dedication to transforming the learning experience and empowering students to think differently about education is evident in all facets of her work.

For additional information, please visit April’s LinkedIn profile.

Outstanding Black Woman In Business

Meet Ruth Etta Coleman

I survived 60 years in Holland Michigan, a Dutch community that fought to keep Black culture on the outskirts. In 1992, my husband and I started the first African American Support Group. In 1995, I opened the first black hair care store in Holland. Witnessing the increasingly dropout rate of African American Students from high school in 1998, I implemented a Learning Enhancement Achievement Program for middle school students. When one of the students from the program stole a Doo Rag from my store, I asked what was needed to avert this type of behavior. “We need a place of our own,” the student replied. After discussing the matter further with my husband, we decided to implement a Juneteenth Festival in Holland in 2000. A few years later after the success of the Juneteenth Festival, I felt Black students deserved more and opened the Center of African American Art and History Museum in 2012. With support waning, I could not imagine letting such an iconic vision dissipate. My husband and I moved CAAAH to Grand, Rapids, Michigan in 2014. My husband and I worked diligently with community leaders over a 3 to 4 year period to establish a board and find a location and open what is now called the NIA Centre in Downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Robert Upton and a magnificent group people have worked tirelessly to develop niacentre.org. NIA is a Swahili word meaning purpose, a center for everybody’s history. However, when talking about the qualities of one’s life, many aspects of which are hidden and not always obvious. 

My name is Ruth Etta Coleman. I have MSW, a MCJ, and a BAS. I have been married to Edward Wayne Coleman for over 30 years. We have 3 children, Charles Edward Kyles, Kristina Anne Kyles Smith, and Josiah Deion Coleman. In the spring of 2006, IMagazine named me as one of West Michigan 50 Most Influential Women. I was surprised and very thankful for the recognition. One thing I know of myself is that I am a woman of action. Joining the Leadership Holland Team taught me that if there was something needed in the community that was unfulfilled and I could fill it, it was my responsibility to do something about it! That is what leadership is all about! That is what my life is all about. Every morning, I wake up, that is my goal. My four most important beliefs are...belief in God, belief in self, belief in family, and belief in your community. 

During the 3-year shutdown of Covid-19, I wrote my first book, Skillet Truth. Skillet Truth is a book about over 60 years of a life filled with lies, deceit, attachment disorder, incest, poor self-image, depression, brutality, a debilitating car accident, a life changing move, a prolonged rash over my entire body, and on top of everything else, Covid-19. Life’s harsh realities and all its unpleasantries set in like a cast iron skillet. When the hard truth of reality hits you, you lose faith not just in God, but in your hopes, 

and in your dreams. That was when God made me realize I wasn’t in this world alone, and that He gave my life’s purpose. A purpose that I couldn’t do alone. But, through Him and with Him, I could do better, be better, be stronger, and understand what this life of pain He gave me was all about. But I had to be transformed from the inside out. I had to face some hard cold facts. 

Skillet Truth teaches you how not to succumb to your worst self, even when that person tempting you to do bad is you. God taught me that great wisdom comes from great struggle. I wrote Skillet Truth with the intention of helping others experiencing the same disillusionment I faced with life. Skillet Truth is short sayings and phrases that express my truth. Facing these truths helped me to spiritually mature. Woman, particularly mothers, are in the greatest battle ever. Life shifts repeatedly from servant to warrior, good to bad, happy to sad. I found out that God has never lost a battle, and with Him, you won't either. You can overcome anything that is thrown your way. A woman of strength knows God will keep her from falling. That's how God set it up from the beginning. You don’t have to be a victim of misfortunes. I pray Skillet Truth will be a blessing and help your wounds from the past and present heal as you are struggling through your dark days. 

Some of the Black women I highly esteem include Sojourner Truth, Madame Walker, Mary McLeod Bethune, Maya Angelo, Shirley Chisolm, and Harriett Tubman. The woman I esteem most in my family is Ruth Kirby, my name’s sake! I never knew my paternal grandmother (Ruth Kirby). But from some of the stories I’ve heard of her, I’m impressed. My grandmother was not only a slave to the fields, but a slave to her husband as well. She could not sit on the porch facing the street. She was made to sit on the porch with her back to the neighborhood and the street. I would love to hear some of her thoughts as she sat facing the windows of her house. She eventually left her husband after being beaten and tormented numerous times, leaving behind seven young children to be raised by a tyrant. To me, she was some kind of hero. My grandmother died before I got a chance to get to know her. So many questions enter my mind regarding her journey while here on this earth. I often wonder what a conversation with her would be like. What would she say to me? What wisdom would she reveal? What I take away from her life is her strength and courage to be a free woman. She was a woman who was able to choose her own course of action and pattern of living. 

Outstanding Black Woman In Business

Meet Angel May

Angel May, the CEO of May’Amor Travel, brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to the travel and hospitality industry. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University, Angel has further augmented her skills through specialized trainings, staying at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies in the travel industry.

As a seasoned travel professional, Angel holds international certifications for select countries, such as Bahamas, Bali, and Dubai, to name a few. She is also a recognized Marriott Certified expert. What sets her apart is an unwavering commitment to evolution and expertise within her field. Angel goes beyond conventional practices by personally traveling overseas to establish profound relationships with vendors. 

This hands-on approach ensures a unique and unparalleled experience for May’Amor Travel’s clients with seamless ease. In her role as CEO, Angel has strategically built a small yet highly skilled and certified team. This team is instrumental in efficiently managing the operations of the business and contributing to its expansion. 

Through Angel's visionary leadership and commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, May'Amor Travel stands out as a distinctive force in the realm of personalized concierge travel services.

Mission

At May'Amor Travel, our mission goes far beyond being your travel companion - we serve as your personal concierge, dedicated to curating seamless and personalized experiences. With meticulous attention to detail, we ensure that every aspect of your encounter reflects your unique preferences. Trust May'Amor Travel to not only guide you through destinations but also to cater to your individual desires, and provide you with unparalleled travel experiences.

Outstanding Black Woman In Business

Meet Theresa Randleman

Theresa Randleman has always understood the importance of helping our youth reach their limitless potential.  What began as a mother’s innovative approach to providing enriching pass time alternatives for her children, soon transitioned into a desire to extend her support and encouragement to even more youth.  That desire led Ms. Randleman to partner with the Lansing Housing Commission and administer grant-funded programs promoting self-empowerment, education, career planning, and mentorship to Lansing, Michigan youth.  She also produced 'Daughters of Divine Purpose’; a conference series, for young ladies between the ages of 11 and 18, focused on increasing awareness in health and wellness, financial awareness, social etiquette, education, and self-esteem.

Ms. Randleman founded the T. ROSE Foundation/W.I.N.G.S. (Women Inspiring and Nurturing Girls' Self-Esteem) to further her community outreach.  The Foundation supports organizations with aspirations to build a strong, healthy, positive future for the youth.  Through her Foundation, Ms. Randleman has established and supported many initiatives dedicated to the continual support of girls and young women early in their social developmental years to promote positive self-esteem and self-image.

Through her Foundation, Ms. Randleman has successfully sponsored the Annual Girlpreneur Ex po; a forum that provides female entrepreneurs ages 18 and under the opportunity to showcase their craft and attend workshops.  The Expo was the launch of her teaching the foundation of entrepreneurship and business plan development through her Young Entrepreneurs Academy; a highly sought-after summer Academy for youth.  She lends her philanthropic support to the I A.M. H.E.R. (Influencing, Achievement, and Maximizing, Hope, Excellence, and Resilience) for the young ladies of the Abeadeze Kyeakor Village in Ghana, Africa.  And, she has helped to increase awareness of the educational, judicial, and societal disparities faced by African-American girls through her support, panel discussions, and promotional viewings of PushOut: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools.

Ms. Randleman continues to volunteer as a planner, programmer, and regional director for numerous local, national, and international youth-oriented nonprofit organizations.  She is the immediate Past President of Zeta Amicae of Detroit, an auxiliary of the Beta Omicron Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  As such, Ms. Randleman upholds the principles of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and finer womanhood.
 

She is committed to her passion for empowering youth and assisting in the development of their sense of self-mastery as they build meaningful relationships with their gifts and talents, embrace their natural beauty, and step into their journey as future leaders and courageous change makers.  Her commitment has brought forth several awards from local and national organizations; her most recent and prominent award is the President Biden Lifetime Achievement Award; previously she was awarded for Business Excellence and Career Mastered Leadership from well-known and prominent women's organizations; to name a few additional awards.

Outstanding Black Woman In Business

Meet Emma Johnson

Renee Emma Johnson, who prefers to be called Emma, is the dedicated CEO and founder of the Asher Legacy Group. Her profound passion lies in helping underserved individuals overcome life's various struggles, providing them with opportunities to navigate challenges and live life to the fullest. The Asher brand, conceptualized in 2018, has flourished under Emma's leadership, growing into its present infrastructure.

Guided by the mantra "to whom much is given, much is required," Emma embodies generosity in its truest sense. Her giving spirit extends beyond monetary resources, encompassing her time and talents. A natural leader, Emma influences others through her respected demeanor, inspiring them to achieve a greater life.

Emma's elegance and grace find expression in her love for beauty through event planning, serving as the catalyst for Asher's educational programming. One program tailored for women over 50,  addresses a spectrum of concerns. The annual Health and Wellness Conference in March focuses on women's well-being, while additional programming delves into financial literacy and scholarships for high school students, paving the way for higher education.

Under the Asher brand, Emma and her dedicated staff organize events such as Watercolors, celebrating Black Culture and bringing JOY across West Michigan and surrounding areas. The Black Dress Event, another trailblazing event,  empowers women and supports those in domestic violence situations.

In addition to her outstanding professional achievements, Emma holds an impressive educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Business degree from Western Michigan University and a Master's MBA in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. Simultaneously, Emma contributes her time to various boards and committees aligned with her life values and mission, including serving as the Vice President for the Muskegon Community College Foundation. Her “day job” is serving as a Resource Teacher for Grand Rapids Public Schools.

Beyond her professional endeavors and academic achievements, Emma is an active member of the Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. She resides in Kentwood, Michigan, with her husband Michael of 25 years. Together, they share a beautiful family with two wonderful adult daughters and a cherished grandson. For Emma, family is at the heart of everything, defining the purpose behind her remarkable journey.

Outstanding Black Woman In Business 

Meet Candy Morris 

CandyFaith is the Founder and CEO of The Candy Faith Lux Collection. By day, she is a licensed nail technician, and by night, she is a custom handbag designer. Candy takes pride in being an artist who caters to women of all backgrounds. With 13 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has served women from various walks of life, giving rise to The Candy Faith Lux Collection. This collection is renowned for empowering and instilling confidence in all women.

Candy is a wife and mother of five beautiful children, ranging in age from 11 to 21 years old. Her journey began in 2010 as a nail technician when she attended Empire Beauty School in Grand Rapids, MI. Starting her business from home, CandyFaith, like many others, soon expanded due to a growing clientele and a desire to establish her brand. Moving into a salon provided her clients with a more professional atmosphere, marking a significant turning point for CandyFaith and the Polished brand.

Having worked in various salons and suites, CandyFaith acquired the necessary tools to open her nail salon in 2017 – "Polished Nail Bar & Spa." This salon became home to some of Grand Rapids' most talented nail, lash, and makeup technicians, offering a full range of services.

In 2020, the global pandemic prompted Candy Faith to rethink her approach to meet the evolving needs of her clients and the market. This led to the creation of her luxury nail press-on line, "Pressed & Polished," which achieved significant success, enabling CandyFaith to ship press-on nails nationwide.

Today, CandyFaith operates from her well-established private salon suite, where she continues to provide nail services. Additionally, the suite houses a selection of handbags from The Candy Faith Lux Collection, available for on-the-spot purchases. If you or someone you know is in search of a luxury handbag, explore "The Candy Faith Lux Collection" at Candyfaithlux.com.