MEET OUR FOUNDER

Founder & Executive Director, I SURVIVED Inc | Founder & Executive Chef Kink Café | Advocate | Educator | Survivor

Nicole “Daji” Aikens is the visionary force behind I SURVIVED Inc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping women and girls—especially survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and violence—with the tools to reclaim their power. A survivor herself, Nicole’s journey is one of transformation: from trauma to tenacity, from fear to fierce advocacy.

With over two decades of experience in corrections and six years teaching defensive tactics at the Police Training Commission, Nicole has devoted her life to prevention, protection, and empowerment. Her lived experience, coupled with her professional background, fuels her mission to help survivors Resolve, Transform, and Restore.

Nicole’s work doesn’t end with self-defense—she also believes in the healing power of pleasure, community, and economic empowerment. That belief led her to open Kink Café, a sensual, BDSM-themed dining space that doubles as a fundraising arm for I SURVIVED Inc. Every dish served at the café supports survivors’ access to safety training, boundary-setting workshops, and confidence-building programs.

Whether she’s leading a workshop, curating a provocative dining experience, or amplifying survivor voices, Nicole operates with one unwavering belief:

“Empowerment is our birthright. We don't just heal in silence—we heal out loud.”