James ‘Talent’ Harris
Comedian
Simone I. Smith
Entrepreneur / Philanthropist / Designer
Simone I. Smith leads a full life. The wife of entertainment icon LL COOL J, a proud mother of four and “MoMa” of 4, she’s also a 22-year cancer survivor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and designer. Most importantly, she is a woman of God. In 2011, Smith co-founded Simone I. Smith Jewelry. The idea for her first design came to be following her diagnosis of stage III chondrosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. After surgery, she discovered that the lollipop tattoo on her leg was altered- that was the inspiration for her signature lollipop pendant, “A Sweet Touch of Hope,” which was followed by hoop earrings, bangles, necklaces and rings. Through her partnership with the American Cancer Society, she donates a portion of proceeds from each sale to the ongoing fight against the disease, in every form.
In 2018, Smith joined forces with Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee, Mary J. Blige to launch Sister Love, a jewelry line inspired by their friendship. The designs, which symbolize strength, edge, and style, are a reflection of their support for each other and their love of statement pieces. Smith additionally has expanded into beauty with S.I.S. Luxe Lacquer, a 10-free nail polish collection, and menswear with the launch of the of Majesty, a high-end men’s collection in 2023.
Along with her hoops being selected for Oprah’s Favorite Things in both 2020 and 2024, Smith has been featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Essence, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Town & Country. She has also made guest appearances on QVC, Entertainment Tonight, and The Insider. In recognition of her achievements, she has received honors from the National Association of Women Business Owners of Los Angeles, The LadyLike Foundation, and the American Cancer Society, among others. In 2024, Smith launched the first-ever SISMAS holiday to celebrate sisterhood, creating a movement held on the second Saturday of December each year. Her efforts also include successfully donating over 1,000 SISMAS kits,
designed to spread warmth and uplift women during the holidays, reaching over 50,000 women across the country. Looking toward the future, Simone I. Smith is focused on transforming her life-long love of accessories into a thriving enterprise, while offering hope and a helping hand to those in need.
Renée Culbertson
Philanthropist / Community Leader / Entrepreneur
Renée Culbertson is a philanthropist, community leader, and Founder & CEO of Black Mothers Speak, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for children through advocacy, education, mental wellness, and community engagement.
Committed to creating lasting change, Renée leads impactful initiatives including annual Back-to-School Give Back events, holiday community outreach, women’s empowerment, literacy, financial education, and wellness programs that have positively impacted countless women, children, and families.
She is also the Founder of Healing in My Heels, a platform that inspires women to embrace healing, resilience, and personal growth, and serves as Chief Operating Officer of B & C Global Enterprise.
A recipient of the Felix Foundation Dream Maker Award, Renée believes that education, mentorship, and service are powerful tools for transforming lives and strengthening communities. She is also authoring forthcoming books and guided journals focused on healing, resilience, and empowering women and children.
