blackVOICESnow
Voices of Impact Speakers

Marcus Bass
Marcus Bass is the Executive Director of the political strategy and advocacy group Advance North Carolina providing infrastructure support for local organizing and electoral strategy among black-led groups and underrepresented communities across the State. The work of Advance Carolina in the 2018 midterm election aided in a record number of Black Sheriffs and District Attorney’s elected across North Carolina. Marcus came to Advance Carolina in 2017 after serving as Statewide Campaign Director for voting rights advocacy group Democracy North Carolina, where he led their long-term redistricting effort, coordinated millennial and faith-based voter engagement and served as a key messenger for the organization. Prior to that Marcus worked for the North Carolina Association of Educators.  Marcus is the former Board Chair of Common Cause North Carolina and is currently the vice-chair of the NC State Voices affiliate Blueprint North Carolina.
IG:
FaceBook: @coldcase09
Website: https://www.advancecarolina.org
Website: https://www.campleadup.org

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Bonnie Mwanda
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Ryan Ray
Ryan is an accomplished, results-oriented entrepreneur with a passion for developing leaders and building collaborative partnerships. Ryan embodies the quintessential traits of a natural-born leader, marked by willingness to take risks and make decisive moves. His independent nature positions him as a figure of strength and determination, qualities that resonate deeply within his professional endeavors. This independence is complemented by a wellspring of creativity, enabling him to approach challenges with innovative solutions.

Moreover, Ryan's keen eye for detail ensures that every aspect of his work is executed with precision and excellence. These attributes coalesce to form a leader who is not only visionary in his strategies but also meticulous in implementation, driving success in every venture he undertakes.

In 2015, Ryan had the vision to create a safe haven for entrepreneurs. Triangle Entrepreneurial Leadership's (TEL) mission is to educate, empower, and equip entrepreneurs with the thinking and skill sets necessary for financial, personal, and professional success.

Through his experience of mentoring hundreds of entrepreneurs, Ryan realized just how wide the financial literacy and wealth gap is for people of color. In 2018, he developed a financial education program called Faith Focused Finances to address this need.

Ryan is a native of Dunn, NC. He lives in Knightdale, NC with his lovely wife,Tamia, and their two sons, Isaiah and Austin.
IG: @ryanofficial
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ryanrayofficial
FaceBook: @ryanrayofficial
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Rachel Boone
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FaceBook: @rachel.boone.376
Website:  https://beevolvedhr.com/

David Prince
From the small town of Holly Springs to the thriving community of Garner, NC, David Prince has dedicated his life to service.  He was in the first integrated graduation class at Apex High School in 1971 and a proud graduate of Shaw University in Raleigh.  David began his impactful career as a welfare caseworker in Wake County, ultimately retiring 30 years later as a manager of North Carolina's Food Stamp Program.

In his second career, he now leads Prince Funeral Home in Holly Springs as the manager/director and serves as the senior funeral director at Lea Funeral Home in Raleigh, guiding families with compassion during life's most challenging moments.

A passionate storyteller, David has penned and produced two poignant plays:  "I'm So Glad You Sat Down, Rosa," which celebrates civil rights history and "Lewis and Isabella," which honors the legacy of his great grandparents.  His love for poetry shines through with recitals of works by iconic poets, such as Paul Laurence Dunbar, James Weldon Johnson and Langston Hughes.

Beyond his professional achievements, David is a devoted husband, father and grandfather, enriched by the bonds of family.  A proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., he embodies the spirit of brotherhood and community.David Prince:  A life dedicated to God, service and culture.
Facebook: @david.prince.581
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Monet Mouling
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