Welcome to
Ella CREO
Bringing Imagination, Creativity, and Community to Adolescent and Young Adult Women in STEM.
What if…
the key to success in STEM
isn’t in sacrificing creativity and authenticity, but in cultivating them?
Standardized curriculum and testing have forced creativity out of the classroom. We’ve become a nation of test-takers instead of makers.
Every day we see more and more of the classes and programs that nurture the vital but often under-appreciated non-cognitive skills like creativity, social and emotional intelligence, and imagination being cut from schools.
These are the very skills that are essential for success in any field, but especially in the ever-changing landscape of STEM.
Ella CREO is on a mission to change that.
The Members-Only Studio and Mentorship Personal Development for teen girls and women in STEM.
Ella CREO is the meeting place of pragmatism and passion—a place where girls and women in STEM can come together to find community, develop their creativity, and learn to embrace their authentic selves through thoughtfully curated workshops and programs, studio workspace, and personal development at pricing that ensures equitable access.
At Ella CREO, you’ll find…
Virtual
Shared Studio Workspace
A supportive environment for collaboration, networking, and idea-sharing in a beautiful, creative setting.
Unlimited Access
to Programs and Workshops
A robust calendar of events, programs, and courses designed to help you develop your creativity, emotional intelligence, and authentic voice.
24/7 Access
to Exclusive Digital Community
A safe space to connect with other like-minded, women and girls, grow together, share your work, get feedback, and find collaborators and mentors.
Ella CREO provides space for teen girls and women in STEM to be their whole selves—imaginative, creative, intelligent, and above all, authentic.
If you’re interested in joining us on this journey, we’d love to have you!
We
empower…
“‘I’ comes before ‘e’ in more places than ‘believe’. To create an indelible impact, we have to inspire to empower.
I made it my mission to change the way we think about intelligence, creativity, and authenticity. And I founded Ella CREO as a way to do that for girls and women in STEM to embrace their authentic selves and to touch their power to change the world.”
-Dr. Angelicque Tucker Blackmon, Ella CREO Founder
We
–believe…
Creativity is a Catalyst
In order to change the world, we need to start by changing the way we think about creativity. For too long, creativity has been seen as a frivolous pursuit, incompatible with the logical mindsets required for success in STEM. But the truth is, creativity is the cornerstone of innovation—and it is essential to success in any field.
Diversity Fuels Innovation
The face of STEM is changing, but the culture has not always been welcoming to all. Women and minorities have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields, but we have so much to offer and contribute to the collective intelligence of our community.
Intelligence has Many Faces
STEM is often characterized by pragmatism and analytic intellect, but there is so much more to intelligence. Emotional intelligence is essential for successful leadership and teamwork. Creativity, too, is a form of intelligence–one often overlooked in favor of more “traditional” forms of intelligence.
Authenticity is Power
When we embrace our authentic selves, we tap into a power that can move mountains. By being our true selves, we open up the possibility for real connection and true collaboration. We also set an example for the next generation of girls and women, showing them that it is possible to be both smart and creative, logical and empathetic.
Message
–from the Founder
I may be the founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Ella CREO and the Innovative Learning Center today, but before that, I was the soft-spoken little girl in the background.
My mother never missed a chance to tell anyone and everyone that, at seven years old, my vocabulary was quite expansive. School, however, did not instill that same level of confidence in my abilities. Teachers expressed concern about my reading comprehension and pulled me aside for “extra help”. Yet, at home, I was reading the encyclopedia!
Looking back, it’s clear my teachers didn’t see me. They didn’t see my potential or who I could be. They only saw what they expected to see—a quiet, shy girl who wasn’t quite meeting their mark.
Stories like this are all too common for girls everywhere–especially in STEM classrooms.
Ella CREO is more than a coworking studio or mentorship program—it is a community of like-minded, like-hearted individuals committed to making a difference. We come together to support and nurture one another, to collaborate and create, and to celebrate our individual and collective successes.
And, for me, that also means offering these resources at a rate that encourages equitable access to technology and skills development, regardless of one’s background or income level.
Women and girls encounter far too many barriers to STEM education and careers and, at Ella Creo, we strive to break each one down.
Welcome to Ella CREO
Sincerely,
Dr. Angelicque Tucker Blackmon
Mentoring Matters
There’s no question that girls and women face unique challenges when pursuing careers in STEM. But one of the most powerful tools we have for overcoming these challenges is mentorship.
Mentorship allows us to benefit from the experience and wisdom of those who have gone before us. It provides us with a sounding board for our ideas, a shoulder to cry on when we face setbacks and a reminder that we are not alone in this journey.
Ella CREO is committed to providing our members with access to a network of mentors who can support them as they navigate their way through education in STEM.
To reserve a spot for yourself or a teen girl interested in STEM simply fill out the form below.
#FullSTEMahead