Meet the GRIOT Team

Chief Executive Officer / Founder Griot Gateway Productions, Founder Griot Gala 

Dionne is the Founder of Surge Marketing, one of the leading lifestyle marketing agencies in the entertainment space. With more than 15 years 

of experience, she is a seasoned professional with an extensive background

 in the areas of strategic partnerships and alliances, branded entertainment properties and lifestyle marketing. Dionne has worked with some of the world's most recognizable talent properties and corporate brands. She has been instrumental in constructing brand partnerships and alliances between Chevy and Black Girls Rock and AT&T and Drake. She has brokered talent relationships and brand partnerships for Common, Nelly, Fabulous, Queen Latifah, Burger King, FedEx, Lincoln, Miller Coors, P&G and Target just 

to name a few. Dionne's expertise in brand partnerships has positioned her 

in the advertising industry as a leading brand strategist.