Meet the YouthZone Team

Dr. Mattie Stanford

Chief Operating Officer

 Dr. Mattie Jo is a motivational speaker, international activist, published author, and mentor for today's generation. Mattie's radical bravery as a leader has given her the nickname Modern Day Harriett. She can be found in odd and worldly places helping many out of the grip of devious influences. Dr. Mattie Jo received her B.A. in Business Administration, Master of Education, and Doctoral Degree of Education in Global Training and Development. She is the appointed (COO) Chief Operations Officer of Target Area Development Corporation. She uses her education and experiences to create new standards of personal and professional development within diverse areas of life. 

LaTasha Jackson 

Miss L

Director of Mentoring & Youth Programs  

Fun fact: Miss L loves water activities…except she cannot swim!

Why do you want/like to work with youth?

Working with youth is a life assignment.  I know that our youth are our future and it is my honor to be able to provide guidance and instruction to help prepare young people for the adventures ahead as they move through life. 

What can the youth expect when they are in your group?

Youth who become a part of our programs can expect to have fun, learn, make new relationships, be challenged and to grow and stretch.

Lolita Foster

Ms. Lolita

Mentoring and Enrichment Youth Program Supervisor

Fun Fact: I enjoy people watching, and playing games with family.

Why do you want/like to work with youth?

I enjoy working with youth because most of them want to know things. They ask questions & they are not ashamed. I can share my life experiences with them in hope to better their future in whatever areas necessary.

What can the youth expect when they are in your group?

When in my presence, you will experience the feeling of a caring person, a person who will listen and someone they can trust.

Taila Bussell

T or Ms. Taila

Youth Program Lead Facilitator

Fun Fact: I love to dance even though I don’t know how

Why do you want/like to work with youth?

I want to work with the youth because I want to show them that it’s more to life than just what we are used to. 

What can the youth expect when they are in your group?

The youth can expect to learn a lot of self control but also have fun in my group

Dwayne Morgan

Mr. Wayne

Performing Arts Program Lead Facilitator & Community Liaison 

Fun fact: There is always music in my head–who knows where it ever comes from

Why do you want/like to work with youth?

Youth look for beacons of light to give them everything they need from fun to wisdom and everything in between. I see them as beacons of light and to whom I can give everything I have, from fun to wisdom and everything in between.

What can the youth expect when they are in your group?

Youth can expect a journey and a handful of memories.

James Collins

James

Youth Mentor and S.T.E.M Program Facilitator

Fun Fact: I like to travel. 

Why do you want/like to work with youth?

The youth are the future. In order to create change in the world we must start  planting seeds and being deeply invested in then youth.

What can the youth expect when they are in your group?

The youth can expect to get a big brother. I plan to be someone who they can always come to if they need advice on something that's on their mind or even if they just need help with anything.

 Kylin Jenkins

Kylo

Youth Programs Facilitator 

Fun fact: I love gaming and everything about sports 

Why do you want/like to work with youth?

I want to be here for the youth because this is our next generation of adults. Being here feels right, I want to be a role model and inspire them to go hard in every thing they do. I like developing bonds and actually being here for the youth. The sky is the limit for them and it's my job to show them that .

What can the youth expect when they are in your group?

Youth can expect to have fun while with me. We will handle business first but we will have a good time with everything we do in our group.