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MEET OUR PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS
Kenneth W. Donaldson is the President & and CEO of BUF of Michigan. He has lived most of his life in Detroit with childhood memories of a city with two-parent families, safe neighborhoods, and vibrant schools where the entire family was engaged in early childhood education. Ken graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science and Leadership in Detroit XIV. He also attended Wayne State University, Henry Ford Community College, and Wayne County Community College. Ken’s passion for family cohesion and stable communities led him to over 40 years of philanthropy, mentorship, and community organizing.
As the President & and CEO of BUF of Michigan, a fifty-year-old non-profit organization, Ken has helped to bring millions of dollars and numerous beneficial and empowering programs to non-profit organizations. His efforts have supported over 1,500 non-profit organizations impacting the lives of tens of thousands of men, women, and children. Under Ken’s leadership, BUF has shifted its focus to empowering the youth and providing young people with greater opportunities to achieve their dreams.
The E.Y.E.S. (Empowering Youth for Everyday Success) Initiative equips under-represented youth with the tools to succeed academically, financially, socially, and professionally. Under this Initiative, BUF implements a number of education-focused programs that reinforce STEM skills (creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and confidence). Youth are able to learn both hard and soft skills needed in the workplace. Other BUF initiatives include Project Aviation, Future Doc of Tomorrow, Career Education, and Financial Literacy.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Ken is a devoted husband to Joyce and father to his three children, Kayla, Kenneth 2nd, and Kyana.
"Dr. Linda McLain's passion and purpose lie in helping families achieve health and wholeness. As a Detroit native, she boasts over 35 years of experience counseling children and families, specializing in areas such as bereavement, sexual abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, adoption, and developmental disabilities. Her professional background also encompasses the administration of mental health, social service, and faith-based programs. She has shared her expertise by providing training at conferences on both local and national levels, with a focus on topics related to fostering healthy families. Furthermore, she has co-authored several training manuals for foster parents and contributed as a co-investigator in numerous research studies.
Currently serving as the Program Director at the Black United Fund of Michigan, Dr. Linda McLain has been instrumental in the development of various youth empowerment programs within the E.Y.E.S. (Empowering Youth for Everyday Success Initiative). These programs arm young individuals with essential tools for academic, social, and financial success.
Dr. Linda McLain's educational journey includes a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, a Master's degree from Merrill Palmer Institute, and a Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. Complementing her professional degrees, she has completed ministry school and holds licenses and ordination as a Minister.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Linda McLain enjoys a joyful marriage and is a proud parent to two adult children and two charming grandsons, aged 7 and 3. In her leisure time, she indulges her passion for tennis and recently made significant improvements to her serve and backhand over the summer."
Natasha Lee stands out as an extraordinary individual with a magnetic presence and unwavering work ethic. She's the creative force behind Make Your Dreams Come True (MYDCT), where she serves as the Founder and CEO, making her the youngest and sole African-American woman to own a virtual call center and BPO in Michigan.
Natasha's journey began with a degree in Computer Engineering from Lawrence Technological University, coupled with a minor in Business Management. In 2006, amid a recession, she boldly founded MYDCT, a multi-faceted firm specializing in consulting, business development, marketing, tech support, and much more. Beyond her business success, Natasha is deeply committed to her community. She initiated programs like the Kidpreneur Program, offered pro bono support to women worldwide, and empowered the visually impaired to work from home and launch their businesses.
Her leadership extends to roles like President of BUF of Michigan Connect, President and Chair of Rohn's Community Development Corporation, former Vice President for Saving
Her Elegance, and Board Member of the NAACP Women of Color Entrepreneur Circle. Currently, she leads the Black United Fund of Michigan's Connect-the-millennial division.
Natasha's impact is recognized with awards like the Honor Roll Award from the State of Michigan, the Walker's Legacy Powerful 25 of Detroit recognition, and the Corps Magazine Diversity and Inclusion Award. Her business accolades include LinkedIn's Best Website & Graphic Design Business for three consecutive years.
Natasha's clothing brand, Being That Girl, is a tribute to her late mother and a platform for empowering individuals to pursue their dreams. Starting in Macy's, it has expanded globally, reaching markets in the UK, France, Israel, Singapore, and across the United States.
In her leisure moments, Natasha enjoys writing, reading, dancing, and quality time with loved ones. She is a devoted mother to her three children and a dedicated servant of Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. Natasha's influence transcends borders, making her a prominent figure in business and empowerment.
Sonya M Weaver is a Coaching Specialist and the Founder of Sonya M Weaver Coaching. Sonya focuses on Personal and Professional Coaching. She has a direct approach that makes
each client accountable for their success by guiding them towards a plan to reach their full potential and goals. Sonya assists people in thinking outside the box and getting to know themselves in new ways and assisting them achieve the success they never dreamed possible.
Sonya is also the Founder/CEO of Deals With B.O.B (Black Owned Businesses), LLC. Deals With B.O.B was created to help Black Owned Businesses grow by connecting them to more consumers. The three fundamental principles of Deals With B.O.B are to Create Awareness, Encourage Support of Black Owned Businesses and Promote Restoration of our communities. The Mission of Deals With B.O.B is to increase the circulation of the Black Dollar within the Black Communities by leveraging our Buying Power. The Vision is to create economically self-supporting communities within metropolitan cities and the surrounding areas, for current and future generations.
Sonya’s Deals With B.O.B website is a community of reputable black business owners and is a centralized location to connect consumers to those black owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Consumers join a community of like-minded individuals that are committed to supporting B.O.B. Likewise, business owners and entrepreneurs are part of a site that provides unique branding and increased visibility. Business membership provides website directory listings, Deals on Premium Services that help businesses and entrepreneurs become successful, promotion of events, guest appearances on Get To Know B.O.B and more. Sonya desires to help businesses thrive and reach phenomenal levels that they never dreamed were possible.
Lakina Fulks is an author of many books, a wife, and a mother of 6 children. She is a
businesswoman and entrepreneur who has many different businesses. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business and a Master’s Degree in Social Justice. She is the Vice President of The Lost and Found Christian Association whose mission is to provide battered and sexually abused women and their children with a rehabilitation process that provides a continuum of care and empowerment. Lakina is the Founder of The Treasure Within which is a 501C3 nonprofit organization that was designed for young ladies 8-19. The Non-Profit is intended to motivate, empower, uplift, build self-esteem, and teach leadership skills.