Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Jr.
Founder and Executive Director
Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Jr. was born and raised in Delray Beach, Florida. He has worked with youth and children for most of his career and holds a passion for connecting with at-risk youth to help them tap into their strengths. After graduating from Boca Raton High School, Dupree attended Hibbing Community College where he obtained his Associate of Arts degree. From there he received a full athletic scholarship to North Dakota State University where he studied Communication and minored in Psychology.
Upon his return to Delray Beach, Dupree noticed that the community’s youth needed more mentors. The idea for the Emmanuel Jackson Senior (EJS) Project was birthed. The EJS Project is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that focuses on changing the perception and aspirations of local youth through mentorship and positive interventions.
Though institutionally prepared and accomplished, he learned early that sustainable solutions to marginalized community challenges exist within the people, associations and organizations in those communities. In-depth relationship building is necessary to bridge gaps and connect people. Through intentional engagement and inclusion a connected community emerges.
Venette Pierre
Chief Strategist, VP Creative Consulting
Venette Pierre is owner and Chief Strategist of VP Creative Co., a multicultural cause marketing firm.
Venette’s passions include child and youth development, education reform and race and gender equity. Venette’s professional experience includes from global marketing, social services, program development and strategy development and execution. She has a B.A. in Public Relations and an MPA with a concentration in Nonprofit and Leadership Development.
A big believer in education equality, Venette hopes to continue to actively support parents in advocating for their child’s education needs despite barriers. Venette hopes to empower natural talents in the community with the skills and resources they need to pursue entrepreneurship as a career choice.
Tamika Taylor Educator
Tamika Taylor, the founder of Impact Achievement Learning Corporation, and a mother to four handsome boys understand the challenges students experience with academic learning. With over 6 years of teaching, a master’s degree in Education Leadership, with all my accomplishments so far with also having dyslexia, I completely understand. Having dyslexia has helped me understand what my students are experiencing and what they need to excel in their studies. I specialize in teaching children with reading, literacy, comprehension, writing, and math difficulties. When conventional methods don’t work – I can help
John Ruconich CPA
Originally from Queens, New York, Mr. Ruconich has been a self-employed CPA for over 50 years. Since retired, he has sat on several boards of nonprofit organizations looking to make a difference where he can. He has a passion for watching his communities flourish and believes in his ability to mentor small businesses and nonprofits to reach those goals. Making meaningful contributions of his time and money fulfills his mission in life to help people.
Felecia Hatcher Entrepreneur
Felecia is the CEO of Pharrell William’s Black Ambition Opportunity Fund. Felecia is an innovative powerhouse, personal transformation speaker, entrepreneur and author, who’s work shapes the way individuals show up, are valued, and financially benefit from playing full out in the innovation economy. Companies like Google, Spotify, DoorDash, Target, Samsung, and Etsy call on Felecia to help them empower their teams and shape their inclusive innovation strategies and empower their team to step into their Zone of Genius. Felecia has been featured on the NBC Today Show, MSNBC, The Cooking Channel, Wall Street Journal, and White House Champion of Change Honoree.
