AL HARRINGTON
Founder and CEO,
Cannabis Company Viola Brands
Former NBA star Al Harrington pivoted into the cannabis industry 10 years ago with the launch of Viola, the first Black-owned multinational cannabis brand. The company is named after his grandmother, who he introduced cannabis to in hopes of it relieving some of her ongoing ailments. Cannabis ended up helping clear up his grandmother’s pain in ways pill medications could not.
A decade later, Harrington has become dedicated to growing the number of Black and Brown leaders and owners in the cannabis industry while bringing light to the racial biases within the war on drugs through his impact programs Viola Cares, Viola Build and Viola Accelerator.
Launched the first Black-
owned multinational cannabis company.
Raising awareness about the racial biases in the war on drugs, specifically pertaining to Black and Brown people being disproportionately criminalized over mairjuana-related crimes.
Filmmaker and Creative Strategist
CHERRELLE SWAIN
Cherrelle Swain is a filmmaker and creative strategist who uses media to bring light to racial justice and activism. She is the co-director and producer of Black Girls Film, a Black women-led film and social impact campaign that seeks to uplift and support the expression and stories of Black girls.
KEVIN SHERROD
BLAZING STAR
RISING STAR
Kevin Sherrod is a designer at the architecture firm Gensler. After receiving his master’s degree in architecture from UCLA, he returned to the school to serve as a lecturer in its architecture and urban design program. Passionate about building spaces where Black and Brown people can express themselves through art, Sherrod collaborated with community leaders in Compton to design an art gallery called Gallery 90220.
Architect and mentor.
Designed Gallery 90220, an art space for Black and Brown people in South Central Los Angeles.
Co-directed and produced the film Black Girls Film.
Improving representation of Black girls on screen
and in stories.
Designer, Gensler