Last week, Adebukola.com hosted the Black Wealth Tour, taking a dozen girls to meet and network with professionals of color in media, fitness, journalism, and business. Students from Boston Latin Academy, Brookline High School, Randolph High School, and Match Charter School spent two days of their school break, learning at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Trillfit, The Wing, WBUR, The Boston Globe and The Furnace is for Gold.

Below are highlights and quotes from the tour.

Enjoy!

“MAKE NOISE” - HEATHER WHITE

Heather White is the founder of Trillfit, a revolutionary fitness studio “where hip-hop and wellness meet.” Trillfit is the only female, Black-owned fitness studio in the state of Massachusetts. White’s advice to “make noise” is all about encouraging students to be unafraid to ask for help with their business plan. (Yes, the students are writing business plans.) Trillfit’s Director of Talent, Melisa Valdez, led an empowering talk on the development of the studio and encouraged the girls to stay curious. It was lit, to say the least.

“WAKING UP IN THIS BODY EVERY DAY IS A REVOLUTION” - Jeneé Osterheldt

Jeneé Osterheldt is a columnist at The Boston Globe, where she covers social justice, identity, culture, and the arts. During her fireside chat with Globe reporter, Vernal Coleman, she discussed the importance of Black representation in media. Coleman described writing as a civic duty. “No matter what you do, you must be able to tell a story well,” he said. Osterheldt and Coleman encouraged the girls to pursue media and take up space in whatever careers they choose.

“LEARN YOUR CRAFT” - Arielle Gray

Arielle Gray is the Arts Engagement Producer for The ARTery, WBUR’s arts and culture team. Gray’s advice may sound cliche, but it’s truly profound. In order for youth to elevate, they must never lose their child-like curiousness. They must never stop being a student and pursue learning as a lifelong endeavor. That’s where greatness lies. She also had a hilarious fireside chat with rapper, Tashawn Taylor, who encouraged the students to, “figure out what you like and don’t let society dictate your life.”

“I DELIVER” - Sheena Collier

Sheena Collier is the founder of The Collier Connection, a networking business focused on helping Black people create community in the city of Boston. Collier met with students at the Boston Chamber of Commerce, where she formerly was the Director of Economic Growth. Part of Collier’s talk focused on building social capital. In order to build her own network, she worked hard and consistently delivered excellent work while bringing value to people and organizations. Students were inspired by her tenacity as an educated Black women navigating predominantly white spaces while remaining her authentic self.

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