Jumoke K. Dada
Principal & Founder
Signature RED, LLC
Philadelphia, PA
Age: 39
When Jumoke Dada was laid off after nearly 10 years as an application developer, systems analyst and project manager, she took the opportunity to dust off long dormant passions and skills. Technically trained, with a bachelor?s degree in computer and information sciences from Temple University, and naturally creative, Dada found a niche creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to learn from and connect with one other. In 2010, she launched Signature RED, a technology and marketing company that provides educational events, resources and tools for tech-savvy women. ?The challenge for me came when I decided to step out on my own. I didn?t come from a family where I was taught business. Learning business was new for me,? she reflects.
Signature RED Cares, the nonprofit arm, followed, preparing youth to be confident leaders and problem-solvers that positively impact the world. Earlier this year, Signature RED launched Tech Women Network, a global digital caf? for tech-savvy women to showcase their skills, connect and find resources. Dada got the idea for the platform when she was asked to refer a woman with specific technical skills. Unable to easily find a single source providing such information, she created a Google document form and distributed it throughout her network, asking for profiles of women in technical fields. ?When I reached more than one hundred women I thought it was time to build something,? says Dada.
Dada gained much from her Nigerian parents? strength and sacrifice ?to come to the U.S. as immigrants and go to school all over again while raising six children and teaching us to love God, to study hard, to work hard and to respect people.? She adds, ?Today, all of us are grads and work in STEM like them.?Dada is a board member of Temple University?s Temple Women?s Alumni Association and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Philadelphia Chapter.
