About Cheryl
Cheryl Ann Wadlington is a global change agent and leading consultant in the field of personal growth.
Recognized by the White House as a 2016 “Champion of Change,” Wadlington was honored for her leadership and work in developing extracurricular enrichment for marginalized girls. The national fashion and beauty journalist founded and became chief executive officer in 2004 of Philadelphia-based The Evoluer House.
Under Wadlington’s leadership, the organization has delivered award-winning empowerment programs over the past 20 years to more than 3,000 teen girls of color experiencing unique social and emotional challenges and barriers to success. The Evoluer House works to equip the most underserved and hardest- to-reach girls in Philadelphia with essential tools to become college-bound and career-ready, thus breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty. As a testament to its success, 100 percent of Evoluer program graduates attend four-year colleges or other institutes of higher learning.
Wadlington is an accomplished writer, television personality and sought-after motivational speaker who has reached millions of people – through such outlets as Vogue, Elle, Self, Life & Style, Lucky, C-Span, NBC’s iVillage Live and NPR – with her advice and perspective published. Wadlington is co-author and contributing editor of “SoulStyle: Black Women Redefining the Color of Fashion,” which drew much- needed attention to Black America’s female style leaders, from Pam Grier to Diana Ross. In 2013, she authored the critically acclaimed “The DivaGirl’s Guide to Style and Self-Respect” to inspire girls throughout the nation to take a bold leap toward success.
Wadlington served as a spokeswoman for Proctor & Gamble on its hair and skin care lines, and she was a national publicity director for Ambi products. An accredited member of the press corps for New York City’s annual Fashion Week, she’s featured in “The Tents,” a 2011 documentary chronicling the ready-to-wear collections and some of fashion’s biggest names.
Check out some of Cheryl's fashion & beauty work.
Wadlington founded Evoluer Image Consultants. For her clients at Evoluer Image Consultants, she assembled an all-star glam squad who have worked with the likes of Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige.
She also taught fashion journalism at Temple University, where she orchestrated internship opportunities for her students at some of the top fashion houses and publications in the world, including Gucci, BCBG Max Azria and In Style magazine.
Wadlington is a Philadelphia native and alumnae of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. With countless proclamations for her contributions to youth development from such dignitaries as the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly, she has had an impact that has transcended borders.
Bermuda’s former Minister of Education Dame Jennifer Smith applauded Evoluer House’s exemplary program for moving girls toward greatness. The London-based NGO A Safe World for Women recognized the organization for its efforts in nurturing at-risk girls. Wadlington has also partnered with government officials in Kenya from the Kiambu County Justice and Legal Committee to empower girls in the east African nation.
One year before Wadlington was named a White House “Champion of Change,” President Barack Obama recognized the Evoluer House for 11 years of service to young, urban girls. In 2020, she was one of 10 women in the nation selected by the world's No. 1 beauty brand L'Oréal Paris, as a Women of Worth. And in 2022, she was appointed to the Fashion Institute of Technology's inaugural Alumni Advisory Council.