Laure Ferguson, MBA
Founder/Executive Director
Laure Ferguson, MBA is the Founder and Executive Director of Journey 2 Success, Inc. She oversees all aspects of the organization’s management including: board engagement, fundraising, implementation of its mission, vision, and programs, and work closely with schools, volunteers, community partners, youth, and families.
Laure is currently employed by the State of California as a correctional officer. During her teen years, she got involved in community service which greatly influenced her career path and personal passions to engage youth in community change and social advocacy. Her passion is to help the inner city community overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and succeed in school and life.
Having over 10 years of experience working with at-risk youth, Laure focused primary on education, youth development and leadership, program design, and implementation. From 2009-2015, Laure sat on the grade level board for Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) school site council and volunteered countless hours inside and outside the classroom. Currently, she serves as a mentor to young adults who are transitioning out of foster care and at-risk youth girls in the inner city.
Laure has earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Kenya Mc Donald
Treasurer
Kenya McDonald is a thriving entertainment accountant. A Los Angeles native, Kenya studied accounting at The University of Phoenix. Kenya began volunteering at various nonprofit organizations geared towards creating a better future for children. She helped establish and sat on the board of H.Y.P.E. (Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence) California. The program was geared towards youth empowerment and childhood obesity. Utilizing her accounting background and entertainment connections, she began helping the organization find funding sources and design programs that best fit the needs of their clients. Always diligent in her endeavors, her accounting background has provided her with an opportunity to give back. Kenya currently sits on the board of Journey 2 Success and is in development for a financial literacy program for the youth of America.
Arnedra Jordan
Board Member
Arnedra Jordan is the Community Resource Advocate for the Susan G. Komen Foundation Los Angeles County, Circle of Promise Initiative, a program that addresses the breast health needs of African American women. Arnedra is also a Political Science Professor in the Los Angeles Community College District and currently a Doctoral Candidate at Cappella University where she will receive her Ph. D. in Public Policy and Administration with an emphasis in Non-Governmental Organization. Her previous professional experience includes Teach for America-Los Angeles as an Education Pioneer Fellow, where she developed their community resource guide that can be used in school sites that serve disadvantaged communities and students. She also held various leadership roles for Compton Unified School District for over 15 years. Arnedra is a member of the American Business Women Association and Vice Chair of ABWA- Southern California Council. She is also a board member for the Women’s Center of Los Angeles and she is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Arnedra is a current resident of Long Beach and is mother to two beautiful children.
J2S Board
D'Shene Cotton
PR/Marketing
D’Shene Cotton founded BrandTuition, a promotional product and brand strategy company in August of 2015. After obtaining her MBA, she dissolved her previous partnership and started her own company. She believes that each business has a unique voice and deserves a platform to be heard. She works diligently to understand the customer’s brand to incorporate vehicles that will leave lasting impressions and keep their brand top of mind. Her driving force is getting businesses and youth to the next level. She also manages public relations for the DIVAS of Compton and works closely with the youth to create positive mindsets for empowerment.
She graduated Cum Laude with a Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from California State Long Beach. During her undergrad, D’Shené received various awards, including the Dean’s Honor Roll, Bravaro Award (Speech and Debate Award) and has 3 national titles for Speech and Debate. In April 2015, she successfully obtained her MBA with High Honors from the University of Phoenix.
Jamilah St. Cyr
Instructor
Jamilah St. Cyr is a Human Resources and Financial Management Instructor for the United States Army. A big believer in education and knowledge, Jamilah supports Journey 2 Success, Inc. Jamilah is a qualified Instructor and holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles. As well as, certifications in Human Resources, Financial Management, Classroom Instruction, and Small-Groups Instruction. Jamilah is no stranger to education, having spent 12 years as a Instructor and private tutor, where she has educated hundreds of individuals in Human Resource, Financial Management, English, Mathematics, and general studies.
Jamilah has more than 16 years of business entrepreneurship experience in various fields and has successfully facilitated and developed several business. Prior to starting her own photography and visual branding business, Jamilah spent 20 years studying the arts and served as the eye behind the lens.
Edi Santos
Board Member
Edi Santos was born in Los Angeles to a single mother only 16 years of age. Raised by multiple members of his family, Edi moved throughout Los Angeles—sometimes lucky enough to call a house a home, and other times simply living out of a van. Such a nomadic childhood resulted in his attendance at more than 10 different schools throughout his elementary and middle school years, and exposure to poverty, substance abuse, and gang violence.
While in high school, Edi worked two jobs all the while constantly struggling to focus on his education. Indeed, his perseverance earned him a high school diploma, and just two days after graduating from high school, Edi enlisted in the Marines. He served for over seven years, including a tour in Iraq during which he was promoted to Sergeant.
Edi graduated from Cal State Northridge with a degree in business and an emphasis in marketing. He continues to better himself through education, with his next goal being a Doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership. Edi is now the founder of www.caligreenturf.com and is working on developing a group of "Green TurnKey Companies" and the founder of inspireMAS, a program that focuses on helping individuals and groups realize their potentials for success.