2026 Fellows

Jazzmine "Jazz" Alston is a dedicated youth advocate, mother, and public servant committed to uplifting at-risk youth across Baltimore City and County. A proud daughter of Baltimore, Jazz draws deep inspiration from the very communities that helped shape her, working tirelessly to give back through both professional and grassroots efforts. 

She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Mount St. Mary’s University, where she began grounding her work in systems analysis, racial justice and trauma-informed care. Her career began in Child Protective Services, where she supported vulnerable youth and families navigating crisis. She now serves as a Juvenile Case Management Specialist with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), helping court-involved youth build safer, more stable futures through individualized care and accountability. 

Jazz holds numerous certifications in child welfare and juvenile justice, further deepening her ability to meet the complex needs of youth and families with informed compassionate care. Beyond her 9 to 5, she serves as a Girls Circle facilitator through DJS’s Baltimore County chapter, providing space for young girls to connect, grow and heal. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Darryl R. Perry Foundation advancing equity, wellness, and opportunity for underserved communities. 

Whether coordinating community events, mentoring youth or parenting her own son with love and intention, Jazz leads with heart, purpose and unapologetic grit. Her life’s work is rooted in one belief: every child deserves a future not defined by their past, but by their potential. 

Gregory Collins Jr., a Baltimore native, has over a decade of experience working with underserved youth and families. A true change agent and credible messenger in the community. His journey includes roles as a mentor in psychiatric rehabilitation programs, Case Manager with the Department of Juvenile Services, Assistant Site Manager for a YMCA afterschool program, youth basketball coach, teacher assistant, Special Education Teacher, Program Director for Odd Ball Family Foundation, and Board Member for Dominion Community Development. Giving back and empowering young people remains his life’s purpose.  

In 2012, Gregory earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Human Services from Stevenson University, the same year he became a father. His personal experiences as a dad and mentor deepened his understanding of fatherhood’s critical role in shaping young lives. Gregory is the author of Black Dads Can. He believes representation matters and that seeing strong, involved fathers can shift perspectives and inspire change.

As a father of three, Gregory understands the challenges of balancing personal responsibility with the demands of fatherhood. Still, he affirms that giving up is never an option. Looking ahead, Gregory’s vision includes opening a home for at-risk youth, a space of refuge, support, and transformation. Creating a new recreational sports league focusing on reducing gun violence. In addition to inspiring new young writers to tap into their gifts. 

Keyona Hough is a visionary leader, educator, and advocate dedicated to building inclusive communities where youth with special needs and their caregivers can thrive. She is the Founder and Executive Director of UnKIDitional Love Recreation Center, Inc., a Baltimore-based nonprofit that provides intergenerational, skill-building, and advocacy-driven programming for high-functioning special needs youth ages 10–21. Through initiatives such as cooking, music, and life-skills workshops, Keyona creates joyful, empowering spaces that cultivate independence, caregiver wellness, and community connection. 

With over 20 years of experience in community engagement, maternal and infant health, and resource development, Keyona has worked at the local and national levels to strengthen systems for vulnerable populations. Her work emphasizes that when communities center the voices of families, especially those navigating disability and caregiving, stronger and more equitable futures emerge. 

Balancing professional leadership with lived experience as the mother of a medically complex child, Keyona brings compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to co-creating opportunities that uplift families. Her mission is clear: to empower youth, strengthen caregivers, and expand pathways for inclusion and liberation. 

As a leader, she is authentic and understands that making mistakes takes courage and humility. She believes that true leadership is not about perfection but about reflection, growth, and the willingness to adapt. Learning from mistakes creates the foundation for stronger leadership and makes space for others to grow alongside you. For Keyona, this is the catalyst for meaningful community building, lifelong learning, and a life you can be proud of. 

Devin Xavier Jackson is an accomplished nonprofit executive, entrepreneur, and certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 15 years of cross-sector leadership experience. He is CEO of A Prosperous Tomorrow, a nationally recognized nonprofit collective advancing equity through innovation and generational impact.

Under his leadership, A Prosperous Tomorrow addresses systemic and structural barriers facing underserved communities, returning citizens, veterans, and minorities. Guided by its pillars—education, health, behavioral health, and workforce development—the organization equips individuals with tools to thrive by expanding access to training, technology, and high-wage careers in emerging industries, while driving policy change that uplifts communities.

Devin also holds credentials in Disruptive Strategy and Innovation from Harvard Business School, blending visionary leadership with practical execution. His expertise spans strategic planning, business development, digital transformation, and multi-sector collaboration, positioning him as a respected voice in nonprofit and entrepreneurial circles.

Beyond A Prosperous Tomorrow, Devin serves as President of the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce, where he champions economic advancement, legislative advocacy, and entrepreneurial growth for Black-owned businesses. Under his leadership, the Chamber fosters innovation, expands opportunity, and equips entrepreneurs with the resources needed to succeed in today’s economy.

Devin’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to empowerment, equity, and innovation, transforming communities while advancing digital inclusion, economic mobility, and generational prosperity.

Sache Jones is a culture worker and community weaver rooted in Baltimore soil. She moves with the rhythm of the land, gathering stories, tending people, and cultivating spaces where Black life can flourish in fullness and joy.  

As founding director of the Bawdamore Preservation Society, Sache preserves the living history of Black Baltimore through oral storytelling, neighborhood tours, and creative placemaking. Her work invites residents to reclaim space, honor memory, and shape futures grounded in dignity and pride.  

Sache’s leadership spans food justice, wellness, and youth empowerment. As Co-Founder of Two Moons Food Group, Sache supports the growth of local food systems by building pathways for growers, food businesses, and marketplaces. Her work addresses multiple social determinants of health, including community trauma, social isolation, and economic precarity, always with a focus on joy, love, harmony, and abundance.   

At her core, Sache is a freedom dreamer braiding together land, culture, and imagination. Whether harvesting okra, leading a story circle, or designing community gardens, she creates spaces of restoration and collective power, where communities can see themselves as whole, rooted, and resourced.

Shannon Porter is a transformation coach and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of neuroscience coaching, athletic development, and Ayurvedic health. Porter spent over a decade as a barber, using the chair as a space to coach and mentor dozens of Baltimore’s creatives, emerging entrepreneurs, and inspired youth — a role that earned her the title “Oracle SP.” She is the founder of H2O, a wellness ecosystem composed of Hot Toddy Herbal Co. and OmniSport & Wellness (The Well). H2O serves as a central resource for community members seeking wellness tools and strategies to support a thriving lifestyle. Within this ecosystem, Porter has developed programs such as The Conscious Athlete and Gone Fishing is an emerging nonprofit initiative that partners with communities and organizations to introduce sport fishing as a catalyst for character development and healing through nature therapy, with a focus on underserved youth and women seeking well-being.

Matthew Reeds is a Christian, husband, father, and native Baltimorean. Matthew has become one of Baltimore’s rising young adults in philanthropy, business, and community service, recently named to HBCU Buzz’s Top 30 under 30 and by the Baltimore Banner as an Emerging Leader. 

He graduated with an Information Science and Systems degree from Morgan State University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree in Public Policy from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).

Matthew serves on the Board of Directors of Disability Rights of Maryland and Green Steet Academy. Matthew and his wife founded the Reeds Fund, which advocates for young adults on the autistic spectrum. The Reeds Fund has invested thousands of dollars into scholarships for young adults who are autistic and recently launched an accelerator program for young adults on the autistic spectrum to start and grow their businesses. Matthew loves traveling to new cities, meeting new people, and the arts. 

Victor Rodgers, known in Baltimore’s vibrant arts scene as Slangston Hughes aka ETC, is a dynamic HipHop artist, poet, writer, journalist, and National Slam Champion whose work resonates with cultural depth and creative innovation. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Rodgers has established himself as a leading voice in spoken word and HipHop, blending art with activism to amplify marginalized narratives and celebrate Black cultural heritage. As the former Artistic Director of DewMore Baltimore, he shaped the organization’s artistic vision, fostering spaces for poetic expression and community engagement. Rodgers founded and performed with Slammageddon Baltimore, the adult slam team that secured an unprecedented seven championships, making it the winningest team in poetry slam history. He also served as a coach for the Baltimore City Poetry Team, guiding them to two world championships, a testament to his mentorship and leadership in competitive poetry. 

Rodgers’ creative output spans multiple disciplines. He is the author of the acclaimed poetry collection Slanguage Arts & Griot Glimpses, which captures the rhythms and stories of Baltimore’s streets, and the forthcoming book God’s Favorite Breakdance Move, set to further explore his lyrical and spiritual insights. Through his performances, writings, and collaborative projects, Victor Rodgers continues to inspire and challenge audiences, forging connections that uplift and reimagine community narratives. As a journalist, Rodgers brings a critical lens to cultural and social issues, contributing to Baltimore’s discourse through his writing. His work is characterized by a commitment to authenticity, risk-taking, and cultural integrity, making him a pivotal figure in Baltimore’s arts ecosystem.

Gilbryonna “Gilly” Shaw is the visionary Founder of Nü Momish, a social enterprise that equips moms with practical support, meaningful connections, and resources to navigate every stage of motherhood. She also serves as the Executive Director of The Nu You Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to advancing maternal wellness through career support, personal growth programs, and community initiatives. 

With over 10 years of experience in marketing, Gilly brings a unique blend of strategic expertise and creativity to her work. Her background in branding, partnerships, and data-driven growth fuels her ability to design impactful programs that strengthen families and communities. 

As a wife and mom of one, Gilly’s personal journey informs her leadership. She is deeply committed to advocating for maternal mental health, childcare accessibility, and holistic family wellness. Her mission is simple but powerful: to ensure every mom has access to a supportive village on demand. 

Through both Nü Momish and The Nu You Inc., Gilly continues to build spaces where mothers feel seen, supported, and empowered, proving that when moms thrive, families and communities thrive too.

Jamal Turner is a dedicated community leader and advocate for positive change in Baltimore.  Currently serving as the Director of the Nolita Project Inc., he is deeply committed to fostering economic development and social equity in underserved neighborhoods. With an unwavering focus on community empowerment, Jamal also holds the position of Chair of the Baltimore City Police Accountability Board, where he works tirelessly to ensure transparency, accountability, and trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. 

As Vice Chair of the Baltimore City Continuum of Care, Jamal plays a pivotal role in addressing homelessness and promoting supportive services for individuals in need. Additionally, he is the President of the Frankford Improvement Association, leading initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of life for residents and promote sustainable community development. 

A proud father of two, Jamal balances his professional responsibilities with a strong commitment to family and personal growth. A graduate of Baltimore City College and Morgan State University, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work. As a licensed financial advisor, he understands the importance of financial literacy and empowerment, advocating for greater access to financial resources for Baltimore's families. 

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, Jamal is passionate about building a brighter future for Baltimore, advocating for equitable policies, and nurturing the next generation of leaders. Through his leadership, he seeks to create a thriving, inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.