The GNL Team

MEET OUR HOSTS

Ciera Parks

Ciera specializes in working with women and under-represented populations. She coaches those that are passionate about their future to identify and reach their full career potential by maximizing their own unique talents.

Cindy Connors

Cindy Connors is a certified life coach and Emmy Award-winning television producer. Her work has been seen on HGTV, ABC, Discovery, and more. Her passion is helping people tell their story, find their voice, and tap into their creativity.

Isha Casagrande

Fashion, food, fitness, and faith are four words that stylist Isha Casagrande lives by. The “Real Woman’s” stylist, Isha has 20 years of experience and says there is no better thrill than getting confident selfies from women who, for the first time in their lives feel, beautiful.

Lucee Cesena

Lucee Cesena is an accomplished entrepreneur and the owner of Nobility Consulting Services, a full-service company that specializes in corporate services as well as modern marketing and social media services. She is also an acting and hosting professional.

Taiia Smart Young

Taiia is a writer, editor, author, content creator, and Director of Content for Smart Girl Media. She teaches aspiring authors how to use their experience and expertise to write and self-publish short, but powerful books that create influence, impact, and income.

Laura Villegas

Self-taught baker Laura Villegas was born in a small town in Venezuela. Her love of family is at the core of all that she does. She created the Sugary Times Bakery as a way to fulfill her passion for baking while spending time with her family. Sugar Times Bakery creates
a variety of baked and decorated desserts, for any occasion, and ships throughout the continental United States.

Stephanie Jones

An energetic and “glass half full” personal trainer and massage therapist. She loves to laugh and encourage women to get back to taking time out for themselves, starting with their personal health and wellness. Since there’s no cookie cutter way to
be successful at this healthier living thing, Stephanie encourages women to find what works for them and WORK IT.

GNL Ambassadors

The Art of Rituals

Abiola Abrams

Abiola Abrams founder of Mawu’s Goddess Mystery School, author of African Goddess Initiation, and creator of the African Goddess Rising Oracle Card Deck will teach you intuitive self-worth and how to find freedom from your fears as well as how to manifest your true authentic powers and purpose in life.

Abiola has been featured on such networks as The Discovery Channel, BBC, MTV, CW, and BET, as well as numerous publications ranging from Match.com to Essence Magazine.

She comes to us live from New York City, NY.

Visit Womanfesting on the GNL Marketplace

Shop Abiola’s Book

Healing with Crystals

Ava Adames

Ava Adames is the founder of Alchemic Wellness and Violets in Bloom. Ava holds many degrees specializing in kinesiology, pilates, Usui Reiki, and Crystology. With Ava’s vast knowledge, she will guide you with her teachings to a holistic approach of soul workings, through crystal and reiki energy healing.

She comes to us live from Elkins Park, PA.

Visit Violets in Bloom on the GNL Marketplace

Manifesting and Tarot

Christina Manning

Christina Manning is a manifesting and intuitive Life coach. Author of Charge Your Food, Change Your Life, and stars in Extreme Sisters on the TLC Network. Christina Manning combines her years of reiki energy work, life coaching, and her natural-born intuitive gift to help you unlock the magic within, as well as answer the big questions of life.

She comes to us live from Tacoma, WA.

Visit Christina Manning on the GNL Marketplace

Shop Christina’s Book

Home Baking

Diana Ayala, Dayala Treats

Diana Ayala, of Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, is the founder and owner of Dayala Treats. Diana is a self-taught home baker with a love for sweets. While macarons were her first baking experience, her talents have expanded, thus leading to the creation of her own business, Dayala Treats.

Visit Dayala Treats on the GNL Marketplace

Decorate a Cake like a Pro

Emily Friend, British Girl Bakes

Emily Friend, owner of British Girl Bakes, will take “caking” and decorating to a whole new level. Emily’s goal is to inspire and empower bakers all over the world to find joy and happiness in caking! Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, she has traveled the world and followed her passion for baking. Emily will provide you with tips and tricks to make anyone look like a successful and professional baker and cake decorator.

Emily now does her baking in Austin, TX.

Visit British Girl Bakes on the GNL Marketplace

30 Minute Meals on a Budget

Jasmine Daniels-Pugh

Chef Jaz, owner and operator of Lifestylesessions LLC, will inspire and influence you to eat healthy without breaking the bank. Chef Jaz’s recipes and budgeting tips are family-friendly, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes.

Chef Jaz comes to you live from the city of Sisterly Love, Philadelphia, PA.

Visit Lifestylesessions on the GNL Marketplace

Bake Like a Pro

Kristin Hoffman, Baker Bettie

Kristin “Baker Bettie” Hoffman is a baking educator and trained chef in Chicago, IL.
Baker Bettie will teach you foundational baking techniques, approachable baking science, and classic recipes.

Visit Baker Bettie on the GNL Marketplace

Shop Kristin “Baker Bettie” Hoffman’s Book

Chef and Food Blogger

Madalaine McDaniel, Lakeside Table

Madalaine McDaniel, chef, cookbook author, food blogger, and food photographer, brings many different insights of the culinary world to every workshop she teaches. Lakeside Table’s photography was featured in Vogue Japan in January 2022 and she has been interviewed on various podcasts such as BFF with the Chef, A Deeper Life, and A Wedding Podcast.

Madalaine comes to you live from Central Illinois.

Writer, Author, Editor, and Interviewer

Taiia Smart Young

Taiia Smart Young direct from Brooklyn, NY is the writer, editor, author and Director of Content for Smart Girl Media. Her prior experience was the culmination that led to this venture. Prior to starting Smart Girl Media, she was the Entertainment Director for Latina and Latina.com. Taiia has also held senior editor positions at Juicy, XXL and Essence. Her byline has also appeared in Ebony, Black Enterprise and NV magazines; and Verizon.com, MadameNoire.com, HelloBeautiful.com and Bustle.com. As an interviewer and on-camera host, Taiia has been in conversations with top talent including Michelle Obama, Mary J. Blige, Zendaya, Fergie, Taraji P. Henson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, Nas and Kelly Rowland.

Visit Smart Girl Media on the GNL Marketplace

Bake Southern Delights

Catarah Coleman and Shoneji Robison

Southern Girl Desserts is a southern-inspired bakery owned by Catarah Coleman and Shoneji Robison. Both women felt they needed to bring their southern delights and hospitality to the City of Angels. Paying homage to their family-inspired recipes and southern upbringing they recreate such classics as banana pudding, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and so much more. These Desserts Divas received national recognition when they competed on and won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. The Women have also been featured for their celebrity dessert catering on E! Network’s L.A. Sugar.