Dr. LaWana Richmond

Dr. LaWana Richmond, is a business development leader, project manager, and change management expert at UC San Diego. She is the CEO and founder of Firyali, Inc., which produces the Afrofuturism Lounge convention and the Afrofuturism Dream Tank, an immersive art experience. A certified Project Management Professional, she holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and degrees in business, information systems, and marketing.

An Afrofuturist and Research Fellow at the Indigenous Futures Institute, LaWana explores the intersections of culture, technology, and social justice. She champions access to education, leadership development, and employee engagement, serving on multiple advisory and executive boards, including the C. Montgomery Technology Fund and the UC San Diego Black Staff Association. Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu, she is committed to fostering collective progress and systemic transformation. She lives in La Mesa.