Melony Armstrong is the executive producer and subject of Freedom Hair, an inspiring film that chronicles her journey as a Mississippi mother determined to start a natural hair braiding business. Facing opposition from the cosmetology lobby and restrictive state laws, Melony’s resilience and determination led to a groundbreaking victory for entrepreneurs. Today, she is the proud owner of Naturally Speaking Salons and the Freedom Hair by Melony product line. Freedom Hair, an MPI Original Films production, is now available on Apple TV, Starz, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
Chief Queen Mother Freda Sideroff is a distinguished leader, humanitarian, and cultural ambassador dedicated to uplifting communities of African descent worldwide. She is the founder of the Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF), which celebrates and preserves Indigenous and Garifuna culture through film, art, and dialogue. Holding the esteemed title of Chief Queen Mother, she is deeply committed to cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and uniting the African diaspora. As a key figure in the Yurumein Royal Delegation, she actively works to strengthen ties between the Garifuna people and their ancestral heritage, ensuring that their traditions and contributions are honored globally.
Ariana Johnson, Ms. Black Ohio USA 2025 and Communications Manager at The Famicos Foundation, is available for interviews. A Cleveland native with a B.A. in Communications from Cleveland State University and currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Services Administration at Case Western Reserve, Ariana brings expertise in community engagement, mental health advocacy, and nonprofit communications. She is also active in her church, the Black Women Political Action Committee, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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