OUTFRONT Media recognized leading women-owned businesses across a diverse spectrum of industries in the U.S. with its “Lifted Up by HerStory” awards. The effort elevated 40 of today’s business and community leaders for the impact of their achievements.
Among the leaders honored and featured on billboards nationwide was Chris Olsen, founder of Publish Her and Publish Her Story. Both organizations are dedicated to elevating the words, writing and stories of women. A broadcast media veteran turned communications consultant, educator and author of “Whyography: Building a Brand Fueled by Purpose,” Chris has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books. Since 2018, her social enterprise has donated more than $250,000 in grants and services to women.
Chris is in excellent company. Here are some of the other purpose-driven women-owned businesses honored:
Patricia Andrews-Keenan, Founder of Pigment International™
Pigment International is a multimedia arts platform that evangelizes for Black art curation and innovation. Based in Chicago, the organization creates digital and print publications that seek to advance the Black contemporary aesthetic in the visual arts. Patricia is the publisher of award-winning Pigment Magazine and also led the charge for the creation of Black Fine Art Month, which was first celebrated in October 2019. PigmentIntl.com
Meg Daley, Founder and CEO of Friends of The Underline
The Underline is a nonprofit organization leading the initiative to transform the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 120-acre linear park, urban trail and public art destination spanning 10 miles in the urban core. Meg also serves as chair of The Underline Conservancy, the organization responsible for the maintenance, management and programming of The Underline as a world-class trail and park facility. TheUnderline.org.
Dr. Crystal DeBerry, Founder of Indomitable Families Affected by Incarceration and DeNovo Clinical Strategies
Indomitable Families Affected by Incarceration is a nonprofit launched in 2014 to empower families and individuals whose lives have been affected by incarceration. The organization focuses on promoting health and wellness and minimizing societal barriers. Crystal is the owner of DeNovo Clinical Strategies, which provides mental health services, and the mastermind behind the Incarcerated to Indomitable app as well. IFam14.com DeNovoClinical.com
Michelle Flowers Welch, CEO of Flowers Communications Group
Flowers Communications Group is a public relations and integrated marketing agency specializing in multicultural communications. It is recognized by Forbes as one of America’s best PR agencies. In 2020, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago established the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship as a tribute to her dedication to mentoring the next generation of communications professionals. ExploreFCG.com
Nicole Marquis, Founder and CEO of HipCityVeg and Save Philly Restaurants Coalition
HipCityVeg is a plant-based restaurant with nine locations throughout Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Nicole also founded Bar Bombón and Charlie Was a Sinner in Philadelphia, as well as the Save Philly Restaurants Coalition, a group representing owners of 300 restaurants. The coalition worked with pharmacies to distribute coronavirus vaccines to food service workers to help save the industry. HipCityVeg.com BarBombon.com CharlieWasASinner.com
Cristina Vera, CEO of Vera Creative
Vera Creative is an award-winning communications agency whose efforts have resulted in significant resources, representation and funding for underserved communities across Chicago. Cristina’s work has included a U.S. Census campaign that increased participation among minorities, a city-wide early learning campaign that increased Latino enrollment in Head Start programs, and outreach to 6,000 businesses that increased compliance with CDC guidelines during the pandemic. VeraCreative.com
Sue Zarco Kramer, Founder and Chief Creative Visionaire of Connecting Dots Guru
Connecting Dots Guru is a boutique branding agency that launched in 2018. Sue specializes in brand storytelling told through a filmmaker’s eye and works in a variety of industries including travel, wellness, diversity and inclusion, media, design, fashion, beauty, eco/clean, female empowerment and entrepreneurship. Sue is also passionate about voting initiatives, and her “Be dope. Vote” campaign was viewed by millions. ConnectingDotsGuru.com
OUTFRONT’s “Lifted Up by HerStory” initiative also aims to provide a positive visual representation for future generations of women and promote the importance of female mentorship and support.
As women, lifting up one another … becomes our almost-sacred duty to each other,” said Jodi Senese, chief marketing officer for OUTFRONT. “Honorees in the ‘Lifted Up’ campaign represent that ideal, blazing their own trails while lighting the way for those who follow.”
About Publish Her
Publish Her is a female-founded publisher dedicated to elevating the words, writing and stories of women. We are passionate about amplifying the voices of women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to make publishing an attainable, exciting and collaborative process for all. Publish Her specializes in print-on-demand books, workbooks, journals, magazines and more.
