WHO WE SERVE
Year Up serves high school graduates and GED recipients ages 18 to 24 years old from the Atlanta, Georgia area.
Become a Student Attend an Information Session Year Up Atlanta has information sessions on Wednesdays for the class starting March 2012. at 11:30 A.M. Please contact Francheska Lewis at flewis@yearup.org or at 404-249-0300 ext. 4023 to reserve your seat. Each candidate must dress business professionally, bring ID, Social Security Card, resume, 2 page essay discussing why candidate would make a great student. We look forward to seeing you!
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE class beginning march 2012! Year Up Atlanta is now accepting applications for our next class that begins in March and graduates January 2013. Early applications are encouraged as space is limited, and the deadline to apply is TBA. To begin the application process, please fill out an interest form and contact P.W. Reed of the Admissions team at 404-249-0300 x4003 preed@yearup.org.
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation produces video on Year Up Atlanta's powerful impact on young adults through its partnership with inaugural internship partner Genuine Parts Company
Year Up Atlanta featured in the Atlanta Journal ConstitutionRead more
Year Up Atlanta congratulates their FOURTH GRADUATING CLASS!
On Friday, August 5, 2011, Year Up Atlanta graduated 58 students! Keynote speaker, Julius Hollis (Chairman and Founder of the Alliance for Digital Equality), inspired and encouraged students to stay motivated, passionate, and dedicated to closing the Opportunity Divide! Watch the video
YEAR UP ATLANTA ON NPR Year Up Atlanta was featured in a 4 minute segment on NPR on August 1. To listen to the segment, click here
year up atlanta on CBS’s Positively Georgia show Year Up Atlanta student, Ariel Dotton (class of January 2012), intern Michael Lawler (class of July 2011), and graduate Rob Casey (class of January 2011) were featured on CBS’s Positively Georgia show on June 29th, 2011. Click here to see the full segment
Year Up Atlanta featured in Atlanta Business Chronicle Read More
Year Up Atlanta Wins Facebook Competition worth $4,500 Year Up Atlanta received the most votes in the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta's "Your Favorite Wish Facebook Contest"! The competition brought in more than 1,500 votes and Year Up Atlanta beat out more than 25 local organizations!
Thanks to a sponsoring donor, Year Up will be granted its wish of 25, $100 MARTA Breeze Cards and 80, $25 Kroger gift cards.
At a March event called Conversations with Congressman John Lewis sponsored by Coca Cola, Year Up Interns Kevin Daniel and Darrell Exum were able to meet and talk with the esteemed congressman. Both Kevin and Darrell, class of July 2011, are currently interning at Coca Cola.
Year Up Atlanta featured in atlanta business chronicle. Read more
Year Up Atlanta was featured in Youth Today Read more
EVENTS
Class of January 2012 Graduation We are proud to announce the graduation of the fifth class from Year Up Atlanta. The students have worked hard, so make sure you save the date to join us in celebration of the tremendous achievements that you helped make possible.
Date:
Monday, January 30, 2012
Time:
3:30pm-5:00pm
Location:
Peachtree Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall)
3434 Roswell Rd. N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30305
Special Guest Speaker:
Stacey Scott, CEO of Elgia
RSVP:
To RSVP or for more information, please contact Monica Hart at (404) 249-0300 x4013 email mhart@yearup.org
Kweku forstall Executive Director
In July 2008 Kweku D. Forstall began serving as the start-up Executive Director of Year Up Atlanta. From 2000 to 2008 he served as the first Executive Director of Project GRAD Atlanta, Inc., a public-private school reform initiative designed to increase the number of students from inner-city, economically disadvantaged communities graduating from both high school and college. Prior to Project GRAD Atlanta, Kweku was a Vice President for Community Investments for the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, responsible for assuring maximum impact of donor dollars. He also served as the first Director of the Office of Community Service at Morehouse College, responsible for helping to instill in students and other members of the Morehouse College community a lifelong commitment to serving others. Kweku began his career in public service in 1985 as an Attorney with Atlanta Legal Aid Society, where for seven and a half years he represented indigent clients in civil
cases, while also managing the office serving Dekalb and Gwinnett county residents. Kweku was a founding board member of Foreverfamily (formerly Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers), Our Family Table Foundation, and the Inner Strength Mentoring program. He serves as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program and as a member of the Oglethorpe University Center for Civic Engagement Local Board, among others. He holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law. Kweku and his wife Adrienne have three daughters.
Habiba "BIBA" Adams Business Communications Instructor
Biba Adams joined Year Up as the Part-time Teaching Assistant for Business Communications in 2010. Prior to moving to Atlanta in 2009, she worked for Central Michigan University Upward Bound program where she was a reading and writing tutor, and the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan teaching drug, alcohol, tobacco and violence prevention. A native of Detroit, MI, Biba also has a strong background in Journalism and was the Arts & Culture Editor of The Michigan Citizen Newspaper. She is also a contributor to eHow.com, Allhiphop.com, Hiphopwired.com, and The Source Magazine. A connoisseur of hip-hop music and culture, Biba loves 90’s hip-hop, exploring Atlanta, trivia, and spending time with her daughter, Maria. Biba is a graduate of Marygrove College in Detroit where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and was the first African-American woman to graduate with a minor in Philosophy. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and hopes to one day publish a novel and complete a screenplay.
Arica Berry Partner Relationship Manager
Arica’s 15 year career with KeyBank, The Home Depot, and Boardwalk Consulting has allowed her to work in the areas of sales, recruiting, training, and program development. The core responsibility in all of the positions was her involvement in identifying organizational needs and finding the right resources and people that could support and contribute to specific business strategies. Her passion has been watching the “light bulb go off” once individuals have grasped a concept she has taught and are able to apply and move one more step forward towards achieving their dreams. As the internship coordinator, Arica will continue to provide the guidance and professional development skills necessary to better position Year Up students for success in their future endeavors. Arica received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and a MBA from Cleveland State University.
Jamahl Burns IT Instructor
Jamahl is a highly motivated informational technology professional with a combined 15 years of telecommunications, networking, education and training experience. Prior to joining YearUp he served three years as a technology coordinator for a distance learning center. Jamahl decided to pursue other endeavors and was eventually hired by Bellsouth / AT&T Business Systems. While there, he worked in the advanced networking department for eight years as a multi-media technician. Jamahl also worked three years as an Information Technology Instructor for Gwinnett College and two years as a teacher for Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Jamahl's post secondary education started in his home state of Mississippi at Coahoma Community College where he received an Associates of Arts Degree in Computer Science. He moved to Atlanta, GA and attended Kennesaw State University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems. After taking some time off, he decided to go back to school. Jamahl attended American Intercontinental University where he received his MBA with a concentration in Health Care Management.
Jamahl is extremely happy to be a part of the YearUp family. He shares the same mission, passion and desire as the YearUp Culture. He wants to continue his role as a leader, teacher, and mentor to help develop today’s youth. During his leisure time, he dedicates his efforts as a youth football and baseball coach.
E. Christopher Cornell Business Communications Instructor
E. Christopher Cornell was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Houston, Texas. He attended Clark Atlanta University on a full academic scholarship and graduated with honors with a degree in Mass Media Arts. While at Clark Atlanta University, he served in the student government. Chris, as he likes to be called, has served in many mentorship and instructor capacities. He is an adjunct professor of Public Speaking at Spelman College. He also is a spoken word artist, having appeared on BET, MTV, various radio stations and toured over 30 colleges and universities. Chris uses his talents and gifts that God has given him to continue to motivate and shape young minds.
Laivian Coleman Academic Director
Laivian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science Education from Grambling State University, Master’s degree in Educational Administrative/Leadership from Florida State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Clark Atlanta University. Education is his passion and his wide range of educational and professional development training has taught him the art and science of teaching and how to differentiate instruction to fit the unique needs of learners. Laivian assisted with training for the Worker Education Training Program, where he provided basic skills instruction to unemployed and underemployed adults in the Vine City and English Avenue communities in Atlanta, GA.
He is an energetic, well-balanced professional instructional leader with a complex and flexible knowledge base in educational administration and leadership. Laivian will serve as the dynamic Academic Director at Year Up.
Elle Darden Administrative Coordinator
Lisa was born in New Haven, CT and moved to Atlanta in 1996. She has over 5 years of extensive office experience and has a certificate in Event Planning from Clayton State. She has volunteered for numerous non-profit organizations and has volunteered her time with high school students. Because of her passion for working with the youth, prior to Year Up, Lisa worked with Hands On Atlanta as a tutor and Team Leader. She also served as a Project Manger for Hand On Atlanta Day for the beautification of the school. Thankful for this opportunity, Lisa is excited to work with Year Up students and staff and will truly make a positive impact.
Faye Dresner Director of Operations and Strategic Planning
Faye Dresner has over twenty-five years experience in designing solutions to increase the effectiveness of new and existing nonprofit organizations. Before joining Year Up as Director of Operations and Strategic Planning, Faye had her own nonprofit consulting firm where she worked with organizations and philanthropists on projects that involved strategic planning, philanthropic advising, organizational development, fundraising strategy, and program planning and development.
Before opening her own consulting practice, Faye spent 7 years working for a large philanthropic organization helping to raise and allocate millions of dollars annually to community nonprofit organizations. Prior to that, she worked in management positions in a number of nonprofits, developing and overseeing the implementation of programs and services.
Faye has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Services, and a Master’s degree in Social Work, both from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA from Georgia State University. She is a co-founder of One Team at a Time, an initiative designed to promote inter-ethnic reconciliation and coexistence in Burundi, central Africa, through outfitting soccer teams with uniforms and equipment.
Faye’s interest is working with organizations that seek to strengthen the community by helping them run as effectively and efficiently as possible. She and her husband, Robert, have three sons. Faye’s deepest passion is working towards a society in which equal access to opportunity is available to all.
Merete Fields Gainey has joined Year Up as the Career and Alumni Services Specialist. Prior to moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Merete formally served as a trainer for the Posse Foundation where she worked with both students and college campuses with the belief that a small diverse group of talented students—a Posse—(carefully selected and trained), can serve as a catalyst for increased individual and community development. She recently completed her Master in Arts in the Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy program at New York University. She received her Bachelors of Science in Community Regional Development at the University of California Davis.
Merete is no stranger to working with youth or to providing high support to maintain personal success having spent several years as a tutor/teacher and a community organizer, which taught her the importance of youth empowerment. She has developed and implemented enrichment skills in high school students, facilitated college readiness workshops, served as a mentor to high school students, sought creative ways to cultivate a dynamic learning environment for her students, and fostered lasting relationships with students. Before joining Year Up in 2011, Merete worked for a diverse range of organizations, including Breakthrough Collaborative, Californians for Justice, College Summit, and New York University Metropolitan Center for Urban Education. She has over four years of professional experience including leadership skills, community development, youth empowerment in high school students, and facilitating seminars and workshops.
When Merete is not working she enjoys reading, writing, watching and playing sports, cooking, having fun, and relaxing.
Joseph
Gerena Site Leader Joseph joins Year Up with a unique set of experiences
in the non-profit and private sectors. Joseph began his career
in the documentary film industry, working for the Emmy Award
winning film company Blackside, as a project coordinator
on
the "Breakthrough" series. While at Blackside, Joseph
volunteered as a teen minister with Boston area youth. This
experience was so rewarding that Joseph continued this work
as a campus minister at the Berklee College of Music. After
the ministry, Joseph began working in the organ procurement
field with the New England Organ Bank as the Latino Community
Education Outreach Coordinator. He subsequently traded in
the winters of New England, for an opportunity to enjoy the
blistering summers in Birmingham, AL as a liaison between
Birmingham area hospitals and the Alabama Organ Center. In
this position, Joseph developed systems and processes for
improvement in several Birmingham hospitals. Joseph has a
B.S. in Communications from Boston University.
Raquel Hackley Site Leader
Raquel joined the Year Up team in the fall of 2008. She has extensive experience working with young adults from the various positions she's held within colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. She moved to the metro-Atlanta from California in the spring of 2007. She was born, raised, and educated in sunny Southern California and worked for many years in the Bay Area of Northern California. Raquel's passion is serving young people and ensuring that they have information on the most strategic ways to access and navigate post-secondary opportunities. She works with schools and community organizations to help prepare students for college and helps them with successful college transition, specifically to first-generation college students. She looks forward to the rewarding opportunity of helping students in the Southeast as she did with students in the west.
Sue Hargather Business Development
Sue Hargather, comes to Year UP from PATHBUILDERS, Inc. where for four years she was responsible for helping clients develop the high-performing women that move their companies forward by expanding the depth of service offerings available to them—external mentoring programs, internal program delivery, and consulting services. A sampling of clients include: The Southern Company, McKesson Corporation, and AT&T Corporation. Prior to joining PATHBUILDERS, Sue was a Regional Manager for Medical Nutrition USA, where she was responsible for recruiting, managing, and coordinating sales activities for the Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. Prior to Medical Nutrition, Sue worked as the Southern Regional Manager at Viacord and Biostar. Sue is very active in the metro Atlanta community. She serves on the Board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteers for the Drake House, has been an active member of Society of Human Resource Management—Atlanta. She also serves as a small group leader for North Point Community Church and graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business.
Jessica Harris Development Coordinator
Jessica Harris comes to year up with a passion for people, progress, and social enterprise. With a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from Northwestern University and a Masters in Public Health from Emory University, Jessica brings a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge and experience in public health, critical thought, communications, and community engagement.
Intertwined with her passion for Year Up’s mission, Jessica has been engaged in Modern, Hip Hop, and African dance and performance in and outside of Atlanta.
In addition, Jessica absolutely adores vintage fashion and continually seeks to connect with other enthused individuals through blogs and events around Atlanta. Inspired by all that life has to offer, Jessica enjoys hearing the incredible stories that cross her path every day and looks forward to utilizing these moments to continue to close the opportunity divide as Year Up’s Development Coordinator.
Monica Hart Operations & Special Projects Manager
Monica joined the team at Year Up in July 2010 as the Operations and Special Projects Manager. She was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and has over 12 years experience of professional operational management skills in the non-profit and private sectors. She had the opportunity to share and provide her professional organizational skills and community support with Foster Care Agency, Hands on Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity and Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. Monica has extensive experience in office management, human resources, program and special event coordinator. She has a proven track record in outstanding planning and executing special projects and events for large groups. She has the drive and positive attitude to embrace the role of Operations & Special Projects Manager. She is strongly committed to producing high-quality work. She has a passion for supporting young adults and being able to connect with them on a personal level of experience and understanding some of the challenges they face. She enjoys reading, going shopping and interior decorating. She looks forward to providing an impressionable level of support to the young adults and team at Year Up.
BETTY JEREMIE IT instructor
Betty re-located from Boston with Year Up Boston to join Year Up Atlanta. She brings with her a worthy background in the IT and teaching fields. Over the past 10 years, she has worked as a training specialist and project manager in the IT industry. Additionally, Betty has taught at Seminole High School in Florida where she taught emerging technology-- including at that time C++ and QBasic-- business computer applications, and employability skills. She also spent some time as a Corporate Trainer for Scholastic Book Fairs and the University of Central Florida, both developing instructional materials and methods, teaching corporate classes, and developing and training new systems for external business customers. A native of Haiti, Betty is actually returning to Boston, as she is a graduate of UMASS holding a B.S. in Management Information Systems. She also has a M.S. in Management Information Science from the University of Phoenix. She is fluent in French, English, and Spanish.
Derrick Johnson IT Instructor
Derrick Johnson is a dynamic addition to the Year Up Instructors staff with experience in teaching in public schools and corporate environments. Derrick brings a variety of skills including Information Technology, healthcare administration, and business consulting. As a junior developer, Derrick developed and maintained small to mid-size business client website applications with the use of web development software and web languages including XML, PHP, MHTML, JavaScript, Adobe Creative Suite CS4, DHTML, and CSS. Derrick is well acclimated with the family of Microsoft Office applications and Operating Systems. He also has extensive experience MAC (Apple) based computers. Finally, as a business consultant, Derrick was intensely involved in business analysis and business process re-engineering, traveling the world in numerous industries in both private and public sectors. Derrick received his BS in Information Technology from Georgia Southern University. He also received a MS in Administration from Central Michigan University with an emphasis in Healthcare.
Jacqueline "Jaki" Jones Business Communications Instructor
Prior to joining Year Up, Jaki was a Writing Instructor at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA, where for almost 11 years she taught remedial writing as well as English Composition I and Composition II She also has worked at City Year Boston as a Program Coordinator and a GED Instructor. Jaki holds a BA degree in English from Simmons College in Boston and a JD from Northeastern University in Boston. She has 3 adult children and one granddaughter. She enjoys going to the beach, writing short stories, playing Scrabble and Taboo, and also listening to soft rock and old school R&B. Jaki believes that "The best way to predict the future is to create it." She is excited to be a member of the start-up team in Atlanta, GA and looks forward to working with young adults to develop their professional communication skills, as well as the ability to pursue their dreams with passion.
BETH KARGEL Director of Development
Beth Kargel's experiences and commitments "came together" as she assumed her role as Director of Development for Year Up Atlanta in summer 2011. Beth spent 20 years of her career in support of educational institutions and also social justice causes. She led the fundraising and outreach efforts for dynamic young organizations such as Hands On Atlanta, Atlanta Girls' School, the Atlanta Women's Foundation and G-CAPP. She recently completed a lengthy tenure as Board Member for Odyssey Family Counseling in College Park. Beth facilitated more than $42 million in philanthropic gifts to these causes, and she hopes to generate many, many more resources to assist in bridging the opportunity divide through Year Up. In her personal time, Beth pursues multiple creative interests and continues to dream of leading an urban homesteading lifestyle.
Alonia Lewis Administrative Support Coordinator
Alonia Lewis is a Alumna of Year Up Atlanta’s class 4. Alonia was secretary of her class and is now a part of the alumni council as the Alumni and Benefit Support chairperson. As part of class 4, she earned her internship at EPAM Systems where she trained and acquired professional, administrative, and project management skills. She obtained a position at Year Up as the Administrative Support Coordinator with the Career and Alumni Services department. Alonia's hard work and dedication comes from wanting to give back to an organization that has helped her realize and earn endless possibilities. She is dedicated to closing the opportunity divide and becoming a voice and role model for young adults, while understanding their struggles and staying dedicated to helping them reach their fullest potential.
Francheska Lewis Admissions Associate
Frankie is an alumna of Year Up Atlanta class 3. She earned her internship at Grady Health Systems as a PC Technician and a Help Desk Assistant. During the program, she was a Class Manager and is now a part of the Year Up Alumni Council as the Special Events Chairperson. Frankie values Year Up’s environment, is thrilled and grateful to be a part of the Year Up Atlanta as an Admission Associate. She brings dedication, hard work, energy, and support to her colleagues and the young adults daily. She takes pride in being a mother to her adorable son, Ryan Jr., as well as being a great advisor to family and her close friends. Her passion is giving back to Year Up for providing her with endless opportunities, and providing guidance to the students, by understanding that they were shoes that she was once in. Frankie is a very confident and a caring person that admires the movement that is Year Up. In her downtime, she enjoys reading, listening to music, shopping, traveling, dining out, and having fun.
Rochelle Lindsey Mentoring Program Coordinator
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Ms. Rochelle Lindsey relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue her Bachelors of Art in Psychology at Clark Atlanta University. She will receive her Masters from Kennesaw State University in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofits in May 2012. Her areas of expertise includes volunteer management, staff and volunteer training, youth and young adult program design.
Ms. Lindsey has worked for such organizations as YMCA, AVID, and Citizen Schools in Brooklyn New York. Previously she worked at Morehouse College in the Bonner Office of Community Service overseeing the Jumpstart for Young Children program, among other community service activities. Ms. Lindsey has served as an AmeriCorp Member at Hands On Atlanta. Formerly she worked as the National Mentor Manager for YouthBuild USA in Somerville, Massachusetts. Ms. Lindsey is a founding member of Beyond Services Inc., which is a consultant firm for nonprofit organizations.
Her awards and recognitions include the Morehouse College Employee of the Year, a nominee for the Power 30 Under 30, and the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Service Award of the Year. She was featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution for her work in the West End area. In November, she will be inducted into 100 Women of Atlanta.
Ms. Lindsey community involvement includes serving as a member of Independent Sisters In Service, a mentor for three young ladies, and KIPP Colligate High School. She has contribute numerous dollars to varies local organizations in the Atlanta Metro Area and New Orleans, Louisiana. She is preparing to launch Legendary Leaders mentoring program. Her mission statement is, “Service starts in the heart, develop in the mind, and performs in the community.”
Jonathan Mayo Internship Coordinator
Jonathan has extensive experience in nonprofit and corporate managerial leadership. He is a native of New York City and a graduate of York College, City University of New York with a B.S. in Marketing. He has worked with the Greater Boston YMCA as Director of Youth Programming and at City Year, Inc., in Boston, MA as Director of Recruitment. He has served in youth services and community based programs in the capacity of directing their recruitment efforts, program development, partnership development, funding requests and skills training for the youth and staff. Jonathan was with Lotus Development Corporation, Division of IBM, serving as a Human Resources Consultant. He developed and implemented annual HR plans, workforce plans, and HR program roll-outs. He was also responsible for recruiting, employee relations and delivery on diversity initiatives. As a Regional Business Development Manager at IBM, he drove North American revenue through major corporate accounts, built strategic alliances and provided customer service management. He has also served in leadership positions at Exodus Communications, MW Group and Youth Connections Inc. Jonathan is married with two daughters and has lived in Atlanta since 2004. He currently serves on The Atlanta Cares Mentoring Movement, Steering Committee and DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center, Advisory Board. He believes that "Everything in Life is a Privilege".
LaMont Mitchell Student Services Specialist
LaMont holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Siena Heights University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. He has 10 years of overall social work experience including 6 years of professional experience in the metro Atlanta area with both State and nonprofit sectors. In the early years of his career, LaMont assisted a Youth Coordinator and Program Director, was an Outpatient Therapist for adults, and joined the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services/DHR when he moved to Atlanta. He later worked directly with a nonprofit Foster Care agency, and then moved into a Behavioral Specialist role. LaMont brings to Year Up Atlanta advanced risk assessment and conflict resolution skills, as well as behavioral and educational advancement for young adults. His knowledge and experience with community partners in the social work realm feeds his passion to advance young adults into their full potential. Outside of work, LaMont is involved in personal training and individual basketball skill development for beginners, high-school and collegiate-level athletes.
Louis Enrique NegrÓn Admission/Outreach Specialist
In June 2011 Louis Enrique Negrón, Sr. joined the staff of Year Up – Atlanta. From 2008 to 20111 Mr. Negron served as the Director of Minority Outreach Programs at Georgia Gwinnett College where he was responsible for the creation and implementation of diversity strategies and outreach programs for under-represented students, faculty and staff at the college. Louis was also responsible for community outreach to businesses, government and grant writing institutions to support and create opportunities for students to achieve success.
For the past twelve years, Louis has served as an Instructor and administrator in higher education at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Gainesville State College where he served as Coordinator of the Office of Hispanic Outreach & Development. Before he was in higher education, Louis worked as a non-profit consultant specializing in community advocacy and organization of grassroots movements. He has worked in Washington, D.C., with the Children’s Defense Fund and the Urban Strategies League in Oakland California as a trainer and advocate. Louis has expertise in grant writing and has translated that experience to his higher education career. In 2009, Louis was selected to Georgia Trend Magazine Top 40 Under 40 Georgia’s best and brightest and also was honored by Mundo Hispanico as one of the most Influential Hispanics in the State of Georgia and in 2010 Louis was honored with the Civic/Government Hispanic Achievement Business Leadership Award.
Louis holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia. Louis enjoys time with his wife Alvanita and their two children Kirklen & Louis Enrique II.
Jynnifer Phillips Outreach & Admissions Specialist
Jynnifer brings 6 years of admission experience. Jynnifer is a native of New Jersey and the oldest of six. Prior to moving to Atlanta in the summer of 2009, Jynnifer worked as an Admission Officer for her alma mater Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Jynnifer comes with a unique blend of experiences including social work, event planning, public health emergency preparedness, childhood obesity prevention, therapeutic mentoring and 26 years of dance training. She has a bachelors degree in Social Work and a Masters degree in Public Health. Jynnifer is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a mentor for Diamonds in the Rough. Jynnifer is extremely excited to reach out to the Atlanta community to share Year Up's story and recruit bright new talented youth.
Luci Ponder IT Instructor
Luci comes to Year Up with 14 years of teaching and corporate IT experience. Prior to joining YearUp, she was an Instructor of Information Systems at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. She also has worked on the full systems development life cycle for several software companies. Luci is excited to be a member of the start-up team in Atlanta, GA and eager to work with young adults to develop their technical skills. Luci holds a BS degree in Business from the University of Alabama and a MBA in Information Systems from Georgia State University.
P.W. Reed Outreach/Admissions Director P.W. Reed, is a driven leader with over 20 years of experience working in private and non private sectors as a sales trainer, motivational speaker, life coach, consultant, and clinician. Reed as he prefers to be called, has worked with Year Up Since September 2007 as a consultant, interim Director of Admissions, life coach and Student Service Contractor. He is the former founder/ Chairman of a Christian based non profit organization serving over 5,000 members across four locations, including New Orleans, Hyde Park, Trinidad and West Africa. His ministry has sponsored one of the largest food banks in Boston, Ma., substance abuse centers, adolescent program and children of the night programs. In the private sector he is the founder of Five Star Consulting, Inc., a Non Profit organization that mentors children and adolescents. Reed provides treatment and support to athletes and families in healthy living, providing crisis intervention, mental health treatment, preventative health and personal training. Reed has provided over 20 years of sales training and motivational lectures to high schools, college students and sales organizations nationally. He has also worked for more than 10 years in the Junior College/Vocational training programs as Director of Admissions and Educational Director. His educational background is a B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Psychology from Southern University in New Orleans, and Masters Degrees in Psychology and Substance Abuse and Drug Addiction from Cambridge College.
Kamina Smith Business Communications Instructor Kamina brings 5 years of corporate experience to the team. Prior to joining Year Up Atlanta in the summer of 2010, she held çßthe positions of e-Training Specialist and Strategic Business Development Analyst at Sony Electronics in San Diego, Ca and World Wide Marketing Product Manager with Hewlett Packard in San Diego as well. Kamina holds a BS in Business Administration and MBA with a concentration Management from Florida A&M University. Kamina is very passionate about professional development and is incredibly excited to be apart of the Year Up family.
DePriest Waddy has more than 20 years of marketing, strategic planning and fund raising experience working with various corporate and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Year Up Atlanta, DePriest served as CEO with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia; Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Metro Atlanta, Inc. and Chief Operating Officer and Director of Finance for Atlanta Public Schools' Project GRAD Atlanta. Corporate experience includes Director of Operations and Professional Development with American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity in Health Management and several roles in marketing and forecasting at AT&T. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Alabama and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kennesaw State University. Waddy has served in numerous volunteer roles and chaired several nonprofit boards including Travelers Aid, TechBridge, Odyssey and Arts Now.
Dr. Dakira Walker Director of Student Services
Dakira “Dr. D” Walker, PhD, MSW is the Director of Student Services. She has served in numerous leadership roles in the non-profit arena and academia. Dr. Walker managed PCA Georgia’s HFG program site for nine years, prior to joining the adjunct faculty of Clark Atlanta University. She has an extensive background in child development, program management and social welfare issues. In addition to child abuse prevention services, Dr. Walker worked in victim/witness assistance, has been clinical director of a child advocacy center, and has been a social services supervisor at a domestic violence shelter. She has a strong passion for teaching and working with young adults. At Year Up Atlanta, she aspires to contribute to the success of the community.
Dr. Walker is a native of Chicago and she came to Atlanta in 1987 to attend Clark Atlanta University. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science, a Master’s of Social Work and a doctorate in Social Work Administration, Policy and Planning, all from Clark-Atlanta University’s Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work. She is the proud mother of Van Dyke, IV and Cydne. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, serves as the Recording Secretary for the CAU-Alumni Association Atlanta Chapter and supports several non-profit organizations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, serving in her church, roller-skating, reading and traveling.
Kim Wallace Director of Corporate Partnerships & Alumni Services
Kim joins Year Up with over 12 years of sales, operations and marketing experience at Fortune 100 firms Kellogg’s, BellSouth and AT&T. She has a proven track record in sales management, sales planning and relationship building, leading to increased revenue and customer retention and growth. Passionate about preparing and supporting today’s youth, Kim volunteers in her community and teaches business acumen and work readiness skills. Kim also enjoys reading, dance, volleyball and spending time with her family. At Year Up, Kim is primarily responsible for growing corporate sponsorship in the Atlanta business community. She values diversity and multi-cultural environments and is proficient in Spanish. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from Michigan State University.
"Printpack’s partnership with Year Up Atlanta is a resounding win-win. Year Up interns benefit our company while we help prepare Atlanta’s young adults to meet tomorrow’s IT needs."
Dexter Strowbridge IT Support Team Lead,
Printpack Inc.
Year Up Atlanta was featured in a 4 minute segment on NPR on August 1. To listen to the segment, 
Year Up Atlanta received the most votes in the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta's "Your Favorite Wish Facebook Contest"! The competition brought in more than 1,500 votes and Year Up Atlanta beat out more than 25 local organizations!
