Meet Our Co-Founders

Since she was a young girl, Markayla has understood the power of sisterhood and the importance of uplifting others. That early passion evolved into a purpose-driven mission to help individuals embrace their inner beauty and walk boldly in their truth.

With a Master’s degree in Business and a strong background in leadership, mentorship, and event planning, Markayla combines heart, vision, and strategy in all that she does. Through MBIM, she helps lead impactful programs centered around self-esteem, mental wellness, healthy relationships, and entrepreneurship providing real tools for personal growth and lifelong confidence.

For Markayla, this work is more than a passion, it’s personal. She is dedicated to building a community rooted in love, strength, and transformation, where every girl knows that her story matters and her beauty begins within.

With a strong value of family, mental health, and community, Andria aims to reach the hearts of youth, women, and adults with disabilities who struggle with trauma, mental illnesses, and other obstacles. 

Collaborating with her closest friend of 15+ years, Markayla, to establish a community organization in service to the neighborhoods where they were raised was a step toward accomplishing these goals. For Andria, My Beauty Is Me, Inc. is an organization that will make important the voices of Chicago communities. 

Andria is a Master of Social Work graduate from Chicago State University and previously attended Northern Illinois University where she completed a major in Psychology, and a minor in Black Studies.