i’m kia. and i am my own hero.
I’m not here because I always got it right. I’m here because I kept showing up—with truth, not titles.
I’ve spent the last 15 years dismantling myths in design, leadership, and identity. And what started with building a $1.5M interior design firm turned into a movement to restore humanity to every space I enter.
from “C” student to ceo
I grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, raised by a teacher, an electrician, and an addict. I was a C-student who talked too much, but I loved dance. After 13 years of ballet, I planned to make it my career, not knowing I wouldn’t be able to afford it at the college level. So I joined the U.S. Air Force.
I thought I’d serve during the day and take dance classes at night. Then 9/11 happened. I was deployed to the Middle East, living on a bare base with fifteen other women. Sand. Tents. Silence. No privacy. I needed space—not just physically, but emotionally. So I made it. I hung sheets with string around my cot and created something that felt like my own. That was my first space. And it changed everything.
After leaving the military, I earned two art degrees and worked across hospitality, multi-family, and high-end residential design. But I wanted more than beautiful spaces. I wanted impact. So I founded Determined by Design, the only interior design firm in the U.S. offering Design Equity services. We brought high-end design to communities no one else considered. We proved that beauty and being seen aren’t extras, but essentials.
Now, my work goes beyond interiors. I speak in rooms across the country, helping leaders, creatives, and institutions lead with truth, build with purpose, and create space for others without shrinking themselves. Space isn’t just where we live. It’s how we lead. And everyone deserves to belong in both.
My Non-Negotiables
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Unapologetic Authenticity
Because the most powerful thing you can be is exactly who you are.
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Radical Acknowledgment
I don’t just see people. I honor them deeply.
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Bold Advocacy
I challenge what’s broken and create space for what’s possible.
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Adornment with Intention
Beauty isn’t a luxury; it’s a human right.
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Rooted in Love
Love shows up in presence, protection, and the quiet power of care.
This is more than a platform. It’s a movement.
I’m building a future where truth-tellers lead industries, and where marginalized voices aren’t invited—they’re expected. If you’re ready to stop talking about this work and do this work, I’m ready to meet you there.