Dr. Michael Mashif White
President
Mashif is a passionate leader who has fostered a culture focused on accountability, execution, and team development. He has held leadership roles in strategy, operations, and sales/marketing. Most recently, he worked in instructional services responsible for how mobile learning and gamification learning strategies do across all retail lines. He led a program focused on business solutions in the mobile learning space. Mashif was also engaged in various initiatives as a Design Engineer for AT&T Services, Inc.
Mashif holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University, a Master’s in Leadership and Organizational Development from Central Michigan University, and pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Technology from Central Michigan University. Today, Mashif resides in Ypsilanti, MI. In his spare time, he enjoys working with his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, political and advocacy groups, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He appreciates opportunities to experience diverse cultures and cuisines, both within the United States and internationally.
Sam Estenson
Board Member
Nathaniel “Nat” Alston
Board Member
Nathaniel Alston is the President & Founder of THE HORIZONS GROUP, Inc., a human capital consulting firm specializing in human resources strategic planning, succession planning, executive search, business coaching, and management/leadership development training.
Prior to entering corporate America, Nat spent 10 years in Law Enforcement serving as a Maryland State Police Officer, a Prince George’s County Police Officer and as Director of Public Safety, Bowie State University.
In 1998, Nat along with twelve other senior human resources’ executives founded the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. In 2001, he was elected as the National President. This is an organization which represents over 7,000 African American Human Resource professionals in 30 cities. In 2007, Nat was bestowed the Lifetime Member Emeritus designation of the organization.
In 2013, Nat was elected Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources.
Toni Evans
Treasurer
Toni currently works at University Bank as a Loan Servicing Team Lead and has 35 plus years banking experience in Auditing and Loss Prevention. She has her Ministerial License and has served for many years as a Youth Pastor in the community, guiding and mentoring young people. Toni is a huge Michigan Football fan and enjoys spending her free time with her two grandchildren.
Kendall Johnstone
Secretary
Kendall began her journey at Educate Youth as a senior in college working on her Capstone project, became a tutor shortly after, and eventually served as our Communications Director and Grant Writer. She holds a Bachelors of Art in Communication with a minor in Studio Art, a Master of Arts in Communication, and a Master of Public Administration Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, all from Eastern Michigan University. Her Master’s research surrounded the impacts of the experience of trauma on interpersonal communication and the importance of trauma informed education in the K-12 school system, as well as Nonviolent Communication. She is currently studying at Bowling Green State University where she is pursuing a PhD Media & Communication with a concentration in Interpersonal Communication. She is grateful to continue to work with Educate Youth on the backend doing social media while working towards her degree, as well as teaching as an adjunct faculty member at two different colleges.
Angela Scott
Fundraising
GABRIELLA CERRATO
Board Member
Gabriella has been a volunteer tutor at Educate Youth since the fall of 2023. Originally from Italy, she has a Doctor in Physics degree from the University of Torino, Italy and she has worked in the field of acoustics and vibration for 40 years. She has taught seminars, workshops and courses at several Universities and organizations in the US and overseas and she is the author of more than 40 technical papers. Since retiring in 2022, she has dedicated her time to giving back to the Community and has enjoyed working with the “kids” at Educate Youth. When not volunteering, she enjoys traveling, engaging in physical activities such as skiing in winter and bike riding in the summer, working on pottery and reading. She is also a big fan of tennis and Formula 1.
SHARRI WATKINS -Board Member
Thank you, all past and present board members, for your commitment and service.
Sharon Irvine, Desirae Simmons, Douglass Harvey, Justin Carthage, Steve Wilcoxen, Domonic Buffa, Anne Brown, KaRon Gaines, LaTia Williams, Rhonda Palmer, Diane Smith, Bethany Freeland, Jorge Guzman, Erica Jenkins, Gina Wilson
