Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
- Henry Ford
Executive Leadership Team
President
Dominique
Wright
Dominique Wright is Worldwide Service Parts Engineering Manager at Lexmark International, Inc. Previously, she served as Supplier Relationship Manager as well as a Mechanical Engineer. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky and Master’s Degree from Georgia Tech, both in Mechanical Engineering. Some of Dominique’s other activities include the National Society of Black Engineers, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and serving on on various community boards. She believes that service and mentoring are the ways to connect, grow and unify communities. Dominique grew up in both Hershey, Pennsylvania and Lexington, Kentucky.
Serita Baskin is a passionate professional certified social worker with the Veteran’s Administration in Lexington, KY. She received her BSW and MSW from the University of Kentucky. She is the immediate past President for the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals, a sustainer member in the Junior League of Lexington and a Charter member of the National Council of Negro Women. A few of her hobbies are traveling, shopping and reading.
Vice President
Dr. April
Prather
Nicole Gwishiri works as a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Bath County through Cooperative Extension with the University of Kentucky. She has an undergraduate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Nicole was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina. She moved to Kentucky in August of 2015. She loves to volunteer, go to church, and spend time with family and friends. Her hobbies include sewing, writing, and playing with her baby, Shona and poodle, Bates.
Treasurer
Kevin
Thomas
Treasurer
Kevin
Thomas
Melvin Lewis, aka DJ Forerunner, is an open format disk jockey. He specializes in providing an upscale and sophisticated atmosphere. Melvin can also be heard on Lexington’s Hot 102.5 on weekdays during the “Back in the Day Café” at NOON, the “Hot Drive at 5.” He is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Membership
Co-Chair
Desiree
Montgomery
Sharonda Steele works for the YMCA of Central Kentucky.
Professional Development Chair
Dr. Donavan Ramon
Kiah Arnold is the owner of E11even Keez Media , LLC; a digital media solution company. She also is an independent contractor, and works with the Lexington Urban League, Fayette County Public Schools and the US Census Bureau. She holds a B.A. in Broadcasting and Electronic Media and certificate in Filmmaking. Kiah is a native of Lexington, but recently relocated back to Central Kentucky from Orlando, Florida where she resided for five years. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and currently serves as the 2019-2021 Corresponding Secretary for the Lexington (KY) Alumnae Chapter.
Outreach & Advocacy Chair
Phyllis McKissack
Advocacy & Outreach Chair
Dr. Candice Hargons
Ramon Hargons is the owner of the Jerk Lex.
President Emeritus
Serita
Baskin
April Prather, PharmD is a clinical pharmacist from Mobile, Alabama who moved to Kentucky in 2015. In addition to her service with Lexington Urban League Young Professionals, April is an active member of her church and volunteer pharmacist with Mission Lexington’s, Faith Pharmacy. She recently embraced her passion for dance through launching a dance fitness class that embraces Christian music. She is a firm believer that a life in service to others is a life worth living.
Secretary
Nicole
Gwishiri
Kevin Thomas is a Resident Director at the University of Kentucky. He moved to Lexington, Kentucky in September 2018 after finishing his graduate degree at Illinois State University. He majored in College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA.) He obtained an undergraduate degree in African-American Studies from Western Illinois University. Kevin is originally from Chicago, Illinois and is the proud big brother to three younger sisters.
Parliamentarian& YPFit Chair
Melvin
Lewis
Desiree Montgomery works as a quality assurance manager for University of Kentucky Healthcare. She obtained a Master's of Public Health from the University of New England. Originally from Hamlet, North Carolina, Desiree moved to Kentucky in January 2017. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a volunteer with the YMCA Black Achievers program. Her hobbies include writing, reading, traveling and watching superhero movies.
Membership
Co-Chair
Sharonda
Steele
Donavan L. Ramon, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies at Kentucky State University. A specialist in African American Literature, he teaches literature and writing to students in the Whitney Young Honors Collegium. He is a recipient of the 2018-2019 Career Enhancement Fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, and is currently completing a book manuscript on the psychoanalysis of racial passing. A native of Harlem, New York, he earned his B.A. in English from Hunter College (CUNY) and his doctorate in English from Rutgers University.
Marketing & PR Chair
Kiah
Arnold
Candice Hargons, PhD is an assistant professor of counseling psychology at the University of Kentucky. She is also a licensed psychologist and founding director of the Center for Healing Racial Trauma. Candice's leadership includes serving on the executive boards of the Society of Counseling Psychology and the Kentucky Psychological Association. She also serves on the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives. Candice researches, teaches, and advocates for Black sexual health, mental health, racial justice, and the educational excellence of Black girls.
Finance Chair
Ramon
Hargons
We are always looking for new young professionals to join our family! If you are interested in membership, or in a leadership opportunity, click the button below to learn more!