Dominique Drakeford

Raised in Oakland, but manifesting in Brooklyn, Dominique is an environmental educator, community advocate, social sustainability writer and sustainable style influencer. Her background is an 8 year expose of youth development, cultural enrichment and adventure-based outdoor education for Black and Brown kids throughout the Bay Area. Currently, Ms. Drakeford works at the intersections of sustainability and style to heal our relationship to the Earth and spark equitable change for economic wellbeing. Having received a Master’s Degree from NYU in Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Fashion (and a BA in Business: Environmental Management), she has worked with a myriad of companies to further understand systems-based thinking for a regenerative future alongside ethically-based public relations and consulting. Dominique is bringing fairness to storytelling by championing the values of inclusive representation and informed responsibility through her digital platform MelaninASS (Melanin And Sustainable Style). Drakeford is also the co-creator of Sustainable Brooklyn, working to bridge the gap between the sustainability movement and targeted communities through resources and events. Through the entirely of her work, Dominique's goal is to be a pillar of visibility to help create an accessible framework for how Black (and Indigenous POC) communities absorb information, gain clarity and become more liberated in order to sustain themselves, their community and the Earth Sustainable Brooklyn provides access and insight to sustainability from the lens of the African diaspora to: 1) address the limitations of the current sustainability movement; and 2) implement holistic strategies that provide regenerative solutions for Black liberation - a fertile foundation upon which to thrive, unencumbered. Through resources, events, workshops and curriculums, Sustainable Brooklyn provides tools to shift sustainability literacy to encompass cultural existence and celebration, economic liberation, self healing, land sovereignty and community preservation. With a focus on fashion, food and wellness, Dominique and Whitney collaborate and partner with a myriad of allied stakeholders in various industries, while amplifying the work and voices of BIPOC.