Our Members

IFEOMA C. O ONYIA (“Clyopatra”)

Ifeoma C. Onyia is a healthcare executive, a fashion designer, a winemaker, and a philanthropist. She is a Nigerian-born, British-raised, Maryland-based entrepreneur using her diverse life experiences to make a positive impact on the fashion and healthcare industries for over the past twenty years. Ms. Onyia is now the first African to open a winery in the United States – Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard located in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

In her early career, Ms. Onyia worked in the fashion industry. Ifeoma C. Onyia, in her first years out of college, opened her first fashion line in London, UK and later went on to launch the first Afrocentric Bridal Exhibition that earned her an award – Keeper of Heritage from Essence Magazine. As a result of this success, Ifeoma was offered membership to The Federation of Black Women Business Owners UK at the age of 22. In addition to founding the first Afrocentric bridal store–WIA Brides–in London, Ifeoma was a pioneer in establishing Afro-Fashion in London. In addition, she launched Ebony Wedding Fare’s first Afrocentric Fashion Show. In recognition of her efforts, the Queens Council invited her to the House of Lords.

After moving to the U.S. in the early 2000s, Ms. Onyia launched “MISS Healthcare Agency,” a home health business, “MS Medical Supply,” a medical supply company, and “MISS Healthcare Training Institute,” a nursing school. She served as the CEO of MISS Healthcare Training Institute, a licensed private career school in the state of Maryland offering training programs for Certified Nursing Assistants / Geriatric Nursing assistant, Medication Technician, CPR, First Aid, In￾service as well as Assisted Living Facility training. The company was successful in supplying experienced and trained nurses for many years with a mission to provide the best possible nursing care.

Ifeoma C. Onyia launched Clyopatra Couture, a Couture/ Ready-To-Wear fashion line, in 2016. Taking African fabrics and arts to a whole new level, Clyopatra Couture is a marriage of all three continents Ifeoma so loves. A number of leading fashion publications, including Fashion Week Online, have featured her designs. Ms. Onyia was recently named the official swimwear designer for the Miss Black America Pageant.

In her quest to connect and educate folks in the fashion industry, Ifeoma C. Onyia launched DMV Fashion Week™ and House of Clyopatra Foundation, a nonprofit organization that she uses to elevate poverty and homelessness for the underprivileged families both in Maryland and Nigeria. DMV Fashion Week™ aims to bring upscale and unique fashion back to the DMV area — D.C., Maryland, and Virginia–, while creating a worldwide platform for designers and shows. As part of her Foundation House of Clyopatra, she also founded Junior Bosses of Fashion (JBF) in memory of her Father and Brother who believed so strongly in education for young people. According to this belief, “it is never too early to teach our youth the fundamentals of business management.”

Ms. Onyia established MISO Medical Center (MISO) which provides outpatient and intensive outpatient care with coordinated mental health services for minors, adolescents, and adults with mild to moderate mental illness. MISO is bridging the gap in the child welfare field by partnering with families to prevent foster care placements or reunify children with their families. MISO also works with Returning Citizens to help them adjust to their “new normal” after incarceration. Ms. Onyia continues to advocate for the affairs of the African Diasporas in Maryland, USA.