LIZA MICKENS

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At the age of 5, I began speaking publicly on behalf of my great, great-grandmother Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman to found, charter, and serve as president of a bank in America. Taking the lead from my descendent, I have continued to champion gender equality and Black culture in our hometown of Richmond. I have shared her story with Forbes, NBC Nightly News, PBS, and the New York Times.

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Through my gender equality advocacy with Vote Equality US, I have spoken before Virginia’s Senate and on national panels, which contributed to Virginia’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment for Constitutional gender equality. Our cumulative efforts led to President Biden’s national ratification of the Amendment in 2024.

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Professionally, as the Social Media Specialist for Virginia Tourism, I have developed and activated our organic social media strategy for an audience of millions. My social and professional work, coupled with internships in the fashion industries of New York and London, have fueled my boundless creativity and deepened my appreciation for storytelling.