VISION
Unapologetic Communications specializes in personal branding for Black women visionaries and influencers to help lean into their authentic voices. We are creating a movement of sisterhood, support, and abundance – unboxing Black women and showcasing all of our brilliance.
TAKIRRA
WINFIELD DIXON
UNAPOLOGETIC COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDER
Takirra Winfield Dixon is a Baltimore, Maryland native, writer, activist and communicator with over 15 years of experience in communications, public relations and branding.
BIO
Takirra served as a political appointee in President Barack Obama’s administration. She now serves as a strategic communications and branding adviser to Black women visionaries and leaders Dr. Uché Blackstock, Minda Harts, LaTosha Brown, ESPN’s Monica McNutt, tech guru Mutale Nkonde and many others including entrepreneurs and organizations near and dear to her hometown. In almost two years, Unapologetic Communications has partnered with over 30 clients and introduced The Reimagined Press Kit ™ to the world.
Takirra was a featured speaker at the 2021 ESSENCE Festival. In 2022, she pitched and led a main stage panel at ESSENCE Fest with three clients based on commentary she wrote on ‘The Great Resignation.’ Takirra was also named a 2021 Leading Woman by the Maryland Daily Record.
For four years, she led a robust national communications team as Vice President of Strategic Communications at The Education Trust – a national nonprofit focused on highlighting and closing opportunity gaps for students of color and students facing financial uncertainty. Takirra also served for six years in Maryland politics as a senior member of Martin O’Malley’s gubernatorial administration.
A proud graduate of Howard University, Takirra obtained an M.A. in Intercultural Communication with a certification in International Affairs. She is also a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a certification in African American Studies. Takirra also has experience as a communications consultant to change makers, activists and individuals in entertainment including actress Allison Williams; entrepreneur, music mogul and tech investor Monique Mosley; and Academy Award and Grammy Award winning artist John Legend.
Takirra believes in the power and purpose of authentic storytelling, especially from people directly impacted by issues, and with lived experiences that are too often overlooked. She has dedicated her career to elevating and uplifting the stories and experiences of Black women.
MONNIKUE
MARIE MCCALL
unapologetic communications Strategist,
Executive Coach, and Honorary Founder
McCall Leadership Founder
BIO
Monnikue “Monique” Marie McCall is a Napa California native, time management coach, and a Higher Education Executive with 18 years of administrative experience and 6 years of coaching executives, entrepreneurs, and their assistants to take control of their time and be more present at work and with their loved ones. She leads the Unapologetic Communications team on strategy and operations.
Monnikue started her career as a college student working with world renowned scientists and engineers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with a degree in Music Education, she worked for Berklee’s City Music Mentoring Program and taught private violin lessons and music theory. From there, she decided to pivot her career to philanthropy and politics. She had the privilege of working alongside Cambridge, MA philanthropist Barbara Lee as well as the Barbara Lee Family Foundation and the Barbara Lee Political Office.
While working in Higher Education, Monnikue became a Virtual Assistant supporting executives at non-profit organizations such as Bellwether Education Partners, Pahara Institute, Rocketship Public Schools, Oakland REACH, Silicon Schools Fund, and Beyond12. She also supported New York Times Bestselling author, Robin DiAngelo.
Monnikue is passionate about coaching her clients including their executive assistants to be the best version of themselves and strengthening the partnerships between all parties to prioritize efficiency and work/life balance.
MAIA
MODESTE
unapologetic communications
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
MAPENZI PRODUCTIONS FOUNDER
BIO
A creative multi-hyphenate, Maia is an award-winning actress, producer, filmmaker, and philanthropist. When she is not in front of the camera, she uses her writing and storytelling skills to elevate and enhance the brands of individuals and organizations across the globe, specifically with a focus on solving prominent social justice issues.
She is the founder of Mapenzi Productions, a multimedia company with an emphasis on highlighting and uplifting Black and Brown communities through authentic storytelling. Her content creation expertise ranges from feature films to documentaries, corporate commercials, and beyond.
Maia is also the Program Director for WACO Theater Center's youth mentorship program, Films Made By Teens, For Teens. She collaborated with Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles Lawson to create a community fueled by the mission to support underserved youth and provide them with resources to pursue their passions.
Maia has 9 years of experience in communications, pubic relations, and branding which began during her undergraduate years at Rutgers University. Her diverse skillset can be attributed to her work with Berk Communications, Roc Nation Sports, the National Institute for Early Education Research, and The Rutgers University Football Recruiting Department. Her time studying abroad at the City University of London solidified the union of her corporate and artistic goals.
Maia's wide range of work comes together with one common mission, to live fully in her purpose and to support others in doing so as well.