Clio Sports Awards Show

2 Minutes With … Dionna Dorsey, Co-Founder and CEO of The Creative Ladder

On The Creative Ladder and 'Stand With Black Women for Planned Parenthood'

Dionna is cofounder and CEO of The Creative Ladder, a nonprofit connecting, elevating and inspiring a more inclusive generation. She is also the founder of District of Clothing (an online retail shop and community for change makers) as well as Dionna Dorsey Design. 

We spent two minutes with Dionna to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.


Dionna, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now. 

My parents were divorced and I spent Monday through Friday in Pittsburgh, with weekends, summers and holidays in Washington, D.C.

How you first realized you were creative.

I was a teenager who loved cartoons and coloring. I remember my dad being worried, while my mom and Aunt Marie would buy me coloring books and markers to encourage my creativity.

A person you idolized creatively early on.

I was beyond obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, who initiated my love for fashion, as well as Spike Lee

A moment from high school or college that changed your life. 

I spent six weeks during the summer after my freshman year at Villanova University studying French in Dijon, Paris and Aix-en-Provence. Life-changing for sure!

A visual artist or band/musician you admire. 

Beyoncé.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring. 

The Speed of Grace by Jason Mayden.

Your favorite fictional character. 

Rocky.

Someone or something worth following in social media.

Brittney Packnett Cunningham.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on.

“Stand With Black Women for Planned Parenthood.”

A recent project you’re proud of.

The Creative Ladder.

Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.

For Google, It’s You by Creative Theory Agency

Someone else’s work you admired lately. 

Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour. Nuts!

Your main strength as a creative person.

Empathy.

Your biggest weakness.

My imposter syndrome.

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising. 

Fashion design.

2 Minutes With is our regular interview series where we chat with creatives about their backgrounds, creative inspirations, work they admire and more. For more about 2 Minutes With, or to be considered for the series, please get in touch.

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award