Youth Engagement Strategies (YES!) Council

The duties and responsibilities of the Council shall include the following:

1. Identify resources across the County that serve youth in the areas of mentorship, mental health, workforce development, restorative justice, and safe spaces and recommend areas where such resources may be inadequate;
2. Recommend strategies to prevent youth violence and increase positive engagement, particularly among students identified as disengaged or underserved;
3. Recommend possible collaborations between County Government, community organizations, and public institutions such as HCPSS, Howard Community College, and the Columbia Association;
4. Submit a comprehensive report to the County Executive on the progress of the Council summarizing actions taken, key insights, and next steps no later than December 1, 2025; and
5. Conduct monthly meetings which shall be open to the public.

The Youth Engagement Strategies (YES!) Council shall consist of the following voting members appointed by the County Executive:

1. Quinton Askew, Ohana HC
2. Roger Barnes, Saint John Baptist Church, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
3. Benjamin Barnwell, DCRS Local Children’s Board
4. Anthone Bond, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
5. Rene Buckmon, Columbia Association
6. Erika Chavarria, Columbia Community Care
7. Naysha Conway, Humanim
8. Edward DeJesus, Social Capital Builders
9. Phil Derosier, Howard Community College
10. Tigana Duncan, STAND Mentorship
11. Tony Echo, Howard County Library System
12. Kim Eisenreich, Howard County Local Children’s Board
13. Anthony Esposito, HCPSS – Swansfield Elementary School
14. Jomo Fowlkes, HCPSS – PPW
15. Hasan Hammad, ISB
16. Marcus Harris, Howard County Sheriff
17. Kori Jones, Restorative Justice Partnership
18. Tierra Lathan, Consult Lemonade
19. Saquan Maxwell, PUSH Program
20. Dr. Dawnsha Mushonga, University of Baltimore
21. Bruce Nelson, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
22. Dwanna Nicole, Restorative Justice Partnership
23. Dr. Heather L. Pfeifer, University of Baltimore
24. Pastor Matthew Quainoo, Celebration Church
25. Reverend Lisa Robinson, First Baptist Church of Guilford
26. Chesney Wheeler, Celebration Church
27. Dr. Angela L. Williams, Coppin State University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Lambda Omega Chapter
28. Dwayne Williams, HCPSS – Homewood Center 

The County Executive shall designate two Co-Chairs of the Youth Engagement Strategies (YES!) Council:

1. Bruce Nelson, Co-Chair
2. Dr. Angela L. Williams, Co-Chair

Council Meeting #1  

• Date: April 16, 2025 

• Time: 4:00 - 5:00PM

• Location:

  • Virtual

    •  To participate, click here. Webinar password: yes123