Renata Mutis Black

Renata Mutis Black has established herself as a true philanthropist and humanitarian through her commitment to eliminating poverty. In 2006, Black immersed herself in study on microfinance and its impact on impoverished communities with Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinance vanguard Muhammad Yunus. In 2007, Black established a grassroots microfinance program with Earth Aid India, placing 800 women in village banking groups in Mamallapuram —the program is now run by one of these women and has since flourished. Black returned to the States in 2009 to develop a business model for social impact, establishing the Seven Bar Foundation as the brand for the Empowerment of Women. Recognizing an untapped niche market in the luxury lingerie industry, Black trademarked couture and luxury lingerie shows in the top 15 markets as brand-raising events for the foundation to reach a critical mass. To date, Lingerie Miami, Lingerie New York and Lingerie London have successfully redirected the attention and power of the luxury lingerie industry to the empowerment of women via microfinance. On October 24, 2012, Black launched the Empowered By You® brand alongside Atsuko Kudo and Agent Provocateur at Lingerie London.  20% of every sale empowers women via microfinance with the oversight of the Seven Bar Foundation. Black is currently the vice chair of the Young Presidents Organization’s CSR Network, a member of 85 Broads, and a member of Women on Wall Street and Advertising Women of New York.