Hey, hey! I’m Dr. Evingerlean D. Blakney

…affectionately known as Dr. Eve®. I was raised in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina by a single mother in a low-socioeconomic household. So, I quickly learned what it‘s like to go through life with the odds against you. I went on to become a first-generation college graduate and even earned a Ph.D. at the age of 28.

After years of service in postsecondary education, I decided to switch gears and launched my social entrepreneurial journey. Now, I’m founder of both two corporations, Evingerlean Worldwide and Blakney Global Solutions.. Evingerlean Worldwide, Inc. is a leading social entity empowering first-generation scholars and professionals across the globe. Blakney Global Solutions, Inc. (BGS) is a supply enterprise for commercial and governmental entities. I’m committed to being a champion for historically underserved communities, creating safe spaces for growth, making pathways for social mobility, disrupting generational poverty, and building wealth through entrepreneurship.

I’m the creator of several FIRSTS, but am particulary excited about my global brands: The First-Gen Lounge, an award-winning podcast empowering first-genration history makers; The First-Gen Shop®, a store celebrating first-generation barrier breakers; and First-Generation University®, a learning and development platform for personal and professional growth.

Through my initiatives, I’ve served some of the world’s top organizations including include Cornell University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The Ohio State University, 1vyG, Social Knowbility, Women Empower X, and The United Negro College Fund. I’m noted as a BlkWomenHustle Inaugural 20 Women to Watch Honoree and highlighted as a Future Millennial Millionaire by Creating Your Seat at The Table International Magazine. I’ve been featured across several media outlets such as Rolling Out, EMOIR, and The Pedestal Project to name a few.

I hold degrees from Shaw University (the oldest HBCU in the South) and The University of Southern Mississippi, and I’m a part of both alumni associations. I’m a very proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serve as co-chair and founding steering committee member for The Black-Gen Collective, and sit on the Board of Directors for FLIP National and The Kim Q. B. Leathers Foundation. In my spare time, I enjoy mentoring, reading, research, traveling, food tasting, and cuddling with my chocolate lab (Maxwell Alexander).

Thanks for being here. Keep pressing forward!

XO,
Dr. Eve