Meet Team Ìpàdé

Elizabeth Dawes Gay
Founder & CEO

Elizabeth Dawes Gay (she/her) is a social entrepreneur whose life mission is to create a world where women of color have what they need to achieve their ideal well-being.

Elizabeth’s lived experience as a Black woman in the United States drives her to fight injustice and create a more equitable world. Elizabeth founded Ìpàdé because women of color deserve a beautiful and functional sanctuary where they can be productive, build power, and exist free from racially-driven macro and microaggression.

She is a co-founder of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and the founder of Sisu Consulting.

Tiara Perry
Event Curator

Tiara Perry (she/her) is a true mover and shaker of the fashion and art industry, with decades under her belt. Growing up in Cleveland, OH in a home where her family threw lavish parties, simply molded her into becoming the hostess with the mostess!

Her talents include but are not limited to business, project and retail management, event planning, creative directing, fashion styling, custom suit design, and vintage curation. Her keen eye and attention to detail accompanied by her unique and authentic style, allows others to follow suit.

Tiara's job as an Event Curator, is to plan, manage, and oversee events from ideation to implementation; providing end to end customer service.

Khadija Campbell
Event Manager

Khadija Campbell (she/her) is a dedicated and goal-oriented event industry professional with 10 years of full-cycle event experience who is motivated by captivating audiences and curating engaging, innovative and creative lasting experiences for brands and organizations.

 

Founding Members

  • Founding Member Renee Bracey Sherman

    Renee Bracey Sherman (she/her)

    FOUNDER, WE TESTIFY

    “Entrepreneurs, creators, and collaborators of color deserve a space to be great.”

  • Seshat Yon’shea Walker

    Seshat Yon’shea Walker (she/her)

    WRITER, CREATIVE, & FOUNDER, THE aSHE FUND

    “I became a member because I want to join and connect with dedicated spaces and initiatives that support and champion Black women.”

  • Emma Akpan

    Emma Akpan (she/her)

    CREATIVE DIRECTOR, EMMA AKPAN CREATIVE

    “I refuse to turn down my color, my light and my creativity. Working as a professional in all-white spaces fosters an environment that rewards the mediocre and diminishes freedom. No more. By becoming a founding member of Ìpàdé, I can ensure that Black women and femmes continue to have freedom. “

  • Founding Member Stephanie Kimou

    Stephanie Kimou (she/her)

    FOUNDER + PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, POPULATION WORKS AFRICA

    "Black women make me feel safe. The idea of co-working alongside them in my favorite city sounds like a dream come true."

  • Greisa Martinez Rosas (she/her/they)

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED WE DREAM

    “I choose to invest my time, energy, resources and heart in projects that build community and connection. I believe in Elizabeth and her vision. When she makes it, we make it. Also, Ìpàdé is beautiful AF! We all deserve workspaces like Ìpàdé!”

  • Kelsea Johnson

    Kelsea Johnson (she/her)

    CO-FOUNDER, STIRRED STORIES

    “I'm excited to be a founding member because BIPOC femmes deserve a creative, uplifting work environment!”

  • Imani K. Brown (she/her)

    ART CEO& HEAD SHOPPE GAL, Little INKPLAY Shop®

    “I believe in supporting soft, vulnerable and authentic self-expressive spaces for women who look like, talk like, and strut like me. We need a space to fully enjoy the unapologetic strength we uncover through our vulnerability. So, I decided to become a Founding Member of Ìpàdé because I couldn't think of a better space!”

  • Tara Spruill-Jones (she/her)

    FOUNDER, IMPACT PROFIT

    “I became a Founding Member to meet and be in the presence of supportive and inspiring women of color.”

  • Raquel Vazquez (she/her)

    FOUNDER & CEO, THE EMPOWERED BLOCK

    “I love the concept of a safe space where women of color entrepreneurs can build our businesses alongside one another. It's an empowering environment.”

  • Lauren Strayhorn (she/her)

    BRAND STRATEGIST | FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @NOTEDD

    “Becoming a Founding Member allows me to be a part of a community that I can learn from and thrive in as a recent entrepreneur, while working in a communal space in a local area that is near and dear to me.”

  • Deidre McDaniel (she/her)

    PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, HEALTH EQUITY RESOURCES & STRATEGIES (H.E.R.S.), LLC

    “I decided to become a Founding Member of Ìpàdé because I believe in supporting BIPOC women. My environment plays a major role in my capacity to be creative. Having access to a supportive communal work space designed specifically with us in mind is my definition of liberation!”

  • Founding Member Asia Rodriquez

    Asia Rodriquez, LPC (she/her)

    OWNER + CLINICAL DIRECTOR, ZOLA COUNSELING SOLUTIONS PLLC

    “I support the mission of creating more spaces for people of color to excel, connect and thrive.”

  • Fadesola Adetosoye

    Fadesola Adetosoye (she/her)

    HEALTH CARE CONSULTANT

    “I support Ìpàdé because it not only gives women of color a seat at the table but a voice at the table in a safe space to adequately grow their business.”

  • Poiette Noel (she/her)

    ENTREPRENEUR

    “I decided to become a founding member because I desire to be in more spaces with others who look like me.”

  • Quanice G. Floyd

    Quanice G. Floyd (she/her)

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GUILD FOR COMMUNITY ARTS EDUCATION

    "I support spaces for us by us.”