For the past decade, Dara Ashley has held leadership positions throughout her academic and professional career. Leadership was an early passion of Dara’s and manifested into her passions about equal education opportunity, mentorship, and paying it forward. This young Dallas native started The Dara Ashley Foundation to provide mentorship, scholarship, and leadership programs for students who might be in the same place she was not too long ago. Dara started her academic career at Howard University, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). While attending Howard University, she learned a great deal and not just in the classroom. Outside of school, the university’s commitment to serving its community was one of her greatest takeaways. She participated in the MET Choice program, a mentorship program, which she guided high school girls that attended an alternative school. This experience had a great impact on Dara as she was exposed to the youth of diverse lifestyles and cultures.

After Dara graduated from Howard University, she continued her education and attained her master’s degree in science from Towson University. Not only did she continue her education, but she also continued to mentor. Towson University started a program where collegiate students could be academic and youth mentors. In particular, every Friday afternoon, she led a 6th-grade science class in the Baltimore City school district. At the beginning of the class, she would introduce them to a fun science experiment. Following the experiment, her goal was to enlighten, educate, and edify the young students. Immediately after graduating from Towson University, Dara missed connecting with young minds and influencing the next generation. She created The Dara Ashley Foundation to create a lasting impact with new opportunities.