Davonne Reaves, founder of The Vonne Group, established the Stay Black Experience directory with a visionary approach to address the underrepresentation of Black-owned hotels. As a trailblazer in hospitality, she not only holds an impressive portfolio as an award-winning hotel consultant and asset manager but also leads Vesterr, 

a groundbreaking Black-owned crowdfunding platform for hotel investments. Rooted in her experience starting 

as a front desk agent 15+ years ago and evolving into roles such as asset management at CHM Warnick, 

where she oversaw portfolios exceeding $1 billion in hotel assets, Davonne now channels her expertise to empower the Black community. Through Stay Black Experience, one of the largest directories of Black-owned hotels, she guides individuals towards successful hotel investments and ownership, making a lasting impact on the industry. 

Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Reaves's influence is recognized through educating over 4,000 individuals and earning features in prominent publications like Forbes, The Atlanta Business Chronicle, Black Enterprise, and more. Her contributions extend to prestigious organizations, including The International Society of Hospitality Consultants, Hotel Management Magazine, and The International Hospitality Institute. In addition to her professional achievements, Davonne Reaves serves on the Board of her Alma mater, Georgia State University Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality, where she earned a B.A. in Sociology. Her accolades include induction into Georgia State University’s top 40 under 40, the Trailblazer of the Year Award by The Urban League of Greater Atlanta, and recognition as one of the top 100 most influential African Americans under 40 by The Root.