Every journey has a story. Here’s mine—the path I’ve traveled and the love that fuels it all.
I am an entrepreneur, leader, and visionary with a passion for creating opportunities and empowering communities. A proud first-generation Brooklynite with roots in the culturally rich tapestry of New York City, I have always seen myself as a global citizen whose life and work are guided by love, regard for humanity, and a belief in the boundless potential of connection.
From an early age, my talents were nurtured by programs that celebrated and uplifted the boundless promise within underrepresented communities. This early foundation instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility to ensure that others could access the same opportunities I was afforded.
My journey to Harvard College became a pivotal chapter, where I deepened my understanding of privilege, access, and the absence of representation for people from my community in spaces of influence. It was there that I began laying the groundwork for what would become my lifelong mission: to empower, uplift, and create space for Black voices across industries and geographies.
After Harvard, I embraced the dynamism of my multifaceted identity, combining my creative spirit, analytical prowess, and leadership abilities. My early career spanned from top investment banks on Wall Street to Viacom MTV Networks, experiences which reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of storytelling, ownership, and community.
Driven by a desire to empower through systemic change, I earned my J.D. at Harvard Law School, however I quickly became disillusioned with the law’s ability to be a true agent for social change. I began asking myself and those around me, “What do you really want to be when you grow up?” This led to a bold pivot: I stepped away from a high-paying and high-profile legal career to focus on creating impact at the intersection of culture, community, and business.
In 2017, I co-founded Sip & Sonder, a global Black women-owned coffee manufacturing company with a portfolio of coffeehouses and digital content spaces where coffee, community, and culture truly connect. As Co-CEO, I lead Sip & Sonder’s mission to redefine the global coffee experience and reimagine what it means to be a cultural and social hub, building an ecosystem that supports storytelling, entrepreneurship, and collective growth for communities of color worldwide.
My dedication extends beyond business. I am also co-founder and President of Sonder Impact, Sip & Sonder’s 501c3 nonprofit affiliate committed to empowering Black communities through professional and personal development initiatives. I also serve as Managing Partner of the Law Office of Amanda-Jane Thomas where I represent clients in the entertainment and startup spaces, blending creative vision with strategic expertise in every engagement.
