
MEET THE ROSE GARDEN
BOARD MEMBERS
KENI THACKER
Founder
Chief Creative Officer
GARY J. NIX
GROWTH Initiative
Lead Moderator
REBECCA RIVERA
GROWTH Initiative
Curriculum Advisor
FELICIA GEIGER
Headmistress
GROWTH Prep School
ERICKA S. RIGGS
Mentor & Board Member
JAMAR CALENDAR
Creative Branding Co-Lead
LISA HEINSDALE
Director, GROWTH Take Two GROWTH Initiative
Admissions Manager
ALEX SANTIAGO
Board Member

The Story Behind The Name
100 Roses From Concrete
Inspired by the poem “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” by the late great Tupac Shakur, in comparison to much-needed resources, people of color and women need to thrive professionally but are overlooked, unlike their counterparts. Despite the disparity of resources and equity on all levels for over half a century, people of color and women have been trailblazers, game changers, and tastemakers for an industry that is still learning how to deal with their sheer dopeness. Giants like Bill Sharp, Sheldon Levy, Jimmy Smith, Keith Cartwright, Carol H. Williams, Shannon Washington, and many others have been delivering cultural-changing and award-winning campaigns for decades. However, with all that success, people of color and women are still underrepresented on advertising levels. Since its inception, 100 Roses has risen to the challenge of COVID-19, racial unrest in America, and shown the world its light in a time of darkness, just like the rose that grew from concrete.