Jerome Shaw - Business Development Director
Born and raised in Orlando, FL he uses his middle name of Jerome, a tradition that he and his siblings have had since grade school. Jerome has a beautiful wife, Gloria, and has 2 wonderful children, Nathan and Trinity. Jerome began his work in ministry directly out of college where served with and went on to become the Sr. Youth Minister at his local church. Jerome served on many other auxiliaries, boards, and departments assisting in progressing the church forward. In 2008 Jerome founded and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of The MaxLife, a Church which has a central focus of assisting individuals in “Discovering Their Purpose”. Jerome’s careers that spans over 30 years have been based around sales and public relations where he has always been the top salesmen in his field. He has owned several companies to include Professional Placement Consultants, a Medical and Information systems and recruiting firm, as well co-owning Distinctive Fashions, an on-line clothing store with his wife. After graduating from the University of Central Florida, he joined WTGL, a local Christian television station where he served as a Producer/Director and as well as a post production editor.
Laura Dorsey - education diretor
Laura Lenear Dorsey is a graduate of Detroit Business Institute and then Wayne County Community College. She has her BSBM and MAOM both with University of Phoenix and has a passion for all education, writing and cultural economic related endeavors. For 17 years she worked with corporate America as Assistant Vice President of Trust Operations for Comerica Bank based in Detroit Michigan. After ending that chapter of her life she decided it was time to follow her passion and for 20 years she has had the role of Educational Administration. The past 18 years she has been teaching at various universities. Also started her own consulting firm, LLD Consulting LLC. Laura Dorsey is currently consulting endeavors, although varied, all relate to the education arena and writing. Previously, she was named the Lead Faculty-Area Chair for Academic Writing and General Education in the College of Humanities at the Central Florida Campus of the University of Phoenix. As well she is the Associate Editor and contributing writer for ONYX Magazine and contributing writer for Program Success Magazine. In addition, she is a board member and the Vice President of the Southeast Region of the Infinite Scholars Program, heavily involved in the community.
William L. Young - Treasure/Finance Director
William L. Young is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Accounting. Since graduation, he has worked as an Auditor of the US Government for over five years and has spent three years working with youth in a programs supported by the Department of Juvenile Justice and worked with Orange County School System. The majority of Mr. Young’s experience had been in the field of banking were he has over 30 years of experience and has even served in the capacity as President of a minority bank in the City of Orlando, Florida. Mr. Young, during his tenure, has served as a Board of Director member for several local and national organizations.
Jane Blankenship - Community Partnership Director
Jane was born and raised in Orlando, FL, is a wife, mother, step-mother and business owner. Jane started her career at Darden Restaurants where she worked for 15 years in various support roles. She met and married her husband, Dean, in 2007 and together they have 8 children and 11 grandchildren. Jane and Dean own a construction company in Orlando called Hosanna Building Contractors where Jane serves as the CEO. Jane is a certified teachers in Biblical Entrepreneurship an international entrepreneurship curriculum impacting in over 20 countries through The Nehemiah Project. Jane along with her husband Dean have been avid supporters of the Young Biblical Entrepreneur program where they have both served in every capacity through one day experiences and summer camps. Jane has always loved being around kids and has a heart for encouraging and developing youth to be all God has called them to be and believes that there is always a solution for any problem and “No” or “it can’t be done” is never the solution. “All things are possible with God”.
Nathan J. Shaw Jr.-Founder/President
The Founder and President of Youth Empowerment Project, Inc. (YEP), Nathan J. Shaw, Jr is a man on mission to help youth and young adults break the cycle of poverty by walking in their purpose. Youth Empowerment Project is a national organization created to expose, equip and empower students to succeed through career exploration, professional development and paid internships. Nathan began working with youth when he was just 17 years old, while serving in his church's youth ministry in his birth home, Orlando. FL. Over the past 12 years he has helped develop programs, activities, and events including parent-teen workshops, teen summits, youth radio shows, career exploration exposing students to unique professions and life skills, student internships and a youth ran clothing line -- to empower youth toward success.
Ashley Hainesworth - Senior Vice President/Texas Director
Ashley Hainesworth was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. Throughout her childhood she was involved in and a member of many different youth groups that allowed her to find her passions. She has always had a love for helping the younger generation just as many poured into her life to help her. In 2009 Ashley moved to Austin, Texas to continue higher education. She has since graduated with her undergrad from Texas State University and is now pursuing a PhD in Pharmacy. While in Austin she became an after school coordinator where she developed and created many enrichment activities that helped to impact the students on many levels. Through this program the youth were exposed to many outlets that allowed them to see beyond their neighborhoods. Ashley also became a youth leader at the local church she attended helping the youth the with real life issues. Growing up she was taught that the only person in life that can stop someone from accomplishing his/her goal is themselves.
Elizabeth Nicole Cummings - Vice President/Texas Assist. Director
E. Nicole Cummings holds a B.S.A in Elementary Ed & ECE, an M.A in Youth & Family Ministry and currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Learning and Organizational Change thru Baylor University’s EdD Program. Nicole’s life passion has become the focus of the “WHOLE CHILD” beginning at birth, due to her own educational journey. Additionally, Nicole leverages the discovery of a learning difference in her adulthood as well as the 10+ years she spent as a kindergarten teacher and administrator in Austin ISD and KIPP Austin Public Schools, to help guide her practices and vision for the success of students, parents (guardians) & educators. Nicole currently supports various organizations and individuals who seek to develop children and their parents through partnerships, the implementation of restorative practice and parent advocacy. Her goal is to give parents and educators the tools and resources needed to advocate for a child with each other.
Michell Young - board chair
Michell Young is a native Floridian, she is the proud mother of four children ages 30, 27, 20, & 17 and has has been employed by Orange County Public Schools for 30 years. She is a graduate from the University of Central Florida where she received her Bachelors Degree in Radio Television & Communications. She extended her education at Nova Southeastern University receiving her Master’s Degree in Education Leadership. She began her career as an educator at Maynard Evans High School in the inner city of Pine Hills. While at Evans she taught Compact (a mentoring program for At Risk students) , Language Arts I & II, & Yearbook . She eventually became the Tech Prep Coordinator for Evans HighSchool ( a program designed to enlighten students of alternative careers beyond college). She then transitioned into her new role as Administrative Dean. Currently she is at Positive Pathways Transition Center.
