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ADVISORY COUNCIL
The TJ Carrie Foundation Team is composed of a variety of talented visionaries who have helped lead the way in creating the platforms and programs that allow for the TJ Carrie foundation to help youth in achieving their dreams and Goals.
Dr. Shamarah J. Hutchins raised by her maternal grandmother spent majority of her career in the mental health field focusing her passion on substance use therapy, depression, self-esteem and youth with pertaining to adjusting to situations and family dynamics. Dr. Hutchins first hand experience with mental health started with her parents and at 7 years old Dr. Hutchins told her mother, “I’m going to be a Doctor.” Defying all odds and determined not to become a statistic, Dr. Hutchins excelled in her academics graduating from Cleveland Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and going on to complete undergrad at Wilberforce University, where she was a collegiate athlete, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Hutchins earned her Master’s in Psychology from Capella University and as she promised her mother, earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Walden University.
Currently Dr. Hutchins is a Professor at local college, she’s the assistant basketball coach for Maple Heights High School and Dr. Hutchins also serves as a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and a member of the Warrensville Developmental Center Advisory Board. She
is also a proud member of the Order of Eastern Star and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Out of everything accomplished, the greatest accomplishment of them all is that of wife to Charles Hutchins and mom to Gabrielle and Madison. Dr. Hutchins lives by the motto “A successful person builds their foundation with the stones thrown at them.” Thank you, Shamarah Hutchins “If you're always trying to be normal, you'll never know how amazing you can be.” Maya Angelou
Shamarah Thomas- Hutchins
Council Member
Joseph Morales
Council Member
Joe Morales is a Full-Time Business Strategists and Financial Professionals. Our Team and I have over 30 years of experience combine in the financial industry. Our firm is aligned with many of the largest and most experiences companies in the world, some that you may know such as NATIONWIDE, PRUDENTIAL, PACIFICLIFE, TRANSAMERICA, VOYA FINANCIAL and many more.
My Background goes as follows: I attended Fullerton College and graduated with my Associates Degree with Honors. I earned a Full-Scholarship to be a student athlete and played football at Ohio University and graduated with my B.S. Moreover, Esperanza and I have two beautiful children one on the way.
As Financial professionals, we are focused on you and your needs, goals, and objectives. Career-Focused planning and advice post-career focused strategies, Specialized, independent insurance analysis estate planning analysis: Wills, Simple and Complex Trusts, Healthcare directive. Business solutions and tax reductions strategies. We strive to help individuals, families, and business create a sound strategy for the future focused on reducing DEBT, SAVING MONEY, PROCTECTING those things that are most valuable to you, and helping entrepreneurs and families reach their dreams.
And that's just a warm-up.
Erin Simmons, Erin Simmons is from Canton, Ohio, and a graduate of the University of Toledo for her BA of Communication. Following up with a MA of Communication from Southern New Hampshire University.
Erin Simmons has been the Director of Community Relations for 8 years with Building Lives Through Sports Network, a global sports consulting company. She is also a proud member of the Alpha Omega graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Erin Simmons
Council Member
Christopher Snyder
Council Member
Christopher Snyder, earned his medical degree from Wayne State, where he was AOA. He completed his internship and residency at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. He also completed a pediatric cardiology fellowship and received subspecialty training in electrophysiology at Texas Children's Hospital as well. For the past four years, Dr. Snyder has practiced as the Pediatric Electrophysiologist for Yale University School of Medicine. His areas of interest include pediatric arrhythmias, palpitations, syncope and rhythm disturbances in adults with congenital heart disease. He performs electrophysiology studies, tilt tables, exercise stress tests and implants pacemakers and defibrillators.
Shanette D. Buford-Brazzell is DEI leader, passionate about supporting underrepresented communities, using design thinking, to create lasting positive change. She is skilled in ideating, planning and executing on strategic programs and initiatives. She is a thought leader, and aspiring executive trained in DEI. She leads with empathy and is a staunch supporter of social
responsibility.
A true Clevelander, born and raised, she currently resides in Maple Heights, Ohio. She is skilled in various areas: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), social responsibility, community/corporate partnerships, event management, fundraising and marketing communications. With seven and half years of diverse experience in event management, philanthropy, and social
responsibility, Shanette has successfully developed, planned, executed and measured philanthropic and social impact campaigns, events and initiatives.
Currently the Director, Annual Campaign for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland since July 2020. In her position, she is a key philanthropy team member in the Philanthropy Department at the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, where she oversee and manages the annual giving program for the organization’s Association Office and 11 membership branches. She is responsible for the development and execution of the annual campaign strategy, program and fundraising events.
Her professional expertise and experience lies in DEI, social responsibility, fundraising, event management and marketing communications in higher education, non-profit and sports industries. Her previous experience includes Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, United Way of Greater Cleveland, The Jerome Schottenstein Center/The Ohio State University, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Cleveland State University Athletics and America SCORES Cleveland. Shanette is a member of various professional and volunteer organizations, where she currently hold leadership positions such as: Member/Board Member (Membership Chair) – WISE Cleveland (Women in Sports and Events) Member/Community Impact & DEI Council– Junior League of Cleveland; Volunteer Service Specialist with The Association of Junior League International Other achievements and awards Shanette has achieved includes, member of YWCA of Greater Cleveland Women’s Leadership Initiative Boot Camp fall 2017 cohort, inaugural class of YWCA of Greater Cleveland Distinguished Woman Award in 2018. Shanette is a 2013 graduate of Cleveland State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts Journalism and Promotional Communication degree, from the School of Communications, with a concentration in journalism and public relations, and minor in Black and Gender Studies. In 2016, she received an executive certificate in sports philanthropy from George Washington University in Washington D.C. She attended Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s and graduated from John Marshall High School. She is recently completed the Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace online at USF’s Muma Business School.
Shanette Buford-Brazzell
Council Member
Teresa Metcalf-Beasley
Council Member
Teresa Metcalf-Beasley, is the chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Public Law Practice Group and a member of the Real Estate Group. She has over 25 years of experience in the practice of public law, public finance and commercial real estate. She is experienced in all facets of bond transactions as well as commercial real estate transactions. Teresa has represented state, county and local governmental entities as well as for profit and non-profit entities as bond counsel and general counsel on business, economic development incentives, commercial financing, real estate matters, construction and government relations. Teresa’s diverse legal experience spans all areas of public law and finance law including conduit transaction, general obligations, revenue obligations, tax law, securities law including continuing disclosure matters and complex financing structures involving a myriad of sources and structures. In addition, Teresa counsels with respect to all aspects of real estate development projects including acquisition, disposition, financing, economic development incentives, land assembly, planning, zoning, including public-private partnerships. She also works with clients in developing and maintaining strong relationships with federal, state, regional and local officials, as well as community stakeholders, to advance clients & ; legal and legislative matters. Teresa is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Cleveland- Marshall College of Law and has leadership roles on several nonprofit boards in the community.
Denise Johnson is a Cleveland, Ohio native with deep roots in the field of education. She is passionate about higher education access and equity, and uses her diverse experiences to help students identify their definition of success, harness the tools they need to succeed, and to foster a love for life-long learning. Denise has had professional experience working with industry leaders such as 2U, inc., a higher-education Software as a Service company, and the University of Southern California as an admissions director for the Rossier School of Education online graduate programs. She has also made strides in eliminating barriers for first-generation college students in her work at Notre Dame College (OH) in the office of Student Success and as Director of the First Gen Center. Currently, Denise works at Shaker Heights High School in the school counseling office, ensuring students and families are equipped with knowledge of college and career options, financial aid processes and internship opportunities. Denise is also active in her community through coaching cheerleading, volunteer service and membership in civic organizations. She is a proud alumni of Shaker Heights High School and Miami University, where she studied Sociology and Black World Studies. Family is at the core of everything Denise does, and her favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband Jerrell and their children Micah and Miriam.
Denise Johnson
Council Member
Samantha Dawson-Shahid
Council Member
Samantha Dawson-Shahid, is a native Clevelander that has served in the nonprofit sector for over a decade. She is a licensed Social Worker and a proud alumni of Tri-C and Cleveland State University at which she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her greatest motivators are advocacy and removing barriers to success for underserved communities. Samantha has worked for various agencies whose missions are all intended to advance the lives of youth, families and individuals centered around financial empowerment, digital inclusion, college and career readiness, affordable housing, and social-emotional wellness. She has successfully designed and managed programs around diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as professional development in effort to increase awareness around sensitivities and make greater impact for those working directly with underserved populations. Samantha is currently the Chief of Staff/Sr. Director of Programs for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio and also serves as an Advisory Board Member for Ashland University's Women in Leadership Certificate Program. Outside of her professional life, her two children are her greatest motivators and her "happy place" every day.