IDEATE is an acronym that stands for:
Increasing Diversity in Entrepreneurial And Tech Ecosystems

IDEATE Speaker Series is an opportunity for students and community members to think more intentionally about diversity and social change as an element of their work in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Melody Joy Short
Melody has a rich background and experience in supporting small business owners, focussing on minority and women-owned businesses. She started her career in the Urban Marketing Department of Sony Music Distribution and has been featured on the OWN Network show, Checked Inn. As an entrepreneur and co-founder of the Richmond Night Market and the ARTisan Cafe , she supports small business owners and independent artists in areas to include public relations, marketing and business development. Melody also serves on the board of the Afrikana Independent Film Festival and the Minority Business Enterprise and Emerging Small Business Advisory Board for the City of Richmond.

Charles P. Ajemian
Social Enterprise Alliance Virginia, President
Mindful Leadership - Charles Ajemian is the Chairman of Ajemian Enterprises™ (AE), a social enterprise holding company, and is the active CEO of Mediaflux™, a full-service creative technology agency and business innovation studio created to champion both, mission driven for-profit and enterprising non-profit organizations around the globe. Charles is polymath and change agent and belongs to the next generation of innovation thought leaders and awakened entrepreneurs. Charles is President of the Virginia Social Enterprise Alliance, a founding member of CitizenPeace™ Advocacy and a mentor in the NPO Launchpad accelerator program at VCU’s DaVinci Center.

Enjoli Moon
Founder & Creative Director, Afrikana Film Festival. Asst Curator of Film, ICA at VCU
Enjoli is a marketing and social media specialist, film curator, and founder & creative director of the Afrikana Independent Film Festival. She specializes in creating platforms for filmmakers of color so that they may share their stories with the world. She does this through her film festival as well as her freelance curatorial work. Additionally, she lends her marketing expertise to hospitality based enterprises to help them connect with broader demographics and maintain brand relevance.