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ABOUT
US

MISSION.

At Funds2Flourish, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the purpose and process of providing youth in need financial assistance and mentorship. We aim to supply motivated but struggling youth with the funding and guidance needed to allow for educational access, scholastic completion and the pursuit of career goals.   

 

Are community of supporter make our work possible and help propel ambitious young people forward to better futures.

Mission

OUR BOARD.

Our Board
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Sherri Redd

Board Director

Sherri Redd Trader is a licensed Behavior Specialist working with youth and young adults with behavioral and mental health disabilities in the state of Pennsylvania. Over a 24 year span, Sherri has served as an Analyst, Clinician, Clinical Supervisor, Program Director, Operations Director and Consultant for Managed Care and various non-profit agencies in the Philadelphia area.

Sherri obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in 1984 from Douglas College, Rutgers University. 

She continued her education at Saint Joseph’s University where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Analysis and Criminal Justice.  She began her work in the Human Services field by working with youth in the Treatment Foster Care system and has since specialized in working with youth and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  


Sherri has received numerous honors through the years, including: the Edna Herzberg Writing Prize, Rutgers University Paul Robeson Scholar Award, St. Joseph’s University Alpha Epsilon Lambda distinction, and community service citations from Philadelphia City Council, the 7th Senatorial District of PA, the 203rd Legislative District of PA, Congressman Rob A. Brady, and Senators Arlen Specter and Shirley M. Kitchen.  

She founded Funds2Flourish, Inc. in 2016 in order to continue her efforts to serve youth and young adults by providing opportunities for education.

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Julius T. Redd

Board Member, Director of Philanthropy

Julius T. Redd was born in Firestone Liberia Inc., West Africa where he also attended primary and high school.  He completed his high school education at Assemblies of God Mission High School and went on to attend College at African Methodist Episcopal University where he studied Economics and Public Administration. 

 

He is currently preparing to graduate from Grand Bassa Community College where he has majored in Accounting and minored in Public Administration.  In addition to his collegiate studies, Julius has also attended World Bible School where he was awarded a certification in Theology.  Additionally he has received a certification in Education Leadership from the National Teacher’s Association of Liberia & Education International, a certification in Church Leadership from El-Shaddai World Evangelism Ministries, a certificate of honor from Life and Power Ministries, and a certificate of participation in the National Strategic leadership Conference from Living Water International and Rhema Christian Ministries International, Inc.

 

 Julius is presently serving as Evangelist and Mission Director of El Shaddai Ministries Liberia. 

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Dr. Vanessa Trader

Vice Board Chair, Advocacy Director

Elder Vanessa Trader is a Spirit-filled believer who is in love with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  She is currently on staff at Anointed Word Baptist Church, Waldorf, Maryland under the leadership of Rev. Eugene Joseph, Sr. She accepted her calling to the ministry in 1997, received her ministerial license through MECCA MINISTIRES INTERNATIONAL in Inglewood, California under Bishop Andrew C. Turner in June 2000.


Elder Trader majored in computer science at the University of Maryland, College Park campus in 1988.  She continued her education at the Woodbridge Business Institute were she majored in Business Management completing her minor studies in 1993. Elder Trader graduated from at Logos Christian College of Washington DC/Unification Theological Seminary, Clinton Maryland where she received her Bachelor of Art Degree in Biblical Studies and Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling in in 2016. In addition to her academic study, she is currently in enrolled at the same intuition to earn her master degree in Divinity.


She is currently employed at Department of State as a government contractor administrative management for 19 years and CEO/Founder of Heavenly Touch Event Design for 10 years where she exercises her strong compassion and love for creating event decoration design for special occasion and holidays. 

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James T. Lee, Jr.

Board Member, Special Events Director

Stage and recording name "Jimmy Lee"

Accomplishments:

2004 -Received Ordination  to preach the Gospel, with a focus of feeding the less fortunate. 

Obtained  distinction of Rev. James T. Lee, Jr.

2005- attended and graduated from the Camden County Fire Academy.

Proud to be the only African-American graduate in his class.

Jimmy is a recording artist having signed with the following world wide distributing record labels:

*WMOT Records  *Atlantic Records  *Stax Records  *Fantasy Records  *Virgin Records

Currently signed with Society Hill Records.  Jimmy is also a member of Legends of Vinyl Artists Hall of Fame

2013- Jimmy was included, In the book “Philly Pop, Rock, Rhythm & Blues” by author James Rosen.

2017- Jimmy received a Commendation from the City Council of the City of Camden, NJ in conjunction with IDEA Center for the Arts.

2020- Tri-State Black History awarded Jimmy Lee the Musical Legacy Award

2020- Jimmy Lee was appointed and sworn into the office of the Camden City Arts Cultural and Heritage Commission, where he serves as one of the active commissioners for the City of Camden.

     Currently, Jimmy Lee is touring world wide  as a  front line singer for multiple musical groups, which include:

*Blue Magic Review  *Trammps Tribute, starring Jimmy Lee  *The Jimmy Lee Show

Most recently, Jimmy performed in Germany singing with The Moment of Truth (2022)

As one of the founding members of  Philadelphia’s Fat Larry’s Band, Jimmy is now the lead singer for 

Jimmy Lee and the NEW Fat Larry’s Band.

      Jimmy is a proud member of the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge #1 and received his Right hand of Fellowship from the late Carl Miller.  Jimmy has received three Honorary Doctorates in Theology, Music Theory, and Humanitarianism respectively.

Obtained distinction: Rev. Dr. James T. Lee, Jr.

Jimmy has shared his musical knowledge and talents by providing instruction for the Chicken Bone Beach Project within the Atlantic City High School in Atlantic City NJ.  Jimmy has also provided musical instruction at the Philadelphia Cleff Club of Performing Arts in Philadelphia PA.

Jimmy was nominated and accepted as a new voting member into the Recording Academy/Grammy’s.

Jimmy was also recently featured in the Grand Opening of the Victor Carstarphen, Sr. Legends Hall of Fame Exhibit 

in the Camden County Historical Society of Camden, NJ

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Crystaliz Green

Board Consult

Crystaliz always knew she has a passion for helping others elicit their best self. She decided to attend Arcadia University to support her calling. Crystaliz earned her Bachelor’s degree specializing in Psychology with a double minor in Law and Spanish. Shortly after graduating and realizing that she wanted to continue to grow as a professional,  she received her Master’s degree from Drexel University studying Higher Education with a focus on organizational leadership. Shortly after obtaining her degree, Crystaliz enrolled at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where she earned a certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

 

Throughout her career Crystaliz has worked with children who experienced trauma, adults and children with mental health challenges, led individual and group counseling sessions for populations suffering from addiction to managing an Intake Department helping children diagnosed with Autism.

 

Currently Crystaliz serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties where she develops partnerships with stakeholders, organizations, and corporations that will foster mentors for at risk youth. For over 10 years Crystaliz has worked in the non-profit sector helping others and her employers achieve their highest potential.

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Zila Acosta-Grimes

Legal Consult

Zila Acosta-Grimes grew up in Manhattan and graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in psychology.

After graduating, she went to work at Goldman Sachs. Zila later graduated from Columbia Law School.

While at Columbia Law School she served as the Law School University Senator and chaired the University Senate’s Rules Committee and Student Caucus or Student Affairs Committee.

 

She was also a Stone Scholar and an Articles Editor on the Columbia Law Review. 

Since graduation she has worked as a corporate associate at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

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Jonathan L. Kaipay

Senator, Board Consult

Jonathan Lambert Kaipay, a true son of Grand Bassa County from Sanyah, District Number Two was born in 1971 to the Union of Mr. Morris Kaipay and Mrs. Deborah Kaipay. He was born and raised in the Port City of Buchannan where he earned his elementary education with distinction. Mr. Kaipay earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from the United Methodist University. He is also a seasoned professional in his area including professional development certificates from institutions in Europe and Africa with a certificate in Project and Financial Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

Mr. Kaipay is a veteran in student development and politics. He is a founding member and former president of the Bassa Student Association at United Methodist University; founding member and former Vice Chair for Mobilization of the Student Rally for Academic Progress (STRAPD); and former Associate Justice of the Student Court at UMU. All these positions he served with excellence.​

Today, Hon. Kaipay as a Senator remains a light for the Bassa people breaking grounds in areas of service committed to meeting the needs of his people. Already, he has visited all Administrative Districts in the county with words of appreciation, the first time for a leader to return to his people so short after winning an election. He has also held strategic discussions with all facets of the county including teachers, students, journalist, religious people, youth and the list goes on. Hon. Kaipay also has embarked on several projects aimed at helping his people to get out of poverty. One of which is his participation in construction of a road through self-help initiatives in District Number Three C in Grand Bassa County. Hon. Kaipay playing a very major role in the Senate as Chair on Autonomous Commissions and Agencies, Co-Chair on Concession has embarked on a mission to take the people of Bassa and the nation to higher heights. He was given additional responsibilities by the Pro-Tempore as Chair of the Legislative Support Project and Co-Chair of the Public Account and Audit Committee.​

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