founder + ceo

Tammie Jones brings her razor sharp mind and intrinsic passion for lifting up people to this work. Tammie graduated with a bachelors degree from University of Virginia and her MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Tammie has deep experience with nonprofit organizations whose focus have spanned youth development, education, parents/caregiver engagement, and neighborhood leadership development. Her career has incorporated both direct service nonprofits and philanthropy, having held senior positions at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, The Skillman Foundation, Detroit Parent Network, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. 

Tammie is honored to serve as a board member at Engaged Detroit, as well as the BFDI Training Institute where she is a certified trainer in Restorative Practices.

project consultants

Carmen Thomas, principal of Capacity Solutions LLC, has more than 20 years of experience in community development, financial compliance and nonprofit management. Carmen’s specialties include organizational development and capacity building, project management, administering grants/contracts per federal rules and regulations and/or specific grant/contract language in collaboration with multiple partners. Over the last ten years, Ms. Thomas served as financial consultant for several major federal and state grants.

Jeannine Gant is is a nonprofit strategist, systems thinker and coach. With a career spanning three decades in the nonprofit sector, Jeannine brings clarity, inspiration, and strategic insight to complex challenges. As a thought partner to nonprofit executives, Jeannine is known for helping leaders see the big picture, align purpose with action, and spark new possibilities. She currently serves as the Inclusive Growth Officer at the Detroit Regional Partnership, where she leads work at the intersection of inclusive economic development and advanced mobility. At her core, Jeannine believes in contributing to something greater than herself, and in using her voice, experience, and intuitive insight to help others do the same.

Dr. Carla Wellborn-Watts is a dynamic youth development professional born and raised in Detroit, having recently acquired her Ph.D. as a student in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations at Vanderbilt University. Previously, Carla served as the Director of Programs for Winning Futures, an organization committed to empowering students in and around the city of Detroit to succeed through workforce prep and mentoring programs. Carla led all program design, implementation, and evaluation. Before entering the non-profit realm, Carla taught English Literature and Reading Enrichment in Detroit and Chicago.

 

youth enrichment consultants

Ephraim Clark is currently studying law at Wayne State University, having served in numerous nonprofit organizations to provide critical support to Detroit residents. Ephraim is an expert in Design Thinking, and helps to facilitate conversations to help ensure maximum impact in program design.

Kenya Sykes is an author, researcher, creative, and connector. She is the driving force behind KenShip L3C, a social enterprise built on the foundation of community that focuses on celebrating Black love, nurturing Black families, and preserving Black wealth. Kenya passionately advocates for her community, for the youth, and for social justice, fostering a space where Blackness is celebrated as an act of love and cultural affirmation.

Shamere Duncan is is a young leader and activist dedicated to community betterment. Through her philanthropic work, she has significantly contributed to Detroit and beyond. As the founder of Black Initiative 313, sponsored by the Steen Foundation where she is Vice President of Programs and Operations, Shamere provides essential resources to Detroit’s youth. Inspired by personal tragedy, she leads initiatives to raise awareness of critical city issues. Her influence extends to serving on prestigious councils and earning numerous accolades. Believing in youth-driven programming and philanthropy, Shamere aims to reshape perceptions of Detroit and empower its youth to drive positive change.

Jamaal Williams is a native of Queens, Cornell University grad and City Year New York alumni, though he recently made Detroit his home. He has deep experience in youth development, using his tremendous skill in the areas of service-learning programming, group facilitation, and talent development. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of Training at Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR), designing and facilitating adult learning around social emotional learning and development, STEM education, and transformative change for schools and youth-serving programs.