Founders
Explore world-class founders and entrepreneurs
Featured Founder
Ime N. Etuk
Ime has worked alongside some of the most respected directors in Hollywood (including Paul Haggis “Crash,” The Coen Brothers “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” Antoine Fuqua “Training Day” and David Lynch “Twin Peaks”). However, while working on film sets in his hometown, Portland, Oregon, Ime was often the only black person on set and usually the only person of color in a management role. Ime has been a mentor throughout his career, but longed to make a more significant impact. This was the beginning of Lion Speaks.
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Noori Cherry & Terrelle Bolton
Co-founders of Let Em' Cook, a culinary initiative that brings innovative and culturally rich dining experiences to the community.
Elsy Dinvil
Founder of Creole Me Up, a Portland-based company specializing in organic, allergen-free Haitian food products.
Rashad Frazier
Co-founder of Camp Yoshi, a company dedicated to curating transformative outdoor adventures for Black people and allies.
Yosafe Murphy
Co-founder of SHEBA Farm, a family-owned and operated agrivoltaic project in Oregon
Tali Aynalem
Tali Aynalem is a passionate home cook known for bringing people together through the rich flavors of her Ethiopian-Israeli heritage.
Affouet Price
Founder of Hibisbloom, a company dedicated to sharing traditional West African hibiscus beverages with a global audience.
David Ngene
Co-Founder of Pacmodo, a one-bag travel ecosystem built for doers, discovery seekers, and creators.
Olajumoke Elkanah
Founder of Flourish Spices, offering a wide range of authentic spices, mixes, and ingredients essential for West African dishes.
Abibat Durosimi
Founder of Bloom Agency, a full-service boutique agency based in Portland, Oregon
Ime N. Etuk
A Nigerian-American filmmaker and the founder of Lion Speaks, a production company dedicated to empowering creators of color to tell their own stories
Martinique Lewis
Founder of ABC Travel Greenbook, a resource connecting Black travelers to destinations and the African Diaspora Globally!
Precious Hannah-King
Precious Hannah-King is the founder of Mister OK's Essentials, a Portland-based brand specializing in handcrafted, all-natural candles, bath and body products, and room sprays.
Edith Johnson
Founder of Sunrise Books, a children’s bookstore that seeks to build an inspiring and playful space for the growing reader.