Sustainability Panel
Thursday, December 12th 6-8pm
The HIVE
140 Independence Blvd. Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Moderator
Sonya Z. Phillips
Stretch Couture
Sustainability
Dream Shape Body Contouring
Sonya Z. Phillips is a native of Virginia Beach, VA, and a US Army Veteran. Her life journey has been marked by a passion for empowering others, a love for fashion, and a commitment to wellness.
Sonya attended Tidewater Community College, then she went on to Old Dominion University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and International Business.
Sonya is a serial entrepreneur. She carved her niche as a Fashion Designer with Stretch Couture. She now teaches sewing classes and offers fashion business coaching to aspiring designers. In 2022 Sonya's love for the environment and others led her to create the lifestyle brand Sustainabili-T, which focuses on sustainable fashion and self-love. She is the co-owner of Dream Shape Body Contouring as well as a freelance Digital Marketing Manager and Virtual Assistant. She is a podcast host and has over 15,000 followers on her various social media platforms. Sonya became a #1 Amazon Best Selling Author with the collaborative anthology, “Sister Leaders” and has since independently published other books as well.
Sonya is the Executive Assistant to Torgbe Volo Yingor 1st, and his Queen. He is the Economic and Development Chief of Volo. His goal is to “Rebuild Volo.” Volo is a village located in the North Tongu District in the Volta Region of Ghana. It is about 50 miles from the capital Accra.Sonya is the visionary behind the Volo Fashion Show and Competition held annually as a part of the Volo Tugbedzo Festival.
Sonya's heart for service extends far beyond her business endeavors. She is the 2nd Vice President of the Pembroke Manor Civic League, a Clean Water Captain with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Volunteer Coordinator for the Young Investors Group, and Advocacy Chair of the Zonta e-Club of the Atlantic Coast I, which is a member organization to Zonta International, a NGO with consultative status to the United Nations.
You can connect with Sonya on
Instagram @stretchcouturesews
LinkedIn Sonya Z. Phillips
or visit her website www.sonyazphillips.com
Or www.stretchcouture.com
Sonya attended Tidewater Community College, then she went on to Old Dominion University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and International Business.
Sonya is a serial entrepreneur. She carved her niche as a Fashion Designer with Stretch Couture. She now teaches sewing classes and offers fashion business coaching to aspiring designers. In 2022 Sonya's love for the environment and others led her to create the lifestyle brand Sustainabili-T, which focuses on sustainable fashion and self-love. She is the co-owner of Dream Shape Body Contouring as well as a freelance Digital Marketing Manager and Virtual Assistant. She is a podcast host and has over 15,000 followers on her various social media platforms. Sonya became a #1 Amazon Best Selling Author with the collaborative anthology, “Sister Leaders” and has since independently published other books as well.
Sonya is the Executive Assistant to Torgbe Volo Yingor 1st, and his Queen. He is the Economic and Development Chief of Volo. His goal is to “Rebuild Volo.” Volo is a village located in the North Tongu District in the Volta Region of Ghana. It is about 50 miles from the capital Accra.Sonya is the visionary behind the Volo Fashion Show and Competition held annually as a part of the Volo Tugbedzo Festival.
Sonya's heart for service extends far beyond her business endeavors. She is the 2nd Vice President of the Pembroke Manor Civic League, a Clean Water Captain with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Volunteer Coordinator for the Young Investors Group, and Advocacy Chair of the Zonta e-Club of the Atlantic Coast I, which is a member organization to Zonta International, a NGO with consultative status to the United Nations.
You can connect with Sonya on
Instagram @stretchcouturesews
LinkedIn Sonya Z. Phillips
or visit her website www.sonyazphillips.com
Or www.stretchcouture.com
Panelists
Jamie Melvin (she/they)
Engagement Coordinator
Elizabeth River Project
Jamie Melvin is a dedicated advocate for intersectional environmentalism and sustainability, with a particular focus on communicating complex and often difficult subjects—such as climate change—through art, education, and community engagement. She holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Environmental Policy and Environmental and Sustainability Studies from George Mason University, as well as a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Advocacy for Social Justice and Sustainability from Antioch University.
With over 9 years of experience in community engagement and education, Jamie has served as a Lead Educator and Naturalist at the Fairfax County Park Authority, where she designed and led environmental education programs for diverse audiences. She also taught First Grade at the Virginia Beach Friends School. In 2023, Jamie joined the Elizabeth River Project and is now their Engagement and EcoDistrict Manager, where she leads efforts to implement the Knitting Mill Creek EcoDistrict and collaborates closely with local residents, the Highland Park Civic League, and the North Colley Business Association. Her work was recently recognized when she was selected as a 2024 Oceans Decade Champion by the National Science Foundation, a distinction that will enable her to expand her efforts at the Elizabeth River Project in creating inclusive STEM programming for women and girls of color. In addition to her role at the Elizabeth River Project, Jamie serves as the Board Secretary of the Colley Community Center, a non-profit nestled in the EcoDistrict who strive to provide access to workshops that will promote personal growth and community flourishing to the surrounding community.
Outside of her professional work, Jamie enjoys visiting gluten-free bakeries, thrifting, relaxing at the beach, reading, and attending live music events.
With over 9 years of experience in community engagement and education, Jamie has served as a Lead Educator and Naturalist at the Fairfax County Park Authority, where she designed and led environmental education programs for diverse audiences. She also taught First Grade at the Virginia Beach Friends School. In 2023, Jamie joined the Elizabeth River Project and is now their Engagement and EcoDistrict Manager, where she leads efforts to implement the Knitting Mill Creek EcoDistrict and collaborates closely with local residents, the Highland Park Civic League, and the North Colley Business Association. Her work was recently recognized when she was selected as a 2024 Oceans Decade Champion by the National Science Foundation, a distinction that will enable her to expand her efforts at the Elizabeth River Project in creating inclusive STEM programming for women and girls of color. In addition to her role at the Elizabeth River Project, Jamie serves as the Board Secretary of the Colley Community Center, a non-profit nestled in the EcoDistrict who strive to provide access to workshops that will promote personal growth and community flourishing to the surrounding community.
Outside of her professional work, Jamie enjoys visiting gluten-free bakeries, thrifting, relaxing at the beach, reading, and attending live music events.
Dakota Somerville
”Dakota Vibe”
The Pink Vibe Spot
Dakota Somerville
FB: Dakota Vibe
IG: Dakotavibeva
IG: Pinkvibespot_va
Dakota Somerville is a published freelance writer, media blogger and virginia beach vendor. Her candle shop, Pink Vibe Spot is permanently located at The Lazy Daisy in Virgina Beach.
Dakota creates unique soy blend candles, featuring decorative Burn Free, Eco-friendly, No Fire candles. Customers who have a fear of fire (pyrophobia) or live in senior housing, barracks, or any environment with a no fire policy can safely enjoy a scented experience.
FB: Dakota Vibe
IG: Dakotavibeva
IG: Pinkvibespot_va
Dakota Somerville is a published freelance writer, media blogger and virginia beach vendor. Her candle shop, Pink Vibe Spot is permanently located at The Lazy Daisy in Virgina Beach.
Dakota creates unique soy blend candles, featuring decorative Burn Free, Eco-friendly, No Fire candles. Customers who have a fear of fire (pyrophobia) or live in senior housing, barracks, or any environment with a no fire policy can safely enjoy a scented experience.
Tika G.
Tika Loves Fashion
Model
Tika G. also known as Tika Loves Fashion has been into fashion and art since she was a baby. "She gets it from her mama" is a more proper way to describe her lifelong love of fashion and everything eclectic. Tika believes that fashion is art and being born and raised in California, she has always been able to showcase her art with no question as she struts around in one of kind pieces. Tika has been in numerous fashion shows across the country and published in magazines, as well as discussed "Wearing your art" on different panels. Tika has a passion for giving back to the community and will give clothing, shoes, and bags to those in need every season. You can connect with Tika on IG @tikalovesfashion
Tierra Walker Holloway
“Tierra Around Tidewater”
Fashion Stylist / Principal Broker-Owner
Tierra Walker Holloway, known as “Tierra Around Tidewater,” has been a prominent
figure in real estate since 2004, serving as Principal Broker-Owner of Walker One
Property Group. With her guiding principle of “Start Where You Are, Use What You Have,”
she aims to empower her community, particularly addressing disparities in housing
needs. Tierra's expertise extends to property management, assisting over 200 families
to navigate housing challenges and avoid foreclosure. She focuses on residential &
commercial sales, managing over $12 million in assets within the WOPG portfolio.
Tierra's vision includes providing space for small businesses and content creators to
collaborate, addressing covert racism in housing needs, particularly for Black
individuals. With Year 4 approaching, Tierra and her firm are committed to furthering
real estate education, empowerment, and homeownership in Hampton Roads.
MEDIUM BIO
Tierra Walker Holloway, Principal Broker-Owner of Walker One Property Group,
Co-Founder of Walker One Residential Cleaning & Walker One Ltd., is
affectionately known as “Tierra Around Tidewater”
. Her guiding principle: “Start
Where Y ou Are, Use What Y ou Have.
” A Navy Veteran and 24-year Hampton
Roads Local transplant originally from Baltimore, MD, Tierra has been a force in
the real estate industry since 2004. Witnessing the loss of generational wealth in
her community during the crack era, Tierra made it her mission to empower and
inform those often unseen and overlooked. As a Virginia Housing 1st Time Home
Buyer Trainer, she equips individuals with the knowledge and resources to gain
and sustain wealth through real estate ownership. Having navigated the housing
crisis, Tierra found value in property management, which became a foundational
component of WOPG. Over half of her career has been spent assisting over 200
families to avoid foreclosure and navigate various housing challenges. That
expertise formed an integral part of the value of community-based care and
representation Tierra felt was missing in the Hampton Roads Real Estate market.
With a focus on residential & commercial sales and the continued growth of over
12 million in managed assets currently part of the WOPG portfolio, the goals of
her clients remain at the core of her and the firm's success. As a visionary, Tierra
has carved a niche in our environment, addressing disparities and covert racism
in housing needs, particularly for Black individuals. The WOPG community
partner program offers space in their offices for small businesses and content
creators to grow and collaborate. With Y ear 4 on the horizon, Tierra and her firm
are poised to continue growing and impacting Hampton Roads through real
estate education, empowerment, investment, and homeownership.
Tierra Walker Holloway, known as “Tierra Around Tidewater,” has been a prominent
figure in real estate since 2004, serving as Principal Broker-Owner of Walker One
Property Group. With her guiding principle of “Start Where You Are, Use What You Have,”
she aims to empower her community, particularly addressing disparities in housing
needs. Tierra's expertise extends to property management, assisting over 200 families
to navigate housing challenges and avoid foreclosure. She focuses on residential &
commercial sales, managing over $12 million in assets within the WOPG portfolio.
Tierra's vision includes providing space for small businesses and content creators to
collaborate, addressing covert racism in housing needs, particularly for Black
individuals. With Year 4 approaching, Tierra and her firm are committed to furthering
real estate education, empowerment, and homeownership in Hampton Roads.
MEDIUM BIO
Tierra Walker Holloway, Principal Broker-Owner of Walker One Property Group,
Co-Founder of Walker One Residential Cleaning & Walker One Ltd., is
affectionately known as “Tierra Around Tidewater”
. Her guiding principle: “Start
Where Y ou Are, Use What Y ou Have.
” A Navy Veteran and 24-year Hampton
Roads Local transplant originally from Baltimore, MD, Tierra has been a force in
the real estate industry since 2004. Witnessing the loss of generational wealth in
her community during the crack era, Tierra made it her mission to empower and
inform those often unseen and overlooked. As a Virginia Housing 1st Time Home
Buyer Trainer, she equips individuals with the knowledge and resources to gain
and sustain wealth through real estate ownership. Having navigated the housing
crisis, Tierra found value in property management, which became a foundational
component of WOPG. Over half of her career has been spent assisting over 200
families to avoid foreclosure and navigate various housing challenges. That
expertise formed an integral part of the value of community-based care and
representation Tierra felt was missing in the Hampton Roads Real Estate market.
With a focus on residential & commercial sales and the continued growth of over
12 million in managed assets currently part of the WOPG portfolio, the goals of
her clients remain at the core of her and the firm's success. As a visionary, Tierra
has carved a niche in our environment, addressing disparities and covert racism
in housing needs, particularly for Black individuals. The WOPG community
partner program offers space in their offices for small businesses and content
creators to grow and collaborate. With Y ear 4 on the horizon, Tierra and her firm
are poised to continue growing and impacting Hampton Roads through real
estate education, empowerment, investment, and homeownership.