ABOUT
The Global Economic Diversity Development Initiative (GEDDI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation seeking donations to afford its fund development arm the ability to make grants to nonprofit and for-profit recipients focused on building economic wealth for the Black community. GEDDI began operations in August 2020 and is continuing to build its capacity to become the leader in funding Black business development.
Our foundation is 100% Black-founded and predominantly Black-led.
OUR MISSION
Global Economic Diversity Development Initiative (GEDDI) exists to intentionally make a positive impact on Black business development by closing the racial wealth gap and transforming the outcomes for the Black community through economic empowerment. GEDDI is committed to providing resources, access, and tools to Black-owned businesses and emerging entrepreneurs.
TEAM
Christy Chatham
Executive Director
Christy Chatham, a U.S. Army veteran, community leader, and advocate, joined GEDDI in September 2022. Christy currently resides in Houston, TX. Christy’s supervisory experience includes leading veteran-serving programs as a Director, at Mental Health America of Greater Houston, the Women Veteran Services program for Catholic Charities, and the Department of Veterans Affairs in Houston. She has also worked as a Financial Analyst– Compliance Division at the Office of Government Ethics in Washington, D.C. for the Obama and Trump Administrations respectfully. Christy has earned degrees in Business Administration, Political Science, and Public Administration from Texas Southern University.
Christy is a self-described “data nerd” who likes to use data to drive strategic decisions and is also adept at building new relationships. She has many years of experience in public service and approaches her role as Executive Director of GEDDI with a proven history of developing strategic relationships and processes.
Cherena Fox
Program Director
Just Boss Up Academy
Matthew Porter
Marketing Communications
and Systems Manager
Emerick Domingo
Creative
ABOUT THE
FOUNDER
Tawana Bain is a leading marketing strategist and visionary with a cardinal virtue of justice for all. She started from humble beginnings and with $4,000 in back child support, she built a multi-million dollar business portfolio - 100% boot strapped. She has survived many pitfalls, recessions and setbacks along the way. Strategizing and executing on non traditional solutions for navigating tough and uncertain times is how she found her way.
Tawana is the founder and CEO of TBain & Co which includes in its portfolio: Black Jockey’s Lounge, AFM Threads, Today’s Woman Magazine, New Age Communications, Digi180, and Derby Diversity Week.
Tawana’s leadership skills have led her enterprise to receive National Recognition and Minority Supplier of the Year for Supplier Excellence by NMSDC, Regional Supplier of the Year by TSMSDC, and the Diversity Excellence Award by One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Tawana Bain
CEO & Founder
Nikki Lanier
CEO, Harper Slade Racial Equity Advisory
Cordelia Donovan
CEO, Cordelia Donovan Inc
ELLEN CALL
Charter Communications
