Organizations book Dr. Tameka Ellington because she brings high energy and real-life examples of struggle to triumph and poverty mindset to growth mindset. She grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio and was raised by a single mother. Her father was absent due to alcoholism and drug use which landed him in a 15-year prison sentence. Despite the violence and crime surrounding her, Dr. Tameka always strived for excellence. She is a TRIO Upward Bound Alum and was the first person in her family to obtain a college degree. She attributes education, TRIO Programs, and the dedicated mentors in her life as resources that helped her escape poverty and attain the peace of mind needed to go after her dreams.
Dr. Tameka is CEO and Founder of Dr. Tameka Ellington Enterprises, a personal and professional development company. She is a speaker, internationally acclaimed and awarded fashion scholar, and confidence coach. She’s the author of four books, including the award-winning book, TEXTURES: the history and art of Black hair written for its namesake exhibition co-curated by Dr. Tameka, featuring artifacts and contemporary artworks musing on Black hair and Black culture. Her fifth book, Black Hair in a White World was released summer 2023 with Kent State University (KSU) Press. Dr. Tameka is also the host of the Black Beauty Activist Podcast where she has critical conversations with her guests to disrupt Westernize beauty standards and raise the consciousness and confidence of Black women.
Dr. Tameka obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion from KSU, a Master of Arts in Apparel and Textile Design from Michigan State University, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from KSU. Dr. Tameka started her career as a Fashion Designer working for large corporations such as Abercrombie & Fitch. After several years of working in the fashion industry, she had a call in to teach in 2005. She became an adjunct instructor at the KSU Fashion School while obtaining her PhD. In 2012 she became the first African American professor at the KSU Fashion School and served as a fashion design professor/scholar for 15 years. The last two years of her academic career Dr. Tameka served as Assistant Dean for the College of the Arts and Director for Diversity Initiatives for a team of over 3,000 people (faculty, staff, and students).
She has received many awards and recognition’s for her work including her most recent the 2022 Educational Opportunity Association Achiever Award, 2021 KSU Trail Blazer Award for being an advocate for underrepresented and underserved students, faculty and staff as well as the first to make beneficial changes to KSU, 2019 First Generation Advocate Award for her work with first generation students, 2018 Ohio Board Of Trustees Faculty Research Award, 2017 Alumni Legacy Award given annually to recognize an alumnus for their distinguished contributions and extraordinary service in the areas of diversity and social justice, 2016 Diversity Faculty Service Award for dedication to the advancement of her students and colleagues, and the 2015 Award For Outstanding Leadership in Student Access, Recruitment, Retention, and Success.
Dr. Tameka is dedicated to empowering her clients to achieve new levels of self-confidence, and helping them break down cultural barriers in their personal and professional lives. “On the other side of fear is your beautiful confidence.”
