About Us - JL Winston Foundation

AboutUs

OurMission

The JL Winston Foundation was created to foster and promote the scholastic achievement, educational excellence, social development and intellectual advancement of deserving students who attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

With the establishment of a scholarship fund for tuition and emergency relief, the foundation offers financially challenged students the chance for a better future through higher education by mentoring and assisting them throughout their college years and beyond.

HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions, a source of accomplishment and pride for the Black community, have a well-earned reputation for offering quality education to all students, preparing them to serve as entrepreneurs and leaders in their respective professions in the public and private sector, and make a positive impact on the world.

When HBCUs were established almost two-hundred years ago, during a time when many schools barred their doors to Black Americans, they offered Black people the best opportunity for higher education.

In the years that followed, HBCUs have produced 80% of America’s Black judges, 50% of Black doctors, and 50% of Black teachers, as well as 27% of all Black college graduates with STEM degrees.

Despite their unique mission and proven impact, students of these necessary and beloved institutions receive less support and funding than their mainstream counterparts. This lack of funding can impact students’ ability to achieve and complete their education. HBCUs are even more important now than they were two centuries ago because of their expanding role in fulfilling the educational goals of today’s generation. HBCUs are a hallmark of Black culture and history. The JL Winston Foundation is dedicated to preserving and furthering the mission of HBCUs by supporting the students who attend them.

Board ofDirectors

Janelle L. Winston

Founder

Janelle L. Winston’s personal and professional experiences as well as her passion for teaching and mentoring are the driving forces behind her desire to establish a foundation to help minority students fulfill their dreams of attending and graduating from college. Currently a labor relations attorney at the National Football League, she began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. Assigned to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau, Janelle prosecuted some of the most sensitive and difficult cases in the borough. This experience shined a light on those who are most vulnerable, and inspired her to fight to assist and advocate for them as they navigated the turbulent waters of today’s world.

At her previous job as senior labor attorney at the MTA New York City Transit Authority, Janelle served as a mentor and supervisor to junior attorneys on case presentation and preparation of legal briefs. Since 2007, Janelle has been an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School in Manhattan, an experience which has enabled her to appreciate the power and importance of teaching others.

But it was perhaps her participation in Black History Month symposiums on the impact of law on the minority population in the United States that made the biggest impression. In her research on the theme of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, she was dismayed to discover how often students were forced to drop out of school due to lack of funds. She knew at once this was a problem that could be fixed, and something she wanted to do. With a commitment to the notion that education should not be a luxury, she threw her heart and soul into changing the world through the JL Winston Foundation.

A native of Utica, New York, Janelle graduated with a B.B.A. in accounting from Tennessee State University, and received her law degree from Fordham Law School. A practiced litigator and negotiator, she hopes to use her skills to advocate for students in their pursuit of academic achievement and personal success.

Pebblin W. Williams

President

Pebblin Williams is an experienced healthcare administrator and consultant with extensive experience in procurement and contract negotiations, physician recruitment, environment of care, healthcare policy and strategic planning and implementation. Pebblin is also a governor-appointed Consumer Representative for the Statewide Healthcare Coordinating Council for Alabama. Currently working as a healthcare consultant to physicians practices and Global Account Manager for HelmsBriscoe, Pebblin also previously owned a small business.

But what best defines Pebblin is her role as advocate for transformative, equitable education. A native of Tuskegee, AL, she is the great granddaughter of one of the survivors of the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. As a firsthand witness to the health disparities in rural communities, she decided at an early age to pursue a career in healthcare administration. While a student at Tennessee State University, she established a lifelong friendship with foundation founder Janelle Winston, where they were mutually moved by the struggles and hardships faced by many of their fellow students.

Pebblin has a Masters of Science in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a B.S. in Health Administration from Tennessee State University. She holds a certificate in Healthcare Administration and Strategic Planning from Meharry Medical College.

Her experience as a healthcare administrator and small business owner, combined with her commitment to advocacy and public service, provide a solid foundation for serving as President of our organization.

Raniece L. Medley

Secretary

An accomplished attorney, Raniece Medley is a proud HBCU alumna as a graduate of Howard University School of Law and Morgan State University. She is an accomplished leader with extensive experience leveraging litigation, dynamic communication and creative problem-solving skills across multiple disciplines and complex organizations.

Currently Special Counsel to the New York City Department of Social Services First Deputy Commissioner, she has years of experience in community engagement as well as mentoring and coaching, a background that is perfectly suited for serving on the foundation’s Board of Directors. Raniece previously served as the Director of the Source of Income Discrimination Unit at the Department of Social Services where she led affirmative litigation strategy to reverse housing discrimination. She was also the Director of Outreach at the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, a Regional Prosecuting Attorney in the NYS Office of Professional Discipline and a Felony Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx.

Raniece’s teaching and mentoring experience, which includes serving on the faculty in criminal justice and legal studies programs and coaching mock trial teams at a number of colleges and universities across New York City, demonstrates her love of education and desire to mentor students and aspiring lawyers.

Her commitment to community service as well as to helping improve the lives of others is evidenced by her service on boards and in program development with organizations such as the New York Urban League Young Professionals, National Urban League Guild, National Association of Women Judges, Boom! Health and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Deanna Winston

Treasurer

The younger sister of foundation founder Janelle Winston, Deanna Winston is another proud HBCU alumna as a graduate of Tuskegee University, which was named by U.S. News & World Report as fifth out of 54 HBCUs with published rankings.

Deanna is an education advocate, having worked with K-12 students in the public school system for over a decade. She began her career in the ESL Services department at Macon County Schools in Tuskegee, AL. In addition to helping students acquire proficiency in English and implementing an Elementary Spanish program for grades K-12, she provided translation assistance for parents, assisting those with language barriers in their daily needs. She also acted as a translator, enabling students and their parents communicate with school administrators. She currently works for the Financial Aid Department at Tuskegee University, helping students apply for federal aid, loans and scholarships in order to finance their education.

Deanna’s experience as an educator and her passion for working with students and their parents within the framework of their community, as well as her knowledge of the financial aid process and fluency in Spanish, provide a useful and versatile background for serving as a member of the foundation’s board.

Deanna holds a B.A. in psychology from Tuskegee University.

Audra Acey

Audra Acey has more than 20 years of experience working in higher education and nonprofit organizations. She currently works at UNC Charlotte as Associate Director of Community Relations with a focus on community-engaged scholarship and the connections between research at the University and the needs of the greater Charlotte area. She previously worked in development for Columbia University’s Community Impact student service organization, whose programs serve the people of northern Manhattan, and as the development director for Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, a financial empowerment organization serving working poor families across New York City.

Audra has spent many years working in fundraising, public relations and lobbying for performing and visual arts organizations in New York City, Newark, NJ and Washington, DC. She was a development manager at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute and a development officer at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Her community service includes working for a literacy program in a family shelter in the South Bronx, acting a as drama coach at Cristo New York High School, and serving in leadership capacities at various civic organizations.

Originally from Utica, NY, Audra holds a Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit and Public Management from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and a B.A. in communication and theater from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN.

Audra’s stellar career in public service, particularly in higher education, the arts and working with those at risk and in need, is testament to her profound commitment to the same ideals and values that the foundation has embraced.

Brandi Riggins

Brandi Riggins is an innovative Human Resources and Diversity and Inclusion professional with over 20 years’ experience in HR Management. She has extensive knowledge of Diversity and Inclusion, HR best practices, employment law, and organizational design, all of which brings a wellspring of experience, expertise and understanding to the foundation.

Brandi’s professional career has been devoted to Diversity and Inclusion. She currently works as a Senior Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at Enterprise Finance and Wells Fargo Technology. Previously, she was a Senior Diversity and Inclusion Manager for Spectrum (formally known as Time Warner Cable). She also served as a Vice President and D&I Consultant at Bank of America, where she led a team of HBCU Campus Alumni, which championed Diversity and Inclusion events at designated college and universities.

An energetic hands-on leader and innate problem-solver with outstanding analytical skills, Brandi is an inspiration to her peers, as evidenced by her community activism through mentorship, board volunteerism, and educating others on the importance of economic empowerment. She is a Board Member of Y Achievers, an affiliate of the YMCA or Greater Charlotte, and a member of the Bank of America Community Volunteers.

Brandi received her Masters Degree in Human Resources from Cumberland University in Human Relations and Organizational Science, and holds a B.S. in Mass Communications from Tennessee State University.

Clifford L. Bolden

Clifford Bolden brings his leadership and team-building skills to the foundation. A professional in the semiconductor industry, he has worked for ST Microelectronics for almost two decades as a Senior Inside Sales Representative in distribution. But what truly defines him is his involvement in and love for sports, and football in particular, which provides the bedrock for his ability to lead, maneuver as part of a team and inspire others.

Cliff was a starter on the 1998 1-AA National Championship Football Team for the University of Massachusetts and is an avid supporter of all things University of Massachusetts as well as all Boston sports teams. He was asked to serve on the board because of his charismatic personality, his experience as an effective salesperson and his innate ability to close deals.

Clifford received his Bachelor’s Degree of Arts and Sciences in Communication from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Daryl Sims

Daryl Sims has devoted his entire career to public service and brings his passion for helping others to the foundation. As a detective in the New York City Police Department for 25 years until his retirement in 2019, he worked in the Organized Crime and Control Bureau, as an undercover officer and investigator in Narcotics Borough Bronx, and as an investigator in the Firearms Investigative Unit. In 2008 he transferred to the Detective Bureau where he joined the Bronx Special Victims Squad and DNA Cold Case Squad.

Daryl’s experience working in the Special Victims Squad was transformative, forming the basis of his desire to commit himself to helping those in the greatest need. One of the highest profile cases he participated in was the Horace Mann School investigation of the sexual abuse of young students. The case shed light on the systemic nature of abuse that can occur in supposedly “safe” places and resulted in legislative changes in reporting throughout New York State.

In 2015 Daryl was transferred to the DNA Cold Case Squad, an elite unit formed to re-examine unsolved cases dating back for decades. While working on the successful closure of some of those cases, he recognized the importance of professionalism and proper training from law enforcement in today’s climate.

During his career, Daryl completed both the National Child Advocacy Extended Interview and Sex Crimes Investigations courses, a reflection of his affinity for helping the victimized and the vulnerable, and his strong commitment to advocating for their rights.

Daryl holds a Bachelor of Science in Police Science from John Jay College. As an active member of his community, he was the Vice President of the PTA at Zeta Charter School and is whole-heartedly involved in his daughter’s homeschooling during the pandemic. Having grown up in Jamaica, Queens, he is a native and life-long resident of New York City. Daryl is, tragically, a dedicated New York Jets fan.

Dwayne Morrow, Jr.

Dwayne Morrow, Jr. has devoted his career to community service in his professional roles in health care, community outreach and education. He brings to the foundation extensive knowledge of nonprofit leadership, organizational structure, finance, strategic planning, and grant writing.

Currently a Health System Quality Administrative Fellow at the Medical University of South Carolina, he previously served as Program Manager in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policies Studies at the University of Houston, and as the Community Programs Outreach and Education Coordinator and Program Manager for Community Health and Supportive Services at the Aids Foundation Houston.

Dwayne is current serving as the Executive Director of the nonprofit Individuals Providing a Positive Presence in Houston, where he oversees community health education programs in multiple states. His charitable work takes him all over the world to countries such as Kenya and Tanzania, where he partners with local entities in furtherance of public good. His proficiency in effective leadership, strategic partnership development and program evaluation are invaluable assets to the foundation, while his involvement in community outreach and his skills in staff management to promote team motivation are an ideal background for its mission.

Dwayne holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler and a B.S. in Political Science from Tennessee State University.

OurSupporters

In recognition of the generosity of our donors, we offer the following:

Honorariums:

Winston Society (gifts of $5,000 or more)

Name listed on the Foundation’s website
Photo or logo published on the Foundation’s website
Invitation to special events
Profile in Foundation publications
Name listed in special events publications
Foundation swag

Golden Key (gifts of $2,000 to $4,999)

Name listed on the Foundation’s website
Photo or logo published on the Foundation’s website
Foundation swag

Purple Partners (gifts of $1,000 to $1,999)

Name listed on the Foundation’s website
Foundation swag

Friends of the Foundation (gifts of $500 to $999)

Foundation swag