Meet the Creator 

Toiell Washington is the Founder and Creator of The Master’s Tools LLC, a game company that blends education, storytelling, and play to make complex social issues more accessible and engaging. Her work centers on designing interactive learning tools that spark meaningful conversations around equity, access, and systems.

Toiell began her career in the education nonprofit sector, where she worked with national youth serving organizations developing curriculum and leading training focused on social issues and structural inequities. As an organizer and advocate, she has served on committees dedicated to bridging gaps in education and expanding access for historically underserved communities. Through that work, she recognized that while the content was powerful, traditional formats often felt overwhelming or intimidating. She became passionate about transforming complex topics into interactive, game based experiences that invite curiosity, dialogue, and connection.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration. Her work has been recognized by national publications and institutions such The Boston Globe, CBS News, and Harvard University. Through The Master’s Tools LLC, Toiell creates products rooted in research, purpose, and community building.

Inspiration

“The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” is a well known quote by American writer, Black feminist, and civil rights activist Audre Lorde. In her work, Lorde challenged the idea that the same systems and frameworks that created inequality cannot be used to undo it. She urged people to recognize and value their differences not as weaknesses, but as sources of power, insight, and collective strength.

Inspired by Lorde’s perspective, Washington founded The Master’s Tools to reimagine how learning happens. Rather than relying on traditional approaches that often leave systemic issues unexamined, her games invite players to critically engage with the structures shaping opportunity and access. By transforming dialogue into interactive learning experiences, the company uses play as a tool for awareness, reflection, and empowerment.