OUR BOARD MEMBERS
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LaSheda Brooks Board Treasurer
“To be born a black woman is a gift, live in it.” LaSheda seeks to unleash the inner light in every woman she encounters. At 15 years old, she found her inner light when she gave birth to her daughter, A’Mya. Motherhood quickly taught LaSheda about being a woman and revealed the blessings of raising a woman. After reciting her high school graduation speech she went on to serve the country. LaSheda is a veteran of the United States Air Force and Navy. Without hesitation, she graduated from Northern Illinois University with her B. A. in Psychology. While attending, she pledged Zeta Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and became a member of the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. organization. From those organizations, LaSheda gained the gift of sisterhood and learned the various powers of black women. Directly following, she graduated from DePaul University College of Law. Here she met her Sisters in Christ, Latiera and Shuri. This sisterhood introduced LaSheda to a deeper spiritual awakening of her inner light. Currently, she serves as a speaker, poet and entrepreneur. LaSheda spreads her testimony with courage and transparency to inspire mothers to look inside of themselves and live, live beyond their dreams.
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Shuri Senbanjo, J.D. Board Secretary
Shuri seeks to amplify the voices of those who are disenfranchised and overlooked. She is a fervent advocate who contributes her wealth of knowledge and experience through policy work. Shuri believes living beyond our dreams means transforming what has happened to us into something even greater that can work for us—while inspiring the lives of others through the journey to that same end.
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Dottie Victoria Blanchard, MS Board Member
Dottie is a dedicated Special Events and Marketing professional passionate about building connections and driving positive change. With experience managing fundraising campaigns, coordinating large-scale projects, and developing impactful marketing strategies, she consistently delivers results that make a difference. While serving as Fundraising President of Alpha Phi Omega at Northern Illinois University, Dottie discovered her love for community service, which inspired her to pursue a career focused on creating meaningful impact. Her passion for community health led her to earn a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor’s in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Wellness from Northern Illinois University. From managing diverse teams to fostering donor relationships, Dottie’s previous roles as a Marketing Specialist and Events Coordinator showcase her ability to bring people together and achieve strategic goals. She is committed to making a lasting impact through creativity, collaboration, and compassion.
