Dr. Demetra Adams Davis

Dr. Demetra Adams Davis (born May 13, 1968) is an African-American business leader, author, and community advocate renowned for her work in process improvement, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion training. She is the founder and CEO of Gordavi LLC, a female, veteran, and minority-owned small business specializing in business development and consulting.
Davis is a former U.S. Air Force medical logistics specialist. She is actively involved in community initiatives and has founded several organizations aimed at enhancing outdoor experiences for minority families, supporting the Black community, and advancing suicide prevention. She is also a published author, with her poetry collection and has contributed to multiple anthologies since 2009.
Her leadership and contributions have earned her several prestigious awards, including The Lifetime Achievement Award and the Empowered Woman of the Year Award from the International Association of Top Professionals in 2024.
==Early life and education==
Davis was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, into a military family. Her father, Willie G. Adams I, was a member of the United States Army, and her elder brother, Willie G. Adams II, is also a United States Air Force veteran. At a young age, Davis began reading poems and developed a love for reading books. She went to Tennessee Temple, where she began to learn about God, and attended Camp Joy, a summer camp, where she ultimately gave her life to the Lord. She graduated with honors from Central High School, earning the title "Most Likely to Succeed." 
After completing high school, Davis received an academic scholarship to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. After one year, following her father and brother’s footsteps, Davis joined the United States Air Force. After completing her training in San Antonio, Texas, Davis was stationed at Randolph AFB in Universal City, Texas. From 1987 to 1991, she served as a medical logistics specialist in the United States Air Force. 
Davis obtained her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Texas, Health Science Center in San Antonio, in 1994. She later completed two Master’s degrees: Health Care Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2000 and Nursing Education from Drexel University in 2016. She also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities and Advanced Studies, Business Administration from Azteca University.
==Career==
===Early career===
After earning her bachelor's degree, Demetra Davis began her career in the surgical and medical intensive care units. Her experiences in diverse healthcare environments prompted her to delve into multiple facets of the industry, such as long-term acute care, home health, private insurance, and Medicare and Medicaid programs. Through this journey, she gained a comprehensive understanding of the patient experience within the healthcare system, ultimately guiding her to specialize in case management as her nursing niche.
In 2000, Davis became a Certified Registered Nurse Case Manager through the Commission for Case Management Certification. She later served as Director of Case Management at a hospital, leading a team of over 40 staff members. However, Davis's career faced challenges when she was diagnosed with glaucoma in her 30s, resulting in significant vision loss and impacting her ability to work in the hospital setting. 
===Gordavi, LLC===
In 2018, Demetra Davis founded Gordavi, LLC, a business consulting, and government contracting firm. The company is a certified minority, female, service-disabled, and veteran-owned business specializing in government contracting, policy and procedure development, employee development, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion training, and marketing.
Under Gordavi, LLC, Davis also established Gordavi Presents and Gordavi Tech, expanding the portfolio of Gordavi, LLC and the services that it provides its clients. Gordavi Presents is a training and leadership development platform, that provides a place for webinars, content, and a space for networking of like-minded entrepreneurs and those receiving education on other non-business matters. Gordavi Tech is the technology space that was developed as a result.
Additionally, Davis is a 20-year member of Sigma Theta Tau's National Honor Society of Nursing and a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
===Community initiatives===
In 2022, Davis founded Take20ForLife, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, where she is the founder and president. Take20ForLife, Inc. is a suicide intervention and prevention initiative that encourages people to pause and reflect during times of crisis. The organization's website offers resources such as yoga, an art gallery, and promoting the National Suicide Crisis LifeLine, 988.
Davis is also the founder and president of Tennessee Urban Outdoors, Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The initiative aims to improve physical and mental health in black and brown communities through outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and yoga.
Most recently, Davis founded The National Institute of B.L.A.C.C. Art and Education, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to merging holistic education with the arts. B.L.A.C.C. stands for Building Legacy Artistry Community Culture. This initiative aims to enrich the educational experiences of both youth and adults by incorporating diverse, experiential elements. The organization advocates for an all-inclusive approach to education, ensuring that the delivery of knowledge encompasses both historical context and contemporary issues.
Davis is also the President of Incarcerated Lives Matter, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of incarcerated people. Incarcerated Fathers Matter, a division of Incarcerated Lives Matter, focuses specifically on supporting incarcerated fathers as they navigate the challenges of reintegrating into fatherhood.
===Author===
Davis is a published author with eight books to her name. In March 2023, Davis released her most recent work, No Rhyme or Reason, Just Thoughts for the Season. In early 2024, she released a four-book children’s series.
Davis has also been featured in prominent magazines, including OceanDrive’s "8 Top Inspiring Business Leaders to Follow in Florida," CIO Views' "She’s Next: Five Ambitious Women Leaders Making Their Mark in the Industry 2023," and Passion Vista International Magazine as a "Game Changer."
==Bibliography==
* No Rhyme or Rease, Just Thoughts for the Season (Demetra Lyrically Adams)
* Alice’s ABC’s (Demetra Adams)
* Alice’s 123’s (Demetra Adams)
* No Reason or Rhyme, Just Thoughts over Time (Demetra Lyrically Adams)
* How to Jump from a Ferris Wheel and Land on Your Feet, Vol. I and II (Mimi Jacobs)
* Never Would Have Made It (Nicole Bradley)
* Men and Women of Honor, Vol. II (Beverly Black Johnson)
==Awards and recognitions==
Davis has received several accolades, including:
* Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for 2024.
* USA's Leading Wompreneur of the Year 2024 by CIO Today.
* Empowered Woman of the Year 2024 by IAOTP.
* Top CEO of the Year 2023 by IAOTP.
* Recognized as a Top Executive by Marquis Who’s Who in 2023.
* Female Founders 250 Honoree 2024 by 50 Fearless Leaders INC.
* Top 5 Inspiring CEOs to Watch 2024 by Magnate View Magazine.
==Personal life==
Davis resides in Orlando, Florida. She has a daughter Kala Marie Reid and two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys writing, listening to music, and spending time alone. Green is her favorite color. A quote from her mother, "And this, too, shall pass," has served as an anchor throughout her life.
Davis's unwavering faith in God and gratitude for His blessings in her life have instilled in her the belief that helping others is not just a choice, but an obligation. Her strong spiritual convictions drive her to serve and uplift those around her.
==References==
==External links==
* Gordavi, LLC
* Gordavi, LLC on Alignable
* Gordavi Tech
* Take20ForLife
* Tennessee Urban Outdoors
* Incarcerated Lives Matter
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Category:American businesspeople
Category:American authors
Category:American community activists
Category:Columbia Southern University alumni