SHANNON WASHINGTON

A nomad at heart, Shannon Washington is the quintessential modern creative executive. After graduating Howard University, Shannon moved back to Brooklyn, and quickly managed to start her career at Rocawear/Native as an Art Director. Fast forward a few years and Shannon has added Complex, Suede and Essence magazines, along with Diageo, Pantene, Lauryn Hill, Current TV, Pepsi, Rimmel, Sony Ericsson, Kodak and more to her client roster, functioning as both an Art & Creative Director and Producer. She now lends her talents as a freelance Creative Director and Consultant for a number of clients globally and is the lead Digital Producer & Strategist for one of New York City's top marketing agencies.

In 2008, after seeing the void for fresh content that connected to women of color around the world, Shannon, along with Hillary Crosley and Sherry Bitting created ParlourMagazine.com, which she contributes to regularly as creative director and writer/editor focusing on global music, style and social trends. A frequent traveller, she can be found anywhere in the worldÑas long as you keep a healthy supply of Greek yogurt and coffee around, she is pretty safe to be around. SHANNONWASHINGTON.COM

SHERRY BITTING

A seasoned public relations and events specialist, Sherry Bitting has spent over 10 years working in the media and communications industry. After crafting her skills at such companies as Fairchild Publications, Complex Media and Porter Novelli Public Relations, Bitting recently launched SJB Communications, a New York City communications consultancy specializing in media, special events and community-based initiatives. In a short amount of time, she has worked with such companies as Complex Media, Men's Fitness magazine, Proctor & Gamble, Moet Hennessy, Caid Productions, Black Girls Rock! Inc. and many more. This fall, she'll be heading to London to attend Goldsmiths: University of London where she'll be studying Transnational Media and Global Communications.

Sherry started Parlourmagazine.com along with partners Shannon Washington and Hillary Crosley--where she oversees marketing and promotion. When not working-- you can find her traveling to wherever her budget will allow or simply looking for her next destination. She also enjoys speaking with young people on the importance of media literacy and critical thinking, and has worked with such schools and programs as the Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers, High School of Media & Communications, Sweat Equity Enterprises and Teen Lift.

HILLARY CROSLEY

Born in England, Hillary Crosley was raised in Northern California and moved to Brooklyn, New York after graduating University of California, Davis. Ms. Crosley began her journalism career as an intern at MTV News in London, England while studying abroad during undergrad. Upon returning to the U.S., she moved to New York City where she reported and edited for MTV News, The Source, TRACE, GIANT, VIBE, XXL and Billboard magazines along with BBC's web radio station, 1XTRA as their New York reporter, "Suga Hills." These days, Ms. Crosley regularly freelances for ESSENCE.com and serves as editor for Aol's theBVX.com. While she's adores making enough money to pay her bills (thank you Jesus!), Ms. Crosley really gets warm and fuzzy from working on her baby, PARLOURMAGAZINE.com, which she shares with Shannon Washington and Sherry Bitting. HILLARYCROSLEY.COM