This Women’s History Month, join Social X MKE as we celebrate women who inspire, overcome and re-write history with a shared voice. We’ve curated a panel of phenomenal women in Milwaukee to discuss how they’re breaking down barriers and exuding an entrepreneurial spirit!
Watch the event recording!
PANELISTS
Emerald Mills - Born in Waukegan, Illinois, Emerald Mills is a business strategist, network coordinator and public health professional with almost two decades’ cumulative experience. Emerald is also the founder and lead facilitator of Diverse Dining, an events/education organization whose mission is “to cultivate courage, compassion and connection through meaningful conversations centered around diverse foods and cultural exploration.” Diverse Dining strives to establish and maintain interpersonal and interprofessional relationships among persons of varying cultural, economic, ethnic, political, racial and social backgrounds. As a philanthropic initiative, Diverse Dining (which Emerald is now involved with full – time) has been prominently featured on Dear MKE, On Milwaukee, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Spectrum 1, Fox 6, VISIT Milwaukee, podcasts and other mediums.
Meli is a Milwaukee native, but born in San Luis Potosi Mexico. Milwaukee has been home to her for the past 30 years and she loves every bit of the city. By day, she is an advocate for survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Although Meli loves what she does and it brings her such fulfillment, her second love is event planning.
Meli launched her own event planning business in October of 2021, but has been in the business for six years. The pandemic catapulted her taking that leap of faith and is now doing what she loves, almost full time. She keeps a great balance between both of her professions and looks forward to her work week as much as she does her weekends. Both sets of clients bring so much to her life and she finds herself in a constant state of gratitude for doing what she loves EVERYDAY!
Her business, Tr3s Event Planning and Styling, offers planning and styling services for weddings, personal and corporate events as well as styled shoots and branding sessions. Her team is small, but mighty and they take on events of all sizes and budgets. Tr3s specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through flawless execution, all while keeping within their budget. It has been a phenomenal start to the inaugural year as a company and Tr3s looks forward to creating more magic for as long as the clients, vendors, families and friends allow them to do so.
Brianna Chantel - She is the owner of 617 Dance Space. 617 Dance Space is located in Milwaukee , WI and was created as a space for women to come to release. To have a safe space to find themselves, build their self confidence and connect with other women in all aspects of life. 617 Dance Space offers regular movement/dance classes, ladies night events, private dance parties and rental space. Brianna is also a licensed esthetician and owner of Chantel Esthetics. A business with a focus on highlighting the importance of self care and self confidence in women and men. Chantel Esthetics offers skin care and body waxing services.
Hyacinth Nembhardt - Hyacinth Nembhardt is an entrepreneur, radio personality, and mother originally from the Bronx, currently living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was raised in a multi-cultural home with immigrant parents from Canada and Jamaica. Rooted in her heritage, she was raised with strong values and a solid work ethic, which play a significant role in her present-day ambition and success.
Hyacinth started Concoctions in 2009, a specialty beverage bar, as a festival vendor. In 2012, she offered mobile bartending services for private events, and in 2014 she expanded the business to include Milwaukee’s first mobile drink truck. In 2020, she opened a brick and mortar bar offering drinks to-go in the heart of Milwaukee and expanded/relocated to Brady Street in 2022. At this same time, she opened Tropic, a Jamaican lounge on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee.
After years as a member of the street team, in 2016 Hyacinth worked her way up to on-air personality at WJMR Jammin’ 98.3 where she would create and produce popular segments: Sound off Sunday and The Small Business Roll Call. She expanded formats in 2018 by picking up additional airtime on WNRG Energy 106.9 and serving as producer and host for the popular “Blown Off” segment.
Hyacinth graduated from Alverno College with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Communications. She also earned an associate degree in Business Administration. She believes in continuing her development and completed the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Entrepreneur Training Program. Expanding her business endeavors, she became a licensed real estate agent in 2020.
Concoctions was recognized for having one of Milwaukee’s best margaritas by the Shepard Express Newspaper. Additionally, Hyacinth was recently featured in the Washington Post and Concoctions was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Locally, she continues to thrive on radio and is a sought-after brand ambassador.
Hyacinth is mother to her daughter, Hyleah, who she is grooming to inherit the Concoctions empire and currently serves as the Bar/Brand Manager at Concoctions. In her spare time, she loves cooking and traveling.