PR & Marketing Panel

Dr. Enaysha Thompson

NTPR Agency founder Dr. Enaysha Thompson is known throughout the music industry for helping indie artist obtain major opportunities— she makes plain the complicated nuances of the music industry, while navigating the choppy waters of public relations— protecting them, growing their visibility, amplifying their voices, projects, and business ventures worldwide.

Over the past 10 years, her agency has helped thousands of artists both traditionally and digitally create and manage publicity and web-based marketing campaigns. She is deeply committed to educating clients and her 5-part My Brand Is Life book series, and PR Intensives: Integrated Music Marketing, EXPOSED: Publicity Revealed, and Maximized Your Brand with PR have helped musical artists and entrepreneurs alike. She’s also founder and Editor-in-Chief for both ELEV8 and RYZE Magazines, and responsible for The Basketball Leagues theme song for the 21, 22, and ’23 season. This Is TBL received three 2022 Grammy Nominations, and the performing artists were the first to perform in the Meta Verse within the CHH genre.

To say the least Dr. Naè is building legacy and has several other entrepreneurial efforts in the financial arena. She’s a licensed financial advisor, and author authority.

To learn more about Dr. Naé visit ntpragency.com

Ric Ross

Founder/Owner of Bold Running Club Apparel, Ignite Run Collective, LLC, Music Education Group, and Co-Owner, Big Peach Running Co.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Ric Ross is a multifaceted individual who has seamlessly transitioned from a thirty-seven-year veteran in the music industry to a trailblazer in the running and fitness world.

Ross began his professional journey in 1987 at the Music Business Institute, which laid the foundation for a distinguished career. Early on, he held pivotal roles at Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Corp, where he worked for Reprise Records, Elektra, Atlantic, and Island Black Music, eventually rising to the position of Southeast Regional Promotion Manager. His expertise in promotion and strategic marketing led to influential roles, including National Director of R&B for Capitol Music Group.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ross collaborated with an impressive lineup of renowned artists, shaping the careers of legends such as Anita Baker, Keith Sweat, T.I., Snoop Dogg, Isley Bros, Al Green, Gerald Levert, Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, and Trey Songz. Beyond the corporate realm, he founded the non-profit Music Education Group (MEG), dedicated to instilling life skills and fostering career development through music, film, and digital media education for underserved youth in Metro Atlanta.

An advocate for mentorship, Ross devotes his time to Big Brother, Big Sister and has served as a board member for the City of South Fulton Development Authority. In recognition of his contributions to the industry, Ross was inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame in St. Louis in 2022 and received The President’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award in 2024.

Ross’s passion extends beyond music, as he is also an avid marathon and ultra-marathon runner with over 40 years of experience. He co-founded Bold Running Club Apparel, a premium activewear brand tailored for runners, and along with his wife, Dawn, co-owns the first Black-owned Big Peach Running Co. store in Georgia.

Reflecting on his success, Ross attributes it to "hard work, dedication, and a passion for music." Today, he channels that same energy into the world of running, inspiring others through Bold Running Club Apparel and Big Peach Running Co., leaving an enduring legacy in both the music and fitness industries.

Nikki Walker

Nikki Walker brings over 20 years of diverse experience, from Vice President of PR on the East Coast to Director of Global Brand Awareness for a major wellness brand in Utah. She later transitioned to tech as Director of Community Engagement and DEI, focusing on inclusivity. In 2024, she launched NWPR & Consulting, a communications agency specializing in culturally competent strategies, and became a bestselling co-author with the anthology ‘Awareness Put Me On.’ Nikki actively supports her community through nonprofit board service and has received multiple accolades, including the Women Tech Council Change Catalyst award and Utah

Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch.

Adrienne Allen

Adrienne has worked in public relations and project management since 2003, focusing on the entertainment industry and assisting various clients, including non-profits, startup business owners, publishing entities, and spiritual ministries. Adrienne’s innovative ideas and extensive media contacts have contributed to her success.

After graduating from Morgan State University with a degree in Public Relations and attending Strayer University for master’s level classes in Marketing, Adrienne has leveraged her communication skills to drive positive change for causes, companies, and events. Her clients have reported increased brand exposure, a deeper understanding of their brand identity, and strengthened relationships with key stakeholders.

Adrienne has provided public relations services to various television and sports stars, including cast members from Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta, Actress Raven Goodwin, actors from The Wire, Singer/Actress Tanya Blount, and The War & Treaty, Gracie’s Corner, and Comedian Jay Phillips. Her firm was the PR Agency of record for the Lingerie Football League, Timeless Brands, Rolling Out, and Streetz 94.5 Radio in Atlanta. She successfully produced the red carpet for the Sheen Magazine Awards two years in a row and coordinated multi-city book tours for authors such as Candace Dow and Toy Styles. She also organized charity events for the Carpenter House Foundation and the Kurk Lee Celebrity Basketball Game.

Adrienne is passionate about securing wins for her clients, coordinating features in prominent outlets like Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, The AJC, Blavity, Golf Channel, and ESPN. She has also facilitated appearances at VIP red carpet screenings and booked paid opportunities with BET, TVOne, and other summits and conferences.

In addition to her Public Relations and Marketing expertise, Adrienne is certified in Conflict Resolution and Conflict Management. This certification has enhanced her ability to handle crisis management situations and potential negative publicity for clients. She has conducted Conflict Resolution Workshops for various non-profits, youth groups, and Women’s Empowerment Conferences.

In March 2018, Adrienne successfully held her first youth conference in Atlanta, Georgia, called the Make a Girl a Woman conference, empowering young ladies aged 14-23. She became an author in September 2018 with the release of her first book, “Creating a Middle: Conflict Tips for the Modern World,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She aims for this book to be a go-to resource for effective communication and conflict resolution. Since then, Adrienne has authored several more books, including “Public Relations Ain’t Free,” a monthly PR planner called “Pitching Ain’t Easy,” two children’s books addressing social issues, titled “My Parents Have a Drug Problem” and “Don’t Touch My No No Parts” and her most recent release, The Accidental Parent: Nurturing Love in Unforeseen Circumstances written for individuals standing in the gap raising children who aren’t biologically theirs due to addiction, incarceration, or tragedy.

Malik "Mecc" Raahawn

With a 20-year history in the music business, and a lifelong commitment to the culture of Hip-Hop and great music in general, there aren't too many aspects of the music and industry that Mecc hasn't had a hand in. After getting his start as an intern at The Source Magazine in 1999, he became one of the youngest music editors in the history of the company, creating the super group Slaughterhouse, writing eight cover stories and breaking countless artists. With his skills sharpened, Mecc then turned to publicity where he routinely procured placements in major outlets like Billboard, Complex and B.E.T. Following his writing and visibility successes, coupled with his now top shelf network, Mecc moved to artist consulting, where he A&R'd the new Busta Rhymes album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God, which has been universally recognized as a classic, and Busta's best work. Excited at the opportunity to leave a mark and give back, Mecc has no plans on slowing down his win streak: