2015 Gala Program - Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc. | Page 4

The Founder
Artist, educator and designer of wearable art, Madona Cole-Lacy, is the founder of My Time
Has Come™ Program which is the cultural arts and outreach component of her wearable art
business, Madona Cole Originals™. My Time Has Come™ enrichment programs combine art,
fashion and the awareness of cultural diversity, as well as personal development, to emphasize
the significance of art and culture as a mechanism to break down social and cultural barriers
and maintain self-esteem. Even though the artist takes full advantage of her extensive professional teaching experience and skills gained from working with at-risk youth, juvenile delinquents, special education, gifted youth, parents and teachers; it is her passion to motivate, educate and inspire others that is the driving force behind her effective workshops.
Mrs. Cole-Lacy was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa and studied art and graphic design in
both England and the U.S. She obtained her M.A. Ed. from Brooklyn College, New York. She is
married to James Lacy, the Mental Health Director of My Time Has Come, and has young adult
son, daughter and step-daughter. With over 30 years of experience as a designer of wearable
art and custom home accessories, Madona Cole-Lacy focuses on creating one-of-a kind
garments and accessories and wearable art for people who are not able to easily find solutions
to meet their aesthetic, special and medical needs. Madona Cole Originals, functional and fashionable, Dignity Headwear for women and girls experiencing hair loss is the vehicle through
which she does this. www.madonacoleoriginals.com
An Educator and a Long Island Teaching Artist, Mrs. Cole-Lacy follows her bliss that speaks to
her desire to maximize the potential of all children, adolescents and youth for success within
the social, educational and cultural sphere. Her professional experience as a New York City
Public School teacher and facilitator of art-related workshops for students and teachers; which
combine art, fashion, the awareness of cultural diversity and personal development; illustrates
this well www.mytimehascome.org
Madona Cole-Lacy is a motivator whose engagement in community service initiatives; such as
workshops for college-bound students, workshops for senior citizens, community-wide creative
conversation and artistic expressions; triggered what she refers to as a 'Eureka Moment'. This
led her to create a tool that would encompass her professional skills and the lessons learned
from her experience as a mother, an adult care-giver to parents in their nineties, and a one-time
divorcee and single mother. Hence Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc. was birthed with
the support of an attentive husband, James Lacy! "The lessons I learn on a daily basis in my
role as a mother, spouse, and daughter, must not be underestimated but underscored as very
important in the grand scheme of things!" - Madona Cole-LacyMs. Cole-Lacy studied art and design in both England, and the U.S., obtained a Master of Arts
in Education degree from Brooklyn College and an entrepreneurial certificate from Hofstra University. She has served as the New York State representative for the Surface Design Association, and is a member of the United Federation of Teachers, Kappa Delta Pi (Educational Honors Society) and several art organizations, including Americans for the Arts, the Art League of
Long Island and the Long Island Arts Alliance were she serves as an Advi sory Board member.

www.yourtime4liny.org

[phone]

www.creativeempowermentarts.org