Pages & Pour: A Fireside Chat with Disruptors

Moderated By: Arika Linton (Author of Creative Disruption: 7 Effective Strategies for Millennials To Lead In The Workplace)

This holiday season, join us for an evening of inspiration, connection, and celebration at Da Book Joint!

Sip on bubbly, shop local, and hear from a panel of bold disruptors as they share insights on creativity, leadership, and making bold moves in 2026.

📅 Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025🕖 Time: 5pm - 7pm

RSVP now and be part of the disruption.

Free Onsite Headshots are available for the first 20 RSVP's.

Arika Linton is an innovative millennial leader based in Chicago, committed to advancing millennial leadership and workplace innovation. By day, she drives transformative change as a Transition Specialist, advocating and providing support for students at risk of dropping out. By night, she’s a storyteller writing on topics that center and celebrate personal and professional Black culture all while finding joy in raising her brave and brilliant six-year-old son, Zion. Her thought leadership and impact across digital media, education, and the nonprofit space have earned her numerous honors, including the 2025 Chicago Urban League Young & Ambitious Award, the 2023 UNCF Chicago Millennial Mastermind recognition, and the 2018 WNBA Chicago Sky Redefine Possible Award. In February 2025, Arika published her debut book, Creative Disruption: 7 Effective Strategies for Millennials to Lead in the Workplace, which received critical acclaim. Just months earlier, she delivered a widely celebrated TEDx Talk at her alma mater, Columbia College Chicago, further cementing her voice as a leading advocate for millennial leadership, culture, and innovation.

Courtney Woods is a Chicago-based entrepreneur, creative, and co-owner of Da Book Joint, a mother–daughter–owned independent bookstore dedicated to celebrating Black stories, literacy, and community. With a background in marketing, Courtney joined the business in 2020 and has since helped transform it into a vibrant cultural hub known for innovative events, intentional curation, and deep community impact. A serial entrepreneur at heart, she is passionate about building meaningful experiences and creating things with her own hands — from custom displays to immersive literacy programs. Courtney’s work centers on empowerment, education, and ensuring that every reader feels seen, inspired, and welcomed.

Derrick L. Christian II is an enterprising, visionary creative with an industry-leading reputation for ideating big little things that make experiences unforgettable. As The Corporate Poet, he is hired by Fortune 100 companies to turn their messages into memorable masterpieces. As the head of marketing for concerts and family shows at United Center, he engages artists and fans in top-tier experiences. As the creator of MR. SUITABLE, a men's accessories line of ties, tie bars, socks and more, he empowers everyone to "Move Forward In Style". Stay connected with him on LinkedIn and at derrickchristian.com.

Jasper Hagan is the Founder & CEO of Full Court Marketing, a culture-first brand strategy and experiential agency based in Chicago. With deep roots in media, brand partnerships, and cultural marketing, Jasper brings over 15 years of experience partnering with Fortune 500 companies, global beauty and wellness leaders, and cultural icons to engineer cultural moments with measurable results. Known for his bold, no-fluff delivery and culturally fluent approach to business, Jasper Hagan delivers sharp strategy, fresh perspective, and real-world insight that bridge culture and commerce

.Resa B. Luster-Mac As a third-generation member of the Luster family,she learned from her father and other family members who played key roles in the
company. Resa leads the direction for Luster’s Pink and has demonstrated her strong business acumen and passion for innovation. In 2016, she successfully led the launch of the Pink Kids collection, created to make a child’s detangling process easy, fun, and painless. In addition to her role at Luster Products, Resa is committed to financial literacy through her marketing work with Maconomics, another family business, where she also serves as the Secretary of the Maconomics Foundation. Her dedication to financial education complements her expertise in brand management, reflecting her broader mission to empower individuals through both business and financial knowledge.

Trey White is a dynamic media personality heard across major iHeartRadio stations in Chicago, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Detroit, and Columbus. Known for his sharp wit, charisma, and connection with listeners, he’s become a trusted voice in urban entertainment and culture. Beyond radio, Trey is the founder of The Movement Foundation, mentoring young men in Chicago through leadership, career development, and community impact.

Born on the South Side of Chicago, Tanikia “Nikki” Carpenter is a playwright, actor, and founder of Good Content Productions, which preserves sacred stories through theatre and essays. She earned her B.F.A. in Media Studies with a minor in Africana Studies from North Park University. Nikki created *Black Theatre Chicago*, a platform highlighting Black theatre, actors, and productions in the city. In 2024, she was selected as a researcher and writer for the August Wilson Society’s book *Centering & Celebrating Wilsonian Warriors*, and in 2025, she received the DCASE “Playwright in Residency” grant while Goodman Theatre workshopped her play. Her works include *Emmett’s Photo* and *The Last Senior Home in Bronzeville*, and her poem “No Grandfathers in Chicago” inspired Chance the Rapper’s song “No More Old Men”; she lives in Chicago with her husband, Stephen, and their daughter, India.

Amber Marie Green is a Chicago-based award-winning multimedia journalist, creative director, and founder of AMG Sports Media and AMG Media LLC. With over a decade of experience in storytelling, photography, and sports coverage, she has built a powerful platform that amplifies voices across professional, collegiate, and prep sports. Her work bridges culture, community, and competition highlighting the stories behind the game while mentoring the next generation through her nonprofit, Envision Now Foundation. Amber’s mission is to make sports media more inclusive, authentic, and rooted in

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