Who’s behind the Light?

BETTE ALLEN is an entrepreneur with a diverse background, including over 25 years in independent film, video and television production. She has also worked in theater and special events, taught film, video and television production for various institutions, including as Asst. Director and Adjunct Professor for Quinnipiac University’s Mass Comm Center. As Co-Founder of BUGSBY PICTURES, Bette was Director of Photography for two award-winning short films that screened at numerous festivals, including Sundance. After moving to Seattle in 1997, Bette produced, shot and edited commercial, educational and fundraising videos as Silk Purse Pictures. Bette has a BS in Business Administration, from the University of New Haven.

Click here, to learn how Bette began creating handmade lamps as GLŌGOODS.

For advice, inspiration, education and general Black Girl Magic, Bette enlisted the help of two fierce and fabulous women, who also happen to be sisters.

BABZ RAWLS IVY is the Editor-In-Chief of New Haven, Connecticut’s Inner City Newspaper. A nationally recognized popular blogger and social media influencer. Morning radio personality and producer of LoveBabz LoveTALK and Co-host of Criminal Justice Insider with Jeff Grant on 103.5 WNHH-LP FM. She holds a BS in marketing from a Historically Black College, Barber-Scotia College in NC and is a National Urban Fellow with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York. Babz is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, one of the historically Black Greek letter organizations that are referred to as “The Divine Nine”.

ROBIN GWATHNEY is a workforce development consultant helping organizations do what they do better. She has testified before the U.S. Congress, served as president of two PTOs, and birthed two sons - each in less than 30 minutes. Robin has worked with local, state, federal and national organizations, including the City of Newark’s Department of Economic and Housing Development, the U.S. DOL Employment and Training Administration, the National Urban League, and the Workforce Training Professional Institute.  A tech and gadget enthusiast, Robin is an accomplished DIYer. and holds a BA in Political Science from Thomas Edison State University.

It should be noted here that the incandescent light bulb as we know it may not exist, if it weren’t for the work of LEWIS LATIMER. The son of slaves, Latimer worked with the famous inventor Hiram Maxim at the U.S. Electric Lighting Company. While working there in 1881, Latimer patented a carbon filament for the incandescent lightbulb. The invention helped make electric lighting practical and affordable for the average household.