Valeisha Monique Butterfield is an African-American entertainment executive and social activist.
Butterfield was born in
It was at the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) that Butterfield found a professional home and a way to successfully accomplish both goals. Valeisha's meteoric rise from intern to Executive Director of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the world's largest non-profit coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives, is analogous to that of a total eclipse – rare, luminous, engaging and a force to be reckoned with. Butterfield is the first woman to lead the organization's philanthropic initiatives and business operations under the direction of Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis.
Considered by most as the youngest African-American executive director in the
Upon witnessing the recent public outcry, particularly among women, on the issues of misogyny, sexism and racism in entertainment and in society, Butterfield felt compelled to take a leadership role in the discussion and the solution. As the Founder of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), Butterfield has dedicated her life to improving the quality of life of women of color and hopes to leave a meaningful legacy on the business and creative practices of the entertainment industry and in society. Her goal is to make significant improvements in the quality of life of women of color in the areas of education, self-esteem, financial independence and overall happiness through entertainment-based mentorship.
