Charlotte, NC – Charlotte VegFest, a federally recognized non-profit organization aimed at growing Charlotte’s vegan community and supporting vegan and vegan-friendly businesses in the area, has elected local entrepreneur and communications executive Jameka S. Whitten as its new president.
Whitten has been plant-based and vegan since birth. She has been involved with Charlotte VegFest in various capacities since 2019. She is the founder and CEO of JSW Media Group, a boutique public relations and brand management agency based in Charlotte. She is also a podcaster and content creator under the auspices of The Stylish Vegan.
The Charlotte native’s other leadership roles include being the Charlotte Director for the National Association for Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME), president of the Northwestern University Alumni Club of Charlotte, and serving on the executive board for SEAL Arts & Literacy, a newly formed nonprofit founded by Hip Hop Legend Ed “Special Ed’ Archer.
As the new president of Charlotte VegFest, Whitten plans to continue the organization’s mission of promoting healthy, sustainable, and compassionate living and supporting local vegan businesses. She, along with the newly elected board of directors, hopes to expand the reach of Charlotte VegFest and increase participation in the annual event, which drew an estimated 6,000 attendees and close to 200 vendors in 2022. Additionally, Whitten is the first Black president to lead the decade-old organization.
“I am honored to be elected as the new president of Charlotte VegFest,” said Whitten. “I look forward to working with the dedicated board of directors, committee members, volunteers, and supporters of this organization to promote veganism and healthy living in Charlotte and beyond. This year we want to be even more intentional about our programming to ensure that every event we do and program we create is inclusive, welcoming, and as diverse as possible. Charlotte’s vegan community is vibrant and far from homogeneous; it’s time to showcase that in a major way.”
There will be an official Charlotte VegFest meet and greet on April 28 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Pilot Brewing located at 1331 Central Ave in Plaza Midwood during the monthly Humane Happy Hour. Attendees will be able to meet this year’s board and planning committee and learn more about VegFest.
Charlotte VegFest’s annual event features a variety of vegan-friendly vendors and vegan food from local restaurants, private chefs, and food trucks. The event is free to attend and open to the public. This year’s festival will occur on Saturday, September 30, at Camp North End.
For all media inquiries and interview requests, contact Camille Reed at camille@jswmediagroup.com or 404.426.6898. For more information about Charlotte VegFest, visit charlottevegfest.com.
About Charlotte VegFest, Inc.
What started in a small parking lot with a handful of vendors in 2012 has grown to 100+ vendors and thousands of visitors every year. Charlotte Vegfest is a family-friendly celebration of a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate lifestyle and explores the endless benefits of vegan living. Charlotte Vegfest brings together national, regional, and local veg-minded businesses for a broad mix of old and new favorites. Charlotte Vegfest is a 501(c)(3) with the mission of spreading veganism through Charlotte and the Carolinas. www.CharlotteVegFest.com
