AdridelacruzchicagofamilyphotographerLopezFamily(1of1)-137.jpg

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

“There’s not enough said about support systems, much less having access to them. They’re a generally understood concept like family and community. A default. However, people also truly need support systems in those finely-tuned spaces that help tie all the silos of experience together. That’s a community of wellness, be it creative, financial, or health. That’s The Firehouse Dream.”

TIEMI WASHINGTON | Secretary

Tiémi Washington is native to Santa Fe, NM, via Lyon, France, via Hampton, VA, and Maywood, IL - hometown of her husband.

She is a former entrepreneur in creative spaces, as a choreographer, artistic director. She co-founded and directed non-profit organizations in Lyon, France for 13 years. The organizations had a primary focus bringing Community together via urban art forms, crossing socio-cultural divides between culture, race, generation, and class. 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.

Since her arrival in Maywood in 2017, she took a keen interest in continuing to develop dialogue within the community via social media platforms to encourage civic-mindedness, collaboration, debate, the art of listening, speaking, and writing. While attaining a degree in Information Technology, she also works full time in the Financial SaaS industry that provides budgeting and ALM solutions for Banks and Credit Unions as a Planning Advisor Manager since 2019.

Tiémi's roles in these diverse organizations have been cross-functional between vision, art, creative thinking, feasibility, budgeting and project execution. Forever passionate about giving back to the community, she joined The Firehouse Dream as board member in 2021.

Through her role with TFD, she wishes to contribute and share her experiences. She desires to help arm our youth with the knowledge that creativity, mental health and financial wellness are all innately connected. These elements are the tools and skills that our BIPOC youth will need; they are support systems needed in order to transform raw talent and dreams into actionable, realized and successful projects, while maintaining the most important aspect of all: personal well-being.

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 Commmunity Engagement Coordinator where she helps manage all of our programming at TFD! 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 communications, admin, 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 Bachelor’s 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.

Liz | Program Assistant

liz@thefirehousedream.org

Liz implements planning and hosting workshops along with Jessica, our Community Engagement Coordinator! Liz is a mom of three, Maywood resident , sports Mom and robotics Mom. She is also a Community Member who volunteers her time with District 89 with their annual musical, helping where she can. She loves comedy, coffee and road trips. Liz has a passion for uplifting people and sharing positivity in a world of uncertainty.