Meet the Board
Our founder suffered personal loss of his child. He and his board are keenly aware of the limited services available to young people and families within the United States. They are committed to addressing the current state of affairs that our young people are faced with daily.
Meet the Founder
Michael Smith, Founder/President
Michael has worked the past 24 years in the mental health and substance abuse field. Michael’ has dedicated much of his personal and professional life helping and supporting his community. Michael is a United States Army Veteran and graduate of Johnson C. Smith University. Michael believes that it our responsibility as a community to save our children.
Board Members
Roy Evans, Vice-President
Roy Evans is a retired attorney based in London, England and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Roy previously worked with San Francisco based Levi Strauss and company as head of their Corporate Affairs operations throughout Europe. In this role he developed corporate philanthropy strategies and worked with philanthropic Foundations in the USA and Europe.
Lisa McMurray, Secretary
Lisa McMurray is a entrepreneur who took a leap of faith and started a woman owned & operated transportation business 3 years ago. She comes from a background of 20+ years in the medical field. Being a business owner has afforded her the freedom & flexibility to travel throughout the US and see different parts of the world. Also, Lisa has a passion for giving back to the community, by participating in charity work, fundraising events, and feeding the less fortunate.
Bobby Dendy, Treasurer
Bobby Dendy is a retired Marine and a retired Police Officer. He served 24 years as an active duty Marine and 11 years with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He has assisted with the building of homes with Habitat for Humanity and has spent the past 5 years traveling to Kenya, where he assists with the building of homes for widows. He enjoys bicycling, chess, and pickle ball.
Sylvia Smith, Board Director
Although involved in community outreach prior to Sam’s death, this loss has been the driver of Sylvia’s efforts to address the violence that touches our community. As an advocate for those impacted by tragedy, Sylvia currently serves as co-lead for the Carolina Violence Prevention Collaborative and is a member of the Mecklenburg County Office of Violence Prevention Way Forward Advisory Team. In her passion to personally impact the community, she volunteers with CMPD Victim Services and facilitates Comfort in the Cloud, a grief support group offering multiple forms of expression that open multiple paths to healing. She is a founding member of the Center for Family and Community Wellness and The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Coalition.
Sylvia has earned a BA in Communication Studies from the University of NC-Chapel Hill, a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, along with a Certificate in Learning and Development from UNC-Charlotte. She is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and is a certified instructor for REAL Essentials. She is an Ordained Elder in the Presbyterian church and serves as president of the Usher Board. She enjoys writing in her spare time, with written works published in 2022.
Spencer Pee Jr., Board Member
Information coming soon!