Dominicca Troi Washington

Dominicca was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois on the city’s South Side. A first generation college graduate, she attended Clark Atlanta University where in 2010 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Grand Canyon University where she earned her Master of Education in Elementary Education in 2013. Dominicca has long been an advocate for young women and education, with a focus on needs within low-socioeconomic and minority communities. Dominicca utilizes her love for education and writing to spread awareness of the education system through several published articles featured on Education Post as well as her personal blog The Theory of Troi. Her controversial views and parental awareness advocacy provokes thought and conversation around some of education’s most sensitive subjects. Her advocacy towards awareness also extends to the needs of her fellow teachers through her community outreach with the Chicago Teacher’s Union, work with the CPS Equity Office and through the TeachPlus Teaching Policy Fellowship helping to incorporate teacher and student voice into education policy. Her personal and professional experience serve as a catalyst to her passionate approach to meeting the needs of inner city students.

Domonique Natasha

Domonique Natasha is a Proud Detroit Native, currently residing in the great city of Chicago. After graduating from Cass Technical High School, one of the most prominent high schools in Detroit, she attended Hampton University on a full Presidential Scholarship, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music Engineering Technology. During her tenure at Hampton, she became the First Female Head Drum Major in HU history and was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the spring of 2005. In 2014, Domonique created a thought provoking essay contest entitled “The Beauty is more than Skin Deep Project,” which offered 77 young women the opportunity to win a $1000 prom sponsorship provided by many Chicago based companies. This endeavor provided an educational medium to encourage positive self image, improve low self esteem, and reward progressive behavior. Holding strong to the motto that “when you look good, you feel good”, she has been able to help women enhance their public images and build healthy self esteem through proper self care. Domonique not only serves as a Music Teacher but also a TeachPlus Teacher Leader and Change Agent advocating for positive culture and climate shifts within her school.

Marrissia Rochelle Jones

Marrissia Rochelle Jones is a proud native of Chicago, Il. Marrissia attended Wiley College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts English Literature. While at Wiley she served as Vice President of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and President of the investment banking club.Since childhood, she has held to the belief that education serves as a pathway to overcoming poverty in urban communities. Marrissia's humble beginnings and self made approach to life inspires her to share her story with girls like her while training them to create their own pathways through college and career consultation. Marrissia has received numerous awards and recognition for public speaking and speech writing. Marrissia believes that with integrity and authenticity at heart our girls be anything that they imagine for themselves.

Gwendolyn E. Washington

Gwen is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Arts Management. Gwen specializes in creating partnerships by bridging business strategies, integrated marketing techniques, and utilizing multi-media platforms that work. She has long been an advocate for education and understanding "the business aspect of your goals", a concept that was incredibly fundamental in her rearing of her own two children over the course of their lives. Gwen's goal is to constantly be in the mindset to develop and execute lucrative projects that will help our girls to explore opportunities that the may not have imagined for themselves. Having worked with a myriad of businesses for over 20 years as either an employee or contractor, balanced with education and constant training fuels her passion for the progression of minority female youth.

Dr. Yani Mason

Yani Mason has spent a decade in the education and nonprofit sectors in a variety of roles including digital communications, social media, public relations, and grant writing.Throughout her career, she has helped nonprofit organizations receive competitive grant funding and create and maintain engaged communities. Yani holds a bachelor of arts from Fisk University, a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, and a doctorate in interdisciplinary leadership from Governors State University. She also has an Integrated Marketing certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School. Yani is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Bionce Foxx

Bioncé Foxx is a radio and TV personality who has become a household name in Chicago after rocking the airwaves for nearly 20 years. Her distinct voice is known across the country where she has hosted the Foxx on the Box Show at iHeartMedia’s 107.5 WGCI. Bioncé currently hosts The Bioncé Foxx Experience weekdays on Chicago’s V103, and she hosts weekend shows on V100.7 in Milwaukee. When she’s not behind the microphone Bioncé mentors youth throughout Chicagoland, and teaches journalism and radio broadcasting to teens through the City of Chicago’s After School Matters program and True Star Media. She serves the community as a volunteer for numerous organizations and enjoys traveling around the world. Bioncé has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Global Strategic Communication. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Erika Lynn Whitehead

Erika Lynn Whitehead graduated from Hampton University with her Bachelor’s in English Education. In addition to her Bachelor’s in English Education, Erika also holds a Master’s in Secondary Education from National Louis University of Chicago, Illinois, and is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago. Erika is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. For the past 4 years, Erika has been the Director of Instruction at Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School. Erika was an integral part in transitioning Circle Rock to Level 1 status with Chicago Public Schools. Erika has performed groundbreaking feats aiding in the advancement the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago – the only public all girls’ charter school in the city of Chicago. Erika’s passion for supporting under-served girls continues to manifest itself through her committee efforts with her sorority and through her outreach with SHE Chicago.

Toni Hunter-Naves

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Toni Hunter-Naves has been a resident of Chicago's South Side for the last decade. She attended Western Michigan University, where she double majored in Financial Planning and Accounting and minored in Economics. Toni graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2005 and quickly developed a passion for volunteering and serving low-moderate income communities. During her 15 years in Banking, she has held positions in Commercial Lending, Treasury Management and Credit Administration. Additionally, Toni has served on various loan committee boards for local non-profit organizations to provide financing to small businesses in low-moderate income areas and believes that entrepreneurship and access to capital are essential for job growth and building generational wealth. She is a long-time mentor of young girls and believes that mentoring and exposure are vital for our youth.

Bianca Lee