Our Team
Our board currently consists of Volunteers, Credible Messengers, The Youth Crisis Intervention Counsel, an Honorary Youth Board, and leaders in the community. If you’re interested in joining our team contact Dr. Davis at tdavis@saveonelifefoundation.org.
Officers of the board
Dr. Tasha G. Davis
President
Dr. Tasha G. Davis is the founder of Save One Life Foundation (SOLF). Dr. Davis was born on the Westside of Chicago (Austin), raised in Cabrini Green, and lived many years in Milwaukee Wisconsin. “Though I did not come from a family that established a foundation in education and career building; at three years old, I possessed an undying love for learning.” It was the exposure to opportunities outside of the underserved communities I grew up in that motivated me to dream bigger.” Mentors from Save One Life Foundation must be dedicated to breaking cultural/racial boundaries while helping nurture the next generation of young people to see their passion and purpose in life.
Dr. Davis holds a Doctorate degree in Leadership and Education, Masters degree in Business Administration-Finance, and a Bachelors degree in General Studies, with a minor in Sociology, Women’s Studies, and Non-Profit Organizations.
Portia Parker
Executive Secretary
Portia is a mother who lost her son to gun violence. The mission of Save One Life to open doors of opportunity to underserved Youth is near and dear to her heart. Portia has served as a volunteer with Save One Life Foundation for many years. She has volunteered at community events including the food box giveaway, where SOLF helped 500 families including the elderly, by giving them access to healthy nutrition during the pandemic. Portia Parker also has over 30 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant.
Michael Williams
Vice President
Originally from Englewood located on the Southside of Chicago, Mike joined the military at the age of 17 as a way of escaping the life he once knew. Following his enlistment, he began working directly with troubled incarcerated youth for almost 24 years. “My commitment to improving the lives of these young men has grown immensely over the years. Although the witnessing of complete positive change may be a rarity in today’s society, I have been fortunate enough to have seen it with my own eyes therefore I am a firm believer in the ideology of SAVE ONE LIFE.”
Antonio Epting
Sargeant At Arms
Antonio chose to serve on the board of Save One Life as a way to give to those who need a lifeline. He believes a second chance for underserved youth could be the spark needed to create a lifetime of change for generations. “As a member of SOLF, I can connect with those who may one day break the cycle of hopelessness that leads to so many lives being saved. Hopefully, my example is one that Saves a Life.
Roy Kaye
Treasurer
Roy’s educational accomplishments include a Master of Science in Healthcare and a Bachelor of Science in Business. He started his business career in Public Accounting with Arthur Anderson & Company and held management positions in charge of fieldwork for fortune 500 companies in Healthcare, Banking and Finance. He spent 25 years in the Investor-Owned Hospital field including 3 years as the CFO and 9 years as CEO of Chicago Lakeshore Hospital. The past 20 years as an Associate Professor of Northwestern’s School of Commerce & Technology, Roy taught courses to underserved students with business aspirations.
board members
Christel Rogers
Chair of Workforce Development
Christel Rogers is a Reinvention Strategist and a master in teaching the art of making an impact in professional and personal development. She is the CEO of CLR Vision Coaching, and her passion is to help Youth clarify and capture their vision to achieve their personal and career goals. In addition to helping underserved Youth, she is the head of Human Resources for a manufacturing company near Chicago.
Named Volunteer of the Year by the NAACP and ACT-SO, her philosophy is, “ministering to others through the act of serving brings joy into our lives.” She also believes that you have to be intentional in closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in your life.
As the Chairwoman of Workforce Development for Save One Life Foundation, Christel will lead the efforts in providing youth who are seeking jobs and careers the necessary skills, training, and support to access employment, while building partnerships with employers in the Chicagoland area.
Violet Sheldon
Chair of Trauma Informed & Mental Wellness
Violet started her career in the health field as a member of the US Navy, while earning several credentials over a time span of ten plus years. Initially as a Yeoman (professional Secretary) then as a specialized Hospital Corpsman with credentials as LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse), ST (Surgical Technologist) EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and MA (Medical Assistant). After an honorable discharge from the Navy, she embarked on furthering her career as Health Administrator, which led to a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Health Administration from Governor State University.
Aaron Smith Co-
Chair of Credible Messenger Mentoring
Aaron Smith, founder of Escaping the Odds, grew up in public housing on the south side of Chicago. While serving nearly a decade incarcerated, Aaron had a drastic mindset shift. He decided, with God's help, that it was time to switch hustles from committing crimes to chasing dreams. As an entrepreneur, podcast producer, and mentor, Aaron continues to contribute to the ever-changing narrative of the formerly incarcerated. He escaped the odds and now seek to empower anyone who desires to do the same.
Wendell Robinson Co-
Chair of Credible Messenger Mentoring
Wendell Robinson is the Program Director at Restore Justice. He oversees the Future Leaders program. (The apprenticeship aims to develop non-profit management skills among people returning to the community following extreme sentences). His current role also involves community outreach, data management, and fundraising. Wendell served 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for a conviction at the age of 17. Released in January 2018, he immediately began mentoring incarcerated Youth by engaging in advocacy to help young people, his peers, and those who are still incarcerated. “I’m forever focused on being a productive member of society. I understand what it means to be a beacon of hope for all the guys I left behind.”
King Davis
Chair of Marketing
King is a recent College graduate with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and Graphic Design. King is also an entrepreneur; he designed the logo for SOLF and Sounds of Wizdom Studios. He has a passion for art, design, and music production, which led him to start his own design company. King oversees the marketing, social media, website, and advertisements for Save One Life. King joined the board to help his underserved Youth peers see that higher education, and entrepreneurship are realistic and feasible goals that many young people under the age of 25 can accomplish when given the opportunity.
Bill Nuccio
Finance Committee
President and founder of Nuccio Auto Group. Bill has been a mentor to the young men at IYC for over 3 years. “It did not take me long to understand that boys at IYC had the same hearts as my children and grandchildren. The only difference was that were lacking opportunity of education and guidance. I am proud to be a board member of Save One Life Foundation.
Andre “Raw Thesus” Poe
Chair of Music & Arts
Chicago native licensed writer and publisher of CULTIVATED JESTER. Andre has over two decades of musical experience from writing to audio and visual production. As a father readjusting to life after reentry into society, Andre is all about growth and self-preservation through artistic expression. As a content creator, he takes life experiences and compiles them into a form of art, while using creativity as mental therapy and a way to give back to underserved Youth.
PROGRAM EVALUATION & ADVISORY BOARD
Youth Crisis Intervention Counsel
Benneth Lee - Reentry & Violence Intervention Advisor
Chaplain Alvin Elmore - Spiritual/Community Organization Advisor
Elder Useni Eugene Perkins - Mentoring/Juvenile Justice Reform Advisor
Barbara J. Norman - Agriculture Advisor
Michael Meeks - Mentoring Advisor
Darryl & Gary Turpin - Youth Trauma Intervention Advisors
Dr. Kenneth Jackson - Education Advisor
Kamau Jywanza - Agriculture Advisor
Reverend Elena H. Calloway - Expungement Advisor
Kwen Moore - Agricultural & Networking Advisor
Charlotte Stoxstell - Youth Support Advisor
Honorable Judge Darron E. Bowden - Juvenile Justice Advisor
Reverend Al. Sampson - Agriculture Advisor
Reverend Kenneth Todd - Mentoring & Agriculture Advisor
John & T.J. Jamerson - Agriculture & Community Development Advisor
YOUTH HONORARY Board MEMBERS
Antwaun Harris
Denzel Burke
Destine Phillips