Women Leaders are Key to the Future: Ashley Bella

Women leaders are playing a crucial role in the sustainability of our future. Founder and CEO of Artzybella, Ashley Bella is painting a new picture for an equitable world. Her innovative use of art is transforming how we apply different modalities to support and implement the sustainability of our future. Her transformational leadership style and deep knowledge of local ecosystems create positive awareness for under-represented societal issues which are key going forward.

Being born and raised on the southside of Atlanta, Bella felt a deep connection to art at an early age. Eventually, the connection would be a tool for societal change. Later, even when discouraged by familial based logic driving her to take a 9-5 job, she instinctively knew art would be in her future. Before graduating from Georgia State University in 2010, Bella immersed herself in the community allowing her to visualize a needs-based plan. She became an advocate for mental health and joined the fight against human trafficking. Pairing her artistic gift with her entrepreneurial intelligence, she decided to become licensed in art therapy. Living out of her car at times, Bella was determined to find a way to be of service in her community. Hosting a paint party with her last $50, she began a journey that would lead her to become one of 2021’s Forbes Next 1000. Doing commissions for Delta Airlines headquarters, The King Center, Livable Buckhead, Marriott Hotels and Art Bound MARTA, she is using her artistic license as a voice through story.

Viewing Bella’s, portfolio of murals, you see and feel culture, history, connection, future, and most of all guidance. Her studio, Artzy Bella, teaches people to use art as a therapeutic tool. She knows designing a blueprint to tackle large projects such as human trafficking, climate change, and social justice requires research and time which cannot be done without passion. Bella says, ‘learning from any room you are in’ helps her to build the knowledge that brings about a creative list of resources. The resources create more ideas which can reach a larger audience, creating a network of support. Art connects a diverse body of participants allowing unheard voices a platform for equitable policymaking.  The genius of Ashley Bella’s divergent thinking and determination allowed her to shatter the glass ceiling and pave the way for other women. In the U.S., 3% of mature small businesses are owned by black women making the leadership position isolating. Being a woman of color, Bella is holding her hand out for other women to climb those weakened ladder steps. Visualizing women’s stories as a support network, Bella perfectly puts it to words “It’s like the Bat signal being sent up as a beacon of light for women building these spaces giving them a way to connect and know we are out there for them. Letting them know, you are not alone.”

Ashley Bella, we celebrate, appreciate, and recognize your contributions.

Sharing your story and the path you blazed becoming an effective female leader will inspire other female entrepreneurs, establish new gender norms, educate others creating hope, and the undisputable positive power of human connection and resilience.

Also in the series:

Denise Starling – Executive Director, Livable Buckhead

Peggy Whitlow-Ratcliffe – Founder and Executive Director, Live Thrive