Three-Time Olympian, Olympic Gold Medalist, Healthy Lifestyle Advocate and Gymnastics Academy Owner
Dominique Dawes: Biography at a Glance
- Dominique Dawes is the first African-American gymnast to win an Olympic Gold medal and the first American gymnast to medal at three different Olympic Games in team competition.
- She founded the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies to promote a healthy and compassionate culture in gymnastics, opening her first academy in July 2020 during the global pandemic, with additional locations launching in 2023 and 2024.
- Dominique broke barriers by becoming a minority owner of the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League and joined the Atlanta Falcons ownership group as a Limited Partner, expanding her influence in professional sports.
- As co-chair of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition under the Obama administration, Dominique played a key role in shaping national policies on health and fitness, alongside NFL legend Drew Brees.
- Dominique served as Executive Producer for the Peacock docu-series Golden, which followed USA’s elite gymnasts on their journey to the Tokyo Olympics, earning a Sports Emmy nomination.
- Dominique’s story of perseverance, resilience, and breaking barriers resonates deeply with diverse audiences, offering powerful lessons on overcoming challenges and achieving greatness.
Biography
Owner of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies, Dominique opened the gyms to continue her commitment to developing a healthy and compassionate culture in the sport of gymnastics. Her first academy opened in the midst of a global pandemic, in July 2020, her second location opened in 2023, and she will be opening her third Academy in 2024 located in Columbia, MD. Dawes holds minority ownership of the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League, and she also became part of the Atlanta Falcons ownership group as a Limited Partner in 2024. Dominique served as the co-chair of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition under the Obama administration alongside Drew Brees. Alongside LeBron James and Maverick Carter, she recently served as Executive Producer of the Peacock docu-series “Golden”, the journey of USA’s elite gymnasts on the road to the Tokyo Olympics, which was nominated for a Sports Emmy.
Dawes holds her degree from the University of Maryland and was inducted into UMD's prestigious Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2024, her hometown of Montgomery County, Maryland will honor her career and legacy with a life-size statue to continue inspiring the next generation to follow in her footsteps.
As a wife, mother of four, Olympian, and business owner, Dominique Dawes has transcended the world of sports, politics, entertainment, and culture.
