About Us.
Inspired by the radical truth-telling of Ida B. Wells, Quita Tinsley Peterson founded iola strategies to support social justice leaders and organizations in embodying their radical truths in their strategies and work.
What Keeps Us Going
Our Why—
iola strategies exists because we believe in social justice, racial justice and the centering of Black liberation and Black people in all work that we do.
The Reason We Are Here
Our Mission—
How We’ll Make It Happen
We believe that to achieve our purpose, we must embody our radical truths and be our boldest, most honest versions of ourselves. We provide our clients with values-based strategies while aligning them back to their why. We support them in showing up more authentically in their work and so they can continue to use their unique gifts and make a much needed impact in the world to combat white supremacy and continue the path towards liberation.
Our Vision—
The Impact We’re After
We want a world where individual autonomy and collective liberation are affirmed without fear or coercion. We envision a world where Black, Indigenous, Queer, and Trans People of Color radically embody their truths to create authentic, free, and thriving communities.
Our Values
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Community
We believe that collective liberation can only be achieved through the power of community. Our movements are strongest when we center collaborative strategies that center the needs of impacted communities.
“Without community, there is no liberation.”
- Audre Lorde
Autonomy & Freedom
We all deserve the right to live our most authentic lives with access to resources that we need to live and thrive free from stigma and coercion. Our collective liberation requires all of us being able to make decisions for ourselves.
“Being oppressed means the absence of choices.”
- bell hooks
Radical Honesty
We believe that as people committed to liberation we must be committed to radical truth-telling. We must be honest with ourselves and our communities about who we are and what we are fighting against.
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
- Ida B. Wells
Rigor
We recognize that building a more just world requires that we be principled, intentional, and disciplined. We must be committed to embodying our values and being held accountable by our communities.
“Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary’s life.”
- Angela Davis
Sustainability
We know that freedom will not be won overnight, so we must build movements that can last the test of time. We prioritize building strategies that meet present needs, while also centering the anticipated needs of the future.
“Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.”
- Alice Walker
Joy
We center joy in all the work that we do. Fighting against systemic injustice and oppression is serious business. However, we can have fun and be joyful as we fight for liberation.
“We need joy as we need air.”
- Maya Angelou
The
Founder
Quita Tinsley Peterson
Founder and principal of iola strategies, Quita Tinsley Peterson (they/them) is an organizational consultant, facilitator, and coach, specializing in sustainability and culture shift. They were politicized by the reproductive justice movement over a decade ago and their holistic approach is deeply rooted in the framework. They are committed to building rigor and joy into the fabric of Black, Indigenous, Trans, Queer, and People of Color-led organizations.
Founder & Principal
Quita holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology.
Certifications & Fellowships include: Rockwood Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Fellow, CoreAlign Generative Fellow, SPIN Academy Alum, Blooming Willow Coaching Certified Healing Centered Coach, Echoing Ida Alum.
Just for Fun
THE HIDDEN MEANING BEHIND OUR LOGO
THE INDIVIDUALISM OF EACH LETTER
Represents the journey and exploration we embark on towards self-love, self-acceptance and being proud of our unique and individual identities and the gifts we bring to the world.
OUR SYMBOL (MAKES THE LETTER “O”)
Represents our approach in getting to the heart of the problem as well as our values on community, our people and the centering of collaborative strategies for the collective work towards liberation.
THE TALK BUBBLE SHAPE
Represents what we do best: our work on bringing the best strategies to communicate our client’s message to the world, so they can reach more people and make a bigger impact.
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Testimonial—
• • •
Kellie Overbey
Executive Director, A is For
“Quita is extremely professional, responsive, and effective, and I would highly recommend them for any organization looking to bring an invaluable, external perspective to their communications strategy by collaborating with an expert in the field.”
Embody your radical truth with values-based strategies.
iola strategies understands the unique challenges that social justice organizations and leaders face. We center building values-aligned strategies that increase our clients’ abilities to live out their missions in all aspects of their work.