LAJUANA JACKSON (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)

LaJuana Jackson is the founder and Executive Director of the Young Influencers Foundation. Born and raised in the inner city of Detroit, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. She is also a licensed, ordained minister and a graduate of the Pistis School of Ministry, also in Southfield. LaJuana has volunteered in children’s ministry for over 25 years.

Throughout her journey, LaJuana learned how to lead despite having no role models to follow. Eventually, she discovered that her voice mattered, and that she could make decisions and pursue her passions. She recognized her power as an individual to effect change.

Driven by her love for children, LaJuana understood that many kids, like herself, lacked a voice. They had gifts and talents, but often didn’t know how to utilize them or were afraid to stand up for a cause. With a heart to create positive change, she aimed to train youth to express themselves, make decisions, face challenges, achieve success, become leaders, and make a difference in their communities.

Her mission is to empower young people to realize that they have a voice and that their talents and gifts can contribute to meaningful change. LaJuana firmly believes in the power of one person to bring about transformation.

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JAY ROB (VICE CHAIRMAN)

Junifer (Jay) Robb is a native Cincinnatian who relocated to the city of Detroit about 27 years ago. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Like many other Blacks, his life was not without its challenges, but as the third child of eight, he was the first in his family to graduate High School and the only one who attended college.

He played and coached at various levels. Although small in size, he earned numerous awards during his playing years, including all-city honors in high school basketball and two scholarship offers to play baseball. 

At age 18, Jay spoke at his High School’s Career Day and has since spoken and motivated youth and children whenever the opportunity arises. 

Now, as a member of Word of Faith International Christian Center, he is very active in the Children’s Ministry, where he currently serves as ministry leader (coach), teaching and preaching the Word of God. Jay is also a Ministry School graduate, Licensed Minister, and an Outreach Ministry Captain. He also served as a Ministry intern.

Jay is employed at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, where he is the agency’s Purchasing Manager. Even at work, he takes the opportunity to motivate the physically and mentally challenged workers with a smile, a handshake, or an encouraging word.

Jay speaks from his own experiences while growing up-his challenges of being fatherless and poor. He shares insight into what it takes to succeed in whatever you want to succeed in. Simply put, “success is good, get you a piece”!

Jay was honored to be a facilitator at the “Children/Youth Summit Experience 2005” in Cincinnati, OH. 

Jay has been a guest speaker at several church Men’s Day Programs.

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CHARLES RICHARDSON (TREASURER)

Charles Richardson, Jr received his degree from Michigan State University in 1973. 

He spent the first third of his career with P&G and then in the printing industry. At P&G, he sold industrial cleaning products to schools, healthcare, foodservice, and distributors. After leaving P&G, he moved to the printing industry. He was a direct sales professional for 15 years in Manhattan and Chicago for 10 years. 

The middle third of Charles’ career was selling copiers during the digital transition. We helped organizations migrate from paper-based to digital workflows.

The final third of his career was spent selling payroll & HR consulting. During the final third, he began planning his exit strategy as a financial literacy coach. 

Charles retired in 2021 from traditional corporate life after 40+ years in sales and sales leadership. Also included in this stint is the financial partnership of a family run bowling center in Southfield MI.

In 2022, he founded Above The Clouds LLC, providing financial literacy coaching. The focus is business owners with 100 employees or less. His services are a supplemental benefit to the employees of the business owner.

Charles has been happily married for 27 years to his bride, Leslie. They both enjoy their extensive volunteer work, helping raise spiritually grounded & productive young adults. In his free time, Charles enjoys traveling, competitive bowling, and recreational golf.

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LESLIE RICHARDSON (SECRETARY)

From her first paid job, where she worked in a day care at her church, Leslie Richardson discovered a strong bent to “leading children in the way they should go.” This passion began in her youth, raised by a single grandmother who showed Leslie by example a life grounded in strong moral and spiritual values, a selfless, giving nature, and a fierce work ethic. 

Upon graduation from Michigan State University, Leslie returned to her home church to find her youth group gone and the church disbanded. This caused a 20-year search for a new church.  When she found her new home in 1998, she was musically inclined but was led away from joining the choir; instead, she signed up for Children’s ministry, intending only to monitor while others took the lead.  However, through her personal experience serving, she discovered a strong desire to ensure children’s and youth ministries grow and thrive. This drive has carried her through 26+ years of teaching regular services, offsite camp services, onsite Vacation Bible School, creating/providing music for K4 – 5^th graders (for the Kids Choir and leading praise and worship). She was promoted to leadership for team members teaching elementary aged kids and upon retirement in 2022, she has volunteered to provide administrative assistance to the Children’s Minister.

Leslie’s 35-year career in a fortune 500 advertising and promotion company includes 24 years in middle management. Her experiences honed the leadership traits needed to help guide young people to their God-given destinies, and the organizational skills required to provide appropriate attention and detail orientation to the administrative needs of the Young Influencers Foundation. 

Leslie is a founding member of the Young Influencers “Dream Team” and has opened her home to provide a meeting place for YI.  She is thrilled to serve as Secretary, helping propel the vision of this organization, and is excited to continue facilitating the discovery and development of the callings of each of the amazing youth she is fortunate to connect with through the Young Influencers Foundation.

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DR. LAUREN CARROLL (BOARD AT LARGE)

Dr. Lauren Carroll is a physician executive, minister, and speaker. Her mission is to encourage others to live a life of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness through the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. She has provided comprehensive healthcare and support services to the Metro Detroit, Michigan, community for over a decade. Dr. Carroll has also had the privilege of conducting medical and faith-based missionary work in South Africa, Haiti, Tanzania, Peru, and Jamaica. Dr. Carroll believes that every man, woman, and child deserves exceptional AND accessible healthcare no matter his or her socioeconomic background. As a healthcare administrator in the non-profit sector, Dr. Carroll has tirelessly worked to combat healthcare disparities for medically underserved populations. She believes that God has given each of us gifts and talents to serve our communities and be conduits of His love. In accordance with these values, Dr. Carroll has actively served in children’s and youth ministry for over 20 years. Dr. Carroll obtained her Bachelor of Science at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan; a Medical Doctorate at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan; and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee Haslam School of Business in Knoxville, Tennessee.