Emerson DeVon Jackson, aka “DeVon”, is a native of Orlando, Florida, a Morehouse College graduate, and a Commercial Real Estate Broker. He and Judy were married in 1993. DeVon specializes in providing comprehensive guidance to small and medium-sized businesses, encompassing entrepreneurs, investors, and non-profit organizations, in navigating the complexities of the commercial real estate market. Prior to embarking in this industry in 2003, DeVon had a successful career in B2B Information Technology sales for major companies like IBM, Sun Microsystems, and some independent software vendors.

Sheilah is a Detroit native and Cass Technical High School graduate. She completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College and earned her graduate degree from Wayne State University and was bestowed an honorary doctorate degree from Oakland University. Sheilah is a nonprofit leader in the human service and behavioral health fields. She is the retired CEO of Neighborhood Service Organization where she served 22 years and has a permanent supportive housing apartment building named in her honor in the Detroit, The Clay Apartments for the formerly homeless adult population. Sheilah returned to work and currently serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the City of Detroit’s Community Health Corps focused on addressing the social determinants of health and poverty for Detroiters. Finally, and most importantly, she initiated the establishment of the JDJ Scholarship Fund in honor of her friend Judith Dianne Jackson.

As a seasoned Behavioral Health Professional who has been the Chief Executive Officer of a major community mental health center for the past thirty (30) years. She has worked extensively with coordinating public Behavioral Health services with publicly funded Managed Care systems. In this role, she has been a highly creative professional who has a successful track record in coordinating and blending public and private programs. She has been at the forefront of collaborative partnerships with a number of Behavioral Health providers both in the public and private sector. In her role of Chief Executive Officer she organized several collaborative ventures including working with an Adolescence Homeless Shelter, Salvation Army and two public High Schools.

Sharon Hayes-Roby, board member since inception of the Judith Dianne scholarship fund. Retired from Detroit Public Schools after a 38-year career in education. She served as an elementary school teacher, special education consultant/teacher, and English Language Arts Instructional Specialist. As Instructional Specialist, Sharon conducted demonstration lessons and assisted with curriculum planning and pacing to ensure that adopted reading materials were used as designed. Other accomplishments included the provision of ongoing professionally embedded assistance to teachers through team teaching and cognitive coaching, Coordination and facilitation of client seminars, and Implementation of a school-wide differentiated instruction reading program for at-risk students.

Carlton McAfee is a husband and father of 2 sons who also serves as Deacon & Chairman of the Trustees at Rock of Ages Christian Ministries in Detroit. He is also an accountant who currently serves as the Accounting Manager at Neighborhood Service Organization, a not-for-profit human services agency. Carlton also serves as the Financial Secretary of the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Secretary of his Prince Hall Masonic Lodge (Abiff Lodge #21) and is a board member of both the Gamma Lambda Education Foundation and the JDJ Foundation, 2 foundations which provide scholarships to Detroit area youth. Carlton is also a published poet who has performed spoken word poetry at several venues.

Amy (Colette) Parnell is a manager in Underwriting for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She has been in healthcare for almost 30 years. Colette graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Accounting and, Central Michigan University with a Masters's in Health Administration. She enjoys volunteering with children, spending time with family and friends, and shopping of course. Colette is the niece of the late, great Judith Dianne Jackson.

Brenda Murphy retired from Social Security Administration after 46 years of dedicated employment. During Brenda’s tenure, she received the Commissioner’s Award for outstanding service. Brenda enjoys contributing to the development of children and has volunteered time with Junior Achievement. Brenda was Judy’s older sister and volunteers her time with the JDJ Scholarship Fund Board to honor Judy’s memory and to continue her mission of service.

William Roby has been a board member since the inception of the Judith Dianne scholarship fund. He is currently retired after a 35-year career in education with Detroit Public Schools. He was recognized for Outstanding Commitment and Unselfish Devotion to the Advancement of Education for the Children and Citizens of Detroit as Assistant Director of Cass Corridor Youth Advocates in late 1970’s where he developed programs for at-risk students.

Christina Ladson is a Procurement Manager at Detroit Public Library. Christina is a graduate of Michigan State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management and has worked for the City of Detroit for twenty-five years. She is a life-long resident of Detroit and volunteers her time with JDJ Scholarship Fund because she truly believes in the mission of the fund and is proud to align herself with an organization, which is committed to young scholars from the Metro-Detroit area. Christina is married and has two daughters.

Lynn Rife is a Certified Nurse Midwife in the Henry Ford Health System and has been assisting women with their health and welcoming babies into families, in the Metro Detroit area, since 1991. She has been involved with education of Wayne State University medical students, MD residents and Advanced Practice Nurses and Nurse Midwifery students for 28 years and has earned both local and national awards for mentoring and precepting at the graduate level. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) to continue to educate nurse midwife students into the future.

Asia Rawls is tasked with improving efficiency via web application of employees across 20 divisions at the world’s largest auto supplier, Magna International where she works with Microsoft and program managers from different functional areas to support and develop IT platforms and deployments. Rawls, now a tried-and-true Detroiter after growing up on the move in an Army family, is a running instructor for We Run 313, a running club with more than 500 members formed in the city. Rawls plans to deepen her roots in the city to “push Detroit forward.”While working two full-time jobs, Asia completed a Masters in Business Administration degree and a Masters in Computer Information Systems, simultaneously. She has also traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to speak amongst other Jesuit MBA professionals and lead many charitable ventures in Detroit.

Mecca Vance, a 2017 recipient of the Judith Diane Jackson Scholarship Fund, decided to return to an organization that was so instrumental in her success at Howard University. After graduating from Howard University Magna Cum Laude with her BA in marketing in 2020, Mecca returned home to Detroit, where she has been building her experience at Ally Financial as a Data Analyst. During her two years at Ally Financial, she has learned valuable skills in data analytics, and the intersectionality of community advocacy and business operations. As a result, she has been nominated for the I’m an Ally Award for her continued commitment to serving her customers and her community. Mecca is currently pursuing higher education and is planning on returning to school in Fall 2023 to earn her Juris Doctorate.

Gregory Miller II was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Cass Technical High School, where he found passion in sharing his creativity through theater and dance. He then went on to study the art of acting at Western Michigan University, which he couldn’t have done without the annual help from the JDJ Scholarship Fund. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, he relocated to Los Angeles, California to pursue dreams of filmmaking. In spite of the distance, he still dedicates time to give back to JDJ remotely, now volunteering with the very community that once served him so well.

Jazmine Johnson is a true Detroit native, born and raised in the city. She is a 2017 Judith D. Jackson Scholarship recipient. She has a Bachelor's Degree from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Her concentration is in Marketing and Sales with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She currently works at University of Michigan’s Cardiovascular Center in Healthcare Administration. She is also the CEO and Founder of Barb n Jewels Cosmetics LLC. She believes that women should feel proud of the skin that they’re in. With her business, she aims to instill that confidence in her clients through her cosmetic services. She aims to serve Women of Color and the youth in Detroit. Growing up in a single parent household, Jazmine understands the importance of support and hopes to be that for the community she strives to impact.