Meet the Xecs

The executive board of Social X is staffed by intellectual entrepreneurs that are as creative as they are brilliant in bringing one idea after another to life. Our Xecs, pride themselves on effectively emphasizing the “fun” in function to properly support the delicate balance of energy and information in all things. Therefore, they are not only the leaders of the Social X Movement, they are also the clients.

Marquayla Ellison - president

Marquayla Ellison is co-owner and president of Social X MKE, a young professional diversity and inclusion consulting group. She is also the owner and creative force behind Ellastic Designs, a small design firm set on creating custom digital and print designs for corporations, small businesses and  nonprofits.

Since May 17, 2011, Ellastic Designs has illustrated a creative vision for many clients including: Traci Braxton, The Milwaukee Health Department, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Medical College of WI, Near West Side Partners, and Milwaukee Film – just to name a few.

In 2022, she was honored as a Milwaukee Business Journal “40 Under 40” and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County “Philanthropic 5” honoree. She serves the community by facilitating art community sessions and was appointed by the Milwaukee County Executive to serve on the Charles Allis Art Museum & Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum Board. Recently, She has taken a temporary leave from the board to support the museums as interim executive director. She is also a board member for UW-Milwaukee Alumni Association. Marquayla is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., AIGA, and chaired The City of Milwaukee Millennial Task Force.

Ranell Washington - vice president

Ranell Washington is a community-minded leader who thrives in relationship building and developing strategic partnership. A true connector of people and resources, and an avid problem solver, he has 15 plus years of banking, insurance and non-profit experience. A Milwaukee native, Ranell received a bachelor of science in finance and marketing, and a certificate in real estate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded Social X, a 2023 Milwaukee Business Journal’s Diversity in Business award-winning social and community engagement consulting firm providing a connective platform for professionals, creatives, businesses and corporations in Greater Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. 

Ranell also provides his expertise to several community-based organizations, serving as the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) board chair. Economic development and community initiatives are true passions for Ranell; thus, he is a committee member for several task forces and committees. He is a man of faith and is very active in his Milwaukee-based church, Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Most recently, he received the 2023 Impact Award from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Alumni Association and was recently recognized as a Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2024 Power Broker. Ranell is a 2022 Washington High School Alumni Foundation Hall of Fame inductee and a 2019 Business Journals Top 100 Influential Finance Executive. Ranell is also a 2019 Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 under 40 awardee. He also received recognition as a 2018 United Way of Greater Milwaukee Waukesha County P5 awardee and was recognized by Madison365 as a 2016 Black Power – 44 Most Influential African Americans in Wisconsin.

Tenia SMITH - director of health & wellness

By day, Tenia Smith is the Director of Community Partnerships at Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy. Her lifelong love of running and fitness was furthered by attending UW-Milwaukee on a full track & cross country scholarship. Continuing to spread the love of fitness to youth, Tenia was the head track and cross-country coach at Rufus King High School for 11 years. She is now the Lead Captain of F.E.A.R. (Forget Everything And Run), a Social X MKE program. Her favorite places to run in Milwaukee include the east side, trails, and of course, the lakefront. As a proud Milwaukeean, Tenia looks forward to building the fitness and social aspect in Milwaukee, as the Director of Health and Wellness. Connect with Her