MelanBrand Skin

There couldn’t have been a more meaningful place to make this announcement.

Sunday, during my “From Product Placement to Airport Retail” panel at ESSENCE Festival, I had the opportunity to officially and publicly announce my newest book for the very first time.

✈️ FINAL BOARDING CALL
Coming Fall 2026.

For months, you’ve followed our 90-day airport retail journey, the highs, the challenges, the lessons, and everything in between. Now, I’m taking you behind the scenes to share the full story and the business lessons that came from one opportunity that changed everything.

Many of you know me as the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of MelanBrand Skin, but did you know I’ve been writing books since 2012? This project brings together two things I love most: storytelling and entrepreneurship.

I’m incredibly grateful to and for providing the perfect stage to share this milestone. Announcing this book in a room full of entrepreneurs, dreamers, and changemakers made the moment even more special.

Remember when I said, don’t mistake the end of this chapter for the end of the story?

I meant every word.

This is just the beginning.

📖 FINAL BOARDING CALL
Coming Fall 2026.

Go to the link in our bio and get your Boarding Pass today! ✈️ Join the Priority Boarding List to be the first to receive book updates, pre-order details, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and your invitation to an exclusive live virtual conversation after you pre-order.

Shoutout to Bron on the video for capturing this.😉

Day 3 at ESSENCE Festival! ✨

Yesterday, I had the honor of moderating my very first panel, “From Product Placement to Airport Retail,” and I have to say…I think moderating is calling my name. 💙🎤

A huge thank you to for trusting me with this opportunity and for creating spaces where founders can learn from one another.

It was an incredible conversation with two phenomenal founders as we pulled back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in airport retail. We talked about securing airport opportunities, building the right partnerships, navigating the unique operational demands, understanding traveler behavior, managing inventory, creating memorable customer experiences, and how visibility can open doors long after you’ve landed the opportunity.

It was honest, insightful, and filled with practical lessons that every entrepreneur could take away, whether airport retail is in your future or not.

And just when everyone thought the conversation was over…I had one very special announcement.

NEXT YEAR I NEED THE BIG STAGE 🎤

👀 I’ll be sharing that announcement later today, and I can’t wait for you to see it.

Stay tuned…

One thing nobody talks about when you run a business with a pr***en or teenager?

Sometimes they show very little excitement. 😂

Not because they don’t care. Not because they’re ungrateful. But because they’re living it every day, and sometimes it’s hard for them to grasp just how rare these opportunities really are.

As adults, we understand what it means to have your products in an airport. We understand the significance of meeting customers from around the world, being featured in major media outlets, and building a business from the ground up.

For them? It’s just Wednesday.

Bron has spent the last few months at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport talking to travelers, restocking shelves, helping customers, and learning what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. While I’m over here celebrating milestones, he’s often just ready to get back home, play a game, or hang out with friends.

And honestly? That’s okay.

He’s still a teenager.

One day he’ll fully realize how extraordinary it is that he became a co-founder at 12, launched a business, and helped make history as part of the first Black mom-and-son skincare company for kids and one of the first youth-focused skincare brands to retail at the airport.

Until then, I’ll keep celebrating for both of us.

Because these moments matter. ✈️✨