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THE FOUNDERS

Jasmine & Jeremy Lopez | The founders

Jasmine and Jeremy are both creatives who each bring over 20 years of experience to the table. Since working in the creative field, they both believe in how much opportunity there is for other’s to thrive and be a part of the over $900B that the creative economy brings in annually. Jasmine’s dream of a creative studio space in Maywood, IL was something that Jeremy would partner with. He personally invested hundreds of DIY hours to turn the studio into a welcoming space for the community. Jeremy continues to serves on the board and volunteers his time to lead workshops on film production, as Jasmine leads the day to day. She deeply believes that in order to build thriving businesses, we must have a healthy relationship with self, the world, and money, which is why The Firehouse Dream doesn’t just teach about creative entrepreneurship, but partners with each youth to identify their creative talents and skills and helps them to the take steps towards their collective and individual thriving.

OUR BOARD

Karina Mora-Metts

“I believe the more we share our stories, the more we can become connected, celebrate each other and create positive change for the generations to follow.”

Karina Mora-Metts | president

Karina is a photographer who desires to help educate people to see beyond margaritas, tacos, and the stereotypes, to the heart of Mexico, one piece of art at a time. She brings you beauty from Mexico to cultivate meaningful conversation with ready to hang framed photos, stickers, puzzles and downloadable calendars.

She is also the podcast host of Elevating la Cultura; a podcast featuring stories from 1st and 2nd generation Latinas working hard, pursuing their passions and pouring into the next generation.

What are you excited most for The Firehouse Dream?

I'm so excited for The Firehouse Dream to grow and provide more opportunities for youth to explore new artistic ways of expression. I'm also excited for The Firehouse Dream to provide opportunities for generational change through conversations, building relationships, and giving back to the community.

ADRIANA GALVAN

Adriana Galvan, the formidable force behind Adriana Talks Dinero, LLC, wears multiple hats with grace and determination. By day, she serves as the Regional Human Resources Business Partner for the Midwest and Northeast at a metals company, playing a vital role in supporting the aerospace industry. Simultaneously, she's the driving force behind her own business venture.

Adriana's journey is rooted in humble beginnings, being the eldest daughter of immigrant parents from Tamaulipas and Oaxaca, Mexico. As a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico, she has called the suburbs of Chicago home. In her household, education held a paramount place, leading her to pursue and successfully attain a double MBA in her 20s. Entrepreneurship runs deep in her veins, prompting her to embark on the journey of founding her own business a year and a half ago.

Her passion lies in breaking the silence around the often-taboo topic of money. Adriana finds immense joy in helping women and the BIPOC community empower themselves financially. Through her platform, she imparts valuable knowledge on budgeting, investing, travel hacking, negotiating pay, and safeguarding assets. In doing so, she not only educates but also inspires others to take control of their financial destinies.

TIEMI WASHINGTON | Secretary

Tiemi Washington is native to Santa Fe, NM, via Lyon, France, via Hampton, VA, and landed in Maywood, IL in 2017; the hometown of her husband. Since her arrival, she has taken interest in developing dialogue within the community to encourage civic-mindedness, collaboration, debate, the art of listening, speaking, and writing. As a former creative and dancer, and single mother, she co-founded and directed a non-profit organization in Lyon, France for 13 years (La Section Gonz' & Cie Guesmé). These organizations centered around bringing Community together via urban art forms, crossing socio-cultural divides between culture, race, generation, and class. Her roles in the organizations were cross-functional between artistic direction, choreography, teaching workshops, as well as grant-writing, project direction, budgeting, and all other production aspects. Her passion helped pave the way for building collaborative works with international and community organizations from France, Spain, Germany, Senegal, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, Romania, and Portugal.

Upon meeting her husband, she returned to the United States in 2010. She has returned to university to get her Bachelors of Science in Information Technology while she works full time.

Forever passionate about being involved in her community, she has joined The Firehouse Dream to continue to contribute and share her experiences of creating visions into action and help arm our youth with the tools they will need beyond raw talent and dreams. The Firehouse Dream lends directly to that goal; that our Community and our Youth are given the support, training, encouragement, and palpable resources to learn how to make the impossible, possible.

Our Staff

Jasmine | Executive Director

jasmine@THEFIREHOUSEDREAM.ORG

As a Latina Creative and Mental Health Advocate, Jasmine believes that in order to build thriving lives we must have a healthy relationship with self, the world and money. She spends her days at TFD casting vision, dreaming BIG with and for the community, building strong relationships and partnerships, while partnering with the next generation of Creatives. Outside of TFD, she spends her time with her family, and being actively present with her neighbors.

Jessica | community engagement coordinator

jessica@THEFIREHOUSEDREAM.ORG

Jessica is the Program Coordinator where she helps coordinate mental health events and pop ups! Jessica is currently going to school to obtain her Medical Billing and Coding Certification. She loves to plan events and bring people together. Jessica is a wife and mom of 3 and finds joy in serving her Family, Friends and Community. Outside of TFD she loves spending time with family, coffee dates with friends, playing soccer and softball.

Maya Hill | Executive Assistant

MAYA@THEFIREHOUSEDREAM.ORG

Maya is Jasmine’s partner and assistant. She works on grants, organization, and sustaining growth within The Firehouse Dream. Maya was also a past mentee in the Spring ‘21 Cohort. During the day, Maya is a student at Elmhurst University working toward a degree in Public Health. It is important to her to make health care equitable for all and once graduated she hopes to give this knowledge back to her community.