gary hopkins
BUSINESS ASSOCIATE
Gary is currently serving as a Network-Wide Business Associate through the Challenge Detroit Fellowship program.
lydia Banks
LEAD LITERACY INSTRUCTOR
Lydia’s passion for helping children began in 2015 when she became a social worker and became a part of the Big Brother Big Sister of Metropolitan Detroit. She has a graduate degree from Tiffin University and an undergraduate degree from Wayne State. Current hobbies of Lydia’s include: reading, yoga, cycling, playing tennis and learning how to knit.
skylar burkhardt
LEAD LITERACY INSTRUCTOR
After three years as the Lead Literacy Instructor at the Downtown Boxing Gym site, Skylar now serves as the Data & Impact Manager at DBG. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's Degree in Development Psychology, and has 7+ years of experience teaching writing. In her free time, Skylar enjoys learning new songs on the guitar, playing sports, and spending time outside.
charles english he/they
DIRECTOR OF EQUITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Charles English is the Director of Equity and Social Responsibility here at Center for Success Network. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Charles earned his Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. With a background in psychology and an understanding of human behavior, Charles is devoted to promoting equity and inclusion here at CFSN. Over the years, Charles has meticulously honed his expertise in designing and implementing programs that address systemic barriers, fostering equality among diverse youth populations. As an advocate for social justice, Charles actively works towards creating safe and empowering spaces where young individuals, staff, and the community can thrive, regardless of their backgrounds or identities. Through strategic leadership, collaboration, and a compassionate approach, Charles serves as a catalyst for positive change, dedicated to ensuring that everyone reaches their full potential.
heidi miller
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF LEARNING
Heidi is the Senior Director of Learning and oversees programming across all sites. Before moving to the nonprofit sector, she was a teacher for 10 years in elementary classrooms across the world including Michigan, China, and Venezuela. She is now a mom of two wonderful children. In her spare time, she loves reading books, fitness, and adventure.
SHANELLE MITCHELL
LITERACY PROGRAM MANAGER
Shanelle holds a Master of Arts in Reading from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Special Education from The University of Akron. She has always been passionate about the literacy development among young learners and their success in the real world. Prior to CFSN, she was a teacher in both Ohio and Michigan. In her free time she likes to paint, travel, read and spend time with loved ones.
amy wright
LEAD LITERACY INSTRUCTOR
Amy is a Lead Literacy Instructor at the Downtown Boxing Gym. She graduated from Hope College with a BA in Secondary Education, German & International Studies. She earned her MA in Education from Spring Arbor University. Amy taught in Michigan for 20 years, then spent three years as a corporate trainer, where she became a CFSN volunteer literacy mentor. Amy encourages students to fall in love with reading. In her free time she enjoys gardening and home improvement projects.
RAGINA JENKINS
GRANT WRITER
Ragina is a professional Grant Writer specializing in writing for non-profit organizations. Ragina has a keen interest in writing for organizations engaging missions that positively impact equitable socio-economic access to living and learning within marginalized communities. As a beneficiary of various life-evolving philanthropic supports created to lift the human condition, she is an empathic writer who is uniquely successful at expressing perspectives of need, opportunity, and achievement. Ragina has enjoyed writing for the Center for Success Network for three years. Personally, Ragina is the mother of four fantastic young adults and advocate of families raising neurodivergent children. An Army veteran and volleyball player, she enjoys outdoor activities. She also enjoys baking, arts and crafts, photography, and writing.
ADRIANNE JACKSON
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Adrianne is a proud wife and mama of two incredible boys. She has spent seven wonderful years working with Center for Success Network and truly believes in the work they do. In her free time, Adrianne loves to cook, garden, and explore the great outdoors with her family.
ANDREA MEYER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Andrea has been engaged in the field of education since 2005, has worked to develop the Center for Success after school program since January of 2015, and has proudly served as the Executive Director of the Network since 2018. In addition to her role at CFSN, Andrea is a co-chair for the Summer Learning Table for 313 Reads!, and is a member of the Improvement and Impact Committee for the Youth Development Resource Center which allows her to collaborate and communicate with amazing youth serving organizations serving the metro Detroit area.
TINA PERKINS
COMMUNITY LITERACY PROGRAM MANAGER
Tina is the Community Literacy Program Manager at CFSN. She was an educator in the public school system for 22 years before she left for the non-profit community. She’s thankful that she made that change because she believes, now, she can make a bigger impact in meeting students where they are and has the freedom to cultivate her creativity to be more accessible to students, their families, and their mentors. She’s a single mother of four adult children and continues to strive to make them as proud of her as she is of them.
Magdalene Asamoah
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Magdalene loves God and she has a special passion in helping the youth and social justice. She graduated with honors from Western Michigan University with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology and Gender Women Studies. She has a motivational speaking certificate as well. Her plan is to pursue a law degree and become a mentor to young women. She loves to go to church, spend time with family and friends, and get dressed up and go to luxurious places.
thu tran
EVENTS & COORDINATION MANAGER
Thu is the Events & Coordination Manager at Center for Success Network. In her spare time, she enjoys journaling, drawing, making origami, watching movies, and traveling. One of the many books she’s read that she found insightful is Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.
KENDRA PITTS
COMMUNITY LITERACY PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Kendra Pitts is the Community Literacy Program Coordinator at CFSN Pontiac. She is a proud mother of one. She has worked many years in the social services field both hands on as well as behind the scenes. In her spare time she loves to travel, listen to music, sing, and spend quality time with her family. Kendra enjoys working to be a voice within the community. Kendra is excited to work in an organization that is making a difference and helping youth become the best that they can be.
MADDIE TORO
LITERACY PROGRAM MANAGER
Maddie has been working at CFSN since 2018, beginning as a mentor, and then working as a Lead Literacy instructor before stepping into her current role. She strongly believes in literacy as a right and the foundation it sets for success. Maddie is a graduate of College for Creative Studies. In her free time she likes to make ceramics, garden, go to the movies, and be out in nature as much as life allows.
ISABELLA CROOK
LEAD LITERACY INSTRUCTOR
Isabella graduated with honors from Oakland University, with a double major BA in Communication and Public Relations. She also earned a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace certificate. Over the years, she has honed her expertise in youth engagement and program implementation in the non-profit sector. She truly has a passion for helping children to succeed, building interpersonal relationships, and cultivating change in the community.
Team Members not pictured:
Madonna Addo, Lead Literacy Instructor