Runway Moms for a Cause

Mission

Runway for a Cause Foundation is a Maryland nonprofit organization with federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3. Our mission  is to support the well-being of indigent women and children in marginalized communities through self empowerment and self care.   

Our main initiative is through a fashion platform called Runway Moms for a Cause (RMFC) - a fashion initiative with the mission to serve as a vehicle to raise funds to support our programs.  Each year, RMFC profiles and celebrates accomplishments of mothers who impact change in their communities in a fashion runway show. 

Founder

Lara Akinsanya is the founder of Runway For a Cause Foundation and the face behind internationally acclaimed ready-to-wear clothing brand L~Shandi Designs. Since her grand entrance to the global fashion scene, she has been featured on Fox, WUSA, Washington Post Express, and Lucky Magazine to name a few.  As a philanthropic a mother of twins, volunteering is part of her life - she participates in various charity works within the community andIt was only a matter of time before she began to use her successful fashion design platform to raise awareness on issues close to her heart.

"Give freely and generously; Give what you can with what you have; Giving is loving" - Lara Akinsanya

Executive Director, Moms Night Out Experience 

Christine St.Vil is a wife, homeschooling mother of three, speaker, blogger, author and trainer. She is relentless about helping women, particularly moms, take charge of their lives by learning how to feel good without feeling guilty.  Through her work with Moms ‘N Charge™, Purpose Driven Media™, LLC (PDM) was created to teach women entrepreneurs how to successfully leverage social media and blogging to start and/or grow their business and brand, without compromising the relationships that matter most to them.

Through her transformational book (Whose Shoes Are You Wearing? 12 Steps to Uncovering the Woman You Really Want to Be) live courses, workshops and consulting, PDM walks you through discovering and defining your life purpose, as well as making sure your business message aligns with your purpose. Christine is an instructor in the Steve Harvey RADICAL Success Institute, & she has been featured in numerous local and national TV and online media outlets (including Dr. Oz, VOA, Fox 5 DC, Fox 45, WBAL, WHUR, Huffington Post, AllParenting.com, Sirrius XM, amongst others). She received her BS in Biology from Marymount University.

Fashion Show Production

In today’s image obsessed world, Joy stands out as not only a trendsetter but a master in her craft. Owner and founder of LoveJoy Image, she empowers her clients through style to make image a lifestyle and not just a fleeting episode in their lives.  Her image consulting company offers a diverse array of services that embody her life’s experiences as a stylist, event planner, model, and TV personality.  A world traveler, and Nigerian born immigrant, she uses her travels as inspiration in all she does.  

Joy Kingsley-Ibeh, Founder of LoveJoy Image, is a Celebrity Stylist and International Public Image and fashion expert, ex-professional volleyball player, author, TV host and model, known for her knack of helping her clients achieve their personal goals through ’refining and defining‘ – as she calls it.   With over 13 years in the fashion and image industry, her clients receive the desired results of more confidence, and a better understanding of personal image.

Joy’s love for fashion began as a child in the 80’s during the “Super model” era where she idolized models such as Naomi Campbell, Paulina Porizkova, Cindy Crawford, Iman, Linda Evangelista and more.  Twenty years later, she would embark on her own career as a fashion model. Ms. Kingsley-Ibeh has enjoyed amazing experiences while working with top industry professionals. She has worked with the likes of Designers-Korto Momolu, Seth Aaron, D’Milikah, Bishme Cromartie BC, Tsemaye Binitie London and Christian Siriano.  She has posed for photographers such as Rick Lew Photography NYC, Monica True Photography, Marge Elye Photography.  Joy has even graced recent covers of AT&T Magazine, Fashion Washington Magazine, I AM Modern Magazine, and Global Woman’s Magazine.  These experiences along with her travels to various continents provides her with a unique perspective on fashion, and a better understanding of working with people from different walks of life and backgrounds.