[Video] Annual Beauties With Brains Empowerment Event Overflowed With Love, Inspiration

RALEIGH – Indira Felder founded Beauties With Brains in 2017 with the intent to motivate, empower, and uplift. Growing up in a household full of domestic violence and being bullied in school, she slipped into depression by comparing her life to others on social media. Indira’s annual empowerment event gained traction as she encouraged attendees to turn their pain into power and tests into testimony.

Over the years, the brand has transformed to empower women and young girls and encourage their academic, entrepreneurial, and professional endeavors. Now a serial entrepreneur, Indira has transformed the annual event as an experience to highlight entrepreneurs of all experience levels.

Bringing back the networking event after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 4th annual Beauties With Brains Empowerment Event was held at the Raleigh Crabtree Marriott, on Saturday, March 12th. The last event in 2019 held about 650 guests and with its return this year the overflow of love and inspiration filled the room. The elegance of pink and crystal decor highlighted luxury and elegance that you could sense as soon as you walked in. (Please scroll down to watch a full recap.)

Actress, author, and director Meagan Good was the keynote speaker. She first gained critical attention for her role in the film Eve Bayou in 1997, gaining traction and being featured in many iconic roles in Think Like A Man, action-drama Biker Boyz and the romantic-comedy Deliver Us From Eva, which helped her transition from child to adult actress. She also appeared as the character Vanessa for one season of My Wife and Kids. She is also best known for her iconic book, “The Wait”, with her recently separated husband DeVon Franklin that shared their candid courtship and marriage. She spoke of her struggle as a Black actress and rising to fame over the years and her desire to be known for more than her looks. She is a daily inspiration to women and young inspiring entrepreneurs around the world. Meagan is currently starring in the Prime Video original series Harlem.

Over 35 vendors returned for this event this year including Hydration, PLLC, Lavish Impressions event planning who decorated, Dolce & Diva Boutique, Ross Behavioral Group, and Blue Water Spa which offers full medical services led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Law.

The breakfast panel included Dr. Cyn Wesley, an OBGYN from Charlotte, NC who specializes in top women’s reproductive care discussed the matters of women’s care. Serial entrepreneurs Sabrina Seymore and Angela Wright were also featured.

The men’s panelist included top-charting podcaster “Million Dollaz” Wallace “Wallo” Peeples, who is ranked 68th of the top podcasts in the nation, speaking highly of his growth since his release after being incarcerated at the age of 17 and spending 20 years in prison. He spoke of how important it is to take a chance on your calling, step up to the plate, and never give up on yourself. “We have to stop making excuses for each other and do it,” says Peeples.

Other panelists featured Starz P-Valley and The Have and Have Nots actor Tyler Lepley, who discussed his journey as an actor. Tyrell And Terrill, Entrepreneurs Cory Williams and William Knight owner of Wills Social Bar and Lounge in Durham who also was featured on OWNTV episode of Family or Fiance.

Women panelists included Nilou Henderson, a legendary broker in Charlotte with over 8 years of luxury real estate experience, Editor-In-Chief Claire Sulmers, who is leading Bomb Daily, one of the top 50 influential style bloggers in the world and Kara Chin, designer of A-19 who became known for memorable statement pieces and brand ethos dropped gems on their struggles and highs as entrepreneurs.

Beauties With Brains is an annual event and is growing daily! Follow the social media handles, @beauties_withbrains on Instagram and the website beautieswithbrains.com. Also keep up with The owner Indira Felder on @indifelder to see more events in the near future and stay tuned and subscribe to spectacularmag.com for photos, interviews for future event info.