With Black History Month coming to a close, we wanted to celebrate Black influential leaders in the plus size industry who continually push for change.
There are so many Black pioneers, industry leaders and changemakers in our community that are making major moves in so many areas, from fashion and fitness to activism and education.
Here’s 30 African American individuals (in no particular order) on our radar who continue to inspire and empower others while pushing for change in the plus size industry – click next to start the gallery.
#1: Liris Crosse
Website: http://www.lirisc.com/ | Instagram: @liricc
The first plus size model winner of Project Runway, Crosse has been in the game for over a decade and has not looked back since. Dubbed the Naomi Campbell of Plus, Crosse has parlayed her modeling and acting career into a brand, where she is also now an author, educator and mentor to up-and-coming models with her modeling bootcamps.
She continually pushes for change in the modeling industry from spearheading campaigns such as The Model Diversity Project to speaking to audiences nationwide about the importance of self love, body positivity and diversity. She is currently the plus size ambassador for Maggie Sottero Designs, breaking size and racial standards in the bridal market, including being the first plus model to walk Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week for the brand.
#2: Tawana Blassingame
Website: www.queensizemagazine.com | Instagram: @queensizemagazine
CEO and Founder of Queen Size Magazine, Blassingame has been featuring plus size women and men front and center since 2011. However, she wanted to do more to celebrate this community. And that’s when the Full Figured Industry Awards, also known as the FFIAs, was born in 2019.
Her mission has always been to honor those in the plus size industry that have made an impact and helped in growing the industry. The FFIAs celebrated those individuals and the industry during an event that had so many people from our community in attendance. We can’t wait to see who will be nominated this year and what Blassingame will do next to celebrate the plus size industry.
#3: Kelly Augustine
Website: http://www.kellyaugustine.com/ | Instagram: @kellyaugustineb
Augustine has been a blogger in the plus size space since 2009 and has since become a leading influencer focusing on fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She has inspired women everywhere to embrace their bodies and flaws, while looking fabulous.
She also has a strong background in public relations and marketing, which combined with her blogger/influencer experience has prepped her for the next chapter of her career… the retail industry. She currently runs her online boutique August Raye and has a collection with designer Tamara Malas dropping on March 2nd in sizes 10 to 32. Her style is so on point that we can’t wait to see the new collection and whatever else Augustine designs and creates in the new decade for plus size women.
#4: Nikki Wiggins
Website: https://www.nikkifreestyle.com/ | Instagram: @iamnikkifree
Known as NikkiFree, Wiggins runs one of Atlanta’s top lifestyle, fashion and travel blogs. What started out as a way for her to document her personal style and inspire plus size women to live fully through fashion, travel and lifestyle, has now become a major brand that also includes brand consulting, hosting engagements and television appearances.
She continues to show that size and age should never limit anyone from loving life and being authentically yourself. Wiggins recently launched Life and Style ATL with big & tall male influencer/model Rah Mosely, where they discuss fashion, life and style from a plus and big & tall perspective.
#5: Tamara Ivey
Website: https://www.instagram.com/ByAshleyTV/ | Instagram: @iamtamaraivey
If you’ve ever been to an Ashley Stewart event or are a brand customer, chances are you’ve seen Ivey front and center. The host of Ashley TV and the brand’s event manager is truly the heart and soul of Ashley Stewart. She has been seen wearing many hats where she engages on a personal level with all in the plus size industry and community. From handing over the check to the model winner of Finding Ashley Stewart and dancing with customers in-store at events to speaking on panels and sometimes being a model for the brand, Ivey lives and breathes the brand, while engaging with customers on a personal level.
When Ashley Stewart won the Retail Brand of the Year at the 2019 Full Figured Industry Awards, Ivey accepted the award on behalf of the brand and spoke candidly about how as a child, she shopped with her female relatives in Ashley Stewart so it felt full circle to be representing the brand. We can’t wait to see what Ivey has planned for the brand in 2020 and beyond.
#6: Kia Caldwell
Website: https://www.kiacaldwellphotography.com/ | Instagram: @kiacaldwellphoto
Having been in the photography business for a decade, Caldwell has built a strong reputation for being someone who can show beauty in all forms and use photography as a way to create art.
It’s a major accomplishment to be a female Black photographer in a male-dominated space and she has definitely cemented her place as one of the top photographers in the industry. Her photography has been featured in Philadelphia Wedding Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, PLUS Model Magazine, Elle’ments Magazine, Fabuplus, Queen Size Magazine and POSE Magazine.
She also uses her platform to show her philanthropy side. Caldwell created “Kia Cares“, a organization that offers help to the homeless. From selling positive message tees with proceeds going towards donating survival packs to the homeless to fundraising efforts and servicing the less fortunate during the holiday season, Caldwell has definitely shown how you can use your career to assist others, while pushing for change in the world through the art of photography.
7: Shalon Dozier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalondozierfanpage/ | Instagram: @shalondozier
You may have seen Dozier modeling for major brands such as Nordstrom, Charlotte Russe, Macy’s, Good American, NYDJ, 7 For All Mankind and Seven7Jeans. The size 16/18 model of color is not just an established print and runway model — she has also built a successful fit modeling career as well. It’s been so great that she recently launched her own plus size fit and fashion consultation firm called The Dozier Agency.
Her #BeautifullyHuman movement is all about empowering everyone to know they are all beautiful in their own right. She uses her platform to push for more diversity in the modeling industry, especially for women of color and visibly plus bodies.
8: Essie Golden
Website: http://www.essiegolden.com/ | Instagram: @essiegolden
Five years ago, Golden, already a top plus size lifestyle influencer, hosted New York City’s first plus-size pool party under her Golden Confidence brand and that one event put her on the map as a pioneer in the plus size community event space, promoting safe, non-judgmental events where people of all sizes can just have fun without all the negativity.
Her Golden Confidence brand, which launched in 2012, has created a movement for plus size men and women to share their self love journeys and be confident in the skin they’re in. Golden uses her brand to celebrate self love and empower others to keep going and strive to be their best selves.
Golden has done it all… clothing collections with major brands including a swim line with Rebdolls that sold out quickly. She has worked with heavy hitter brands such as LOFT, Amazon, Torrid, JC Penney and Lane Bryant. So we are looking forward to seeing what she will do in the next decade.
#9: Alissa Wilson
Website: https://stylishcurves.com/ | Instagram: @stylishcurves
In 2009, Wilson launched Stylish Curves, a go-to online destination for plus size women to learn the latest on fashion, beauty and lifestyle. The website also offers women personal style tips, a look backstage at key fashion events including NY Fashion Week and ways to be more confident. Stylish Curves propelled Wilson’s career to Boss status — she is now a leading media expert and key industry figure, where she now speaks on panels, hosts events and does brand consulting. She is also the host of the podcast Style & Confidence.
Her mission has always been to promote positive images of plus size women, especially women of color. She wants women to know that their size doesn’t determine their worth and that everyone deserves access to stylish clothing options and representation in the media.
#10: Alexis Henry
Website: https://www.lexhenry.com/ | Instagram: @thealexishenry
Plus size model Alexis Henry is someone that we definitely think should be on everyone’s radar, which is why we named her one of 5 Plus Size Trailblazers to Watch in 2020. InStyle Magazine named Henry one of the fresh faces of plus-size modeling back in 2018 and we wholeheartedly agree.
Henry makes it a point to show that plus size models can do high fashion editorials and we continue to be in awe of her for what she brings to the modeling table while also being a mental health advocate who has produced body confidence workshops for children in New York City charter schools with a focus on self-love and respect.
We said previously:
Henry is a beautiful chameleon, using fashion as a way to express her creativity and showcase high fashion on a plus body. Her fluidity in front of the camera shows how comfortable she’s in her body, all the while keeping her face flawless. And Henry is not just a print model. With a fierce walk and thick legs for days, she can walk a runway like it’s no one’s business, having done so at both NY Fashion Week and LA Fashion Week.
She is definitely one to watch.
#11: Marie Denee
Website: https://www.mariedenee.com/ | Instagram: @mariedenee
Denee is a media and influencer pioneer in the plus size fashion industry, having built a strong brand “The Curvy Fashionista”, which has in turn produced a yearly event (The TCF Expo), video segments and panel speaking opportunities.
She has also become a revered figure in the body positivity space as she shares her own journey to growth and body acceptance. We have loved watching her journey over the last decade and her continued support for the plus size community, while pushing for more body diversity, inclusive fashion and representation of people of color.
She also has empowered many to become entrepreneurs by offering workshops, online groups and speaking engagements to educate others on how to create a brand. We’re certain she has some amazing things planned in the next decade that will take her brand to the next level, which helping others evolve their own brands.
#12: Maui Bigelow
Website: https://www.mauibigelow.com/ | Instagram: @mauibigelow
A writer and blogger, Bigelow’s Phat Girl Brand has now evolved to include producing the CurvyNoire event to celebrate women of color in the plus size industry, running her own boutique and honoring leaders in our community and industry with her annual LifeStyled Honors event.
Always candid about her own journey with battling cancer, she has empowered women worldwide to be strong, enjoy life and be authentically themselves. She is not one to back down from controversial topics, using her pen to write articles for major media outlets such as Hello Beautiful and Fashionista.com about the lack of representation for women of color and visibly plus size women in the media and fashion industry.
#13: Latoya Shauntay Snell
Website: https://www.runningfatchef.com/ | Instagram: @iamlshauntay
Chef and journalist Latoya Shauntay Snell is a plus size athlete icon. The ultrarunner has shown the world that athletes come in all sizes. Being heckled at the NYC Marathon in 2017 and writing about her experience for The Root propelled her to body positive leader status. Since then, she has been tapped as the brand ambassador or been featured in campaigns for many major brands such as SuperFit Hero, Blink Fitness and Tampax.
She runs a podcast titled “The Long Run” with fellow plus size runner and athlete Martinus Evans of @300poundsandrunning and blogs at Running Fat Chef. She travels worldwide to not only run marathons, but also speak on panels to the next generation of runners. Her journey has led her to be one of the leading Black female activists in the athlete space and we know she will do amazing things to continue to push the message that you can be active at any size.
#14: Gwen Devoe
Website: http://www.fffweek.com/ | Instagram: @moguldiva
Creator & Executive Producer of Full Figured Fashion Week, Gwen Devoe is highly regarded in the plus size industry as a pioneer and leader in bringing plus size fashion to the forefront.
Devoe got her start as a plus size model, which led to her creating her own events company Devoe Signature Events, producing fashion shows and key events. She saw a need to create an event that would push the envelope on fashion and its lack of inclusion. FFFWeek has since become regarded as the “Oscars” of the plus size industry, having just wrapped up its 10th year in 2018.
Devoe ended 2019 with the launch of her Silver Fox Model Camp, focusing on mentoring models over the age of 40 while assisting them in getting more representation in the fashion and beauty industries. And FFFWeek will be returning in June 2020 after a year-long haitus. 2020 is going to be an exciting year for Devoe and her team – we can’t wait to see what’s next!
#15: Mo Vaughn
Website: https://movaughnbaseballacademy.com/ | Instagram: @movaughn_42
Former Major League Baseball player Mo Vaughn has become one of the leading icons for big and tall men in the retail space. During his 12-year career, he was a three-time All Star and won the MVP award in 1995 with the Boston Red Sox. But when he launched MVP Collections in 2016 with Managing Partner Diane Cutuli Bennett, Vaughn changed the landscape of big and tall men’s fashion.
Four years later, he has truly shown that he is the MVP, not just in baseball but in fashion too. The brand continues to thrive in a segment that is underserved and has become a staple in many plus size men’s closets as well.
#16: Kellie Brown
Website: https://andigetdressed.com/ | Instagram: @itsmekellieb
Former PR maven-turned-influencer, Brown’s brand And I Get Dressed is now a movement. She has built a strong community online, inspiring women of all sizes to live fully while looking fabulous.
But one of the major accomplishments Brown has made in the last few years was creating the hashtag #FatatFashionWeek. A frequent attendee of NYFW shows, Brown noticed that there wasn’t a great representation of plus size women during Fashion Week and she wanted to change that. Her hashtag has now started a movement where mainstream media such as Instyle and Glamour Magazine have featured her and other plus size women in gorgeous imagery, as they attended shows.
She just launched merchandise on her website and her videos on YouTube continue to do well. We’re sure she has something fabulous planned for NYFW this September.
#17 & #18: Chastity Garner and Cece Olisa
Website: http://www.thecurvycon.com/ | Instagram: @garnerstyle and @ceceolisa
When two powerhouses and blogger besties partner up, incredible things happen. Cece Olisa and Chastity Garner-Valentine are proof of that.
Co-creators of theCURVYcon, their event is THE event for plus size women AND men to attend. In 2017, they moved the event date to September during NY Fashion Week and that genius move has increased the amount of attendees to the point where they have moved the event to a larger space.
These ladies always ask for input from attendees and annually have made it their mission to make theCURVYcon better each year.
Meanwhile, both ladies still blog and work as influencers for major brands such as Macy’s, JC Penney, Ross and others while in different aspects of the plus size industry. Olisa focuses on fitness at any size, travel and fashion whereas Garner-Valentine focuses on beauty, fashion and lifestyle. We love seeing their individual hustles as well as their partnership and friendship, and look forward to what’s in store at theCurvycon 2020.
19: Saucye West
Instagram: @saucyewest
This size 4X model is known within the plus size industry as a runway slayer who’s also an activist. She uses her platform to push for more visiblity and representation of women of color AND women over a size 3X. She travels the country, speaking to women about the importance of loving yourself NOW and embracing the skin you’re in.
That has led to writing opportunities too, most notably an essay in the new book The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce. She also created the #FatandFree hashtag, a movement that has been used almost 40K times. West continues to be on a mission to change the standard beauty ideal and truly show that beauty comes in all forms.
#20: Dr Joy Cox
Website: https://freshoutthecocoon.com/ | Instagram: @freshoutthecocoon
New Jersey-based activist and researcher Joy Cox, Ph.D. focuses on fat acceptance and intersecting identities, having studied stigma and identity management. Her area of interest is centered on the body positive movement, women, and fat bodies. Her mission is “to give fat women who view their bodies positively a voice that can be found in research journals, book chapters, and abroad, in and out of the Ivory towers“.
Her book Fat Girls in Black Bodies will be released this year and we’re sure it’s going to be a must-read. Through her writing, Cox talks about the importance of reclaiming space and create belonging in a hostile world where many of us just exist. She tackles issues that many won’t, being an advocate for fat women of color in an effort to dispel those ingrained myths about race, size, gender, and worth that deny fat Black women their selfhood.
She continues to travel the world, either in a keynote speaker role or as a panelist. If you have the chance to hear her speak, we highly recommend you do.
#21: Jasmine Elder
Website: https://www.jibrionline.com/ | Instagram: @jibrionline
Jibri designer and owner Jasmine Elder has been dressing plus size fashionistas since 2009 and is well known in the fashion industry. Her pieces are highly coveted and often sell out.
Elder is the one who convinced plus size women that they could break that rule that says that they couldn’t wear a wide leg slouch pant, simply by creating one that really fits a plus size body perfectly. She knows how to impeccably dress plus size bodies with quality fitting pieces that are fashion forward, luxe and stylish.
She celebrated 10 years last year with a major event that included a fashion show. She has since added bridal and children’s clothing to her brand. Elder continues to evolve and expand her brand to cater to the needs of her customers. We can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.
#22: Kirklan Hawes
Website: https://xltribe.com/ | Instagram: @foreverkirk
Hawes is an Atlanta-based photographer who has become one of the leading figures in the big and tall male fashion and lifestyle world. Under his brand XL Tribe, he has a successful website that has become a resource for big and tall men, a magazine. his XL Shoots photography business, a podcast and a design firm to help other men create their own tribe.
His latest project focuses on showing imagery of Black men smiling, which is a must-see. He continues to give more visibility to not only black men and big and tall men but anyone of color. Whether it’s by pen, video or camera, Hawes is on a mission to change the narrative when it comes to marginalized bodies.
#23: FrankNtheCity
Instagram: @franknthecity
Known for his impeccable style, influencer and model FrankNTheCity is also a passionate activist who has cemented himself as one of the leading voices in our community.
He is on a mission to change the narrative when it comes to big and tall men and how they are viewed. He’s not afraid to speak on the lack of clothing options available in the industry, body image issues that men face and other important topics.
We especially love his recent #TextYourselfFirst movement on Instagram. He shared with his audience how he started texting himself motivation messages every morning to help inspire himself and speak life into himself. He stresses the importance of pouring into yourself so you have more than enough to share with others because simply, you deserve it. And others followed suit. This is an example of the powerful work FrankNTheCity has done not just within our own community but for all.
#24: Milton Franklyn Goedhoop
Website: https://www.digitalduofotografie.com/ | Instagram: @mfg_prophoto
Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Goedhoop is a plus-size portrait, beauty, and body-positive photographer who believes beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. He uses his photography as a creative outlet to showcase plus size bodies and the incredible things they can do. He told us last year:
“The joy I get out of photography is when a non-experienced model books a session to boost her own confidence. And you see that vulnerability grow into confidence midway through the session after you showed her those first shots. That is the most satisfying thing. That’s why I love shooting portraits, to capture the beauty they don’t always see in themselves.”
He’ll be visiting New York in May (deets here) and continues to travel the world to capture the beauty in all.
#25: Paris Alexandra
Website: https://www.bkyogaclub.com/ | Instagram: @paris_alexandra
As a 200-hour Registered Yoga teacher (RTY) and Healing Arts facilitator, Paris uses song, poetry, and movement to inspire self love and transform narratives in beauty, health and the arts. She is also a wellness practitioner who supports curvy athletes and creatives in growing lifestyle habits that honor the body, increase vitality, and ignite their creative lives.
She co-founded the body positive yoga studio BK Yoga Club where she and business partner Alicia Ferguson offer a safe place for practitioners, artists, and creatives to come together in a community-like environment. She says on the BK Yoga Club website:
“Movement is a walking prayer. Through poetry and song, we see our reflections in each other and create the world we want to see.”
It’s empowering to see a Black woman who doesn’t have a standard hourglass body do incredible things in the community that support all and encourage movement to everyone as a spiritual way to change the narrative in how the world sees larger bodies.
#26: Annette Richmond
Website: http://fromannette.com/ | Instagram: @fromannettewithlove
Richmond is all about community and it shows. The fat activist, writer and public speaker started a revolution with her Fat Girls Traveling brand that promotes plus size women traveling and not letting their size stop them from seeing the world. Her brand has expanded to include body positive group trips, Fat Camp and most recently, her real life meetups with fat women that include volunteer work, great food and a photoshoot!
Richmond has made it her life’s mission to showcase travel inclusivity and the importance of community + support.
#27: Danielle Young
Website: https://rhapsodani.com/ | Instagram: @thedanielleyoung
This writer, producer, journalist and host, now working at Essence, continues to break barriers in media, using her voice to celebrate people of color. She is not afraid to ask hard-hitting questions either. She went viral for questioning Rupaul on the lack of diversity on his show while in the press room at the Emmys last year. She told the NY Daily News:
“I definitely had some trepidation because I know how a black journalist asking the hard questions is perceived. I knew there would likely be backlash and that people would think because I asked a question like this that I was somehow taking away from RuPaul’s win. I wasn’t coming for or calling out RuPaul. I simply made an observation and asked a question about it. I think it would be powerful to see the very community RuPaul’s show is about, represented behind the scenes of it. So I asked how he felt about it. I didn’t want to ruffle feathers, go viral or negate his win. I had the space, so I asked the question.”
Her media presence is so needed and we know she will continue to use her voice to push for more diversity and representation of people of color.
#28: Luke Jones
Website: http://www.lucaspicturesnyc.com/ | Instagram: @lucaspicturesnyc
Luke Jones, husband to PMM Editor-in-Chief Maddy Jones, is a creative genius behind the lens, having solidified himself as one of the top photographers in the plus size industry. His well-trained eye and ability to work effortlessly in an array of mediums has made him a key figure in the photography world.
As the staff photographer for PMM, he not only captures the beauty of all the plus models that have graced our covers but he also has captured many key moments at events and created stunning campaigns for businesses and other clients. His visuals are proof that beauty comes in all sizes.
#29: Allison McGevna
Website: https://www.allisonmcgevna.com/ | Instagram: @alliemcgev
Former plus size model McGevna has been working in digital media for more than a decade with a specialty in fashion, film and television. She also designed her own clothing line in 2013 called TwentyFour20 Designs. She has worked for media outlets such as People Magazine and FOX News.
The new mom is now the Deputy Editor-in-Chief for Essence Magazine, having previously worked as the Editorial Director for HelloBeautiful and Vice President of Women’s Lifestyle Brands at Interactive One. Throughout these roles, one thing was clear… McGevna is passionate about celebrating and honoring women of color in her work while also highlighting major topics in the media such as lack of representation and diversity in the media and Hollywood.
#30: Angela Rene
Website: https://www.renetyler.com/ | Instagram: @renetylerplussize
Not only does designer Angela Rene’ use her brand to make all women feel beautiful and stylish but she has also turned this into a family business where her son Chase is the Creative Director of the brand.
They operate a boutique in the famed Grand Canal Shoppes at The Palazzo, making it the only plus-size boutique on the Las Vegas Strip. You can shop via her website or if you’re in Vegas, stop by her shop for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Think personal assistance, large dressing rooms and a body-positive atmosphere. Because Rene’ believes you’re worth it, at any size.
She has also graced the NYFW runways for the last two seasons, using visibly plus models in her shows. We are looking forward to September to see her next show.
Who are some of your favorite Black plus size industry leaders? Be sure to follow us on social media and let us know! @plusmodelmag: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter