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.

Ebony Harris currently serves as the Vice President of the JMD Angels Foundation Board. She has served as co-chair of the Angel Awards & Fundraiser for the organization, as well as, supported retreats to ensure a well-trained board.

Ebony is a proud Chicagoan and strives to make Impact in her community. She is a 2022 recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award from the Black Women Professionals League based on her leadership and community involvement. Ebony is the current President of the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League. Under her leadership, the organization has witnessed increases in sponsorship dollars, team retention rates, and overall team collaboration.

By trade, Ebony is a social worker. Working full-time at the Jane Addams College of Social and part-time as a clinician, she has strived for mental health access and equity within the community. Ebony is a graduate of Howard University c/o 2016 (B.A) and Loyola University (MSW) 2018.

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.

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.

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.

Jessica Sivels, the Commercial Services and Association Engagement Manager at the National Association of REALTORS®, stands out as a leader in fair housing advocacy and community service. She is a trusted resource for industry professionals aiming to make a significant impact.

A true Southsider of Chicago, Jessica is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the South and Westside communities. Before joining NAR, she served as the Senior Director of Public Engagement at the Chicago Housing Authority, where she championed affordable housing and economic growth. She also worked with the Community Investment Corporation and the Chicagoland Apartment Association, building a strong network within the real estate sector.

Jessica's commitment to community service sets her apart. She serves as a Board Member of the JMD Foundation, helping Chicagoland residents with essential needs. Additionally, she volunteers at the Abundant Life Food Pantry, addressing food insecurity in underserved neighborhoods. 

Her dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2023 Champion of Diversity, 2023 Innovator of the Year, and the 2023 Marion Mainer Award. Recently, she was named a 2024 Woman of Excellence by the Chicago Defender.

With a Master's in Nonprofit Administration from Lousiana State University- Shreveport and a Bachelor's in Business Administration, Jessica blends business acumen with a passion for social impact. Her commitment to community improvement drives positive change and inspires action.

Marc Campbell is a Supply Chain professional with more than 25 years of experience managing complex procurement programs and supplier relationships in various industries: wine & spirits, food, real estate, and healthcare. Through it all, Marc has successfully delivered best practices in cost & risk management, business process outsourcing, contract manufacturing and supplier diversity.

Marc has been actively engaged in community efforts serving as a Board member of the Cincinnati Ballet, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Aspire Chicago

Marc is the proud father of two adult (children).  In his free time, Marc enjoys playing golf, traveling, boating, and collecting wine.  He is a continuing guest lecturer at Loyola University in Chicago. 

Marc earned his undergraduate and graduate (MBA) degrees from Florida A&M University in 1989 and 1995, respectively. 

Marc’s personal belief – “We are the sum total of our professional and personal experiences.”

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.

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. 

Judge Marianne Jackson retired from the Circuit Court of Cook County County Illinois on December 31, 2018 after spending 21 years on the bench, almost 19 of them spent assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division. She was assigned the courtroom that is  responsible for cases from the Austin neighborhood, which is also where she  resides. Almost every youth who came through her courtroom was required to participate in the 15th District mentoring program which advisors she was constantly in contact with. Prior to becoming a judge she was an Assistant Cook County States Attorney  and Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. She spent 19 years in private practice where she  represented individuals charged in criminal cases in both state and federal court. She has tried every conceivable type of case ranging from parking tickets to the death penalty. She has been honored many times by groups such as the National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, The Cook County Juvenile Probation Department,  Bar Associations, Law Student Associations and received the prestigious CF Strafford Award for Dedication To The Practice of Law and Commitment To Improve The Quality of Life In The African American Community. She has been invited to speak to countless professional, religious and community organizations. She was one of the founding member of Minority Legal Education Resources Inc (MLER) which is dedicated to the mission of increasing the number of practicing minority attorneys. She is also a founding member of The Central Austin Neighborhood Association (CANA) which seeks to actively promote the safety,  security and  improvement of the lives of  Austin residents. They have a yearly summer festival and Judge Jackson frequently provides the majority of the food and refreshments for this event.

When she attended Bryn Mawr Community Church she was very active with the youth and particularly Project Angel Tree which provides Christmas presents to the children of incarcerated parents. Although she no longer attends Bryn Mawr she returned this year to participate in Angel Tree which had been on hiatus since the pandemic. She is an active member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  She volunteers with her sorority service projects.  The Delta Angels Program which grants the Christmas wishes of hundreds of children of Chicago families is one of the many projects that she loves.  She believes that giving is a spiritual gift from God and she attempts to help out when she sees or is made aware of a need. She strives to remember to whom much is given, much is expected and required. 

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.

Chantelle Bittings, LCPC is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She obtained her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2001 and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois.  She is also a National Certified Counselor. In her practice, she provides individual and family therapy and empowers others to make effective life changes. She is the author of  I AM ENOUGH- 14 DAYS of self-worth, strength, and encouragement. Chantelle is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Serving her community is her ultimate joy and responsibility. Chantelle enjoys hosting events to empower and enrich the lives of women. She serves in her local church with her husband, the Youth Pastor. Her most cherished roles are being a wife to Thomas Bittings Sr. and mother to her two sons, Gaston and Thomas Jr.

Bert Allen possesses a valuable combination of private equity and public company executive experience. CEO’s and their leadership teams, across a broad range of industry sectors, value Bert as

an executive coach, leadership meeting facilitator, and Human Resources executive. Bert has served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for three private equity-backed companies. Over his 30+ year career, he has held additional senior human resources and operations executive

positions at three Fortune 500 companies. He has been an Executive Coach for over 10 years.

Bert is a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for UCAN Chicago, one of Chicago’s largest and leading non-profit providers of child welfare services to youth who have suffered trauma. He is also a

past President and current Program Committee Co-Chair of ELITE (Executive Leaders in Transition Exchange) which provides networking assistance to Chicago area HR and Finance executives who are

in job transition.

Bert Allen is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is an active alumnus of Hampton University, where he earned his BA in Economics, and a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University where he earned his MBA.