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"Success comes to the underdog who doesn't let sleeping dogs lie...
Owner/Director, (DE-FI) Global INC/ Pres. Art of (DE-FI)ance
Caressa L. Brown
The black sheep that's not interested in being a part of any cliques, Caressa L. Brown is a Dayton, OH native and resident that comes from a long line of business owners and community activists. A 1998 graduate of Jefferson High School and a 2007 graduate of Wright State University, where she earned a B.S. in Educational/Organizational Leadership. She is working towards a second degree in Urban Affairs Non-profit Management with a minor in City & Regional Planning, and will begin working towards a third degree from The University of Cincinnati in Horticulture in the Spring of 2024. Named to the 2024 Class of the Better Business Bureau/Women in Business Networking Top Women to Watch List, she is also a 2019 Dayton Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 recipient, and 2021 Ohio Black Excellence award winner, she has launched the careers of thousands of business owners, models, designers, photographers, HMUA's, stylists, and more as the owner of the first-of-its-kind community focused and volunteer led fashion incubator, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator.
A caregiver for a disabled mother since the age of 12 years, (DE-FI)'s work is inspired by the financial struggles and lack of support system that Caressa faced in her one time promising career as a model; her story has served as the foundation for (DE-FI)'s programming. With a focus on removing barriers, particularly the financial barriers that prevent many from pursuing their dreams or succeeding in the fashion industry; in just one decade, she has expanded her initial company the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator, into an internationally recognized and highly coveted brand, (DE-FI) Global INC.
She has worked behind the scenes of major New York Fashion Week events produced by IMG/Endeavor via the Council of Fashion Designers of America CFDA and is a founding member of the CFDA Connects Program, where she served as a member of the program's Executive Board in the inaugural year. She currently sits on the Advisory Board for Hocking College's Fashion Design & Retail Merchandising Programs, and is preparing to launch The Cincinnati Fashion Incubator in 2023.
As a result of the unmatched and unparalleled number of success stories that have emerged from the (DE-FI) brand, under Caressa's direction, (DE-FI) has had working relationships and partnerships with multiple colleges, universities, and high schools around the state of Ohio including, The University of Cincinnati, The University of Dayton, Miami University, Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, Hocking College, Dayton Regional STEM School, Horizon Academy, Alter, Dayton Early College Academy, Ponitz, and soon Jefferson High School.
From fashion, media, talent, entertainment, business, and more, (DE-FI) alum who have trained or worked under Caressa's guidance have successfully done it all and they've done it all on a global scale, making Dayton and the Southwest Ohio region the Fashion Capital for the development and success of fashion based talent across multiple disciplines. Ultimately fostering a viable, nurturing, independent, and self-sustaining fashion community in Southwest Ohio...and she's made it happen in the most unconventional, (DE-FI)ant, and disruptive way...her way.
Always with the community in mind, Caressa launched Veggie Soul: The Farmers’ Market in 2019 as a way to teach the residents of west Dayton (where she lives) and Trotwood how to garden and become more self-sustaining and self-sufficient in the midst of the food desert, and she offers her services free of charge.
Previously, Caressa has served as a Trustee for the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District where she served nearly 3 terms; she was a Community Voices producer for NPR affiliate 91.3 FM WYSO in Yellow Springs; and contributor to Dayton Most Metro now 937 Dayton.
Business Advisor (DE-FI) Global INC /VP Art of (DE-FI)ance
Edward A. Dixon
Dayton native and longtime art enthusiast, Ed Dixon opened the Edward A. Dixon Gallery in the Fall of 2017 in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. After years of involvement in the music, film and fashion industry, Ed decided to turn his attention to his passion for visual art and began the curation of artwork from artists on a world-wide scale.
Ed has curated and hosted multiple shows at the gallery that have included artists such as Sabrina Terence, Ronnie Williams, Marilynn Page, Erica Arndts and the late, legendary Beatles animator Ron Campbell. Exhibition themes at the gallery have included We’re Doing It ALL Wrong and JOY (That’s Just What I needed). He also served on judging panels for exhibitions and artist grants such as Art of Soul! Juried Art Show presented by NAAMCC , the Ohio Art League Fall Show, the Culture Works Special Projects Grant and the 8-4 Memorial Committee.
Ed has sought to build comfortable and inviting environments for all level of art enthusiasts in his various gallery locations. Making the connection between the general public and visual arts is his number one goal for the Edward A. Dixon Gallery.
Ed serves on the Dayton Art Institute Collections Committee, the Executive Committee for the Dayton Sister City Committee, maintains his realtor license, serves in an advisory role for the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator, writes for his travel blog and is an avid investor.
Photography Advisor for (DE-FI) Global INC
John Flynn
John Flynn's love of photography began when he first picked up a camera at 10 years old. Since then, he's been a devotee of photographs and the things used to make them.
When working with human subjects, his goal isn’t to make someone look perfect, but to make them look like themselves on a great day. When a photographer focuses so much on making someone fit the societal standards of perfection, they rob that person of their character. Your image is his focus, and the soul of that image is personality and character.
The Owner of Clover Storm Photography, John is an experienced manager with a demonstrated history working in the retail brick and mortar and e-commerce industries. Skilled in photography, Microsoft Office Suite, Advertising, WordPress, and Adobe Creative Suite. John is probably best known for his internationally recognized photography work in the pageant and competitive dance circuits.
Business Advisor for (DE-FI) Global INC
Cindy Gaboury
Cindy Gaboury and her husband, Kirby, just celebrated 38 years of marriage and 38 years in business. They are founders and owners of Audio Etc… in Centerville. They have 2 amazing kids and a precious granddaughter.
Cindy serves on the boards of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Kettering Moraine Oakwood Chamber, Women in Business Networking, Women in Christian Leadership and Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator. She is also a member of Centerville Noon Optimist, Home Builders Association and Beavercreek Women’s League.
In 2022, she was named one of Ohio’s Top 500 Most Influential Executives and received the Women in Christian Leadership Lydia Leadership Award. In October of 2023, she will be awarded the BBB/Women in Business Networking Career Achievement Award.
Designer Mentor and Fashion Instructor
Sandra Bowden
My name is Sandra "Imi" Bowden. I'm a fashion designer, pattern maker, artist and home stager. I currently have a studio and boutique called Other by Imi downtown Fairborn! Other by Imi offers shoes, clothes, styling, art, alterations, custom design services and home staging. I am open Wed through Sat noon until 5pm. I opened my storefront business in April 2023 after outgrowing my home business of the last 6 years. I have my BFA for Fashion Design with 15+ years of experience. I've also worked in all aspects of the food industry for the 25 years. The irony before and after college is I had to make fashion my hobby and work fulltime in restaurants because that's what paid the bills lol. In 2018 I decided to take the necessary actions, bet on myself and made my fashion/art hobby/passion apart of my fulltime everyday life! I retired from the restaurant culture, with that being one of the best decisions I've made for my life and have been flourishing ever since.
As of 2024, my motivation is to learn and expand my business so I am seeking assistance. I am gratefully booked most months with many variations of the fashion business. From alterations and mends, staging homes for sale, cataloguing inventory ie shoes, clothes and accessories for sale, pattern design/custom clothing, website, marketing/social media networking/presence, tradeshows/fairs, annual parties, window displays, sidewalk sales, fashion shows, and the list goes on.
Model Coordinator for (DE-FI) Global INC
Nay Reynolds
Nay Reynolds is the Owner of Lavish Vixenz Models, a professional, multi-published, modeling agency based in Cincinnati Ohio.
Founded in 2008, Nay's everyday goal is to help aspiring models break into the modeling industry without the hassles and complications most freelance models have to endure by supplying models with the necessary knowledge to become successful.
Lavish Vixenz Model Agency LLC represents diversity in women of color and encourages sisterhood while providing a stable foundation for models to grow and prosper.