Meet DesMonique Ivory | Founder & President

We had the good fortune of connecting with DesMonique Ivory and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DesMonique, how does your business help the community?
The Adam Caesar Foundation help our communities by creating community gardens and outreach programs. We have donation gardens where we grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to donate to those in our communities. We partner with local chefs to give them fresh produce. TACF established our first community park pollination garden this past April. It beautifies the park as well has bring help pollinators. Our outreach programs feeds our homeless and work with our church Boy Scouts.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Prior to starting The Adam Caesar Foundation nonprofit I mainly focused on our small business. Myself and business partner, my husband started Exquisite Luxury Hair I’m 2014. We provide hair extensions, accessories and custom services. Working as an office manager full time outside the home assisted in making our business successful. I used the management and customer services skills from the workforce to perfect areas of our business. When it came to starting the nonprofit the early beginnings of self funding our business came into play. Funding would be the most difficult challenges we face. Our brand is family based and prides ourselves on our integrity and compassion for people.

The Adam Caesar Foundation was created after our loved one, my younger brother was killed by a speeding, uninsured driver while crossing the street. The tragic loss took the family out at our knees. It was at the beginning and heightened part of Covid-19. Our mom wanted an orange tree planted for the front yard to giveback to the community in remembrance of Adam. Due to the season it was a little difficult finding a tree. So while on the hunt for months we picked up a couple plants here and there. I noticed the gardening was getting us out our dark places, out the house and happy about something. We eventually found and planted that orange tree. During planning of Adam’s home going I noticed the communities could use some help in the area of fresh produce and quality food. That was the start of the foundation. April 20th is now recognized by Houston and the state of Texas as Adam Caesar Day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being from the larger than life state of Texas, in the great city of Houston it’s always something to do. It’s a melting pot of food and culture. You can spend a week visiting different museums and parks. We have a wildlife park you can ride a trolley through and see different animals from all over the world. Houston’s Zoo is a site to see. If you’re a foodie there’s a different spot to eat each day of the week. Seafood, soul food, Mexican cuisine, Mediterranean cuisine, vegetarian and vegan eateries are in abundance as well. There’s options for everyone here. We enjoy going to the pier and fishing. Going on a party boat to deep sea fish is always fun. You can spin the wheel and find something new and exciting to do.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Adam Caesar Foundation would not be possible and this far along without the support of our board of directors and family. Starting the foundation has been a learning experience. I have to give credit to Ashlee Tate with Unleash Your Purpose for walking me through creating a nonprofit. Her guidance is unmeasurable.

Website: www.TheAdamCaesarFoundation.org

Instagram: @TheAdamCaesarFoundation

Twitter: @Adam_Foundation

Facebook: The Adam Caesar Foundation