ANDRE AND DANIELLE
The Wedding Tribe 🖤
Lauren Simpson
Maid of Honor
Lauren is one of my best friends! We met in college back in 2017 during the UT summer orientation program. One defining moment during that time (that will be left unsaid lol) stuck with me forever! Lauren is so sweet, strong, fearless, loving, and authentic. They say God brings people into your life for a very specific purpose and it is clear God brought you in my life to show me what "true" friend ship looks like. Not only is she an amazing example to look up to she is the living epitome of "divine friendship". I couldn't imagine walking down the aisle without you!
Ajani "Nini" Hedge
Maid of Honor
Me and Ajani go ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE SIXTH GRADE! This girl right here is my right hand! Ajani is so unique, creative, HARD , authentic, and loving. We have spent much of our adult life apart but whenever we are together it's like time has not passed. Ajani has been with me through thick and thin and she knows more than anyone why this marriage is so important and special. We talked about this moments as a kids and now it is coming alive! I am more than ecstatic to share this moment with you!
Naima Lamb
Bridesmaid
Naima has been one of the reasons Dallas is now home. We met my third year in Dallas and naturally our motivation to see schools better for black students led us to each other. We worked on the same team my first year at KIPP and have been attached to the hip ever sense. Naima is fun, loyal, motivated, and passionate. We learn so much from one another and that's one of the best aspects of our friendship. Doing life with you is so cool and seeing us grow and learn together is even better! I am so excited she will be next to me on my special day.
Diamond Price
Bridesmaid
Honestly, what would life be like without Diamond! Diamond and I first met at UT where we shared some of the best twerk sessions on the walls of college parties. One thing I appreciate about Diamond is she is always DOWN FOR WHATEVER! She gone support you when you accomplish something big and she is also gonna make sure you got a glass of wine when things ain't going so hot. Regardless of what it is Diamond is always there. I couldn't imagine this day with out one of my favorite girls!
Inemesit "Inem" Utin
Bridesmaid
Inem is like the little sister I always wanted (sorry, Daniel). We met in high school sharing many of the same interests in clubs and sports. Inem always made me feel like I was more important, than I thought I was lol. She was also one of the first individuals (other than Daniel obviously lol) who gave me a reason to do things right because I knew I had women like her looking up to me. Inem has always been there like the sister I needed and has always supported my dreams and passions (Hell, I forced her to run an organization for me when I left lol and she killed that ish). I am so happy she will be there to celebrate me on my special day because I couldn't do it without her.
Taiwo Agoro
Bridesmaid
I love Taiwo because I can always authentically be myself with her. I mean goofy, crazy, fun, and just every aspect of me comes out around her. Taiwo lightens up any room she walks into. Her spirit is contagious and she is a joy to be around, which is I why I have to share her with so many people lol but it's okay because I know who comes FIRST (lol sorry Kenny). I appreciate Taiwo because we have grown so much together and have developed into remarkable women. I am super excited to be sharing this day with her! Love you lots!
Kehinde "Kenny" Agoro
Bridesmaid
Everyone needs a friend like Kenny. A friend who will challenge you, pray for you, and grow with you. Kenny's dedication and work ethic inspires me so much and always pushes me to be the best version of myself. She is a part of my core team and God has solidified that this is a forever thing. She is never afraid to put her family, friends, or anyone before herself and so it is amazing to see her win. I am so happy that she will be a part of this special day with me.
Sarah Odion-Esene
Bridesmaid
The first thing I can tell you about Sarah is that she is a lawyer (and worked hard for that ish lol), always has been and always will be. The second thing I can tell you is that she is the BIG SISTER I needed at many moments in my life. Coming to college as a first generation student meant I had no idea what I was doing and had no guidance. Sarah took me under her arm and has never let me go (no matter how old I get lol). She is one of those people who is always gonna tell you what you NEED to hear, even when you don't want to hear it. I am so blessed to have someone like her in my life and I am so happy to be sharing this moment with you!
Alyssa Ross
Bridesmaid
I first met Alyssa while visiting Andre's family in Indiana. We instantly clicked noticing we had similar interests, passions, and goals in life. Alyssa has always treated me like a sister from the moment I met her and it has felt nothing short of that since then. Alyssa is focused, driven, an amazing mom, and a great friend. Many people feel like that have to force their spouse's siblings to like them but that's not the case with Alyssa! I am happy she will be by my side on this very special day for our family.
Nia Cottonham
Hostess
Nia is my "sister" from another mister. I love Nia because she is GOD FEARING, dedicated, passionate, and an amazing example of motherhood and wifehood. What I love even more is building our dreams together. I would not have anyone else in charge of making this day special other than her!
BreAndrea "Brea" Hill
Hostess
Brea is my little "mini-me"! I adopted her from Andre after she got too old to tell him about everything going on her mind. She has been my first introduction to everlasting relationships that can exist between teachers and students. When you see her, you see me (most of the time if she not slaving at Kroger lol). She is just one of those special individuals your thank God you have around. This day would not be the same without her.
Kourtney Ross
Wedding Planner
Honestly, there was no question as to who would plan our wedding, when it happened. Kourtney is not only my sister but my friend. I am so appreciative of the wise advice she has always given Andre and I over the years and so it is no wonder that she would be the one planning our wedding now that it is here! Kourtney is a genuine and kind spirit who only wants to see others win! I am so blessed to have a sister like you!
Antonio "Tone" Ross
Best Man
Tone is my brother, but also one of my best friends and influences in life. Since we were kids, Tone was never afraid to follow his own path and the vision that God has given him. I'm grateful to have an example like that in my life to let me know that it is okay to chart your own course. Tone is multifaceted: we laugh and clown together, we pray and worship together, and we are building a strong foundation for the next generation of Ross's.
David McDonald
Best Man
David and Danielle have known each other since their early years of college at the University of Texas at Austin. I met them both at the beginning of my 2nd year as a teacher (their first year). Our friendship really began when we coached a middle school debate team together. Soon after, we launched a thriving business called Education PowerED. As we continued getting to know one another, it was clear that this was a lifelong friendship brewing on purpose for a purpose and it is still manifesting to this day.
Philip Thomas
Best Man
I met Phil when I was a freshman in college. He and the rest of his friends were juniors at the time, so it was pretty unlikely that we would click like we did. Thank God for the universal language of basketball because after he saw me play, he knew we would have to be on the same team for us to be friends lol. Phil was my first college friend, and one of the reasons I stayed at NYU after my first year. I'm grateful that our friendship has lasted over time!
Brittney Sharp
Groomswoman
There's certain people that you know God put in your life for a reason, and that is how I feel about Brittney. Brittney is like a big sister to me and always has been since I met her in college. She was the coach for me and Phil's (best man) intramural basketball team, but more than that, she and her family really kept an eye on me as a young kid in a brand new city. I can still remember attending church with her family every Easter and feasting on an amazing dinner spread. They were my homecooking in NYC, the people that reminded me that family is about way more than blood.
Daniel Smith
Groomsman
Danielle has a very special relationship with her brother, Daniel, so it has always been important to me that I build a strong relationship with him also. We have a family business together which has only helped us grow closer. Daniel and I have more in common than I ever could have expected: from our love for basketball to our business savvy to our desire to take our families to heights that they have never seen. You can never have too many brothers, and Daniel has been the perfect addition for me.
D'Cardio Cottonham
Groomsman
I've known Cardio since 2016 when he began his teaching career through the same program I started a year earlier. We weren't that close then, but our relationship began to grown when Danielle and I reconnected with him and his wife, Nia, in December 2019. Cardio is an amazing husband and father, an example of a God-fearing man leading his family. I hope to do the same in my union with Danielle, so I'm glad to know that I have a man like Cardio in my village to hold me accountable for what it takes to do so.
Derrick Sanders
Groomsman
Derrick was my first roommate when I moved to Dallas. There was an enormous amount of swag dripping from our room obviously lol. We were determined to have the best teacher style that our students had ever seen. We challenged and pushed each other to be great even as we were learning something completely new. You need people in your circle who are going to be solid no matter what. My guy Derrick is someone I know I can always count on, regardless of how long its been since we've talked.
Damion Haynes
Groomsman
You know those people that you can just break off into random song with? Lol Yup - that's the type of friendship that Damion and I have! Dame was my roommate for 3 years before he moved back to California in 2018. We have seen each other at our best and our worst, but the love remained the same. Dame has been a constant voice of encouragement for me, and I know that when I need someone to pray I can count on him to send one up!
Philip Adams
Groomsman
Philip is my first cousin. My siblings and I were the older cousins to he and his twin siblings, Jasmine and Jordan. If there is one thing for sure about how I grew up, it's that family always comes first. Outside of my siblings, there was nobody I clowned with more than Philip. Now he's a grown man and about to graduate college. As the time flies by, I thank God for the man he has become and the one he is still becoming.
Aaron Joseph
Groomsman
Aaron worked at the same school as Danielle and I when we were first getting started in our careers as teachers. He taught right next door to Danielle and he and I were in the same department. Because we both worked so closely with him, he was able to see our relationship form from the ground up. Likewise, we watched the beginning of his marriage and the birth of his first child inspired by the journey he was stepping into. Aaron is a man and friend that I respect, so I'm happy to have him standing with me.
Abraham Beyene
Groomsman
Abraham is someone who is always down for an adventure. We have traveled together, and have had so much fun even here in Dallas. I've known him for a few years, and he has proven himself to be a loyal and supportive friend. Regardless of the things he has going on, he's never missed a business launch, birthday, nor anything else Danielle might have going on. Abraham is always down for the cause and another man who will hold me accountable to treating Danielle like the queen she is.