Leadership
Atrayus O. Goode
President & CEO
Atrayus O. Goode (he/they) began his professional mentoring journey by founding Movement of Youth (MOY) in 2006 as a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This award-winning mentoring and youth development agency was based on a program he completed in high school sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Charlotte. At its peak, MOY operated in several states, and students achieved a 100% high school graduation rate and 96.5% college attendance rate.
Atrayus has global experience, including consulting in South Africa with Vuleka School, leading several all-Black delegations to Cuba to examine historical and present-day Cuban realities, and traveling to Palestine to explore issues of detention and incarceration, the Israeli military court system, and Palestinian and Israeli efforts to achieve peace with justice.
Atrayus is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the UNC Harvey E. Beech Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the North Carolina Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service, the state’s highest award for volunteer service. He has also been featured on various media platforms, including StoryCorps and TED.
Atrayus holds a Master of Science in Organization Development from the American University School of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was initiated into the Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Sontee Dean
Manager of Strategic Initiatives
Sontee Dean (she/her/hers) is a North Carolina native whose passion for helping others was evident from a young age. Working at Youth Mentoring Collaborative has enriched her interest in social justice and community advocacy deepened. Sontee’s core values—joy, integrity, and curiosity—shine through in her work ethic and personal interactions. She holds a B.A.Ed in Human Development and Family Science and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Committed to empowering youth, Sontee is driven by a desire to advocate for a brighter future for current and future generations.
Sontee is also a firm believer in the transformative power of mentorship and education. Through her work, she seeks to create opportunities for young people to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. She is dedicated to fostering environments where youth feel seen, heard, and valued. By combining her academic background with her passion for advocacy, Sontee continues to develop initiatives that support personal growth, emotional well-being, and positive community change. Her unwavering commitment to uplifting others remains the driving force behind all her endeavors.
Consulting Team
JenDina Bowers, MSW, MPAL
Consultant
A community harmonizer on a mission to instill equity and belonging, JenDina is a beloved child of the village, who dedicates herself to serving her community, especially the installment of healthy futures for youth.
Growing up, JenDina recognized that her community opened doors to invaluable opportunities in careers, education, business, and sports. This early exposure empowered her to pursue early college, breaking the generational cycle of poverty. She earned her Master's degrees in Public Administration and Social Work from The Ohio State University.
JenDina’s journey of meeting people where they are, began by connecting with people through her work in nonprofit organizations as a social worker, where she has made a meaningful impact in mental health, education, substance use, justice involvement, child welfare, and public policy.
With a research focus on social psychology, economic justice, and organizational leadership, JenDina deepens her understanding of the person-in-environment impact. Over time, she discovered how organizational culture shapes community outcomes and founded Sky Infiniti, a workplace impact consulting firm. JenDina champions the creation of space and opportunities for growth, firmly believing that growth knows no limits.
In every partnership, JenDina strives to unlock the transformative power of empowerment, ensuring that those who serve are well, so they can serve others with excellence.
Jennifer Castillo, MSW
Consultant
Jennifer is a youth development professional who currently works with a team that helps support students in navigating their academic, professional, and personal success, enabling them to be their best selves while strengthening their families, workplaces, and communities.
Most recently, she served as Co-Executive Director of The Resiliency Collaborative (TRC). TRC partners with BIPOC youth and their ecosystems to strengthen their sense of identity, belonging, and purpose, enabling them to create a healthier, more equitable Wake County.
Jennifer is passionate about youth well-being and leadership, diversity and equity, and using education as a transformative tool for social change. She has significant experience working in public universities (student services, equity offices, and teaching) and with youth-serving nonprofit organizations. As a former AmeriCorps ACCESS member, she enjoys learning from and serving her community. She also loves traveling, kayaking, reading, spending time with her daughter (SRMHS, Class of 2023) and family, walking her dogs on the greenways, and enjoying s'mores and bonfires.
She is currently a board member at Corral Riding Academy and Write, Speak, Inspire LLC. Jennifer is a first-generation college graduate, having earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, a Master of Science in Administrative Leadership from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, and a Master of Social Work from NC State University.
René Daughtry
Consultant
René Daughtry is a seasoned professional with over 29 years of exemplary service at Cisco, characterized by a legacy of innovation and leadership within the Research Triangle Park campus and the broader North Carolina communities. Throughout his tenure, René has been pivotal in building support teams within the Worldwide Technical Support and Customer Experience (CX) Organization, consistently enhancing Cisco’s service offerings to boost customer satisfaction. Notably, René made history as the first African American Technical Team Lead in Technical Services and later as the first African American Worldwide Technical Services Leader. In 2006, he took on the role of Lead for Cisco’s Black Employees Network (now CBP) in RTP, establishing strong relationships with local HBCUs such as NC A&T, NCCU, St. Augustine’s University, and Shaw University, where he initiated Cisco Network Academies—partnerships he continues to maintain to this day.
Currently, René is the Technical Project Manager and PMO Team Lead in Cisco’s Solution Validation Services Organization, overseeing solution testing for high-profile clients while consistently enhancing organizational processes and procedures.
In 2009, René recognized a critical need for technical education in underserved urban and rural communities in North Carolina. This realization led him to establish Aisymmetry, an organization focused on empowering youth through technology education. As “Coach René Daughtry,” he acts as a facilitator and mentor, engaging young people in robotics, coding, and comprehensive personal development. Through Aisymmetry, he introduces youth to the wonders of technology, providing hands-on experiences in coding, robotics, and more, while emphasizing healthy lifestyles.
Aisymmetry’s mission is to make Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education accessible and inspiring. The organization engages students through real-life applications, teaching critical thinking, innovation, and imagination through robotics competitions like FIRST (for grades 5–12) and workshops in Scratch coding, principles of electricity, drone flight, gaming, game design, and an advanced hacking workshop titled "Hack the World." These programs are shaping the next generation of Scientists, Technicians, Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and Mathematicians (STEEM), helping students develop essential skills and a lasting enthusiasm for technology.
Taunya Jaco, Ed.D.
Consultant
Dr. Taunya Jaco is an educational leader, consultant, and advocate with more than a decade of experience in policy reform and promoting equitable learning opportunities. Committed to educational justice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives in K-12 and higher education.
As a statewide education director, Dr. Jaco has led regional organizing efforts, created educator training programs, and directed policy reforms to improve equity in education. As a consultant, she assists school districts in designing student-centered curricula, facilitating professional development, and integrating digital tools to enhance engagement.
Dr. Jaco has also worked as a lecturer in critical education policy, mentoring graduate students and promoting interdisciplinary research on systemic change. Her doctoral research focused on creating a statewide TK-12 Ethnic Studies model curriculum through documentary filmmaking.
Her work has been showcased in the Journal of Asian American Studies, and her documentary, Fidelity at the Forefront: The Fight for Ethnic Studies, serves as an essential resource for educators and policymakers. She has spoken at global conferences, such as the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference and the Worldwide Forum on Education & Culture, sharing insights on equity, leadership, and research methodologies.
Dr. Jaco previously served as a school board trustee and as a National Education Association Board Director, shaping policies that support diverse student communities. She continues to advocate for educational justice through her work in advocacy, research, and collaborative leadership, striving to reimagine education systems that empower all learners.
Jameya Jones, Ed.D.
Consultant
Jameya Jones is a dedicated workforce development professional with extensive experience in creating work-based learning programs for K-12 education. She began her career at Durham Public Schools as a middle school teacher and has also taught abroad in Madrid, Spain, and Thailand. Since 2014, she has served in various roles within DPS and is currently the Lead Workforce Development Coordinator in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department. Jameya specializes in building partnerships with businesses, managing grants, and developing apprenticeship programs that provide students with real-world career experiences. She is passionate about working with youth of all ages, empowering them with opportunities and experiences that share their futures.
Jameya has created multiple work-based learning programs for Durham Public Schools that connect students with opportunities at local and global companies. She is active in the Durham community and serves on the Durham Workforce Development Board and the Built2Last Durham Collaborative Board of Advisors.
A native of Durham, Jameya is a proud alum of Hampton University and North Carolina A&T. She recently earned her Doctor of Education from UNC Chapel Hill, focusing her research on AVID programs and student agency. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time, she loves making memories with her husband and their two small kids, spending time with local family and friends, trying new foods, and traveling.
Jay Z. Little, LPC
Consultant
Jay Zachary Little is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience fostering growth in individuals and organizations. As the owner of Forward Counseling & Consulting, he offers mental health counseling, coursework and training, and support to clients throughout South Carolina.
Jay's work focuses on creating safe environments for genuine expression, especially for men and marginalized communities. He established "Space," a program that encourages men to embrace positive masculinity, and "Ausome Fathers," which supports caregivers of children with autism.
With experience in program management at SCDMH and operations at Amazon, Jay offers a strategic approach to capacity building that combines analytical thinking with human-centered solutions.
Jay is dedicated to helping organizations dismantle systemic barriers through identity-affirming mentoring relationships. His Truth, Love, Community framework shapes his approach to fostering resilience and genuine connections within the communities he serves.
Frank Pollock
Consultant
For more than 20 years Frank Pollock (he/him/his) has worked at the intersection of marketing, innovation, and technology. He honed his craft at Disney/ABC, Frito-Lay, General Mills, and Colgate-Palmolive before founding The Pioneer Group, where he works with high-growth companies to develop marketing strategies, deploy marketing technology stacks, and drive results. In addition to his professional background, he has served on a number of non-profit boards including chairing the Kidznotes Marketing Committee.
H. MiUndrae Prince, Ph.D.
Consultant
South Carolina native H. MiUndrae Prince currently serves as the Executive Director of Schools for Richland County School District One. Prior to this position, he was the Associate Chancellor for Human Capital, Equity, and Accountability at the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan.
He started his career as a high school English teacher in Darlington, South Carolina, and later taught English at Lower Richland High School, where he also served as an assistant principal. In 1999, Dr. Prince was appointed principal of Columbia High School, making history as the school’s first African American principal. By the end of his third year as principal, Columbia had become one of the highest-performing schools in the district and state, prompting visits from the then Governor of South Carolina and the State Superintendent of Education. In 2009, Prince was recruited to work as Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction with the Kansas City, Missouri Public School System.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education with a minor in Spanish from South Carolina State University, along with a Master's degree, an Education Specialist degree, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. In 2012, he earned a second Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Education and Policy from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Dr. Prince has also taught English at Benedict College and served as an adjunct professor of Educational Administration at South Carolina State University and the University of Kansas. He has presented at various conferences and was recently recognized as a 2024 Man to Watch by Black Leaders Worldwide. Additionally, he is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Honor Society and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He is also the author of the book Mending the Broken Wings—Seven Strategies for Improving the Academic Achievement of Males of Color.
Sheneika Simmons, MSEd
Consultant
Sheneika Simmons is the 4-H Youth Development Administrative Manager at Wake County Government and the Principal Consultant for Simmons Leadership Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Ferrum College and a Master of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Human and Social Services at Walden University.
Sheneika is an Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM (ACRES) facilitator, a White-Riley-Peterson Afterschool Policy Fellow, a recipient of the National Afterschool Association's (NAA) Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders award, and a member of the Board of Directors. She is also a LEAD (School Mental Health Certification (MHC)) Instructor and a Teach for America (TFA) alumna. Formerly an educator, she now works to support and shape a more equitable afterschool and educational landscape on a national level. She has had the privilege of engaging with youth, families, schools, communities, and organizations in various roles. Sheneika is passionate about empowering youth to become the leaders of tomorrow and believes that all professionals can enhance their organizational and personal competence, confidence, and connections.
Dr. Corbin Smith
Consultant
Dr. Corbin Smith is a Business Consultant with a decade-plus of experience in the education, entertainment, finance, food service, and non-profit industry sectors. A firm believer in the connection between developing essential soft skills and productivity within an organization, he specializes in teaching and training clients on Project Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Customer Service, Sales, and other related disciplines. In addition, Dr. Corbin is an Authorized Training Partner (ATP) with the International Business Training Association (IBTA). In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano, writing and recording music, and reading books.
Jasmin Spain
Consultant
Jasmin Spain (he/him/his) holds a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree from North Carolina State University in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Personnel in Higher Education. Jasmin has two decades of higher education experience, currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of Student Support at Pitt Community College. Jasmin also serves on the advisory boards for the North Carolina Community College System’s Minority Male Success Initiative, Student Conduct & Title IX and First Generation. Jasmin has an Equity Coach certification as well. Jasmin is also the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of The M.A.I.N. Initiative LLC, which stands for Males Addressing Issues & Needs as well as the Founder & President of U Good Bro, Incorporated. Essentially, the purpose of both entities is to assist in the holistic cultivation of the male population, with a special emphasis on Black men and boys with their psycho, social and emotional health at the forefront. Jasmin is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and is also a Campaign for Black Male Achievement American Express Leadership Fellow.
Nina Spinelli, MPA
Consultant
Nina Spinelli is a dedicated and passionate advocate for child welfare, working tirelessly to protect and improve the lives of vulnerable children. With a deep commitment to ensuring the well-being and rights of every child, Nina has made a significant impact on the field through her advocacy efforts, expertise, and unwavering dedication.
Nina holds her BA in Political Science from the University of South Carolina Aiken and her Master of Public Administration from Augusta State University. Nina is an Adverse Childhood Experience trainer and works to help bridge the gap between the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
Nina serves on several boards and is a Guardian-ad-Litem advocate for child permanency and safety.
Board of Directors
Barbara Jessie-Black
Board Co-Chair
Barbara Jessie-Black (she/her/hers) received her BBA from Augusta University in Augusta, GA. During her 15 year career as a retail manager with a national retail chain, Barbara received her MBA from Meredith College, in Raleigh, NC and became co-founder of a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to search for innovative ways to achieve socio-economic equalities in communities through holistic and entrepreneurship based education. Currently, Barbara is the President/CEO of CommunityWorx (formerly the PTA Thrift Shop, Inc.) whose mission is to enrich lives by building collaborative partnerships and transforming charitable donations into educational and community investments. She is active in both the communities in which she lives and works by serving on several boards and volunteering her time to causes close to her heart, which include workforce and economic development; access to health care; issues of equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as other issues in the social justice space. She is fluent in German, a yoga enthusiast, and includes in her spiritual practice daily meditation and annual silent retreats.
Justice Skinner
Board Co-Chair
Justice Skinner (he/him/his) is a recent graduate of North Carolina State University, with a B.S. in Animal Science; he plans to attend veterinary school in the future. In his spare time, Justice enjoys archery, cooking, photography, and traveling. One of his professional and personal passions is working with youth in mentoring and advocacy capacities.
JaLisha Richmond
Board Co-Treasurer
JaLisha is Thread Capital’s director of lending and client support. She leads Thread Capital’s loan origination, coaching, connections, and customer service efforts, with the goal of executing Thread Capital’s mission of strengthening entrepreneurship and expanding access to capital for small businesses in North Carolina. Prior to joining the Thread, JaLisha worked as a program associate for the NC Rural Center and was a dedicated AmeriCorps member, spending time working with various nonprofits through the southwestern region of the United States. From there, she returned to assist nonprofits in her native community.
JaLisha is a Durham native and a graduate of Emory University with a bachelor’s in chemistry and a minor in global health, culture, and society. She enjoys filling unclaimed time with traveling, pretending to exercise on social media, and binge-watching TV with Garrett and two dogs, Jim Bean and Dacarius.
Derek Williams
Board Co-Treasurer
Derek Williams joined Self-Help in 2018 and is the Capital Development Associate on the Development, Policy, and Impact team. Derek oversees the daily operations of the organization’s $200 million CDFI Bond Guarantee Program allocations and supports the fundraising of debt and equity capital for Self-Help’s New Markets Tax Credit investment pools, commercial real estate projects, and general liquidity needs. In his role, Derek also focuses on compliance management and relationship building with key funders of Self-Help.
Prior to joining Self-Help, Derek managed a $2 million microloan fund for rural entrepreneurs at the NC Rural Economic Development Center. He also spent time working with local angel and venture capital investment firms, providing research and due diligence support.
Derek earned his Master’s of Business Administration Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his B.A. from Duke University. He currently serves on the board of directors of Housing for New Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Durham, NC, and regularly volunteers with Youth Education for Savings Consortium to teach children money management, business, and finance skills.
Dr. Andrae Banks, MSW, LCSW
Board Member
Dr. Andrae Banks (Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis) is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at the North Carolina Central University. He is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with years of practice experience. Dr. Banks has practice experience in outpatient therapy, multi-systemic therapy, community support services, and intensive in-home services. He has also worked as a clinician for the Department of Public Health in Durham County and a crisis intervention counselor with the Durham Police Department.
Dr. Banks’s areas of expertise include Black adolescent socioemotional development, mental health, social mobility, and Black men’s health. He has published studies in a variety of scientific journals, including Children and Youth Services Review, Social Work in Mental Health, Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, Social Work in Public Health, Perspectives on Social Work, Research on Social Work Practice, and the American Journal of Men’s Health. Dr. Banks has also produced book chapters about men’s health equity, experiencing poverty through a large-group role play, and examining the source of negative self-beliefs. Dr. Banks has presented his work at national professional conferences, including the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference and the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. He is also an ad-hoc reviewer for multiple academic journals.
Dr. Shauna Cooper
Board Member
Dr. Shauna M. Cooper (Ph.D., University of Michigan) is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the Strengths, Assets, and Resilience (StAR) Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Faculty Excellence, RTI Scholar, and an affiliated faculty in the Frank Porter Graham Institute/Center for Developmental Science and the Institute of African American Research. Currently, Dr. Cooper is an Equity Scholar at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC.
Dr. Cooper’s areas of expertise include examining how race-related experiences and inequities are related to the well-being (e.g., mental health; school adjustment) of racially and culturally diverse children and families. Highlighting the individual and interactive influences of family, school, and community contexts, her work spans several areas of expertise, including the racial and cultural context of parenting, father involvement and engagement among African American fathers, girls’ health and well-being, and community-level risk and protective factors. Dr. Cooper has published in a variety of scientific journals, including the Journal of Research on Adolescence, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Journal of School Psychology, Psychology of Men and Masculinities, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, American Journal of Men’s Health, and Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review. Dr. Cooper’s research has been funded by several agencies and organizations, including the National Institute of Minority Health Disparities and National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, as well as the distinguished National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award. Dr. Cooper is also an Associate Editor for Child Development, an Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Family Psychology, Psychology of Men and Masculinities, Social Development, and Child Clinical and Family Psychology Review as well as an ad-hoc reviewer for over 15 journals.
BJ Council
Board Member
BJ (she/her/hers) learned early on the importance of helping others. She learned by seeing the actions of her parents helping and supporting others in the community, no matter who they were or their lot in life. She attended N.C. Central University for a few years with a major in sociology. She began a career in law enforcement as an officer and eventually attained the rank as the first African-American female Deputy Chief of the Durham City Police Department (Ret.). It put her firmly on the frontlines of social work. The work solidified all her lessons of helping others. She understands how important mentoring can be for youth and others. Mentoring can lead us all towards a healthier and safer community. She is the founder of You & Five-O, LLC (2015). You & Five-O was created to teach individuals how to exercise their rights and survive police interactions. The primary goal of You & Five-O is for all persons, including officers, to get home after the interaction. Getting home allows us to begin or continue on towards our life’s purpose.
Kennedy Ruff
Board Member
Kennedy Ruff (she/her/hers) is a youth board member on the Youth Mentoring Collaborative Board of Directors. She is originally from Durham, NC and attended Durham School of the Arts. She was introduced to mentorship in high school where she participated in Movement of Youth while engaging in other extracurricular activities. She is a recent graduate from Guilford College where she studied Psychology and Biology. During her time at Guilford, she participated in the Guilford Student Body Association, Black Student Union, Enrollment Committee and a Peer Mentor. Upon graduating Guilford college, she is now working as a research associate at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Inequity; she coordinates for the Hank & Billy Aaron Suber Young Scholars Research program, collaborates with researchers projects, and conducts her own research. In her free time, Kennedy enjoys spending time with her family, exploring North Carolina with her son, and catching up on movies.
Salima Thomas
Board Member
Salima Thomas (she/her/hers) is an award-winning leader, strategist, speaker, and trainer with a passion for systems-thinking and meaningfully engaging communities. She grew up in the Triangle area with roots in the "Big Apple" of New York. Salima has spent over fifteen years of her professional career serving the public sector including nonprofits, government, and faith-based organizations. Salima exemplifies her passion and commitment to organizational capacity building that leaves a positive impact on people and communities. She is a diligent advocate for equity and inclusion. She uses her platform to champion causes that excite her including leadership development, health & wellness, and the performing arts and culture. Salima has served on boards and committees throughout the state and nationally. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In addition, Salima has been recognized with awards such as the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Leadership Award and the Association Executives of North Carolina’s Rising Star. A Spartan and Forty-Niner alumnae, Salima received her bachelor’s in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master’s in public administration with dual concentrations in arts administration and nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In her free time, she enjoys the arts, traveling to new places, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Resource Library
Our curated resource library is a collection of best practices for youth mentoring programs, including guides, toolkits, and other evidence-based practices that support high-quality mentoring.
Apply for a Consultancy
Research shows that by committing to quality improvements, programs can nurture stronger, longer lasting mentoring relationships. Learn more about YMC's capacity-building consulting process.
NEWS & EVENTS
Follow along with our current affairs, including guides, conversations, op-eds, and other news on our blog.