Paris is Burning: Film & Panel

Ayreon Escada

Legendary Mother, Midwestern Region

Iconic House of Escada

Ayreon Escada (she/her/hers) is an operator of hope, love, and faith and a graduate of the University of Arizona who is currently pursuing a PhD. Deemed Legendary in 2006, she is pursuing Icon status. A respected leader to both career and community audiences, Ayreon is Legendary Mother, Midwestern Region for the Iconic House of Escada. She is currently based out of Chicago.

 

Ronald Lanvin

Overall Godfather

House of Xclusive Lanvin

Ronald G. Murray, MPA, LSW, LCDC-III, is also known as Icon Ron ‘drama” Lanvin- is the Overall Godfather of the house of Xclusive Lanvin. Ron is from and lives in Columbus, Ohio. Ron has been in ballroom since 1994. Ron ‘Drama’ has been a member of the houses of Omni, Madori, Kenzo, Evisu and a founding father in the house of Xclusive Lanvin. In Addition Godfather Ron is one of the creators of the OKI (OHIO KENTUCKY, INDIANA) region of ballroom Ron is a licensed social worker and chemical dependency counselor who also a well-respected and national expert level trainer. Ron has educated and advised many throughout the country and in particular state of Ohio providers, educators and health departments on ballroom culture and best practices to service the Ballroom community. Ron has the honor of being the first person to do a TED Talk on Ballroom Culture. Ron is the owner and founding of P.E.A.C.E of Mind, LLC which is a consulting agency committed to providing personal and professional development/education to individuals and organizations throughout the country. Ron is also one of the creators of the newly launched service component of the House of Xclusive Lanvin called the XL C.A.R.E.S Initiative.

Marco Mizrahi

Founder

House of Herrera

Marco Mizrahi is a veteran educator, researcher, and politico whose professional career encompasses being a middle school teacher, a high school assistant principal, and assistant superintendent. Additionally, Marco has operated as a deputy chief of staff to an elected official, legislative assistant, archivist, and as a campaign director at the local, state, and federal levels. Marco has earned a master’s degree in educational leadership, a master’s degree in higher education, and a master’s degree in public administration.

Marco is affectionally called the Mayor of Chicago’s Ballroom. Marco is a respected leader in ballroom because of his ability to develop new talent and his innovation. Marco is credited with being one of the blueprints that participated in the 2000 era of Ballroom in the Midwest. Marco has been in ballroom 21 years and is a nationally recognized Icon in Ballroom. He has been cemented into ballroom history by being a four-time hall of fame recipient. Marco is also credited with many “firsts” in Ballroom and co-creating the Ballroom People’s Choice Awards Ball. Marco also created the legendary RAGS TO RICHES Ball, an annual ball that is credited with solidifying Chicago’s ballroom community.

Marco has received countless honors and recognition for his contributions to ballroom. Routinely, he is listed as one of the most influential figures in ballroom. Additionally, Marco founded the legendary House of Herrera in the Midwest that grew nationally and won an impressive House of the Year award in New York City – the only Midwest House to ever accomplish this. The House of Herrera has also created countless legends and parents in national ballroom.

Currently, Marco is a Chief of Finance and School Operations in upstate New York and composing his dissertation for his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. Marco is a strong proponent for increasing the positive outcomes for students of color in historically underserved and under resourced urban areas.