Who We Are
Tiffany M. Griffin, CEO, Co-Founder
Tiffany M. Griffin is the CEO of Bright Black where she leads on management, business development, marketing, and scent design. Tiffany is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a PhD in Psychology, and of Boston College with BAs in Psychology and Communications. Before founding Bright Black, Tiffany worked at the US Agency for International Aid (USAID) in the Center for Resilience as a Sr. Strategic Advisor. Prior to her work at USAID, Tiffany worked in the US Senate on health policy for Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and in academia as a Social Psychologist focused on racial identity, racial discrimination, group dynamics, health, education, and decision making. Griffin is an action-oriented deep thinker dedicated to transformation, strategic disruption, and helping people thrive. She currently resides in Durham, NC with her husband and daughter. Favorite Candle: Durham
Dariel Heron, COO, Co-Founder
Dariel Heron is the COO and Co-Founder of Bright Black where he leads on artisanship/production and management. Dariel is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Information Systems, and of The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Prior to launching Bright Black, Dariel worked in Management and Operations and Sales at the Landmark Theaters company, opening theaters in Atlanta, Washington DC, Manhattan, and Bethesda, MD. In this role, Dariel strengthened the Landmark brand and enhanced overall operations, leading to sales increases, as well personal management awards. Prior to working at Landmark, Dariel worked at Newsday in the Marketing Department. He currently resides in Durham, NC with his wife and daughter. Favorite Candle: Freeman's Creative Custom Scent
Columba Garcia, Associate
Columba is a production associate at Bright Black. Columba resides in Durham, NC and is originally from Hidalgo, Mexico. When Columba is not at Bright Black, she loves spending time with her family. Favorite Candle: L'espoir
Kimmie Grimes, Business Operations Specialist
Kimmie is the Business Operations Specialist at Bright Black. Kimmie has a Bachelor of Arts in English and loves reading, blogging, cosplaying, and photography. When she’s not working she likes to practice basic coding for her website. Kimmie is a coffee and tea lover and enjoys finding new, eclectic coffee shops. Favorite Candle: Yemanja
Pamela Thompson, Event Coordinator and Community Manager
Pamela Thompson is a homeschooling mom to four little girls who moonlights as a writer, educator, and creative director. She is a proud Afro-Carolinian, originally from Charlotte, NC, currently residing in Durham, NC with her husband and daughters. She is excited to serve as the Events Coordinator and Community Manager at Bright Black! Favorite candle: The Stoop
Victoria Pittman, Production Associate
Victoria was born and raised in Durham, NC. When not at Bright Black she is spending her time making traditional and digital art. She also enjoys listening to music. Favorite Candle: Gospel
Elena Heron, Intern
Elena M. Heron is an Intern at Bright Black. Originally from Maryland, she now lives in Durham with her parents. When she’s not supporting operations at Bright Black, she’s attending school, dancing Bomba y Plena, or playing princess. Favorite Candle: Signature.
Sascha Daniels, Sales Associate
Sascha is a Ph.D. student from Washington, D.C., studying German. Sascha earned their bachelor's degree in German and Japanese from West Virginia University and studied and taught in Germany and Japan. They research Black German identity, German hip-hop, and the transnational connection between the African American and Afro-German diasporas. Sascha earned their master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022 and moved to Durham shortly after graduating. Favorite Candle: Bachata
Samantha Powell-Jones, Sales Associate
Samantha grew up surrounded by art and artists, with works by Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden framing her childhood in the “Butterfly House,” one of Durham’s first passive solar, eco-friendly homes. This environment nurtured her deep appreciation for storytelling in its many forms—from art and music to poetry, literature, and the built environment.
Her passion for scent storytelling emerged in 2025 when she began working with Bright Black, where she continues to explore the power of scent as a meaningful narrative medium. Known for her infectious optimism and professional demeanor, Samantha excels at managing schedules, logistics, and diverse personalities with precision and grace.
Born in San Diego, she now calls North Carolina home. Samantha is a proud graduate of Bennett College and holds a master’s degree in English and African American Literature from North Carolina A&T State University. Favorite Candle: Salvador
Macklyn Mosley, Graphic Design Consultant
Macklyn Mosley, a resident of Durham for over a year, hails originally from Roanoke, VA. When he's not immersed in the world of design, Macklyn can be found indulging in his diverse range of interests. A passionate lover of the arts, he enjoys both performing and listening to music, exploring various forms of artistic expression, and diving into the world of video games and anime, fitness, and being a foodie. Favorite Candle: Tall Grass
Victoria Blount, Sales Associate
Victoria hails from Asheville, NC but now calls Raleigh, NC home. Victoria earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Western Carolina University and her Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School in 2023. She is currently a Doctor of Ministry Student at Emory University Candler School of Theology studying chaplaincy with a focus on grief and the Black church. Victoria is an amateur powerlifter who loves lifting heavy. She also loves line dancing, writing, going to trivia nights, watching anime and spending time with her dog child, Charlotte. Favorite Candle: Salvador
Jolie Doggett, Sales Associate
Jolie A. Doggett is a writer, educator, and journalist based in Raleigh, N.C. After living and working in Virginia, New York, Maryland, and DC, Jolie is proud to call North Carolina home. Jolie is a professional journalist and editor, formerly on staff at publications including Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ZORA, Madame Noire, and more. She's always been passionate about writing and education, now working full time as a special education teacher for Wake County Public Schools and facilitating writing workshops through her online journaling community, Finding The Right Words. When she's not teaching, you can find her dancing, reading, or writing in her journal. Favorite Candle: Kingston
Theresa Garrett, Sales Associate
Theresa Garrett, originally from Buffalo, NY has lived in Raleigh, NC most of her life. She is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University where she earned two bachelor's degrees. She prides herself on loving all things music and travel. Favorite Candle: RISE
