Biography
Raquel Riley Thomas (Captain, U.S. Army, Veteran) is the visionary founder behind An Officer and GentleWoman, LLC (AOAGWLLC), a distinguished global media and entertainment company delivering white-glove service. With over 30 years of media expertise, Raquel has made an indelible mark in the Corporate, Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle, Celebrity, and Music Industry.
Professional Life:
Raquel is the CEO of An Officer and GentleWoman, LLC, a global media and entertainment company, founded in 2011, with locations in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA. The company has won over 75 awards and her clients have been highlighted in over 5,000 plus appearances in print media, television, in-person and radio/podcast appearances. The company has won over 75 awards.
1990: Raquel is a decorated military veteran, having served nine years in the U.S. Army (5 years as an Enlisted photojournalist and 4 years as an Ordnance Officer). In 2002, she was honorably discharged as a Captain, Ordnance Officer.
2000: Raquel started her first business, Photography by Raquel, LLC. She photographed actors, celebrities, Jet magazine swimsuit centerfolds and more. She made history as the only black woman to photograph the Jet magazine "Beauty of the Week." Recently, she directed several music videos for a pop artist.
2002: Raquel was signed to Elite Model Management. She is a commercial model with Select Models. Raquel has modeled on the runway, for fortune 500 companies and has been on several billboards. She has also been the body double for actresses such as Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and most recently the singer Monica.
2010: Raquel decided to compete in a pageant to show her daughters a princess could look like them. She won the title of Mrs. Maryland America 2010. She went to the national level and won Mrs. America 2011 (1st RU), the first African American to achieve that level in Mrs. America pageant system.
2011-Present: Raquel started An Officer and Gentlewoman LLC (AOAGWLLC), which includes divisions in Public Relations, Talent Management, Brand Management, and Production services.
2020: Raquel launched her new company, Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty Line (RRTBeauty). The brand is a performance-based makeup brand for those who need long-wear makeup.
2025: Elite Mrs. Nigeria Queen of the World ‘25
2025: Elite Queen of the World ‘25
Education:
1990: She graduated from the Defense Information School of Technology and became a photojournalist for the U.S. Army.
1998: Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Hampton University.
1995: Graduated from Officer’s Leadership Course
1998: She has a degree in Psychology from Hampton University
2019: She has a certification in from Harvard Business School in Mastery of Negotiations
Present: Advanced Level Martial Artist- Taekwondo
Community Life:
-DefendRiley: Following the devastating loss of her mother to suicide in March 2013, Raquel uncovered a painful truth, her mother (M. Riley) had been a survivor of assault. Having faced similar trauma herself, Raquel refused to stay silent. Instead, she launched DefendRILEY, a powerful initiative committed to providing hands-on self-defense training and personal safety education for women and girls around the world.
-A Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc
-Publicist to the Southeast Chapter of the Emmy’s
-Advisory Board member of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation
-Active member of Veterans of Foreign War
-Award Highlights: (Full list upon request)
-Raquel is inducted into the Library of Congress for her service.
-Army Commendation Medal (2x)
-Army Achievement Medal (3x).
-"Veteran of the Year" 2011, by Women Veteran’s Rock.
-2024 President’s Volunteer Award (Lifetime)
-2023 Best Entrepreneur Award, The Global Beauty Awards
-2024 Champion for Charity Community Advocate
-2025 Forbes (LA) feature
-2025 Vanity Fair feature
Personal Life:
Raquel is a native of Maryland.
She is married to West Point graduate Ron Thomas, Esq (who has never lost to Navy in his football career). They have been married since 2006. They have 4 daughters in a blended family, a dog, and a cat.
Follow on social media:
Follow Raquel on Instagram @raquelrileythomas.
Follow @AOAGWLLC on Instagram and Facebook
