Who Is Ivanna?

Who Is Ivanna? IVANNA is a Hidradenitis Suppurativa warrior, advocate, and non-profit founder

My Leo sister in christ  🤣🤣🤣 and I have been pitching a project in partnership with my nonprofit  for the past two years...
11/11/2025

My Leo sister in christ 🤣🤣🤣 and I have been pitching a project in partnership with my nonprofit for the past two years and we finally got some traction. Running a nonprofit I’ve learned one persons no is another persons absolutely. I appreciate both honestly.

Anywhoooo, right after hopping off a plane from Nashville, I hopped on another metal bucket in the sky to head to Atlanta to film something super duper special that I can’t wait to come out. I can’t give the full details just yet, but it’s juicy I tells ya! IT’S JUICY!

Thank you Yasmeen aka Yaassss Queen for sticking it out withca girl and being all the motivation I needed to keep hope alive, and for circling the block with us for round two of this project. Sammy is a beast behind the camera and I’m always super excited to work with her. Literally a match made in heaven.

Now, 2026 need ta hurry on up chile so we can talk about this project. Come on…the clock is ticking…

Stay tuuunnneeeeddddd 🤭👏🏾

I just realized I’ve attended almost every SHSA conference put on by  over the past 10 years. I remember when the confer...
11/07/2025

I just realized I’ve attended almost every SHSA conference put on by over the past 10 years. I remember when the conference was in Detroit at the St. Regis Hotel, back then, I wasn’t an advocate or a nonprofit founder. I was simply a patient looking for help.

To think that 10 years later I’m here again, this time with my own nonprofit supporting people living with , is surreal and deeply full-circle. This year’s conference was even better than the last, we connected with so many advocates, patients, dermatologists, medical students, residents, and nonprofit leaders. It’s truly transformative to witness so many people dedicated to helping our community thrive.

A special thank you to my dynamic team, and you were in every room and every meeting, helping me represent and the work we’re doing in the community. From the moment we met, you’ve added so much value and support to my life. Thank you for being you. 🥹💋🫂

Thank you also to , .h, and for volunteering at our table this year. You helped us be in multiple places at once and truly held it down. I love each of you, for all that you do and all that you are. Thank you for existing and choosing to exist with us in such powerful, public-facing ways. It’s a blessing to be in community with you.

And to , , .cech, , , , and so many others we met and caught up with, thank you for your continued work advancing awareness, research, advocacy, and education in this space.

You are needed. 💕

Oh, and we published our first abstract and poster at the conference! It showcased the disparities Black Detroiters with HS experience when accessing care. This was our first independent research study, supported by and the HS community. Huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this microsite, map, and poster to life. The work continues 😌💕

Spend less than 24 hours in New York with me to attend a   brand activation… invited me to their Cosentyx Beneth the Sur...
10/18/2025

Spend less than 24 hours in New York with me to attend a brand activation…

invited me to their Cosentyx Beneth the Surface event, and I brought along one of my fave New Yorkers of

The event was an activation for the biologic Cosentyx which was the 2nd FDA approved drug for HS.

There were fun activations, a panel discussion, and delicious light bites.

Let’s get into the event…

First, of all, let’s get into the decor and design…

This space was intentionally curated. They played into the beneath the surface theme really leaning into the beauty we hold internally and externally.

Walking into the door, we were greeted with facts about HS, cushioned couches, fresh flowers, light bites, warm smiles, and engaging activations.

The bathroom was even on brand y’all!

Now, the panel was one of my favorite parts because it’s always great seeing Mr. Get Up Out That Bed in the flesh . And let’s get into the custom fit, we need more of the looks, not gonna lie.

We also got a chance to hear from other panelists with incredible stories and perspectives about living and advocating for HS.

Is this set design not everything???

Next, let’s get into the food situation.

The bites were light but they got me right. Everything was so fresh down to the fruit infused water and raw juice mocktails.

And I just have to say that the avocado toast was my type of bad and bougie. It was light, crisp and addictive. had a whole plate and I joined her cuz…what’s the recipe?!

And last, but certainly not least, the space was filled with activations from a photo booth to a Haiku station to a scratch and reveal and a zen garden.

There was even a find a doctor directory station which was a beautiful touch.

There’s was something to do at every turn…

Thank you for hosting us and creating such a beautiful space. I love the views beneath the surface.

I’m a gingery lil red head now thanks to  😆 on the body  for the jewels  for the shoes It’s been a powerful few days as ...
10/06/2025

I’m a gingery lil red head now thanks to 😆

on the body
for the jewels
for the shoes

It’s been a powerful few days as a red head. What will I get into next?!

Okay, you like my hair?! Notice only correct answer is yes…

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to present a project my nonprofit  has been working on for about a year and a ha...
09/18/2025

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to present a project my nonprofit has been working on for about a year and a half now with our industry partner .

They tapped us to create a community map capturing the gaps and disparities Black Detroiters with are experiencing when accessing care.

In partnership with some amazing HS advocates, influencers and patients, we developed a survey to help collect the data that would inform the map. The survey garnered over 7,000 views and over 1300 responses in a little under two weeks.

From there, we worked with the talented to help synthesize this data. They then created a map and a micro site that told the story of the patient experience.

The map and micro site will be available soon on theahsid.org, but for right now, I want to celebrate this presentation milestone. We also submitted an abstract to the SHSA Symposium for HS Research and Advances and it was accepted. So, we’ll have a poster on display showcasing aspects of this amazing work.

Thank you for co-leading this presentation and for being a consultant on this project. I want to thank every person who was involved in making this project possible. There’s much in the horizon!

Are you interested in looking at the map and microsite?

What a beautifully full week it has been.  and  asked me to moderate the first stop on their  tour. I talked to  about b...
09/07/2025

What a beautifully full week it has been. and asked me to moderate the first stop on their tour.

I talked to about being a doula, researcher. And an advocate for people living with invisible and visible diseases. I also got a chance to talk to and specialist Dr. Richard Huggins about tips for navigating appointments, the balance of being a doctor and a full person, along with what patients can do to support ourselves between appointments.

The group also did some reflections and set shared some affirmations and set intentions for ourselves moving forward. It was an affirming way to end the days events.

I got a chance to meet new people and hangout with some people that I love and and and .

This event was beautifully curated and energetic. The vibes were good, the programming was good, the drinks were flowing, and the food was good. Omgeee the food!

And the beauty is that this is just the beginning of the tour. You have the opportunity to attend the other stops and can get your tickets. It’s 1000% worth every penny and ounce of energy you spend. You can purchase your tickets by clicking the link in the Colorful Connections bio.

Lastly, I want to thank and again, YES AGAIN!…for being so magical and divinely aligned. What you do has tremendous impact. Know that this world would literally not be the same without your imprint.

I love y’all beyond the moon into the unknown💕

Would you attend the Colorful Connections Tour?

My heart is heavy but my parents and my partner are here with me. That’s all  can ask for in this moment. Are you dealin...
08/29/2025

My heart is heavy but my parents and my partner are here with me. That’s all can ask for in this moment.

Are you dealing with in the v***a or groin?

This past weekend I was invited to attend and partner with  for their annual   summit. It was amazing being in the space...
08/09/2025

This past weekend I was invited to attend and partner with for their annual summit. It was amazing being in the space with so many familiar and new faces.

Thank you so much for inviting me and into the space. We had a blast!

I also got a chance to celebrate my birthday with some advocates I love and some friends in Atlanta. My heart is content.

And as always I love to serve a look or two. Makes me feel like me. The looks were a combination of , a custom piece by me, , and ☺️💕 hair by me using

Y’all like the hair?

I just returned from another beautiful weekend connecting with new   warriors/ advocates at the IDEOM conference in Wash...
06/30/2025

I just returned from another beautiful weekend connecting with new warriors/ advocates at the IDEOM conference in Washington, DC. I attended to of course represent and network with industry partners and medical experts.

I also got a chance to explore and play on my own, with my partner and with new community, which was nice. The face was facing and the fits were fitting.

Thank you for connecting me to this group and for always showing up as your most authentic self wherever you go. I get empowered every time I hear both of your stories.

The airport hasn’t seen the last of me 😅

Where do you think I’m off to next?

Celebrated two Gemini Queens birthdays this week. I love you  +  🤗🫂💕😋🤞🏾the vacation never ends I’m forever hangin and sw...
06/25/2025

Celebrated two Gemini Queens birthdays this week. I love you + 🤗🫂💕😋🤞🏾the vacation never ends I’m forever hangin and swangin

Does the green dress eat or does it eeeaaattttt?!

Swimsuit—>
Dress—>
Pants—> custom
Scarf—>
Jewlery—>
✌🏾 dress—>

I’ll never get over this moment. I may be holding this award but this is for every   advocate, warrior, caregiver, patie...
06/20/2025

I’ll never get over this moment.

I may be holding this award but this is for every advocate, warrior, caregiver, patient, supporter out there fighting for awareness, telling their stories, seeking treatment, getting denied, crying their eyes out wondering if life will ever get better.

If this award symbolizes anything it is progress. The progress this community has seen over the last almost two decade alone is the reason a moment like this is even possible.

Our work as a community is far from being over but for right now, I’m grateful we get to celebrate because joy and celebration are essential in the path toward liberation, healing and change. This is joy.

This is also my final look of the 2025 I RECLAIM HS Summit. Whew, being responsible for organizing this event and curating these looks was no easy feat but I’m grateful for my sense of style and taste. I can thank my late sister Karen and my momma for that.

Let’s get into the fit. Both tops are from . (Hanifa we have to talk about this sizing for big bodies because I had to alter this for it to fit. Love you though) The pants are from a seller from Europe, the hair is from , face beat by , nails from .nail.shoppe, and custom jewlery from .

I can’t end this without thanking and acknowledging my parents and . You both have stood in the gap for me spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. You’ve poured so much life and love into me that it’s no wonder I am the woman I am today. Thank you for your sacrifices and always seeing the best in me even when I couldn’t see it myself. I love you than any words I can string together.

This has been one of the best years of my life. Thank God for life, healing, progress, and community.

Okay now moving forward…Call me Ms. Spirit of Detroit if you know better 🤣😋 tehehehe

Should I do more fashion content?

I started my   advocacy journey hyperventilating and crying crocodile tears on the third floor of the Annenberg School o...
06/18/2025

I started my advocacy journey hyperventilating and crying crocodile tears on the third floor of the Annenberg School of Journalism . My parents were on the phone with me. They are my witness and I know they were concerned.

That version of me was so scared to stand in her truth. She knew her world would come crashing down and everything she once knew would be stripped from her. You know what, she was right. All of the insecurities, all of the isolation, shame, shaky friendships, broken communities, and meekness were stripped away. They were ashes at my feet.

Through new and fertile ground grew a version of myself that I had never seen before or even knew I could become. God gave me a glimpse of this version of myself when I was hyperventilating and boo hooing on that floor.

I couldn’t have fathomed standing in the spaces I am now back then. I thought, who am I to create a pathway for healing. I’m not a healer. I need healing. But as I continued to show up and trust God and myself, I slowly but surely became the woman in these photos.

The joy that I once felt was out of reach became tangible. I started meeting people who went through the same thing I did. It was validating. It was meant to be.

As I continue to reflect on the summit I thank God I said yes to my own healing first. Because I prayed, fasted, cried, sowed seeds for this version of myself. And I’m so glad I didn’t quit. I’m so glad I stayed down.

I’m so glad I got to reclaim my connection to my body and my style too. Thank you for making pieces that made me feel so bold and so beautiful at I RECLAIM HS summit this year.

Thank you .studios for making shows comfortable to walk in. for all of the custom jewelry, for getting my crown together, and for beating my face, .nail.shoppe for custom making my nails. Y’all made me feel beautiful and so seen.

And to every warrior out there afraid to tell their story and own their truth, the healing on the other side is greater than any fear you feel now. Trust yourself. Trust the process.

Are you ready to own your truth?

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Atlanta, GA

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