Events

Fashion Design – Role Model Erika Dalya Massaquoi

Designer Erika Dalya Massaquoi brings an impressive resume to her line, The Oula Company. She’s earned a PhD in cinema from New York University, taught at Yale, curated at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and served as assistant dean at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Eight years ago, when she moved from New York to Seattle with her husband and baby daughter and treasure trove of vintage American sportswear and textiles from her travels in tow, she couldn’t quite find a job to suit her experience, though. She started curating again—for the Frye Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum—but when a new friend encouraged her to start a business of her own, her fabric collection found new life.

When it came to developing The Oula Company, Erika looked to her roots and her values as a foundation. “I wanted to create a brand that had a lot of heart; that was authentic; that was honest,” she says. “So that when I say that it’s sustainable, it is sustainable. And when we talk about things like cultural inclusivity, Oula absolutely embodies that—and it speaks for itself.” She sources small-batch Ankara wax fabrics for their durability and tradition, using them to create flattering, versatile silhouettes reminiscent of the tunics and caftans her mother wore in the ’60s and ’70s during the Black Arts Movement. The Oula Company’s frocks—many of which are one size fits all—can be dressed up or down, worn everywhere from the school drop off to date night. “I want to inspire a particular type of iconic, natural beauty,” says Erika. “And every silhouette that I create is based on that.”

Fashion Design – Girlpreneur Ashlyn

Ashlyn is now 12 and has been draping her own clothes ever since she discovered sewing at the age of 6! She has been picking out her own outfits since she was 15 months old. Her mom finally gave up on what she was going to wear by the time she was 18 months old. She also loves oil painting, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy and she is constantly illustrating her fashion illustrations. She plays Zither and ice skates. Her recent obsession is skateboarding. Plus, she is just like any other little girls who are obsessed with hearts! Her out of the ordinary creativity will inspire and surprise you.

Media – Role Model Audrey Cooper

Audrey Cooper is Editor In Chief at New York Public Radio WNYC and formerly the Editor in Chief for the San Francisco Chronicle – the first woman to hold that position. She loves her career because it gives her the opportunity to “speak truth to power” and make a positive difference in people’s lives. It is important for journalism to reflect the entire community, therefore she encourages girls, especially bi-lingual and girls of color, to consider careers in journalism to make sure their voices are represented. Her advice is that learning to be persistent but not annoying is a valuable skill to develop as a journalist.

Media – Girlpreneur Alejandra

Alejandra is Founder/Chief Reporter/Creative Director of KidNewsMaker. She came up with the idea for KidNewsMaker when she was 11-years-old. She is an award-winning journalist and hostess who has been seen in several film and television projects. Allie has worked on  ‘The Walking Dead’, ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Little’, ‘Legacies’ and plays the young version of former ‘In Living Color’ Fly Girl and acclaimed dancer Jossie Harris’ daughter in ‘Mixed Emotions’, a role she credits to helping her embrace being AfroLatina.