Board of Directors
Meet key people dedicated to the cause.
Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson
Founder & Executive Director
President
Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Jr., the Founding Director of the EJS Project, is a dynamic leader passionate about empowering youth and transforming communities. With roots in both The Set in Delray Beach, FL and the rural landscape of Sneads, Florida, Dupree has dedicated his life to working with children and teens, particularly at-risk youth, igniting their inner strength and potential.
Dupree’s journey includes earning an Associate of Arts degree from Hibbing Community College and pursuing Communications with a minor in Psychology at North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota Duluth on an athletic scholarship. Motivated by the pressing need for more mentors in his community, Dupree founded the Emanuel Jackson Senior (EJS) Project, which has flourished into one of Palm Beach County’s premier nonprofit organizations. Now in its thriving 9th year, the EJS Project has positively impacted the lives of over 3500 teens, employing innovative grassroots strategies to nurture local talent and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.
Renowned for his loyalty, determination, and selflessness, Dupree is a community leader and an expert in the nonprofit sector, particularly in out-of-school teen programming. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker at conferences, graduations, and other events, where he shares insights on effective leadership and community development.
Dupree’s commitment to collective impact extends beyond his local community. He has actively participated in Tamarack Institute conferences and advocated for mentor programs nationwide on Capitol Hill. Atlantic Ave Magazine has recognized him as one of the 16 most influential individuals in Delray Beach.
Acknowledged as a ‘Hero in Medicine’ by the Palm Beach County Medical Society and for Organizational leadership by Palm Beach State College, Dupree’s relentless advocacy efforts have earned significant recognition, including the Culture of Health Prize from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation in 2022. The EJS Project’s pivotal role in this achievement underscores its profound impact on Palm Beach County.
Dupree’s dedication to equity and opportunity drives his work as he actively challenges systemic barriers and champions sustainable, community-driven solutions. As the EJS Project prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in September 2024, Dupree’s visionary leadership continues to inspire action and drive positive change. His family, including his wife Janay and their two daughters, Jazlyn (13) and Kahlia (5), stand alongside him in his mission to advance youth empowerment and community advancement through the EJS Project. Together, they embody the ethos of ‘Bout Dat Action,’ a rallying cry for collective impact and transformative change.
Adrianne Kurman
Co-Chair, Fundraising Chair
Originally from Baltimore, MD (Go Ravens!) Adrianne Kurman became a South Florida resident in 1996. Adrianne is passionate about giving back to the community. Adrianne has been a Realtor since 2004 and is currently the Broker Associate of The FurBaby Group at True Floridian Realty , where she gives a portion of her proceeds to a local non-profit animal rescue, Dezzy’s Second Chance.
Adrianne’s passion for giving back to the community has landed her partnerships with Homes for Heroes, Delray Beach Police Officers and Firefighters, Veterans and Emergency Response Teams. She has served on committees for Dezzy’s Second Chance Animal Rescue, Women in Distress, Free Hugs Outreach, Breast Cancer Awareness and various Veterans groups. Adrianne is multi-talented and comes to us with an extensive knowledge and a successful portfolio of fundraising events within Delray Beach.
Her mother was a teacher in Baltimore City for 30 years and taught her the importance of not only learning but helping others learn, grow and better themselves. This is why she strives daily to make this world a better place.
Robert Shanfield
Director
Co-Chair
Mr. Shanfield is an Advisory Partner in the Ares Secondary Solutions Group. He also serves as a Landmark Private Equity Secondaries Investment Committee member. Prior to joining Ares in 2021, he was a Senior Advisor to the Landmark Partners Private Equity Group.
Additionally, Mr Shanfield was a Partner at Landmark Partners for 22 years with leadership responsibility for transaction origination, underwriting, and negotiation in the secondary private equity business. He also oversaw the firm’s primary and co-investment programs.
Previously, Mr. Shanfield was a Senior Vice President in the Equity Capital Group at GE Capital, where he was responsible for originating and managing direct private equity investments in the United States and Europe. Mr. Shanfield holds a B.A. from Boston College in Philosophy and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia’s Colgate Darden School.
John Ruconich
Board Treasurer
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.
Terance Scott
Sergeant, Delray Beach Police Department
Terance Scott is a dedicated law enforcement professional with over 28 years of exemplary service to the Delray Beach community. Renowned for his commitment to community policing, Terance has built strong relationships with residents through his active involvement in numerous local initiatives.
A passionate advocate for youth development, Terance has mentored countless young people through programs such as From Boyz to Men and Carver Kids of Character. His dedication to fostering positive change extends to his roles as a Police Explorer Advisor, Youth Basketball Coach, and Adult Basketball Coach.
Terance’s exceptional service has been recognized with over 100 awards and commendations, a testament to his unwavering commitment to duty. He considers the gratitude and respect of the community he serves as his most cherished rewards. A recipient of the Trailblazer of the Year Award and Violence Community Champion titles, Terance continues to be an influential figure in Delray Beach.
Beyond his professional life, Terance is a proud father of two sons. His enduring dedication to both his community and family is an inspiration to all.
Nancy Chanin
Community Activist, Palm Beach County
Secretary
Nancy Chanin is a long-time community activist and fundraiser for a broad range of causes. She has also managed campaigns for candidates for the Boca Raton City Council, Delray Beach City Commission, and the Florida State House.
In addition, she has been a team member of numerous other campaigns in Palm Beach County, most recently working to elect the Public Defender. After the state Legislature placed restrictions on Amendment 4, Nancy co-created a committee with the Palm Beach County State Attorney and other stakeholders that implemented a workaround enabling returning citizens to register to vote.
Nancy has written for a variety of publications, more recently contributing Op- Ed columns and Letters to the Editor to the Palm Beach Post and Sun-Sentinel. Past City and Nonprofit Board memberships include: the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, the Delray Beach Green Implementation Advancement Board, the Delray Beach Police Advisory Board, and the Boca Raton Police Athletic League. The mother of three grown children, Nancy has lived in the Boca/Delray area for over 25 years.
Shuntell Simmons
Assistant Vice President,
Branch Manager of AmTrust Bank Division of Flagstar Bank
She is a native Floridian who grew up in the All-America City of Delray Beach. Her greatest fulfilling achievement is being married for over 30 years and raising two lovely daughters and her most recent grandchild, whom she adores. She studied and achieved her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, with a concentration in human resources and psychology, at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
She’s employed at AmTrust Bank, A division of Flagstar Bank N.A. Her current role is as an Assistant Vice President/ Branch Manager. She has over 30 years of banking experience and leadership expertise. She is active within the community by mentoring young children and young adults to succeed in financial literacy. She also educated adults to succeed economically.
Her passion is volunteering, mentoring, and supporting many organizations within the community, which includes The Palm Beach County Schools, Pathway to Prosperity, Junior Achievement, NYCB Pathways Retail Mentoring Program, The Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach, Boynton Beach Senior Center, Community Caring Center of the Greater Boynton Beach, EJS Projects, and the City of Riviera Beach Youth Empowerment Program. Through these various organizations, she’s received certificates of recognition for her leadership and mentorship.
