Meet Our Team
Joy Nelson Thomas
Founder & Executive Director
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Joy holds a B.A. from Salem College and is a certified Life Coach through an ICF (International Coach Federation)-recognized institution. She is also certified in safe-talk and suicide prevention. Joy’s ‘why’ in life is: “impact every girl that comes in her life in some way.” Joy feels it’s our responsibility to be the change we want to see in our community, not just talk about it.
She is active in the community and serves on the boards and leadership committees of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, Carolina Core FC Academy, and Winston-Salem Fashion Week. She is also a contributor for Triad Voice Business Inspiration section.
Joy has received numerous honors recognizing her accomplishments as a nonprofit and business leader. Most recently, she was the proud recipient of the 2022 Black Business Ink 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad and the 2021 Triad Business Journal C-Suite Award.
When Joy is not working to change a girl, a community, and the world, she’s spending time with her husband Jasper and her four-year-old son, JT.
Britney Dent
Director of Programs
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Britney holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a Life Coach for parents and teenagers. She also is Hands On North West & Wake Forest University Women’s Emerging Leaders Graduate and City of Winston Salem University 2022 graduate. Britney also has several certifications from her 10-year tenure as a public school teacher and her role in the non-profit sector. Britney believes in “working hard and being nice.”
Britney is a 2022 United Way Women United Transformational Leader and she has been featured in several media publications. She serves on the board for Triad Restorative Justice and volunteers with many local organizations. In her spare time, Britney enjoys reading, watching Jeopardy and playing board games with family and friends.
Jasmynn Blackshear
LEAD Facilitator
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Jasmynn, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. She is courageous in fulfilling her passion to impact and change the lives of the youth. Jasmynn believes, “You have the voice to change the nation- never bite your tongue. You possess the power to make a difference- never sit back in fear. You have youth full of dreams- fight so their dreams can be their reality!” She is thrilled to be a part of the LEAD Girl’s team in support of their mission. Jasmynn loves to bowl, explore nature, and do arts and crafts.
Brea Brown
LEAD Facilitator
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Brea holds a doctorate in occupational therapy from Howard University and a B.S. in exercise physiology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She enjoys serving the community, especially when it involves uplifting youth. She even focused her research on the social-emotional wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents. In her 2nd year of grad school, Brea studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa, which has shaped some of her values. Brea upholds the West African ideologies of community and servant leadership. She is very fond of the sankofa adinkra symbol meaning, “go back and get it” as she is always ready to help. Brea is also a very proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is very excited to be a part of the LEAD Girl’s team and use her life and work experiences to stimulate the youth’s learning and growth. In her free time she enjoys reading, working out and traveling.
Denise W. McCoy
LEAD Facilitator
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Denise has called Winston-Salem home since relocating from Iredell County in 1997. She has a passion for advocating and empowering others. After working in law enforcement, Denise made a career change to education. She now has more than 36 years of experience as a facilitator, trainer, parent educator, mentor and program coordinator. Denise is committed to working with families, children, and communities to achieve a goal of moving “Forward together, not one step backwards.”
Jacqueline Morgan
Executive Assistant / Project Coordinator
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Jacqueline Morgan holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from High Point University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. With over a decade of experience in teaching and mentoring, she is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Jacqueline has dedicated her career to teaching and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds. She finds fulfillment in teaching and guiding others to embrace growth and pursue meaningful success.
Deeply committed to her community, Jacqueline actively supports initiatives that promote personal and professional development. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, writing, mentoring others, and finding inspiration in life’s simple moments. Jacqueline resides in Winston-Salem, NC, with her family, drawing strength from her faith and the love of those closest to her.
Jada Senn
LEAD Ambassador
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Jada Senn is a rising junior. Her hobbies include reading, cheer, dance, online shopping, and hanging out with her family. Jada has been in the LEAD Girls Organization for six years. She wants to be a criminal defense lawyer when she graduates and goes off to college. Jada’s favorite quote is, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” by Oscar Wilde.
Myla Dent
LEAD Ambassador
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Myla is a sophomore in high school. She likes to dance, play golf, and style outfits. Myla has been in LEAD Girls for three years. Myla loves to pour into our future LEADers. In the future, Myla plans to be an entrepreneur and own her own clothing line. Something she lives by is Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”
Aleyan Hayes
LEAD Ambassador
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Aleyan is classified as a ninth-grader. She has had the privilege to be a part of LEAD Girls of NC for one great year. Aleyan’s favorite hobbies are volunteering, listening to music, traveling, technology, going to museums, and learning another language (Spanish). Aleyan’s favorite quote is, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” A fun fact about Aleyan is that she likes to learn new things.
Carrington Dent
LEAD Ambassador
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Carrington Dent is a rising freshman in high school. Her hobbies include painting, writing, and reading. Carrington has been in LEAD Girls for three years. She wants to be an actress or an author when she grows up. Carrington’s favorite quote is, “Work hard and be nice to people.”
Ja’Niece Welch
LEAD Ambassador
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Ja’Niece has been in LEAD Girls since she was in fifth grade. Her favorite hobbies are playing golf, fishing, and swimming. Her favorite quote is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” A fun fact about her is that she was awarded the 2023 Female Player of the Year in the Earnest Morris Junior Golf Academy.
Dominique Smith
LEAD Ambassador
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Dominique Smith is a rising freshman. When she was in the fifth grade, she joined the LEAD Girls program. One of her favorite hobbies is dancing, which she has been doing since kindergarten. Over the years, she has blossomed as a dancer, trying new styles and showing potential to become a professional. A favorite quote of hers is, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi. This quote inspires her to work harder and try to make a difference in society. Dominique wants to be remembered for making that change. Another thing to know about Dominique is that her favorite food is Chinese food. Her go-to order is chicken and broccoli with pork fried rice and chicken wings, which she could eat almost every day if she could. Once Dominique graduates and receives her associate’s degree, she plans on going to Winston-Salem State University to join their nursing program because she wants to be a labor and delivery nurse.