E. Isis Adewale is On The Move


My Name is… Eniafe Isis Adewale

You are reading about me because… because our stories, often ordinary in our eyes, may be extraordinary inspirations to someone else. This is some of my story.

Right now I’m working on… Petals-N-Belles, Inc. (PNB), a mentoring organization dedicated to building and enhancing the overall personal growth, individual development and well being of young women. The organization, founded earlier this year, has been designed to be a catalyst for inspiration, providing an avenue and support system through which our young women can discover and/or further cultivate their greatness, exercise their right to dream boldly and set goals they are committed to achieving.

Many of us are never told we are great. Petals-N-Belles aims not only to let our ladies know just how great they are but to also instill in them the idea that by just being who they already are, they have the right to dream their dreams and with those dreams, they have the ability to make them a reality. We have by no means reinvented the wheel with PNB. We have enhanced it, remodeled it a bit and are joining the agents of change which already exist within our communities.

But if I wasn’t, I’d be… traveling the world and experiencing all the culture (and food!) within.

One thing I do every day is… reacquaint myself with my passions, my vision and my song. We each have a passion(s) and each of us a song on our heart. There is something that each of us does that brings us joy beyond measure, allows us to create, moves us to take leaps of faith, dream dreams that are larger than life and know that we are capable of making every dream a reality.

I can’t stand when people… don’t read and aren’t prepared. It’s a little pet peeve of mine and anyone who knows me well, knows that one of my favorite quotes is “Reading is fundamental”. Reading will get you far and often keeps us from asking questions to which answers are already given. Preparedness is close kin to success.

But I love it when people… support one another. If it were not for those who came before you and those who walk with you, where would you be? Support is everything.

If you happen to run into me on the street… slow down, smile and say hello.

The best advice I ever received was… from my mother. She did not hear the word no. She only heard what could and would be done, never what was impossible or would not and could not happen. As a result, I’m always on the look out for the “road to yes”. You tell me “no” and I’ll find the way to yes. Tell me it can’t be done and I’ll show you how it can. “No” is just motivation.

If I had to coin it, my message would be… “Live In Love.”

My future plans and projects include. Petals-N-Belles, Inc. our work has just begun and there is so much more to do. I am also embarking on a few other personal business ventures. My gift is to make it possible for dreams to become reality. Tell me your visions and dreams and I’ll help them materialize before you.

Big Ups to… my family – all those who have supported and inspired me. These are the individuals who have helped me grow into the person I am and have become apart of my foundation. With their love, support and inspiration I am able to continue to change, evolve and grow. My mother would call this my “vision team”. And big ups to you for reading. Thank you.


At just 16 years of age, E. Isis Adewale first came to New York City for the Summer to participate in a six-week Summer Intensive Workshop with the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). She impressed famed artistic director Arthur Mitchell so much that the Los Angeles native was invited to stay and train full-time with the troop. At an
age when most kids are simply learning how to drive, Adewale made the move from the West Coast to the Big Apple. After two years with DTH’s second company, “Dancing Through Barriers,” Adewale put her professional dance career aside and continued her undergraduate studies at New York City’s Fordham University at Lincoln Center, where she majored in Sociology. During her time in college, Adewale continued to exercise her passion for both the arts and youth outreach by working with a number of non-for-profit organizations. In 2003, Adewale joined Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a not-for-profit founded by hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons and his brothers Danny Simmons and Run-DMC group member Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons.

In her 7 years with the Foundation, two of them serving as Senior Manager for PR/Marketing and Special Events, Adewale became one of the driving forces behind some of Rush Philantropic’s largest fundraisers, including their annual ART FOR LIFE East Hampton and Miami Beach benefits, which raise over $2 million each year. Proceeds from these events go towards providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts and exhibition opportunities to under-represented artists and artists of color. In addition, Adewale helped the Foundation garner and manage partnerships with top corporate brands such as Target, Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Hennessy, Ciroc Vodka, Bombay Sapphire, Land Rover, smartwater, HSBC Bank and Proctor & Gamble’s Bounty to name a few.

Adewale continues exercising her philanthropic arm and at the end of 2010 became Vice President and Executive Director of Petals-N-Belles, Inc., a mentoring organization dedicated to inspiring, empowering and cultivating young women. Adewale also lends her time to other organizations such as WEEN and BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc.

This year marks ten years since Adewale moved to New York. Looking back on her journey she remembers something her mother said before she made her decision to move 3,000 miles away from home. Her mother told her, ‘Dancing will be what gets you to where you’re meant to go’, and, indeed it has.


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