Yolondais a wealth transfer and business expert specializing in real estate and smallbusiness market penetration that serves both individual and community well-being. The CEO of The Fleurish Foundation(NFP), 541 E. Black Ave Partners LLC (Landmark/Property Development), and RoyalDiadem, LLC (Consulting), Ms. Rice combines her experience in real estatefinancing, ingenious capital development strategies, trade deal management andcommunity outreach to advance sound business investment that serves our mission.to stabilize and expand the foundation of tangible and intangible assets thatserve the wellness and harmony of a holistic life.
Awarded $942 in municipal funds 541Black Ave. Partners purchased the Old Kings Daughter’s Home and birthplace ofMarjorie Merriweather Post in 2026. In partnershipwith the Fleurish Foundation, these two entities have embarked upon thehistoric landmark development of this $6M multi-family project that will serveas healthcare workforce housing, a solar resilience hub, and a nutritionaleducation hub and test kitchen on farm to table superfood concepts.
The engine that has opened doors tothis opportunity and the capital stacking fundraise vision, was Royal Diadem, LLC.A consultancy that provides “feet on the ground” RE investment servicescombined with “building block” real estate transaction investment opportunities,and access to capital and fundraise initiatives that include government awards,charitable donations and private foundation funding platform of company that hasattracted investors nationwide.
Previously a Trustee to a Chicago based NFP, Yolonda iscurrently facilitating the funding of 2 community/humanitarian projects inIllinois. She is newly appointedExecutive Board Member and Director of Community Outreach and Fundraising forthe King’s Daughters Organization of Springfield, Illinois that serves over 350members, has a fund of $6M and has donated $3M in senior services initiatives.
Yolonda was an independentconsultant to USAID. Yolonda was the Managing Director of the Africa BusinessCenter (ABC) for the State of Illinois at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Yolondafacilitated one-on-one company matching that reached over 600 Illinoiscompanies and resulted in over $10million in Illinois Africa trade. Ms. Rice was the former Director of theAfrican Trade Institute and Policy and Research at the World Trade CenterChicago (WTCC). During her tenure at WTCC, Ms. Rice managed the State ofIllinois West Africa Trade and Investment Feasibility Study that includedresearch and the 2nd Annual Conference on ECOWAS that served 240participants and resulted in three trade deals. Ms. Rice managed the Jigawa,Nigeria investment account and was instrumental in the facilitation of theJigawa State’s IT deal signed during Clinton’s visit to Nigeria.
Ms. Rice holds an M.A. inInternational Studies and Diplomacy from the University of London, School ofOriental and African Studies and a Liberal Arts B.A. focusing on AfricanStudies & International Marketing. She has studied French at Berlitz and attendedSyracuse University in Zimbabwe, Africa.
Executive Board Member and Director of Community Outreachand Fundraising for the King’s Daughters Organization of Springfield, Illinoisand member to the KDO Marjorie Post Nightengale Circle.
