Our Team
Shawnette Haynes
Founder/ Executive Director
A visionary, advocate, and mentor whose passion for fostering positive change makes her a beacon of hope for opportunity youth, particularly those aging out or aged out of foster care. Her journey, shaped by 22 years of military service, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to leadership and service. From managing complex logistics operations to overseeing global supply chains, Shawnette transformed her vast experience into a mission that uplifts others. Along the way, she discovered the profound power of community and connection, which led her to create a village of support. As the Founder and Executive Director of Lotus Village United, Inc., Shawnette orchestrates a network of resources to support youth navigating the difficult transition into adulthood. Her vision is not just an aspiration; it is a tangible reality. In Lotus Village United, young hearts find solace, minds are guided, and souls discover a place to call home. Surrounded by a team of dedicated experts, her mission goes beyond advocacy; it's a symphony of change, a crescendo of hope that resonates through every life she touches. Lotus Village's legacy is found in the lives transformed, the futures she shaped, and the hope ignited in the hearts of those served.
Akua Jackson
PhD, Board Member
Licensed psychologist. She received her BA degree in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill and her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. Her education and training focused on forensic psychology and parent-child relationships. She has experience providing child, adolescent, adult, and family therapy. Dr. Jackson has worked with individuals with a variety of diagnoses including individuals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and cultural issues. She also conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations and forensic evaluations. She is passionate about helping others and utilizes an evidence-based approach that s customized to fit each client’s particular needs.
Milinda King
Board Member
Milinda King is a dedicated leader whose life’s work has been defined by her passion for education, health, and service. With an unwavering commitment to transforming lives, Milinda is a retired Warden from the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, concluding an extraordinary 23-year career. One of Milinda’s most defining roles was Supervisor of Education, where she managed transformative educational programs. Her leadership not only ensured the delivery of high-quality educational, wellness, and vocational services to both male and female inmates but also fostered a culture of growth and rehabilitation. Milinda’s dedication to wellness extends beyond the classroom. She is a certified Personal Trainer and Nutritional Coach, seamlessly blending her passion for education with her commitment to health. Milinda founded Community Health is Wealth, Inc. (CHIW), where she now serves as President. Rooted in her deep understanding of Vance County’s unique challenges, CHIW addresses the community’s pressing health and wellness needs, offering accessible services that empower individuals to take charge of their well-being. At the heart of everything Milinda does is her belief in the transformative power of community, education, and health. Through her leadership, she is shaping futures and fostering a legacy of empowerment and hope for generations to come.
Tonia Stoney
Board Member
Loving Wife | Auntie-Mom | Digital Business Mentor | Educator | International Best-Selling Author | U.S. Army Veteran | Tonia Stoney is a dedicated wife, “auntie-mom,” and mentor helping women over 40 simplify their systems, activate their voice, and grow digital businesses that fit their life…not fight it. Through GrowWithTonia.com, she teaches solopreneurs how to organize their ideas, use tools they already have (or didn’t know they needed), and scale without burnout. A U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star Medal recipient, Tonia brings 30+ years of leadership in business, education, and tech. She’s the creator of the AI Sidekick Starter Kit™, founder of Music Is For Me, LLC, and co-author of Business Tips from the Trenches and Soulful Beauty, a powerful anthology on healing, self-acceptance, and inner strength. Her work blends systems, strategy, and spirit, anchored in faith, family, and freedom. When she’s not mentoring clients or creating digital tools, you’ll find her running her online piano studio, homeschooling her niece, or encouraging women to build a business that fits their life, not fights it.
Krystal Jett-Mims
Board Member
Krystal Mims is a chef, educator, and nonprofit leader with a lifelong passion for food and community. Inspired by her father, a chef, and a family full of great cooks, Krystal built her career on blending culinary expertise with leadership and mentorship. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with honors in Culinary Arts, she has served as an Executive Chef, Director of Culinary Services, and Adjunct Culinary Arts Instructor. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Being Great/Youthful Conversations, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship, life skills, and creativity. Beyond the kitchen, Krystal is a proud mom of three, an avid traveler, and someone who enjoys the humor of “bad cooking videos.” Named one of Black Business Ink’s 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad, she continues to share her love for food, teaching, and uplifting others in every space she enters.
Zhani Swailes
Board Member
Zhani Swailes is a public health graduate student and researcher from Waldorf, Maryland, with a strong focus on health equity and community advocacy. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and is pursuing her Master of Public Health at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Zhani has worked with the Duke Clinical Research Institute and held research roles with North Carolina Peace Action, U.S. Foreign Service Institute and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her experience includes clinical trial coordination, policy research, and data analysis using tools like SPSS and STATA. She brings a passion for social justice and a commitment to empowering underserved communities through evidence-based solutions. “I believe lasting change begins at the community level—when we listen, collaborate, and lead with purpose.”