2025 Speakers

Desirée Rogers, CEO and Co-Owner of Black Opal LLC, is leading the revival of two legendary beauty brands—Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Black Opal Beauty—both celebrated for their commitment to inclusivity and cultural heritage. As the first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 Company, and former CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, Rogers is heralded for her uncanny business acumen and innovative approach to marketing and brand development. Beyond her experience in the private sector, Rogers was appointed by President Obama as White House Social Secretary, re-positioning the White House as the “People’s House” and implementing innovative events. Named to the “50 Most Influential People in the Multicultural Market” by WWD, “Top 25 Women to Watch” by Crain’s Chicago Business, and “Top 50 Most Powerful African American Business Women” by Black Enterprise, Rogers has helped major organizations reinvent business models and reach new and more diverse audiences with tangible results.