VICE PRESIDENT

Jackie Jackson-Askie is a social worker and community organizer dedicated to improving access, opportunity, and quality of life for underserved community members. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University and brings a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that individuals and families face in accessing resources, care, and support needed for healthy, stable lives. Through her professional and community-based work, Jackie partners with organizations to identify gaps in services and advocate for solutions that strengthen education, health, and community well-being. Her experience spans work with faith-based, civic, and nonprofit organizations, including the Ocean State Baptist Church, the Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island, Back To School Celebration initiatives, and the Providence Community Action Program.

As Vice President of Roots 2Empower, Jackie brings a strong commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and community-driven leadership. She is passionate about advancing the organization’s mission by supporting programs that empower individuals, uplift families, and create pathways to long-term stability and success.

BOARD MEMBER

With 16 years of experience in property management as a Senior Portfolio Manager in affordable housing, Leaveine Damas holds a strong reputation for leadership, community engagement, and operational excellence. Dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion, Leaveine served as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for two years at a Property Management organization based out of Braintree, MA, where she led initiatives to strengthen organizational culture, promote equitable policies, and support staff education.

Leaveine’s leadership in DEI continues through her current role as a Parent Advisor for the Office of Health Equity and Inclusion at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she collaborates on strategies to improve patient and family experiences and reduce disparities in healthcare. Through this work, she champions the voices of marginalized communities and strives to ensure that all families receive equitable, culturally responsive care. Across all roles, Leaveine is driven by a passion for advocacy, inclusive practice, and creating environments where individuals and families feel supported, respected, and empowered. Leaveine is especially dedicated and brings a deep personal passion for autism and children with disabilities, inspired by her lived experience as a mother.

BOARD MEMBER

Darius Henderson is a Providence-based videographer and photographer with a passion for capturing cultural, civic, and political moments that inspire social action and community connection. A lifelong resident of Providence, he graduated from the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Arts in 2021 and launched his career as an entrepreneur, using visual storytelling as a tool for engagement, access, and change. Through his professional work, Darius supports civic participation by providing videography services for the Providence City Council, live-streaming council meetings to ensure greater transparency and accessibility for community members. His work reflects a strong commitment to public service, creative expression, and community-centered storytelling.

As a board member of Roots 2Empower, Darius brings his creative expertise and lived connection to the community to advance the organization’s mission of empowering at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals. He is committed to using media as a platform for uplift, visibility, and long-term impact.

BOARD MEMBER

Jayelani Hall is a senior leader with extensive experience in workforce development, program strategy, and organizational leadership. Her work focuses on building sustainable systems, strengthening teams, and creating pathways that support individual and community growth. In addition to her leadership work, Jayelani is an entrepreneur and founder of a consulting and brand-development firm that supports organizations and small businesses in clarifying their mission, strengthening operations, and expanding their impact. She brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach that blends strategy, creativity, and community engagement.

Jayelani is deeply aligned with Roots 2Empower’s mission to advance environmental justice, economic empowerment, and pathways for justice-impacted individuals. She is passionate about restoring dignity, promoting self-sufficiency, and helping communities thrive through equitable, community-driven solutions. As a board member, Jayelani is committed to supporting Roots 2Empower’s long-term vision through strategic guidance, collaboration, and advocacy.

BOARD MEMBER, EMERITUS

James is the founder and director of Reentry Campus. Reentry Campus provides workforce development and enrichment opportunities to youth ages 15 to 21 inside and outside RI's Adult Correction Institution ensuring a college degree pathway is integrated into the support systems needed upon release. Inspired by his own lived experience, James dropped out of school in the eighth grade and spent most of his adult life in and out of the penal system. It was within the Maryland Penitentiary in Baltimore that he earned an Associate’s Degree in Psychology, with Honors. Upon release, he earned a Bachelor’s in Community Development at Roger Williams University. James received the RI NAACP’s Joseph Lecount Award for his work founding the Billy Taylor House. He has been named as one of RI's "15 to Watch" for his work in youth programs that address violence in the city and prepare the next generation of Providence leaders.