Community Partners

The Workshop functions, and can only function, with the mutualistic engagement between our community partners and our Internal Team. Our community partners are an integral part of The Workshop. With the shared goal of helping family and children in the Ypsilanti area, our coalition deeply believes in the idea that there are "power in numbers." The Workshop seeks to support and strengthen engagement between partners, serving partners’ needs, maximizing the power of available intellectual and material resources, and providing real-world opportunities for students and faculty to develop their capacities and address community need.

Darryl L. Johnson

Founder of Third Ministries, Executive Director of Mentor2Youth, Fatherhood Coordinator at The Corner Health Clinic, and Creator of Raising Royalty

Darryl L. Johnson is the founder of I’m Third Ministries, where the guiding principle is "God First, Neighbor Second, and I’m Third!" With the motto “We’re Putting the Neighbor Back in the Hood,” the ministry reflects Darryl’s deep commitment to community revitalization. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Mentor2Youth, the Fatherhood Coordinator at The Corner Health Clinic, and is a dedicated minister at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to these roles, Darryl is actively involved in the Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper steering committee, a county-wide initiative for youth empowerment, and is a member of the HUB Coalition. He is also the creator of Raising Royalty, a unique mentoring framework inspired by the concept that life is a game of chess.

Darryl’s educational background includes studies in business and psychology at San Diego City College and Non-Profit Administration at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO. He has furthered his leadership skills through programs like Leadership DELI and Leaders of Color/Champions for Change and regularly participates in workshops and conferences to stay informed in the ever-evolving business landscape. Above all, Darryl is proud to be a Servant-Leader.

Learn more about Mentor2Youth here.

Mona Kasham

Advocate and Leader, Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center

Mona Kasham is a compassionate advocate and leader within the special needs community. As a key member of the Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center, Mona brings her dedication and expertise to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Inspired by her children, Mona has committed her career to creating inclusive and empowering environments. Her efforts have helped shape impactful programs and resources, providing essential support and fostering growth. Mona's unwavering dedication and personal connection to the cause have earned her admiration and respect, making her a vital force in the community's ongoing efforts for inclusivity and support.

Learn more about Work and Play here.

Misty Kluck

Founder, Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center

Misty Kluck is a dedicated advocate and leader in the special needs community, serving as the founder and driving force behind the Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center. Inspired by her daughter, Tessa Kluck, Misty has devoted her career to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Her innovative programs and resourceful initiatives have significantly impacted the community, providing essential support and opportunities for growth. Misty's commitment to fostering a compassionate and supportive atmosphere has earned her recognition and respect within the field. Through her tireless efforts, she continues to inspire and lead, making a profound difference in the lives of many.

Learn more about Work and Play here.

Kallista Marie

Founder and Executive Director, Our Community Reads

Kallista Marie is the Founder and Executive Director of Our Community Reads. Known affectionately as Ms. K by the families and students she serves in Ypsilanti, Kallista is on a mission to create safe and empowering spaces for black children to thrive while disrupting the harmful notions that often inch their way into the psyche of our families. Through her innovative programs such as Queens Club, Pharaohs Club, Village BluePrint, Books and Brews Events, and Silent Book Club, she is planting seeds of possibilities in the hearts and minds of the youth and inner child of adults in the 48197/48198 zip codes and beyond.

Kallista's dedication to building community and promoting literacy extends to her work at the Ypsilanti District Library Superior Branch, EMU Bright Futures, Washtenaw County Eastside Summer Camps, and collaborations with partners such as Ypsilanti Community Schools, Mentor2Youth, Booksweet, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Black Men Read and more. She firmly believes that a community that reads together can grow together, a message she has had the privilege of sharing with students at Stanford University, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, numerous k-12 schools in Michigan and events.

Learn more about Our Community Reads here.

Laura Russeau

Mother, Musician, Advocate, Activist

Laura is an advocate and leader, an individual who seeks to bring communities together to support inclusion and an awareness of the need to work together for the protection of our human rights. Informed by her studies of Holistic Health, as well as, Music, she applies a creative approach to every project she endeavors including fundraisers, protests in support of reproductive freedom, an annual Pride Parade in the City of Milan (2022-2024) and, most recently, the E3 Neurodiversity Conference.

As a mother of a child with Down Syndrome, Laura has sought to bring awareness to the challenges for individuals of “all-abilities”and their families in our local communities. She believes that meeting the needs of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities will ultimately benefit everyone. With a passionate drive and hardworking sensibility, Laura will continue to use art, innovation, communication and connection to create common sense change.

Jay Sloan

Youth Employment Coordinator, Ozone House

Jay Sloan is currently serving as the Youth Employment Coordinator at Ozone House, an Ypsilanti based non-profit organization that seeks to disrupt systems of oppression and eliminate youth homelessness in Washtenaw County. Prior to becoming the Youth Employment Coordinator, Jay worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Eastern Michigan LGBT Resource Center and The College Supports Program while obtaining their Master of Social Work.

Throughout the course of their collegiate and professional career, Jay has demonstrated a strong passion for holding solidarity with marginalized groups including, but not limited to- Black and Brown folks, LGBTQIA2S+ folks, people living with HIV, neurodivergent groups, and individuals existing at each intersection of those identities and beyond.

Jay’s long term goals center providing direct advocacy and support for marginalized and vulnerable communities in the effort to directly challenge oppressive systems while building meaningful community with the folks they intend to serve.

In their free time, Jay enjoys spending time creating and likes to bounce between different mediums of art. They are also fond of music and spending time outside with friends and family.

Learn more about OZone House here.