About the CEO/Founder
Brya Potter
Brya Potter is an author, systems and strategy leader, entrepreneur, and founder whose work sits at the intersection of leadership, organizational transformation, culture, and community-building.
With more than a decade of experience spanning K–12 and higher education, she has served as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School, Assistant Principal, School Counselor, and organizational consultant—leading initiatives designed to strengthen systems, elevate people, and drive measurable impact.
Currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership (expected 2027), Brya oversees a $525K+ interdistrict portfolio supporting 14 school systems and impacting more than 1,000 students annually. She specializes in translating executive vision into scalable implementation—aligning leadership teams, strengthening governance structures, and building systems designed for long-term sustainability and measurable outcomes.
Her leadership experience includes embedding restorative practices into school systems, designing and facilitating professional learning for more than 1,000 educators, and developing stakeholder engagement models that strengthen organizational performance and student success.
Brya is also the self-published author of The Wait: Trusting God’s Timing Through Seasons of Becoming, a reflective work centered on faith, growth, purpose, healing, and transformation.
Beyond education leadership, Brya is the Founder & CEO of The Black Vanguard Collective, a curated community rooted in Black excellence, intentional connection, leadership, and collective elevation. Through elevated experiences, curated conversations, conferences, wellness initiatives, and cultural programming, the organization creates intentional spaces where ambitious professionals connect, collaborate, and build legacy together.
She is also the founder of Saint Brya, a luxury fashion and lifestyle house centered on sophistication, intentionality, elevated design, and modern cultural influence.
Brya’s leadership and influence extend across multiple professional, civic, and cultural communities focused on education, leadership development, entrepreneurship, wellness, equity, and Black professional advancement. She is an active member of organizations and networks including The Gathering Spot, ForbesBLK, Black Golf Club of DC, Black Excellence Society (BES), the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), Amplify by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Black Christian Influencers (BCI).
She is deeply committed to building spaces, systems, and experiences that empower others to lead with clarity, purpose, and vision. Known for bringing executive clarity to complex environments, Brya is recognized for building what others only talk about.
She builds what others talk about.
Who We Are
We're not here to follow trends—we're here to build what doesn’t exist. Black Vanguard Collective is a curated community of ambitious Black professionals moving with purpose, ownership, and intention. Through elevated experiences and meaningful connection, we are creating rooms that expand access, deepen relationships, and redefine what community looks like.
Who We Are
The Black Vanguard Collective (BVC) is a curated community of ambitious, culturally grounded Black professionals committed to excellence, ownership, and collective elevation.
We don’t believe in random rooms or surface-level networking. We create intentional spaces where connection is aligned, access is meaningful, and every experience is designed to move you forward—personally, professionally, and collectively.
From elevated social gatherings to curated conversations and high-impact experiences, BVC exists at the intersection of culture, strategy, and lifestyle.
This is more than a network.
This is an ecosystem.
This is a movement.
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Our foundation is rooted in three core pillars that shape every experience, conversation, and opportunity within Black Vanguard Collective:
Financial Wealth & Literacy
Creating access to financial education, ownership, wealth-building, and professional growth.Social & Emotional Wellbeing
Prioritizing authentic connection, mental wellness, personal development, and collective support.Physical Wellbeing
Encouraging balance, health, wellness, and sustainable lifestyles that allow our community to thrive fully. -
Excellence — We operate at a high standard in every space we enter and create
Ownership — We take responsibility for our growth, our impact, and our communities
Alignment — We believe the right rooms change everything
Collective Elevation — We rise together, strategically and intentionally
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Black Vanguard Collective was created to fill a gap—spaces for Black professionals that felt both elevated and intentional.
What started as a vision to build better rooms has evolved into a growing ecosystem of leaders, creatives, and innovators who are committed to moving differently—and building something greater together.
Your entry into the room. Designed for connection, access, and alignment with a network of ambitious Black professionals.
BVC GOLD VIP
Elevated access for those who move differently. VIP Members experience BVC through priority access, curated experiences, and deeper connection. *Includes 20% off most events (excluding conferences, galas, and retreats).
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