About CULYP — Columbus Urban League Young Professionals

Who We Are

The Columbus Urban League Young Professionals is a network of urban young professionals ages 21-40 that functions as an auxiliary group of the Columbus Urban League and also a chapter of the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP).

The Mission

The mission of the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals (CULYP) is to serve as a base of support for the Columbus Urban League and their respective initiatives, promote the overall mission of the Columbus Urban League and a comprehensive orientation to the National Urban League movement for young professionals in the Columbus community.

The Vision

CULYP is a vehicle for young professionals looking for an opportunity to serve the local community as well as engage in impactful activities and programming that encourages personal, professional, and social growth. It is the goal of our organization to build a strong pipeline of future leaders and connect young professionals both within the local community and also across the nation through our affiliations with the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP).

The Movement

The CULYP movement encompasses ongoing work in the areas of Civic & Community Engagement, Personal & Professional Development, Social & Cultural Events, Education Initiatives and Philanthropy. It is our goal to inspire young professionals to pursue opportunities in Community Service and Civic Engagement, assist in mentoring and preparing the next generation through our Education Initiatives, provide unique and innovative activities that will enhance the young professional Social and Cultural experience, empowering young professionals to exercise Philanthropy and become key stakeholders in the advancement and success of our community by giving with their time, talent, and most importantly financial resources, while also focusing on the personal and professional growth of Columbus young professionals through meaningful Personal and Professional Development programming.

Core Values

National Urban league Young Professionals Five Point Focus:

Education and Youth Empowerment
Economic Empowerment
Health and Quality of Life Empowerment
Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment
Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment

Meet CULYP’S Executive Board | 2025-2026

Our goal is to uplift the future leaders in the City of Columbus and provide an opportunity to teach and learn from one another.

**Kendall White**
**President**
culyp.president@cul.org
Member Since: 2021
Committees Served On: Community Service
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Education: BA Criminal Justice | MA Law, Justice and Culture
Kendall was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio Dominican University in 2018 while majoring in Criminal Justice. Additionally, he graduated recently with his Masters in Law, Justice, and Culture from Ohio University in the Spring of ‘22. Kendall now works for Ohioans to Stop Executions, serving as Deputy Director where he oversees the day to day operations of the nonprofit organization.
Outside of work he serves as the 2nd Vice- President of Ohio Young Black Democrats and Vice-President of Columbus Urban League Young Professionals. He is a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (FA’19) and continues to service the communities within Columbus.

**Rashauna Rainey**
**Vice-President**
culyp.vp@cul.org
Member Since: 2023
Committees Served On: N/A
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Education: B.A in Marketing and B.A in International Business.
Rashauna was born and raised in Hilliard, OH, and is passionate about traveling, building community, and helping others excel. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and International Business in 2020 and currently works in healthcare navigation.
Rashauna serves as Vice President of the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals, where she provides guidance to seven standing committees and supports the execution of programs that empower and connect young professionals across Central Ohio. She brings experience in strategic marketing, event planning, and partnership development, having managed social media campaigns, designed websites, and cultivated community collaborations.
Dedicated to service and leadership, Rashauna strives to uplift and inspire others while advancing opportunities for professional and personal growth.

**Secretary**
culyp.secretary@cul.org
Member Since:
Committees Served On:
Hometown:
Education:

**JoVantae Brandon**
**Treasurer**
culyp.treasurer@cul.org
Member Since: 2020
Committees Served On: Personal & Professional Development Chair
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Education: Bachelor’s in Consumers Sciences and Family Financial Planning
JoVantae Brandon, a Toledo native and Ohio State University graduate in Consumer Sciences and Family Financial Planning. Dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve financial success.
JoVantae started his career in banking in 2019, and currently is a Relationship Banker at Chase Bank. Since starting his career, he has helped hundreds of people plan and achieve their financial goals and offering financial guidance.
As Treasurer of the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals, JoVantae actively gives back to the community by supporting organizations that promote the economic development of underserved communities.

**William Carson III**
**Marketing Co-Chair**
culyp.public-relations@cul.org
Member Since: 2018
Committees Served On: PPD
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Education: BA in Management, Ohio University | MBA specialization in Strategic Marketing, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
William W. Carson III MBA, PMP is a dedicated marketing professional with over 10 years’ experience, and a native of Columbus, Ohio. He received a bachelor’s degree in management from Ohio University, and an MBA specializing in Strategic Marketing from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. To supplement his MBA, William also received a Project Management Professional (stylized as PMP) from the Project Management Institute. William serves as Marketing Director for Sigma 614 Foundation, a role that allows him to utilize his creative eye and strategic mind to serve the central Ohio community. Sticking in the realm of creativity, William is the founder of 10x10 Photography and West Tenth Marketing LLC specializing in portrait photography and web design respectively.
William is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Branding for his chapter. He has been involved in varying capacities with CULYP since 2018 and has volunteered for CUL initiatives such as WRTU and IAMBK. Williams’ passion for community service doesn’t stop with the Columbus Urban League, as he is a regular volunteer with The Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots and Kettle Bell, and a member of Lions Club International.
William is an avid reader and firmly believes that the best gifts are those that can be shared with others, such as a book. He is a diehard OSU football fan as well as a Dallas Cowboys. One of his favorite pastimes is watching the Dallas Cowboys disappoint him every year in January.
William is thrilled to use his experiences and expertise to help the people of Columbus, Ohio. As a native of the city, the people here are near and dear to his heart, and he looks forward to serving them in this new role as Marketing Co-Chair.

Edsha Jones
Membership Co-Chair
culyp.membership@cul.org
Member Since: 2024
Committees Served On: Membership, Community Service
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Education/Licensures: Cosmetology, Cosmetology Instruction, Life Insurance
As a multi-passionate entrepreneur and licensed professional in both beauty and finance, Edsha Jones is dedicated to transforming lives. She owns The Luxury Hair Lab, where she empowers women by elevating their confidence with luxurious hair extensions and expert education. Through mentorship, Edsha equips beauty professionals with the tools they need to succeed. With over 16 years of experience, her commitment to authenticity, integrity, and craftsmanship sets her apart as a leader in her field.
In finance, Edsha helps families create holistic financial plans. She also recruits, trains, and develops aspiring financial professionals, guiding them through earning state financial and federal securities licenses while advancing financial literacy.
A Columbus, Ohio native, Edsha’s pursuit of excellence has earned national recognition, including features in VoyageOhio and Who’s Who In Black. Beyond business, she is passionate about family, community service, travel, wellness, personal development, and meaningful connections.

Mwesi Stokes
Marketing Co-Chair
culyp.public-relations@cul.org

Member Since: 2023
Committees Served On: Marketing
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Education: The Ohio State University

Mwesi Stokes is a freelance digital marketer with extensive experience in content creation, account management, and analytical tracking. He currently contributes to the American Advertising Federation Columbus chapter (AAF Columbus) as a board member, supporting the organization’s email communication initiatives.

Before transitioning to freelancing, Mwesi served as the Sales Inventory Coordinator at Orange Barrel Media, where he managed billboard inventory and acted as a key liaison between the sales and marketing teams. He also honed his expertise at The Shipyard, holding roles as Account Coordinator and Performance Media Analyst.

Mwesi’s marketing and strategy career is fueled by his passion for creativity, innovation, and data-driven insights. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Consumer Sciences from The Ohio State University, where he served as Social Media Chair and Vice President of the Black Advertising and Strategic Communication Association (BASCA).

Israel Tanuel Garrett II
Membership Co-Chair
culyp.membership@cul.org
Member Since:
Committees Served On:
Hometown:
Education:
Hello! My name is Israel Tanuel Garrett II. It’s my pleasure and honor to serve as one of the Co-Chairs for the Membership Committee. I graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Justice Studies and a minor in Pre-Law. I currently work full-time as a Community Program Analyst for the Department of Youth Services. I like to consider myself an extroverted extrovert, I truly love people!
One goal of mine is to show everyone how being a member of CULYP will enhance their life as young professional. While also improving the overall quality and experience of the CULYP membership. Some of my hobbies include working out, listening to music, spending time with family and friends, skating, and reading. I enjoy watching sports, anime, and anything comic book related. I also love coaching youth sports, and teaching/learning about Urban Apologetics.

**Community Service Co-Chair**
culyp.community-service@cul.org
Member Since:
Committees Served On:
Hometown:
Education:

**Civic Engagement Co-Chair**
culyp.civic-engagement@cul.org
Member Since: -
Committees Served On: -
Hometown: -
Education: -

Adriana Gordon
Civic Engagement Co-Chair
culyp.civic-engagement@cul.org
Member Since: 2022
Committees Served On: Civic Engagement
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Education: OSU27’ Currently pursuing a MPA | BA 22’ OSU
Adriana Gordon is a Cincinnati native and first-generation college graduate from The Ohio State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2022. During her time at OSU, she served as a Program Lead for the Social Change Program, which sparked her passion for public service. Six months before graduation, she began her career as a legislative aide in the Ohio State House for State Representative Humphrey.
In August 2023, Adriana joined the Ohio Young Black Democrats, where she managed five regional chapters and supported local and state candidates. By January 2024, she was elected President of the Central Ohio Young Black Democrats. Under her leadership, the chapter organized over 20 events within its first year, engaged in quarterly community service projects, and conducted monthly canvassing, significantly growing its membership and partnerships with community organizations.
In August 2024, Adriana joined U.S Senator Sherrod Brown’s campaign as a Political Associate. She also serves on the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee and is currently pursuing her master's degree in public administration at The Ohio State University.

**Jonae Hopkins**
**Personal & Professional Development Co-Chair**
culyp.prof-development@cul.org
Member Since: 2023
Committees Served On: YP Summit
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Education: BA Sociology from Ohio State University, currently obtaining MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport
Jonae is a dynamic professional from Columbus, Ohio, with a passion for leadership, community engagement, and personal growth. An alumna of The Ohio State University, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, laying the foundation for a career rooted in understanding people and fostering impactful connections. Currently pursuing her MBA, she is driven to enhance her expertise in business strategy and organizational leadership.
With her role as a Realty Specialist for the U.S. Department of the Army, Jonae demonstrates exceptional skills in managing complex projects and navigating critical negotiations. Beyond her federal career, she is an entrepreneur dedicated to promoting wellness, having successfully planned and hosted transformative events that empower individuals to lead healthier lives.
A proud member of her community, Jonae is looking forward to serving on the board of CULYP, where she hopes to inspire positive change and champion initiatives that uplift young professionals. Her unique blend of public service, business acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit makes her a multifaceted leader ready to make a lasting impact.

Cameron McLemore
Personal & Professional Development Co-Chair
culyp.prof-development@cul.org

Member Since: 2022
Committees Served On: PPD
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Education: Business Degree in progress

Cameron McLemore is a banker at Chase with a strong commitment to both personal and community development. In addition to her professional role, she serves as the Co-chair of Personal and Professional Development for the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals and as the Deputy Director of Membership for the Central Ohio Young Black Democrats. Cameron is passionate about continuous growth and actively seeks opportunities to develop new skills, with a focus on sharing these insights to support the success of her peers and colleagues.

Outside of her professional and leadership roles, Cameron enjoys reading, cooking, and volunteering, further reflecting her dedication to both personal enrichment and community service.