About
Nina Brownlee – Editor in Chief
Suite October’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina Brownlee considers herself somewhat of a chameleon, “put me in any environment and I can adapt”. A native of Washington, D.C., she has more years of education than the average American CEO. Brownlee a graduate of Morgan State University attained a Bachelors of Science in Social Work and immediately continued on to graduate school majoring in Architecture for 2 years. As a connoisseur of all things aesthetically pleasing and with her zeal for fashion in tow, she left DC and relocated to New York to purse her passion for design.
Upon arrival, she was lured into the world of entertainment. She spent four years in the music industry, getting her start with a boutique event coordinating company whose clients included Arista records, Def Jam and Martell Cognac. Taking this experience she moved on to become Executive Assistant for the President of Violator Management, Mona Scott. Their roster included long standing industry insiders, Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes. Getting first hand experience with the day-to-day tasks of managing artists in the height of their career and leveraging existing assets to cultivate the careers of brand new artists, taught her how to fast track projects to levels that would take others years to achieve. For her it spoke volumes to the concept of “use what you’ve got, to get what you want”.
With the ongoing aspiration to indulge her self in design, Brownlee threw caution to the wind and went back to school, this time for Fashion Design and Merchandising. Thanks to the suggestion of a friend she reached out to celebrity stylist, Rachel Johnson and got her break. Nina worked under Rachel’s tutelage on high profile video and album packaging projects. Her most unforgettable job was the music video with Sean Combs featuring Lenny Kravitz and Pharell Williams.
Nina Brownlee went on to design handbags and accessories for Lane Bryant, JC Penny, Target, Walmart, Frankie B., BeBe and Playboy’s signature label. She decided to combine fashion and architecture, what she refers to as her “two sense” and started her own “life-stylist” company called Njudawn, pronounced, “new – dawn”. Whether its personal style or home décor needs; with a bit of creativity and savior-faire, Njudawn offers ideas, products, and services to enhance your entire “lifestyle”. With all these experiences to her credit came the organic progression to the helm of Suite October. As Editor-in-Chief she leads the editorial team and is responsible for managing the scope, scale, development and voice of the site’s editorial and video content. In addition to overseeing and supporting the mission of the brand, audience and team she is also Co-Host on “The Show” and a contributing writer for The Great Room. Suite October has been a labor of love for Brownlee but sharing the birth of this beautiful being with her “sisters” continues to be a life changing experience.
Trezure Monte – COO and Publisher
Trezure Monte (pronounced ‘treasure’) has been a leader and writing about her life passions since she was a little girl. She never envisioned that she would be involved in the state side of the digital media business but always had a desire to be ‘highly involved in the production of beautiful and inspiring things.’ That being the case Monte holds Degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising Management. Her degrees from Johnson and Wales University and F.I.T are Science and Art disciplined and this speaks to her ability to balance the emotional and the business side of Suite October. She is educated, practiced and disciplined in putting things together.
Even before the birth of SuiteOctober.com, production and organization of content is something she has long understood. She is a Product Development professional at one of America’s most loved, recognizable and influential brands, Ralph Lauren.
Being at a company that is regarded as one of the most distinct brands and best advertisers in American fashion fuels her ability to appreciate quality collaboration, production, and design. Her role in Suite October is what many in the industry would call a triple threat. She writes for the Zen Room while also serving as Co – Host, Publisher and COO.
Her responsibilities include content innovation, profit optimization, pulsing, engagement, and distribution leadership of Suite October content to a growing file of clients, readers, audience, and advertisers. She leads the team and company in providing customized publishing and production of the Suite October brand and is responsible for recognizing the various ways that the company can render services to other media and lifestyle driven outlets.
Trezure leads strategy in collaboration with Suite October’s Editor -in- Chief, Nina Brownlee on Suite October projects appearing regularly online at SuiteOctober.com and across multiple distribution, social media and broadcasting channels.
One of Monte’s core responsibilities beyond securing strategic partnerships and driving advertising revenue is leading Suite Octobers’ recognition and growth through major panels, industry conventions, and community forums each year.
Since early 2008 Trezure has been writing a journal called “Notes to God ” which she is uncertain whether she will ever publish, but considers it fuel for progress in her personal and professional life.
Monique Thomas – Managing Editor
Monique Thomas is Managing Editor for SuiteOctober.com, a lifestyle website, and digital media entity. Suite October represents Sisters United to Inspire Teach and Encourage.
As Managing Editor, Monique ensures that all media, guest interviews, and editorial marketing engagements are an accurate representation of the Suite October brand. In addition, Monique is an ongoing Co-Host of “The Show”, Suite October’s stimulating weekly digital tv program. She also serves as lead of the Editorial Committee and helps secure new businesses and advertising/sponsorships in partnership with the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. Monique is responsible for collaborating to develop upcoming show topics and themes while soliciting engaging and interesting guests. Thomas is the entertainment and leisure writer for The Concierge page where she gives readers insight on the most popular events, sites, and places to see and be seen.
In addition to her role within Suite October, Thomas is a Senior Coordinator for Jones Apparel Group. She holds two degrees in Fashion Design and Merchandising.
Jhavon Smith – Dir. of Marketing and Communications
Jhavon Smith is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Suite October.com, a lifestyle website and digital media entity. In service to the mission of the brand the word, “SUITE” became is an acronym for Sisters United to Inspire Teach and Encourage. The website also features blog suites, where readers can go to engage on specific lifestyle and social topics.
Jhavon is responsible for creating and organizing, efficient and effective marketing opportunities and segmentation across multiple disciplines within Suite October (business development, advertising, events and client service). Her role involves social media strategy development, event planning, branding, subscriber and collateral development. Never one to sit still for long, Jhavon also contributes to the site as the blogger for “The Boutique”, giving Suite October readers insight on what’s next in Fashion & Beauty.
Smith is a resident of Houston, Texas but calls New York, Washington D.C. and her hometown Richmond Ca…all home! She holds an Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising and is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Business.
