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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

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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.

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