Why is the organization called The Madame X Academy, and why does it have a “fictional” headmistress?

“Fictional?” Well, that’s not exactly true. The headmistress does, indeed, exist, and she’s the silent puppet master behind the secret inner-workings of the academy. Don’t all proper lower-school institutions of elevated learning have a strong figure as their headmistress? Madame X is the academy’s curator of curiosities, oddities, people and experiences. The name just adds a sense of mystery, but it isn’t a cultural or historic reference.

Well, dear visitor, I am Madame X! The funny thing is that I created the fictional headmistress of a secret school for ‘clever girls’, with the fun, expressed goal of NOT telling you! Developing novel, exciting, useful engagement that delights families has always been a focus of mine; and I enjoy creating cool, unexpected touch-points for the Madame X families who participate in the program. My work is rooted in the simple idea that African-American history and culture, explored through immersive, ever-changing thematic experiences, transforms people of all ages. We began with girls ages 8–13. But you can't build a giving community and then put a fence around it. The knowledge, the culture, the joy of this work — belongs to everyone. I care deeply about every, single detail of my experiences and program.

What’s Your Background?

I'm a futurist, creator, founder, educator, and community organizer — and I move through all of those identities at once. I communicate through storytelling, design, experience, sound, image, and presence. Multicultural experiential education isn't about novelty for me — the creative investment demonstrates my values. My extensive corporate career has taken me across industries, cultures, and formats — from public relations, marketing, brand strategy and design; to entertainment, technology, and community organizing. That range isn't incidental. It's the source code. The more worlds you've moved through, the more clearly you can see the one that's possible.

My work is rooted in the simple idea that African-American history and culture, explored through immersive, ever-changing thematic experiences, transforms people of all ages. We began with girls ages 8–13. But you can't build a giving community and then put a fence around it. The knowledge, the culture, the joy of this work — belongs to everyone.

I'm enthusiastic to connect with others who share the same values, and who think more expansively about both the future and the importance of preserving legacy. I gravitate to other builders, dreamers, educators, creators and organizers who look at the world and see not what is, but what could be.

The future is bright. Let's make it together.

Stay Curious. Seek Truth. Embrace Humanity.