Sip Nβ Slay NYC: A Celebration of Black Women, Power & Presence
There are certain rooms and conferences I make it a point to be in. Not because Iβm chasing some divine revelation from the panelists, but because I know the power of proximity. Conferences like Sip & Slayβa premier summer summit created by Nana Agyemang (founder of the EveryStylishGirl platform, a visionary space uplifting Black and Brown women in media, fashion, and business) arenβt just about sitting front row waiting for a βRhema word.β For me, theyβre about networking across, being surrounded by women who are running their own races, building, creating, and climbing in the same ways that I am.
There’s something special about connecting with women who are on their own journeys, chasing goals similar to mine, and moving in alignment with where theyβre called to go. Thatβs why I showed up in New York City last weekend, and from the moment I walked in, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
Walking into Sip N’ Slay, I felt that energy instantly. The vibe was unapologetically Black, beautiful, and BOLD. It was a reminder that influence isnβt just about numbers: itβs about presence, purpose, and showing up fully.
A Room Full of Power & Presence
Thereβs something indescribable about watching so many different Black women, each killing it in their careers, holding influence and power, while also looking absolutely stunning. It wasnβt just about business or taking cute pictures (but believe me, we did both), it felt like a day for US – for the girls who are doing it, and being unapologetic about.
The vibe was unmatched. One of my favorite activations was the Juviaβs Place installation, a bold, vibrant celebration of beauty that demanded to be experienced. There was also a place where you could ‘Ring The Bell’ for champagne, and Vaseline had a really cute activation as well where you could try out their Shimmering Body Oils.
Then there was Ciara. She spoke about alignment and faith, and how so much of what sheβs receiving in her career now are things she prayed for early on. It wasnβt just a story of success, it was a reminder that timing, preparation, and faith have no choice but to come into alignment when youβre walking in your purpose.
There were multiple panels throughout the day, including a conversation led by My ShopMy (an affiliate platform), and a dynamic panel featuring influencers like Allyiahβs Face, Kirah Omonique, and The Corporate Baddie. They shared insights about their careers and how they see their roles within the influencer space.
And while I loved hearing their stories, Iβll be real: if youβre coming to a conference expecting one sentence from a panelist to change your life, you might be disappointed. Thatβs not what these spaces are for. You can learn so much just by following their journeys online, or better yet, by simply starting your own. Thatβs honestly my only hang-up with conferences like this: too many people expect so much from the panelists, when really the true success comes from putting in the work yourself. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is be present and take in the moment.
The Beauty of Connection
One of the most beautiful parts of Sip N’ Slay for me was simply seeing people: both familiar faces and brand-new connections, and reflecting on how lifeβs journey weaves us together over time. Running into people Iβve known from the past reminded me of how far Iβve come, how much weβve all grown, and why itβs so important to give thanks for the chapters that have led us here.
I also made new connections, but two in particular really stood out to me. Both women live in New York, and the moment we met, there was this instant comfortability. We ended up sticking together for the rest of the conference, which is wild when you think about it, we had never known each other the day before, yet it felt so natural to lean into that newness. It reminded me of the saying: you havenβt met everyone whoβs going to love you yet. When you let go of what isnβt right for you, the right people and opportunities always align in perfect timing.
And hereβs the thing I really want to emphasize: influencers are your everyday girl. I know βinfluencingβ often gets a bad repβpainted as unapproachable, materialistic, or even βmean.β Not to say those people donβt exist, but in my experience, most influencers Iβve met are the opposite: normal, approachable, and grounded. The truth is, influencers get placed on pedestals and people forget that weβre human beings: trying, learning, and figuring it out just like everyone else.
Thatβs why I encourage anyone reading this to attend conferences like Sip Nβ Slay, spaces that are created for us. Thereβs no reason to be intimidated. Everyone in that room, whether she had ten followers or ten million, came with her own journey, her own story, and her own goals. Even hearing Ciara speak was a reminder of that. From the outside looking in, sheβs βmade it,β but she shared that she still has desires of her heart that only God knows of. That perspective made the whole room feel alignedβas if we were exactly where we needed to be: women, all trying, all desiring, all becoming.
Why Iβll Keep Showing Up
I left Sip N’ Slay reminded of why I show up for spaces like this. Itβs not just about the panels or the brandsβitβs about the energy, the connections, and the chance to see whatβs possible when Black women come together in excellence. Itβs about laughing with people you didnβt even know the day before, running into familiar faces from the past, and leaving with relationships and reminders you didnβt expect.
I left the conference not just inspired, but affirmed. This is why Iβll always invest in rooms like this: for the energy, for the alignment, and for the sisterhood that only grows stronger each time we show up.
Sip N’ Slay wasnβt just a conference, it was a celebration of influence, power, and alignment. And Iβm grateful I got to be in the room.
