Rod Christmon

Rod's experience in HR management and ability to mediate tough situations proves invaluable to S4K and its Board of Directors. Rod is passionate about his family and adoption. As an adoptive dad, he is committed to seeing the mission and vision of S4K expanded in his local community and in communities around the nation and world.

Darryl Kilpatrick, MBA

Darryl has served on the S4K Board for 7 years. He stepped into the Board Chair role in 2018 and has led S4K in this season of exponential growth and expansion of S4K’s programs. He is a family man who is passionate about working with, mentoring and serving youth. Darryl is an active member of his church, Wheaton Christian Center, where he led Youth Fest for many years.

Dr. Will Madden

Will is co-founder of Whole Brain Consulting, entrepreneur, author, CEO, transracial adoptive dad, and largest lifetime donor to the S4K mission. He brings a commitment to the sustainability and longevity of the S4K mission and brand. His fire and commitment to the vision drives the S4K Board forward.

Tamekia Swint, MBA

Tamekia is S4K's Founder and Executive Director who drives the mission and vision of the organization. She started by assisting a few families in the transracial adoptive community with hair care education and services, and through that found her gift of working with children. Tamekia has been featured in O Magazine, Essence online and on Good Morning America, as well as in many news sources across the country, for creating a hair care organization that serves families in the foster, transracial adoptive and bi-racial communities.

Ryan Swint, MS

Ryan is a creator, innovator, and talented graphic designer. Ryan is a non-voting member of the S4K Board of Directors and has served on the board since it's inception in 2010. He designs all marketing materials and assists with the management of S4K's social media, website design, and online presence. Ryan is committed to creating designs that further the S4K mission, vision, and brand.

Latonya Tolliver

Latonya is a licensed broker and certified event planner with a gift for design. She has orchestrated the details of every S4K gala for the past 5 years. As new Board Member, she is responsible for opening the flood gate that has placed S4K in the spotlight on news and media sources in 2019 and 2020, starting with our debut on Windy City Live. Latonya's determination, eye for detail, and negotiating skills make her a valuable asset to the S4K Board.

Sisay Lenning

Executive Assistant

Sisay is a transracial adoptee from Ethiopia and served as volunteer on the social media team in 2019. She joined our team in 2020 as Executive Assistant and serves as light and encouragement to the kids in our community. Sisay, a  recent graduate of social work, is efficient, detail-oriented, and, most importantly, excited about the mission of S4K.

Shavonne Patterson

Hair Braider

Shavonne Patterson has served the S4K mission for three years. Her journey started with us as a braiding assistant; now Licensed Hair Braider.  Shavonne is a graduate of Amazon Natural Look Academy and has a BA in International French. Her passion for helping kids ignites her commitment to create styles that light up the faces of all the kids we serve. She is committed, faithful, and talented--a true asset to the S4K salon team. 

Brionte Booker

Cosmetologist

Brionte was the very first S4K stylist.  She volunteered her time and services while she was in high school. Without a vehicle, she caught the bus and train to locations across the city to serve our families. When most teenagers were hanging out, she spent time on the weekends assisting with services for kids in foster group homes. After a time away to complete her Cosmetology program at Pivot Point and develop her skills professionally in other salons, Brionte has returned to help move the S4K mission forward.  She is a committed, talented stylist with a heart for service.

Juzzane Brownlee

Juzzane Brownlee is passionate about hair. She has given beautiful hairstyles to friends, relatives, and clients for over 30 years. In 2017 Juzanne chose to make Cosmetology her professional career by going to Cosmetology school. She loves children and has known about the S4K mission for years. Now a team member in 2020, she is ready to serve and deliver beautiful hairstyles and training to kids and parents the S4K community. Welcome aboard!

Christy James

Salon Manager

Christy James is passionate about hair. After many years of retail management, she took a leap of faith to change careers and become a hair care professional. She is a recent graduate of Amazon Natural Look Academy in Chicago where she excelled in her study and mastery of natural hair styling. Christy loves performing styles that enhance the natural beauty of the kids in our community.

Yakarah Styles

Licensed Hair Braiding Teacher

Yakarah is a talented stylist and educator with over 20 years in the industry.  Yakarah is passionate about teaching natural hair techniques and ready to give parents valuable skills and effective tips to style and successfully manage their kids' textured hair.