we're a part of the communities we serve
Legacies Empowered is a 501c3 nonprofit established in 2020 after the pandemic left already vulnerable, underrepresented communities in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh with an even greater set of needs. Taking a collaborative approach, we harness existing resources like neighborhood-level leaders and organizations including nonprofits, faith communities and small businesses, to make a stronger, lasting impact.
Our mission
Provide culturally-responsive support to
reduce barriers and foster pathways towards generational success for underrepresented communities.
vision
Communities where all individuals achieve socioeconomic stability and mental wellness while meaningfully contributing to the collective success and sustainable progress of themselves and their environments.
VALUES
People
A community's most valueable asset is its people. By including and honoring leadership and contributions from diverse stakeholders, we keep our work authentically grounded.
community
We believe in the community’s ability to develop itself from the inside out and that we all must play a part in creating the environment we want to live in.
equity
We proactively work to build equity by creating systems to break down structural barriers to opportunity, making change happen and improving outcomes.
inclusiveness
No one in our community should be left behind. We all have something of value to contribute to achieve our common goal.
education
We believe in the power of education through experience. The freedom to be dreamers, creatives and thinkers is essential in building strong people and communities.
cultural respect
A person’s cultural and social identities provide purpose, power and pride and add value to the spaces they are brave enough to enter.
framework
Our youth-focused initiatives follow the Positive Youth Development Framework, which emphasizes people as agents of change. Additionally, our organization is prevention certified through OhioMHAS.
ASSETS
Participants have the necessary resources, skills and competencies to achieve desired outcomes.
Agency
Participants perceive and have the ability to employ their assets and aspirations to make or influence their own decisions about their lives and set their own goals, as well as to act upon those decisions in order to achieve desired outcomes.
Contribution
Participants are engaged as a source of change for their own and for their communities’ positive development.
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Participants are surrounded by an environment that develops, supports and strengthens their ability to avoid risks and stay safe, secure and protected; living without fear of violence or retribution.
team
Legacies Empowered is proud to have minority leaders serving minority communities. Our team brings over a decade of experience in community outreach and organizing.
board leadership
board members
Terryka Johnson, Chair
Nurse
Cuyahoga County
Cierra Taylor, MSW, Secretary
Clinical Quality Coordinator
Ascend a Maximus Company
Claresha Blair, Treasurer
Senior Staff Accountant
Marriott Vacations Worldwide
Tevis Gordon-Crawford, FNP
Nurse Practitioner
Saint Anthony Hospital
Brittany Works, LCSW-CCTP
Equity Consultant
Matters of Our Mind, LLC
staff
Charde’ Hollins, LCSW-S
Executive Director
Dr. Carolyn Hurst
Program Coordinator
Lisa Jarrell
Prevention Specialist
Dr. Jerome Hurst
Prevention Specialist
Carolyn Davis, M.Ed
Education Coordinator
