Alexis Kerr, Vice President of Hallmark Mahogany, speaks onstage during the 2024 Hallmark Mahogany Honors Brunch at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta on April 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Alexis Kerr, Vice President of Hallmark Mahogany and Head of Multicultural Marketing, is more than a corporate leader—she’s a visionary with a passion for celebrating Black women and their stories. Driven by a deep connection to her roots and a desire to uplift her community, Alexis has transformed Hallmark Mahogany into a powerful lifestyle brand that transcends greeting cards. Through signature platforms like Mahogany Honors and Mahogany Moment, which takes place on September 29 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, she has created spaces where Black women are seen, heard, and honored.
In this exclusive interview, Alexis shares more about Mahogany Moment, her journey, and her heartfelt mission to ensure every Black woman feels valued and celebrated.
MadameNoire: You’ve consistently made an impact throughout your career. Let’s start with your journey to becoming VP of Hallmark Mahogany and the Head of Multicultural Marketing at Hallmark.
Alexis Kerr: It’s been a fun and rewarding journey. Over the last decade, I had the opportunity to work at Cadillac, leading multicultural marketing. We expanded market share among Hispanic and African American communities to over 40%. I’m really proud of those accomplishments.
Three and a half years ago, I joined Hallmark as the Vice President of Mahogany. We’ve expanded the brand into a lifestyle brand, launched mahogany.com, produced NAACP-nominated podcasts, introduced new products, and formed partnerships with African American-owned businesses to sell and distribute their products. Recently, I transitioned into leading multicultural marketing at Hallmark, with a strong focus on the Hispanic community. I’m incredibly proud of our work.
We’ve also created tentpole events like the Mahogany Honors, held every March/April, where we’ve honored incredible women like Pinky Cole. And coming up on September 29th, we have our second annual Mahogany Moment, a creators’ conference in Atlanta.
Alexis Kerr, Vice President of Hallmark Mahogany, and Fantasia Barrino attend the 2024 Hallmark Mahogany Honors Brunch at InterContinental in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
MadameNoire: Congratulations on all your success, especially in championing Black women. Tell us more about Mahogany Moment. What can we expect from this year’s event, and how can people get involved?
Mahogany.com is the go-to place for all the details about Mahogany Moment. We have an incredible lineup of speakers, including X. Eyee, a notable figure in the AI space, who we previously honored at the Mahogany Honors. We also have influential writers, senior authors, and a curated experience throughout the event.
This is the second year of Mahogany Moment, and it’s bigger and better. Last year, Tabitha Brown was our headliner, and one of our vendors secured a national distribution deal with Target after the event. It’s truly a space to empower women, with energy, vibes, and networking that are unmatched. We offer general admission, VIP, and an unparalleled platinum experience. Notable figures like Monica McNutt from ESPN will also be there, along with other influential women from across the U.S.
MadameNoire: The theme for Mahogany Moment this year is “Empower Her to Stay Grounded and Scale Higher.” What inspired this theme, and what do you hope attendees will take away?
Given everything happening in the world, it’s crucial for Black women to stay grounded and focused. The theme reflects the importance of protecting and owning your peace, which no one else can be responsible for. We’ll have events, activations, and conversations centered around this, including a discussion on the intersection of high-profile women’s ambition and their health.
We also have panels on AI, writing, and scaling your career or business. Whether you’re building a corporate career or running a business, we want to help you elevate to the next level. The energy, networking, and insights from this event will be invaluable.
One attendee from last year shared how she connected with seven women from major corporations she wanted to network with. That’s the kind of access and engagement we provide, along with food, snacks, and incredible giveaways. Last year we gave away a walk-on role in a Hallmark Mahogany film, so there will be great giveaways this year as well.
MadameNoire: Let’s now discuss some of the unique challenges Black women face today and how Mahogany Moment aims to address them.
We’re committed to having real conversations about the challenges Black women face, including the pressure to always be “on” and perfect. We discuss balancing Black joy with the seriousness of our work, and how to maintain wellness amidst it all. We have speakers who will share their personal journeys, like one Influencer who overcame a heart attack and transformed her health.
We’ll also have financial experts offering one-on-one “Office Hours,” providing guidance on building long-term wealth, managing taxes, and scaling businesses. It’s about offering real, expert advice, not just sales pitches.
Alexis Kerr, Vice President of Hallmark Mahogany, and Egypt Sherrod onstage during the Mahogany Moment at The Georgia Freight Depot on October 01, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
MadameNoire: How can attendees sign up for these one-on-one sessions?
“Office Hours” are available to those with Platinum or VIP tickets. Early bird pricing is available through the first week of September. Attendees can sign up for sessions with tax attorneys, financial literacy experts, and more once they arrive. It’s first come, first served, based on your level of seating. We’ve made it easy and broad, with experts speaking every 30 minutes and intimate one-on-one conversations available.
MadameNoire: This event offers everything—sisterhood, networking, one-on-one time with speakers, marketplace access, and more. Last year’s event sold out, and you’re expecting a sell-out crowd this year as well. Can you talk about the first event’s success and your expectations for this year?
The first event exceeded my expectations. Tabitha Brown was phenomenal, as were Egypt Sherrod and Crystal Renee Hayslett. But what really stood out was the sisterhood and the everyday people who attended—stylists, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors.
This year, we’re aiming for even more education, information, and fun. It’s a full day of girlfriends’ time out, complete with curated selfie areas, great food, and top-notch vendors. If you’re between 25 and 65, whether you’re a college student, a mother-daughter duo, or sorority sisters, this is your tribe, your space. We’ll continue curating these events for our Mahogany audience.
Alexis Kerr, Vice President of Hallmark Mahogany, and Tabitha Brown onstage during the Mahogany Moment at The Georgia Freight Depot on October 01, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
MadameNoire: What advice would you give to Black women looking to make an impact in their communities and industries?
Start. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the right connections—just start. Whether it’s a small community project or sharing your expertise online, the sooner you begin, the bigger your impact can be.
Celebrate every win, big or small, and remember that this is your time. We often shy away from celebrating ourselves, but it’s important to acknowledge your accomplishments. Reflect on your journey and know that you’ve done a lot, whether others recognize it or not.
MadameNoire: Wonderfully said. Before we go, you’ve built a significant following on LinkedIn. Can you tell us more about how you curate content on that platform?
LinkedIn is where I focus on empowering people.It’s more than just a job-seeking platform; it’s a place for hope and inspiration. I’ve grown my audience from 3,000 to over 150,000 by focusing on uplifting content. I highlight achievements and share positivity, particularly in the context of my work with Hallmark. It’s all about helping people connect and feel empowered. Whether they’re looking for jobs or seeking hope during a career transition, I aim to pour positivity into my audience. I’ve shifted my strategy to share more joy and encouragement. It’s not just about finding a job; it’s about connecting and lifting others up.
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