Dionna Dorsey Calloway, The Creative Ladder

“My goal is always to assist people in connecting with their purpose by prioritizing culture and the human factor.”
Dionna Dorsey Calloway

Dionna Dorsey Calloway, co-Founder & CEO of The Creative Ladder, shared the story behind her title with us on February 1, 2023.

The Creative Ladder, a non-profit connecting, inspiring and elevating a new generation of creative industry leaders, was launched by Ryan Reynolds, Dionna Dorsey Calloway, and David Griner. The founders created the nonprofit in response to a few glaring problems regarding equal and diverse representation in the creative industry.

Dionna is also the founder of DISTRICT of CLOTHING, a lifestyle brand encouraging progression, inspiring action, and supporting self-love. With apparel and accessory items for the sideline rejectors who awake with passion for progress and desire to make their dreams reality, District of Clothing is worn by the change-makers making change happen.

Dionna’s love for design began as a young child with a coloring book and has since grown into an entrepreneurial passion. She uses culture, empathy, simplicity, and inspiring design to support clients in their brand development. Her compassionate nature allows her to empathize with her clients–as well as their audiences–and the result has been her unique ability to create, develop, and nurture ‘the’ message to best align the purpose and passion for brands.

Dionna attended Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania and Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy, and currently resides in Washington, DC.

SUE SAYS

Dionna’s interest from the very beginning was based around design. With the influence and support from a tribe of women including her entrepreneurial grandmothers and an aunt who saw her gift for creativity, Dionna was able to develop self-esteem that allowed her to pursue her own calling while always staying true to her inner voice.