Marcie L. Thomas

Marcie Lynne Thomas was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but her maternal roots are in Hinesville, GA. Marcie grew up during the Black Power era when proud brothers and sisters were sporting afros, wearing dashikis and using Ultra Sheen. One of her favorite pastimes was reading through Ebony, Jet, Essence and Right On! Magazines and she had dreams of one day owning her own publication for young black women.

At 13, Marcie moved to Georgia, which was the beginning of her life in several cities. After graduating from high school in Columbia, SC, Marcie spent her first year of college at Michigan State and a couple of years living in Cleveland. In July 1987, she enlisted the US Air Force. She was stationed outside of Madrid, Spain for 2 ½ years and completed her 7-year tour of duty at Pope AFB, NC. While in the service, she completed her BBA and a Masters in Management and Human Resources Development. She was also a leader of Pope’s African-American Cultural Committee.

Upon leaving the service, Marcie spent a couple of years living in Richmond, VA. While there, she volunteered at the city’s Black history museum and with her sorority’s youth group. (She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho.) After a brief time in Chicago, Marcie moved to Motown and remained there for 10 years.

During her time in MI, Marcie completed a second Masters in Interactive Marketing, attended seminary, became an ordained minister and founded Fruitful Vine Ministries, an online ministry for women. After serving as an associate minister at a small local church, she began to realize that her true ‘calling’ was to motivate and inspire African-American women and girls. It was during this season that the vision for Brown Girl Collective was born.

Marcie relocated to Hinesville in 2008 and established Brown Girl Collective in July of 2009. Daily, Marcie inspires women and girls (and a few good men) by sharing information that focuses on the boldness, brilliance and beauty of Black women. She is also the sole blogger for The Brown Girl Diaries and host of The Brown Girl Collective Talk Show on BlogTalk Radio.

Marcie plans to expand Brown Girl Collective by offering products, branching out into multi-media production and developing a non-profit to serve the women and girls that she is passionate about inspiring. Marcie believes that every Brown Girl is Bold, Brilliant and Beautiful and is committed to sharing her vision with sisters across the globe.