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.

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.

Steve Raquel

Steve Raquel is the president of IOV Media, a social media and marketing consultancy in the Chicago area.  He has more than 20 years of experience working with some of the biggest brands in the world including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, State Farm, and the Olympic Games.  In his current role at IOV Media, he helps small businesses and large corporations determine how to use social media and digital wisely.

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.

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 its 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.

Dr. Will Madden

Will is co-founder of Whole Brain Consulting, entrepreneur, author, CEO, transracial adoptive dad, and largest supporter of 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 drive the S4K Board forward.

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 a 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.

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 haircare professional. She is a 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.

Chonelle Jefferson

Communications Assistant

Chonelle has years of customer service and office management experience.  She is passionate about helping S4K staff serve everyone in the community.  She is excited to see the growth and changes happening at S4K and feels that there is nothing more important than showing the future generations what self-love and self-care mean in a world that needs it.  Service is her life's passion!

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 creating 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. 

LaToyai Young

Cosmetologist

LaToyai joined S4K one year ago as a volunteer who is passionate about kid's hair. She took an interest in hair styling at 8 years old styling her 5 younger siblings. She has recently completed her dream of getting her cosmetology license! We are excited to have her on the team and she looks forward to serving all of you.

Juzzane Brownlee

Cosmetologist

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 in the S4K community. 

Desiree Futrell

Salon Assistant

Desiree started out volunteering her time to help out a friend and has now become part of the team as a Salon Assistant. Desiree has over 20 years of experience in hospitality and hospitality management and loves to serve kids and families who participate in the Care & Confidence Program.  We are grateful for her support!