nbrown21@nul.org
Speaker Bio
Nailah Ellis-Brown, the epitome of perseverance and pride, is rooted in strong, Jamaican ancestry and was raised in the Motor City (Detroit, Michigan). From a young age, Nailah had a desire to make an impact in her community and build a legacy for her future family. Now as a mother of two beautiful daughters, she is realizing her dreams. Nailah owns and operates Ellis Infinity, LLC, which produces Ellis Isle, formerly known as Ellis Island Teas.
Over the past 13 years, Nailah has built a reputation as a hard working leader determined to be a success. She began making her famous, family inspired Ellis Isle Teas in her kitchen in 2008 and for years sold her bottled teas from the trunk of her car. After proven results and an increased demand, she opened her first beverage production and co-packing facility in Detroit. This expansion enabled her to mass produce and secure several commercial accounts.
Ellis Isle is currently the largest Black and independently owned beverage company in the U.S. Nailah is also the only Black female beverage maker in the country with her own factory. Her inspiring journey caught the attention of several investors including Kevin Hart, who genuinely loves the beverages. Today, the tantalizing, natural teas are available in all Target stores and on Amazon.
Ellis Isle is more than a drink to Nailah; it is a genuine connection to her heritage. Her recipes are derived from a Jamaican sweet tea which has been passed down from
generation to generation from her great-grandfather who migrated through Ellis Island to America. His culinary skills were widely recognized and he was named master chef for Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line. Ellis Isle is Nailah’s honor to her lineage and community which also allows her to provide jobs in her native city and boost its economy.
Nailah has been rewarded for her entrepreneurial greatness with several recognitions including: Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day Grand Prize Winner, The Root 100; All-Star Forbes 30 Under 30; Magic Johnson’s Playbook 32 under 32; and the Black Chamber of Commerce Next Gen Entrepreneur of the Year, to name a few. In addition, Nailah was the winner of Centric TV’s Queen Boss reality TV series.