Janice Murphy founded Light the Way Foundation (LTW), because as a child, she was unable to participate in activities due to limited resources. Her mission is to ensure all youth are afforded the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities, as they are critical to development. Janice received a Master of Business Administration degree from UMUC and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Strayer University. 

She has always had a passion to help youth reach their goals. LTW has enabled her to watch community youth develop into confident and educated young men and women. She believes in our future leaders and works to ensure they have the support and resources they need to be successful. 

Derrick Terry holds a B.A./M.A degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Towson University, an A.A.P.S degree in Information Management from the Community College of Air Force, and received an Advanced Professional Special Education Certification from the VA/MD Departments of Education. Derrick serves as CEO of Edvocare, LLC (special education advocacy organization) and Records & Information Management Specialist for the U.S. federal government. Derrick is a former 20-year special educator and adjunct professor and a 28-year retired military reserves war-veteran having served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Derrick is regularly active in the community as a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was appointed as a board member on the Governor of MD Board of Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Educational Programs and the Charles County Board of Commissioners Police Accountability Board. Also, Derrick is the author of two books, I’m Not Complaining, I’m Just Sayin’…Memoirs of the Good and Bad in the Education System and Never Judge a Book by Its Cover…It is ok to talk about mental illness.  Derrick is a basketball referee and enjoys mentoring youth with improving their social and life skills.

Yakina White has a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Tuskegee University. Her passion for working and helping animals, led her to work for over ten years as a veterinarian technician. She later became interested in the healthcare industry and gained additional employment with a major health insurance company.

She enjoys volunteering her support for the AAU Girls and Boys Basketball Organization, by fundraising and coordinating activities for the children. Yakina is helping our youth grow by teaching them ways to discover positive life skills.

Islam Shabazz (Is) is a graduate of Howard University with a B.S. in Physical Education (PE), a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation, and a Minor in Allied Sciences. For over 20 years, he has been and still is passionate and enthusiastic to his commitment to the success of youth and young adults. For the past 18 years, Is has been working as a PE instructor for DCPS, where he's implemented a variety of health and PE programs that have helped students make better decisions in their school and community. As a coach, he believes in the "student first - athlete second" approach, which helps connect sports to the ups and downs and responsibilities of life as a whole.

Islam is the lead trainer of Building Our Kids Success, which is sponsored by Reebok. He has experience in marketing and promotions from his companies Shabazz International Apparel, Shabazz Brothers Urbanwear, and D.C.'s own Greenhouse Entertainment.

Asia Chandler has always had a passion for radio. She graduated from Northeastern University with honors and dual degrees in Bachelor of Art in Journalism, and a Bachelor of Art in Communication. She has worked for industry leading radio stations; Radio One in Boston, Radio One at WBOT, Hot 97.7, Hot 106, WBCG on Big City 101.3, Magic 95.9 FM Baltimore, and is currently a radio personality for Radio One 102.3 FM. She has received industry accolades, such as the Garrison Award and for four consecutive years, received "The Best of Boston Award" and "The Urban Music Award for Best Radio Personality."

Asia is a columnist for a national women's magazine, Copa Style, where she offers advice in her popular "Ask Asia" column and also serves as a Brand Ambassador for New York and Company. She is a published journalist and a youth mentor, who continues to uplift and support her community.  Asia's motto is "make every day better than the day before."

As a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, Billy Sanders is a Communications Consultant with Bridges Consulting; a company he founded fifteen years ago to champion cross-cultural communication through education and empowerment. Currently a veteran mentor for College Bound, Board Advisor to Light the Way Foundation, and serves on the Board for the Friends of the Buea School for the Deaf [Cameroon, West Africa]. Billy credits his love for serving within the Deaf community to his mother, Debra - who is Deaf. Having earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Public Administration from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Billy is currently a doctoral student in the Community College Leadership Program at Morgan State University.

A staunch advocate for education, Billy has taught extensively since the year of 2000   at a myriad of colleges and universities in the objects of American Sign Language, Signed Language Systems, and Strategies for Cross-Cultural Communication. Aside from living out his passion, Billy loves to spend time with his 19-year old, scholar-athlete son, Donovan, who is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Mark Sturdivant began his academic career by receiving his high school diploma from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. He earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Maryland, College Park. As a student athlete, he earned many honors: Co-Captain of the Terps, 1st team-All ECAC, 1st team All ACC, Pre-season All-American and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies at University of Maryland and received a scholarship to attend post-graduate studies at Bowie State University to obtain his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Personal, professional, educational and family experiences have helped shaped him in his current push to change mindsets and be a positive force in today’s society. He has served as an educator in the public school system for over 20 years and has loved every minute of working with today’s youth. He is the Founder/CEO of STURDI (Success, Takes, Ultimate, Resilience, Determination, & Inspiration) which empowers youth and adults to self-eternalize their own growth potential. He believes that growth is the evolution of changing your mindset.

Mark’s favorite quote is: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Til your good is better and your better is best” by St. Jerome.