Our Dedicated Team
Kimberly Johnson – Founder, President & CEO
1.888.294.6554 ext. 5
Having grown up in the city of Detroit, Mrs. Johnson knows first-hand of the struggles that youth face living in the inner-city. Her drive to begin and build a community-based organization to address the needs of youth 5-18 enrolled in struggling schools and economically challenged communities grew out of her own experiences teaching in Detroit Public Schools and as a non-profit Director in southwest Detroit.
Tenecha (Toy) Bland – Deputy Director
1.888.294.6554 ext. 6
Toy serves as the Deputy Director for Developing KIDS. Toy, with 12 years of service, plays an instrumental role in the organization’s efforts to bring forth leaders of tomorrow. She is a skilled facilitator who enjoys coaching and training others in the field.
Jackee Brown – Executive Administrative Assistant
1.888.294.6554 ext. 2
Jackee Brown has worked in the non-profit field for over 25 years in both administration and programming; primarily, operating in the community outreach and engagement field serving the Downriver/Tri-City area, and the Wayne-Westland communities. One of her passions is connecting individuals and organizations together who have a zeal for making a difference in the lives of others.
Mahalieka Robinson – Youth Development Program Manager
[email protected] or 1.888.294.6554 ext. 1
Mahalieka Robinson serves as the Youth Development Program Manager Developing K.I.D.S. She has great love and passion for youth and families. She offers a combined 25 years of executive administrative, event, and project management experience and holds an Associate of Arts degree. She believes genuine love, care, and listening are some of the keys to building healthy relationships and strong families.
Kayla Taylor – Site Coordinator
Kayla currently serves as a Site Coordinator for Developing K.I.D.S. She has worked with at-risk youth 6+ years as a Youth Advocate & a CPS/Foster Care Case Worker prior to coming to DK. Kayla graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology.
Tyrone Bean – Media and Middle School Specialist
1.888.294.6554 ext. 8
Tyrone, Youth Services Coordinator of 3+ years, has been a part of providing first-class programming to ages 5-24 since 2018. Tyrone is a trained toastmasters speaker, curricula facilitator, Social and Emotional Learning facilitator (S.E.L.), and Youth Services, Coordinator.
Myles Bland – High School Youth Services Coordinator
1.888.294.6554 ext. 9
Myles Bland, known as “Uncle Muddy” to our DK participants, is a Youth Services Coordinator. He has been involved in the program for 10+ years, first as a participant, and is now giving back by serving our youth. Myles currently attends Lane College and is majoring in Physical Education. He is focusing on becoming a recreational therapist working closely with youth that have challenges.
Mya Bobo – Youth Services Coordinator
Mya serves as an Elementary Youth Services Coordinator with Developing K.I.D.S. She has a passion for mentoring youth and has previous experience working for leadership programs and day camps. Mya is committed to creating a fun, safe, and loving environment at DK. Currently, she attends Wayne State University studying mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics.
Caitlin Bowden – Youth Services Coordinator
Caitlin is an alumna of Developing K.I.D.S and has been a part of DK’s growing family since 2015. She is dedicated to ensuring our participants are welcome, safe, and sharpening their minds.
Dre’Shawn Erwin – Youth Services Coordinator
Dre’ Shawn is a Developing K.I.D.S. alumni and now serves as a Youth Services Coordinator. He is very dedicated to making the community better for youth and those in need. Dre’ Shawn is known for his optimism and is currently a student at Wayne State University.
Tenesia Wise-Gaines – Site Coordinator
Tenesia is delighted to join Developing K.I.D.S. and is looking forward to growing her experience working as a Youth Services Coordinator. She has been working in education for seven years and started her journey working with children diagnosed with autism. She has experience working as a lead teacher and maintaining a classroom of her own.
Asia Higgins – Youth Services Coordinator
Asia is a proud alumna of Developing K.I.D.S. She started as an after-school program participant in 2015 and eventually became a youth service employee as part of the summer camp program. Asia feels that Developing K.I.D.S. has helped her find her passion in her future career, which will be Social Work. She is very excited to be a part of a team that is giving back to the community starting with our future youth!
K’Von Hughes – Youth Services Coordinator
K’Von serves the team as a Youth Services Coordinator. He is currently attending Wayne State University studying Kinesiology. K’Von began his journey with DK in the summer and was quickly known for his sense of humor.
Jewel Johnson – Youth Services Coordinator
Jewel has worked in various positions serving youth pre-K -12th grade for over a decade. She has a passion for music, with a focus in Voice, Music Theory and Piano. Jewel is an experienced Site Facilitator and residential artist, previously working in community centers and schools in Washtenaw County, where she used music to support the empowerment of the youth.
Sharonda Kersh – Youth Services Coordinator
Sharonda is a Detroit resident and idealist with a passion for helping and serving her community. She began her journey with DK as an active parent volunteer 13 years ago and now she has rejoined DK’s family as a Youth Services Coordinator to help strengthen and pour into our youth and community. Sharonda’s passion is to be a “Positive Force” for those who she encounters, by providing our youth with the help and necessities they need in becoming their future selves.
Andra’ Stanley – Youth Services Coordinator
Andrá Stanley Jr. is a Detroit Native and recent graduate of Michigan State University where he double majored in Political Science and Criminal Justice. He takes pride in providing the best services to our participants by educating them on making the right decisions when no one is looking, and being their very best. As a Youth Services Coordinator, his goals are to always make participants feel safe and encourage them to do the right thing at all times.
Kesia Washington – Alumni & Youth Services Coordinator
1.888.294.6554 ext. 11
Kesia serves as the Alumni & Youth Service Coordinator where she is a resource to high schoolers and college students supporting them on their college journey. She supports the alumni during their journey by finding resources to help them be successful. Kesia is happy to encourage and help youth grow in a positive environment. She attended Eastern Michigan University with a B.S in Recreational Therapy. She has previous experience in youth and senior development programming.
Chakayla White – Elementary Youth Services Coordinator
Chakayla was a participant in our program for 8+ years. She started her career with Developing K.I.D.S. as a program assistant and has since become a youth services coordinator where she enjoys being more hands-on with our participants. She is also pursuing a career in cosmetology.
Taylor Winter– Elementary Youth Services Coordinator
Taylor serves as the Elementary Youth Services Coordinator and is from Saginaw, MI. Her passion is to bring joy and creativity to any workplace and that is what she’s hoping to bring to our Developing K.I.D.S. participants and families. Taylor loves being a part of a village that leads children to a successful future and is looking forward to being a part of the DK family.
Samyah Hairston – Social Media & Marketing Specialist
1.888.294.6554 ext. 4
Samyah Hairston is Developing K.I.D.S. alumna, as she has been in our program since it first began. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Business Marketing. As the Social Media Marketing Specialist, she leads the marketing efforts and manages the social media pages for Developing K.I.D.S.