Who’s That Girl

Charla Young FOUNDER OF POWER TO EXHALE  Charla Young is a Mississippi native and a visionary leader who has made a significant impact through her passion for communication, advocacy, and empowerment. She began her career with a foundation rooted in education, graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish and English. Starting out as a DJ at a local radio station, Charla quickly rose to prominence in the media world. A pivotal moment in her career came when her coverage of a major plane [...]

Shahrzad Javid KENTUCKY KERBY MUSEUM, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT #image_title Shahrzad Javid is a dynamic connector and a powerhouse in the realms of hospitality, tourism, and events. As the Executive Assistant at the iconic Kentucky Derby Museum, she brings organizational finesse and a fervent passion for creating memorable experiences. At the heart of Louisville's most celebrated event, Shahrzad's role is more than just a job—it's her calling to share the city's charm and excitement with the world. A true social enthusiast, Shahrzad thrives on the vibrant Louisville scene, actively engaging in various local organizations [...]

Adia Smith Parker CO-FOUNDER OF PHOENIX STRATEGIES Adia Smith Parker is a distinguished political and philanthropic professional, boasting over 17 years of experience in cross-functional management with a specialization in fundraising, philanthropic advising, and external relationship management. As a founding Partner at Phoenix Strategies since 2013, Adia has been instrumental in driving the firm’s success. Under her guidance, Phoenix Strategies has excelled in creating authentic engagement strategies, contributing to over $200 million dollars in fundraising. The firm prides itself on a small yet adept team capable of delivering personalized services and impactful outcomes across [...]

BRIDGETT SMITH Bridgett was born and raised in Louisville as one of sixteen grandchildren in the Portland area. She attended Roosevelt-Perry Elementary and Western Middle School. After her family moved to the Victory Park neighborhood, she attended Seneca High School. Bridgett started working at age fourteen and held jobs at Wendy’s, PNC Bank, and Riverside Parking. She participated in the Black Achievers program and was President of the NAACP Youth Council. Following her high school graduation, Bridgett landed a full-time position with Humana, and in 1995, began working for Ford Motor Company as an assembly [...]

EDEN BRIDGEMAN OWNER, CHAIRWOMAN & CEO Of EBONY JET #image_title Eden Bridgeman Sklenar is an entrepreneur, media proprietor, and marketing executive who is currently the owner, Chairwoman and CEO of the iconic brands EBONY and Jet since their acquisition in 2021. She also serves as the CMO of Manna, Inc., which is the parent company that incorporates over 500 restaurant franchises that include Wendy’s, Fazoli’s, Golden Coral, Jimmy Johns and Mark’s Feed Store, and has led in this capacity since 2016. Eden was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Louisville, [...]

ADRIA JOHNSON President & CEO of Metro United Way Adria Johnson embodies hope, integrity, humanity and has focused her career on lifting some of society’s most vulnerable populations and being of service to others. She is a dedicated and well-respected servant leader with almost three decades of hands-on experience in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Johnson’s proven ability to lead efforts toward reform and work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders have served her well not only in her current position of President and Chief Executive Officer for Metro United Way, but [...]