2023-2024 ABWA National President and SBMEF Board of Trustees

EmpowerHer ABWA Chapter:  Founder  |  Advisor  |  Keeper of the Vision

 

At the tender age of six years old, Rachelle's grandmothers taught her how to sew, which developed her passion for becoming a fashion and interior designer and fueled her desire for entrepreneurship. After producing fashion shows worldwide and having her designs featured in magazines and on television, Rachelle brought her talents home to Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she established Rachelle's Island. Celebrating over 30 years in business, Rachelle's Island has expanded to include Rachelle's Island Boutique, Island Cruises & Tours Travel Agency, and     Thee Matriarch Bed & Breakfast, Meeting and Special Events Venue.

 

A graduate of Winthrop University with a B.A. Degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising, Rachelle's business savvy is featured in various national and international media outlets. The U.S. Department of Commerce named her the National Minority Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999 as recorded in the Congressional Record by Congressman James E. Clyburn and in 2020 awarded the South Carolina Small Business Administration Rural Small Business Person of the Year. Her award-winning World-Famous Rachelle's Island Tea was the featured beverage for the 2020 presidential candidates at Jim Clyburn's World-Famous Fish Fry.

 

Rachelle has a heart for mentoring, serving her community, paying it forward and leaving a legacy. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Eastern SC, volunteers for Edisto Habitat for Humanity, The Samaritan House Homeless Shelter, and a member of several organizations such as The Links Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Chamber of Commerce. She is the past Advisory Board Chair of the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers, South Carolina State University School of Business Advisory Board and former Campaign Chair for the United Way of the Midlands.

 

A motivational speaker, visionary strategist, business and mindset transformation coach with a desire and vision to Empower, Equip and Educate, she opens doors of opportunities for women to explore their possibilities. In 2018, Rachelle founded the EmpowerHer ABWA Chapter in her hometown of Orangeburg, SC. Through sharing her “ABWA Story”, Rachelle has personally sponsored over 100 members and in 2022 earned the prestigious ABWA Hand of Friendship Inner Circle Diamond Star Recognition as a 100+Club Member. Rachelle is honored to serve, support and lead as the 2023-2024 ABWA National President and to have served as the 2019-2022 Treasurer of the ABWA South Carolina Area Council. Under her visionary leadership as founder, past president and chapter advisor, the EmpowerHer ABWA Chapter has earned the Level 1 Best Practices in League Management Recognition for five consecutive years and in 2019 garnered the distinguished Brilliance Unleashed Award for being one of ABWA’s Top 10 chapters.

 

Rachelle does not meet a stranger. A woman of faith and family whose intention is to live life on purpose authentically, is a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and philanthropist. With a passion for dance, a love for exploring new cultures, and a heart dedicated to serving others, Rachelle embodies the essence of a life well-lived.  

 

Rachelle's mantras are “Show Up for Your Life, You're Worth It!” and “Maximize Your Seat at the Table and Soar!”

 

Contact Information

Rachelle Jamerson-Holmes

2023-2024 ABWA National President

2022-2023 ABWA National Vice President   

2021-2022 ABWA District 1 Vice President

2018 Founder, EmpowerHer ABWA Chapter, Orangeburg, SC

Phone: 803-387-6915 (C)   Email: RachelleEmpowerHerABWA@gmail.com  Website: www.EmpowerHerABWAChapter.org

 

CEO: Thee Matriarch Bed & Breakfast, Meeting and Special Events Venue  ~ World Famous Rachelle's Island Tea (Voted #1 BEST Sweet Tea)

Phone: 803-937-4271 Email: Info@TheeMatriarch.com   Website: www.TheeMatriarch.com 

Social: Facebook. Instagram. LinkedIn.