Javondlynn

Javondlynn Dunagan retired in January 2016, after a successful 25-year career as a United States Probation Officer in Chicago, Illinois. In November 2016, she founded JMD Defense, LLC which focuses on situational awareness training and responsible firearm education and training. In April 2017, Javondlynn founded The Ladies of Steel Gun Club® which has grown from seven members to 740 members since its founding. Her mission is to empower, educate and train the general public on situational awareness strategies for personal safety. Javondlynn has conducted numerous Situational Awareness training sessions with organizations, corporations, and nonprofit groups both in person and via Zoom.

Javondlynn has received numerous awards for her safety education efforts throughout the Chicagoland area. In 2023, she was received the Entrepreneur Award from the National Council of Negro Women as a Woman of Honor.  In 2022, Javondlynn was recognized as an Iconic 22 Awardee by the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.  In 2019, Javondlynn received the Sisters with Superpowers Award from Rolling Out.  Additionally, in 2018, Javondlynn received the Phenomenal Woman Award from Zeta Phi Beta, Xi Mu Zeta Chapter.

Javondlynn is the founder and president of The JMD Angels Foundation, which has awarded $52,000 in scholarships to Chicagoland area students attending colleges across the United States. Additionally, at their annual fundraising gala, the foundation recognizes community angels who are making a difference in their communities. 

Javondlynn has a Masters’ Degree in Social Service Administration from The University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from Hampton University. She is an active member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Incorporated. She resides in Chicago, Illinois and is the proud mother of Maxine C. Mathis.

Lisa R. Heiskell-Tompkins is a dedicated and accomplished leader in early childhood education with over two decades of experience in program development, instructional coaching, and strategic leadership. Currently serving as a Child-Parent Center Lead Specialist for the Chicago Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education, Lisa plays a pivotal role in designing and implementing professional development initiatives that support educators and administrators in fostering high-quality early learning environments.

Throughout her career, Lisa has collaborated with senior leadership teams, school administrators, and educators to enhance early learning experiences through innovative program development, instructional coaching, and data-driven decision-making. She has been instrumental in managing multi-million-dollar early childhood initiatives, including the $17M Social Impact Bond Program and the $20M Preschool Expansion Grant, ensuring compliance, quality, and measurable student outcomes.

As an advocate for early childhood excellence, Lisa has presented at national and local conferences, including the Head Start National Conference, NAEYC Conference, and the Chicago Public Schools Principal Institute, sharing insights on collaboration, instructional quality, and technology integration in preschool classrooms.

Beyond her professional work, Lisa is passionate about community engagement and has been a dedicated volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities since 2014. She is also an active member of the Chicago Hampton Alumni Association, fostering connections and mentorship within her alma mater’s network.

Lisa began volunteering in 2021 with JMD Angels Foundation and faithfully served in several areas including assisting with  logistics. Lisa currently serves as the Board secretary, a position she has held for the past two years. She has organized the foundation’s Shelter initiatives. She has remained a committed and active member of the  board since joining three years ago.

Dawn Evans is Chicago born and Englewood raised.  She is the Vice President of Finance for Monroe Residential Partners LLC and 3F Construction LLC.  Dawn holds a BS degree in Accounting from Hampon University and an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate

Finance from Roosevelt University.  Before starting her career at Monroe Residential and 3F Construction, Dawn was Vice President, Senior Fund Account Manager at BNY Mellon. Dawn started her career working on Wall Street for JP Morgan and has since worked for companies such as Ernst & Young and RREEF Management, LLC, a division of Deutsche

Asset & Wealth Management. Dawn is a Member of the Board of Directors and holds the position of Treasurer for Midsommer Flight, NFP and she was previously a Member of the Board of Directors for Angel by Myside, NFP where she also served as Treasurer.  Dawn has served as a Community and Parent Representative on the Chicago Public Schools Local School Council, where she held the positions of Vice Chair, Sergeant at Arms and currently Secretary. Dawn was a member of iMentor Chicago, where she served on a panel discussion for HBCU’s. Dawn has also been very active in the Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher for over 15 years and participating in various Youth Ministries.  Dawn is a proud member of the Chicago Hampton Alumni Association and an active member of the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

A true Southsider at heart, Jessica Sivels is connected to the people and neighborhoods of Chicago. She currently serves as Vice President and Community Accountability Officer at Associated Bank, where she works to connect financial resources with real community needs. Her career has been guided by a belief that access, trust, and consistency matter just as much as capital.

Jessica’s professional background includes commercial real estate lending, housing, and community engagement. Before joining Associated Bank, she served as Senior Director of Public Engagement at the Chicago Housing Authority, where she worked closely with residents and partners to advance affordable housing across the city. She also held leadership roles with the Community Investment Corporation and the Chicagoland Apartment Association, supporting property owners and investors focused on neighborhood stability and opportunity.

In addition to her professional work, Jessica serves on nonprofit boards focused on education, food access, and economic opportunity throughout Chicago. Her service reflects a commitment to meeting people where they are and helping families move forward with dignity and confidence.

Jessica earned her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport and her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from American InterContinental University. Her work has been recognized with the 2023 Champion of Diversity Award from BizNow and the 2024 Woman of Excellence honor from the Chicago Defender.

Schantel Deal-Ross is a passionate advocate for service and community empowerment, balancing her professional expertise as a Senior Paralegal at Winston and Strawn LLP with her extensive volunteer work. With 26 years of experience in the legal field, Schantel brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role, where she is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

A devoted wife and mother, Schantel believes in the power of community and strives to be a blessing to those around her. She actively engages with nonprofit organizations that focus on empowerment and access, embodying her belief that “It takes a village.” As Co-Chair of the Social Justice Committee and Corresponding Secretary for the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Chicago Central Section, she not only leads initiatives but also inspires others to join the cause.

Schantel's commitment to legal service is evident in her volunteer work at the North Lawndale Legal Clinic Intake Center and Social Change, where she helps individuals navigate the complex landscape of legal aid and resources. She also plays a vital role in the Fox Valley Adult Transitional Center as a Co-Facilitator for the “Reading Between the Lines” program, assisting individuals in their transition back into society after incarceration.

Her philanthropic efforts extend to numerous nonprofit organizations, including Marillac St. Vincent, Bright Horizons for Youth, Literacy Works, Purpose Over Pain, and True Believers Community Connections. Schantel's contributions are driven by her deep-rooted desire to uplift and empower her community.

An accomplished professional, Schantel holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University. Her unique blend of legal acumen and heartfelt service positions her as a leader and role model in both her professional and community endeavors, making a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

Maxine Mathis is a 2018 graduate of Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. Maxine works as a Marketing Associate at Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. She is also an entrepreneur and owns the custom printing business, M.Pressed Customs LLC.  Maxine is a member of the Metro Board of the Chicago Urban League and a life member with the Chicago Central Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).  She is also an elected member of the National NCNW Nominating Committee. Maxine is the 1st Vice President of the NCNW Chicago Central Section. Maxine also serves as the Marketing Director for the foundation.

In 2024, Maxine received the Woman of the Year Award from the Chicago Central Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). Additionally, she was recognized as a 2024 United Negro College Fund Mastermind.  Also, Maxine was awarded Clark Atlanta University Young Alumni Award in 2023.

Maxine is the President of the Chicago Chapter of the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association.  She is a proud and active member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she serves on several committees.  Additionally, she volunteers her personal vacation time to chaperone on the annual HBCU college tour. She is committed to helping students gain admittance to HBCUs.  

Ms. Errika Williams retired from the Department of Homeland Security on March 29, 2024, after 20 years as a federal police officer. She was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, attended Lincoln College in Lincoln Illinois, and earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees with honors in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University.  She is a Life Member of the Chicago State University Alumni Association and serves on the Chicago State University Alumni Association Advisory Board, specifically working with the engagement and scholarship committees. A life-long public servant with over 35 years of combined government and military service among many professional accomplishments Ms. Williams coordinated and led strategic security operations for President ELECT Obama’s transition in 2008. She has also received several military awards and accommodations for exemplary service and leadership as a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) and deployments to Panama. Ms. Williams enjoys volunteering with several community service organizations and projects in the Chicagoland area. She has been a member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) for the past seven years and has served on the Executive Board of the Chicago Central Section of NCNW. Currently, she serves as the Co-Chair for the scholarship committee which has awarded over 40 scholarships to High School seniors from the Chicagoland area; the majority who are attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  Additionally, Ms. Williams enjoys serving on the membership committee, policy and procedures committee, and the benevolent committee formally known as the CARES Committee. She gives comfort to members in crisis, formally represents the section at funeral services, coordinates the delivery of section resolutions, and sends flowers to the families of the bereaved. As the immediate past scholarship committee chair, she implemented and awarded the section’s first sponsored scholarship program. Ms. Williams was instrumental in developing and implementing the section’s “Project Prom” initiative collecting gently used formal attire which was redistributed to youth in the Chicagoland area. Ms. Williams recently became a Legacy Life Member of NCNW. She has also volunteered with local service projects that work to eradicate domestic violence, provide Christmas gifts to local youth and donated Christmas gifts to other national service organizations. Heavily influenced by her mother’s civic and political engagement, Ms. Williams has volunteered for several local campaigns in the City of Markham as well as national elections. She and her daughter attend the Harvey Church of Christ where she has been an active member for over 29 years and has served with the nursery program. Her life’s motto is taken from Luke 12:48 “To Whom much is given, much will be required”. 

Ms. Stevens is a global, high-integrity business executive in the pharmaceuticals and medical device technology industries, with over 30+ years experience in QA, operations, and engineering. She is currently the Global Head of Quality at hims & hers. Her previous roles have included VP Quality,  Hillrom, VP, Sterile Injectable Quality Operations at Pfizer and Hospira. With earlier roles in global pharmaceutical companies, including Abraxis Bioscience and Eli Lilly. 

Ms. Stevens serves as a mentor to aspiring engineers and furthering diversity in STEM career fields. She chaired the inaugural DEI employee resource group Chicago chapters for both Hillrom and Pfizer. She is a member of Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation (WBL), including the DEI committee. She was the 2019 Commencement speaker at The Young Women’s Leadership Charter School, and is a member of iMentor Chicago, Women Corporate Directors (WCD) BoardNext initiative. She has an MBA with concentrations in Operations and Finance from DePaul and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue.

De'Andrea Robinson, a native Chicagoan, grew up on the city's Southside.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northern Illinois University. Following seven (7) years of service with the Chicago Department on Aging, she changed careers and began working at the Chicago Public Library in 2007.  In May 2024, she received her Master of Library and Information Sciences (MLIS) from Dominican University and works as an adult librarian in Englewood, offering the community high-quality services and adult programs. 

De'Andrea, who lives by her motto ‘Be the Change You Want To See”, enjoys working in urban communities and is passionate about serving others!  She sits on the Northern Illinois University Black Alumni Council (NIUBAC) board and is an active and dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she is one of the Chairs of Educational Development. Service-oriented, De'Andrea enjoys working with individuals of all ages, especially youth and teenagers, whom she mentors and considers "our future leaders" and giving back to the community.  

De’Andrea has worked with various public service organizations and participated in numerous public service projects: the Greater Chicago Food Depository; Share Your Soles Organization;  JMD Angels Foundation Food Initiative, "Snackpack in a Backpack; Girls Night Out: Bringing Awareness to Human Trafficking; chaperoning college tours;  CPS field trips; and Feeding the Homeless.   

De'Andrea is a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a wife. She has a son who attends Howard University, has been married for over twenty years, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, friends, and Sorors.

Jeffrey R. Jones is an accomplished executive and community leader with extensive experience in corporate development, workforce strategy, and organizational change across nonprofit, education, healthcare, government, and corporate sectors. He currently serves as Associate Director of Development at The Salvation Army, where he partners with senior leadership to advance workforce development, change management, and organizational capacity initiatives.

Previously, Mr. Jones has held senior leadership and consulting roles with INROADS, Franklin Covey Education, Reading in Motion, Vanderbilt University Medical College, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and Northeastern Illinois University. His work has focused on building strategic partnerships,

strengthening talent pipelines, increasing retention, and translating mission-driven objectives into sustainable outcomes.

Mr. Jones holds a Master of Education from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Talladega College. He brings a strong commitment to service, serving as Chair of the Alpha Men Scholarship Golf Outing and President of the Chicago Chapter of the Talladega College Alumni Association, and has led numerous community initiatives including veteran support efforts, clothing drives, and student backpack programs. He offers a strategic, equity- centered perspective grounded in collaboration, governance, and impact.

Kimberly Henderson has 29 years of urban education experience and has served as a teacher, AVID program manager, resident and assistant principal, and has been a principal of two different schools on the south side of Chicago. As a school leader, Kimberly is passionate about closing the opportunity gap that exists in many communities. She championed this cause by increasing sports, fine arts and performing arts programming for students. Over the years Kimberly has supported the development of countless teacher leaders and administrators throughout the district. This year she is excited to bring her experience and zeal to her new roles as an Illinois Education Leadership Coach, Tutor Corp Manager and a field supervisor for student teachers!

Kim is also a loving wife who recently celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband Kevin. They are the proud parents of four amazing young adults and are enjoying their empty nester phase as all of their children attend out-of-state colleges! 

Kimberly is strong supporter of HBCUs and a proud graduate of the Real HU- Howard University! She also earned degrees and professional certifications from National Louis University and Concordia University. 

As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for 32 years, Kimberly continues her work with children as the co-chair for the EMBODI male mentoring program with Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter (CMAC). Working with and developing young people is truly her calling and she cited the JMD Angels scholarship program as one of the reasons she was drawn to our foundation.

LeDonna Rollins-Barnes is a proud graduate of Grambling State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. For the past 25 years, she has been a dedicated Juvenile Probation Officer with Cook County Juvenile Probation. In September 2024, LeDonna was promoted to Supervising Probation Officer. She has devoted her life to helping numerous children despite not having children of her own. Since 2003, she has been a proud and active member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. She has served in several leadership roles as a chair and committee leader with the Delta Gems  (mentor for high school age girls), and as the HBCU College Tour Chair. She presently serves as the Chair of the Sergeant-At- Arms team. She also proudly serves her union as an Executive board member for AFSCME local 3477. She is the Vice President for Local 3477 and Chief Steward. She also serves on the labor management team, Project Life Line scholarship committee and MARX fund committee. LeDonna is an active member of the Windy City Grambling State Alumni Association. LeDonna is a dedicated servant to the community and enjoys giving back.  She has been married for six years to her wonderful and supportive husband Malik Barnes. 

Marcia Goggins Lee is a multifaceted entrepreneur and community leader with a remarkable 38 years of experience in the salon industry and over two decades of success in real estate. As a beauty professional, she built her career from behind the chair to ownership, mastering technical artistry, business operations, and salon development. Today, she is the proud owner of She Consults LLC, where she empowers cosmetologists at every level—helping new stylists launch successful careers and guiding experienced professionals in opening and managing their own salon businesses.

In addition to her beauty expertise, Marcia is a seasoned real estate professional with 24 years of experience, including 11 years as a managing broker. Her dual-industry mastery gives her a unique perspective on business growth, property development, and the operational foundations that support thriving salon spaces and small businesses.

Marcia is also deeply committed to youth empowerment. She has spent over 10 years mentoring teens and young adults, introducing them to the world of cosmetology and helping them build confidence, discipline, and practical skills. This passion for supporting young people strengthened even further in 2022, following the loss of her beloved son. In his honor, Marcia founded The Duan YB Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to continuing his legacy of uplifting and supporting youth in the community. Through mentorship, outreach, and skill-building programs, the foundation reflects her son’s spirit and Marcia’s unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact.

With a career rooted in resilience, service, and leadership, Marcia Goggins Lee continues to shape the future of beauty, business, and community empowerment—one professional and one young life at a time.

Michele is a dedicated professional with 30 years of experience as a high school English teacher and Reading Specialist.  Matriculating at Tuskegee University and later graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Michele went on to earn three master’s degrees in Educational Leadership, Reading, and Curriculum & Instruction from Lewis University and Governors State University respectfully.  Michele is deeply committed to supporting students and fostering a love of learning. Michele volunteers regularly at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and at a local elementary school. In addition, she is actively involved in community initiatives, especially those that center around supporting those in need, and she currently serves on the food pantry ministry with her church, New Life Southeast. Regarding work, Michele is the past Vice Chair of Region (56 Illinois Education Association) and just retired as her building Union Representative for Bremen Joint Faculty Association (teacher union), where she served for over 24 years. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Michele also serves as Co-chair of the Physical & Mental Health Committee, which allows her to continue serving through sisterhood and service. When she’s not in the classroom or volunteering, Michele enjoys cherishing time with her daughter, grandsons, friends, and traveling the globe.

Shenethe Parks is a dedicated Chief of Schools leading 33 schools in Chicago. Born and raised on the Southside, she is a distinguished Chicago Public Schools leader of 28 years, having served as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Deputy Chief, and Chief of Schools. She is the Founder of SparkED Solutions, LLC, dedicated to coaching and developing leaders and school districts to support educators in providing rich learning experiences that are rigorous and relevant to meet student needs, and presents at national conferences. She previously served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Educate-Radiate-Elevate and is a wife and mother of two.

Shenethe volunteers in service projects, including local food pantries to support food insecurities, and advocates for mental and physical health resources. She is driven to join the JMD Angels Board, recognizing that basic human security is the essential foundation for learning. She views the Foundation's provision of food, clothing, and shelter as the most critical form of educational support. She is passionate about expanding the scholarship pillar,  a perspective strengthened by navigating the financial complexities of sending her child to an HBCU. Shenethe served as an advisor and assisted with raising $3500 for three HBCU students seeking a career in the medical field. Her life’s work is grounded in Hebrews 13:16, And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.