Providing the power and means to thrive
It is no small secret that in this day and age, many of our children are facing an uphill battle when it comes to finding consistent resources and funding for their education. While many enjoy the luxury of well-funded schools in wealthier neighborhoods, others are struggling just to survive. All across the country, after-school programs and extracurricular activities are being cut at an alarming rate. While school funding is a problem that will require many solutions from many sources, Balance Elite Solutions is looking to bolster the curriculum of schools that lack funding, as well as schools that already have appropriate funding, yet lack the facilitators and program organizers to administer the needed academic supporting programs.
B. E. Solutions
Balance Elite Solutions is a company that provides real world education to students. Support includes everything from personal empowerment, environmental awareness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, banking and saving, tax preparation, physical and wellness education and more. These programs are custom designed for students ranging from elementary to high school as well as workforce development organizations. Supervised programs take place before, during and after school hours and during the summer; depending on administrative preference. Each program is designed to efficiently support 1 to 15 students for 6, 9 or 40 weeks.
While properly funded schools are able to pay for these programs out of their budgets, there are many that are desperately in need and want of our services yet lack the proper funding.
Proceeds from Capital Financial Resources academic Supporting Programs, Balance Elite Solutions, will fund the start-up of The Non Profit Scholars Union scholarship program allowing active students the opportunity to deposit invaluable time into in their schools and communities’ in turn growing their scholarship funding account that will be used to support themselves to and through higher education.
Building a foundation of leadership that will impact the world
For each school that is able to afford its own funding, we are matching that by providing funding for schools that cannot. This is where we look to our business community partners for support. Corporate support is becoming more and more popular as government spending wanes and communities are forced to find new ways to provide for their students. We say support because businesses are supporting a new future of career minded individuals who will one day fill their ranks. And unlike most supporters, our corporate partners will increase their brand recognition, demonstrate strong academic and community support and receive an advertising expense tax write-off.
Founder & CEO
Jaquetta Jones
Jaquetta Jones the founder and CEO of Balanced Elite Solutions was born and raised in gritty blue-collar Flint Michigan. School was always a safe haven for Jaquetta as she developed an early commitment to academic excellence. Hard work, dedication, and the relentless desire to succeed Jaquetta achieved graduating from Baker College of Flint with a Master’s degree in Finance and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Michigan State University. With over 23 years’ experience in corporate banking, financial development and global budget management Jaquetta has never forgotten the critical role education played in balancing her life. In a commitment to pay it forward Jaquetta founded Balance Elite Solutions, Providing youth the power and means to thrive.
Director of Program and Business Development
Melanie Taylor
Melanie Taylor is a 17 veteran of the Columbus Ohio Police Department. Ms. Taylor dedicated her career to understanding and respecting the role Law Enforcement plays in the community. It is with ultimate professionalism and compassion that Melanie inspired confidence in policing within the citizens of Columbus. Throughout her career she saw how personal surroundings, economic conditions, and social influences shaped the lives of young people. Melanie is dedicated to giving today’s youth the power and means to decide their future and developed Space Camp to do just that. The personal empowerment and environmental awareness workshop is a journey of recognizing your own space while learning to claim it in a self-assured and confidant manner.
Melanie’s career in Law Enforcement included being a Patrol Officer, Walking Crew Member, Crises Intervention Team Member, Community Mediation, and a Detective in the Investigative Bureau. Melanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wright State University.
Academic Supporting Volunteers
Marnee Grant
Mr. Grant is currently Director of National Recruitment and Engagement for Teacher Pathways at Relay Graduate School of Education. With over 12 years’ experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, he has provided leadership in capacities such as human resources, site operations, training and development, and recruitment. Prior to joining HISD, He worked for the national non-profit organization City Year. During his time there, Mr. Grant managed education support programs at inner city schools as well as assuming a the role of the Sr. Regional Recruitment Manager. Mr. Grant has also spent two years teaching Special Education at the high school level in Columbus, OH. While working in Columbus City Schools he served students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Mr. Grant has experiences facilitating workforce development programs that provided support for ask risk youth that assisted with successful transition to employment and post-secondary opportunities.
Mr. Grant holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, OH. He attended The Ohio State University studying Human Ecology before completing his undergraduate degree from the University of Phoenix-Columbus campus. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
Tiffany Taylor-Smith
Tiffany Taylor Smith, M.S. Ed. is founder of Culture Learning Partners a consulting firm focused on building better cross-cultural relationships and increasing cultural awareness in schools, businesses and community organizations. She is an independent school Trustee, parent and educator. Prior to consulting she spent 10 years in human resource development, diversity, and sales management at Procter & Gamble. One of her final projects with P&G was to develop an internal system designed to retain and develop minority and women employees.
Ms. Taylor Smith has presented and spoken about cultural competence and cultural conversations at conferences and workshops around the country. She also serves as an adjunct professor in child, adolescent and social psychology at Kean University. And co-authored an article published in Independent School magazine titled, “Embracing Culture, Teaching Change Strategies for Professional Development and Personal Growth.” Her upcoming book, “The Unwritten Rules of Success in U.S. Culture” will be released fall 2016. She received her Master’s Degree in Education specializing in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University and Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Rochester.
Kathi Traylor
U.S. Department of Labor: Washington, DC
With over ten years human resource experience, Kathi R. Traylor, MS, PHR, SHRM-CP, serves as a Senior Compliance Officer with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). She specializes in developing human resource solutions to Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) and diversity issues.
Raised by two dedicated educators in Flint, Michigan, she has drawn upon her background and industry knowledge to provide both college students and corporate professionals with the tools for success in communication, AA/EEO and diversity. An advocate for social justice, Kathi regularly volunteers with Washington, DC Metro Area community agencies to serve and support in-need families by helping overcome hardships.
Kathi holds a Master of Science from North Carolina State University in Organizational Communication and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan-Flint with a double major in Sociology and Communication. She is a Human Resources Certification Institute certified Professional in Human Resources and a member of the Society of Human Resource Management.
LaQuandra S. Nesbitt
MD, MPH – Department of Health: Washington, DC
Dr. Nesbitt returns to the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) where she was the Director and leading public health expert in Louisville, Kentucky. As health Director of LMPHW, Dr. Nesbitt committed to five strategic priorities for Louisville Metro: creating a culture of health and wellness in Metro Louisville; an expanded focus on social determinants of health and health equity; strengthening public-private partnerships; increased connection between public health and clinical medicine; and implementing an outcomes driven approach to program and policy development.
In addition to her professional activities, Dr. Nesbitt is a published author and served as an executive editor of Population Health: Management, Policy, and Technology, First Edition. She was an active member of the Louisville community and served on a number of boards including: Greater Louisville Medical Society, Kentucky Science Center, American Heart Association of Kentuckiana, Louisville Sports Commission, The Healing Place, and Health Enterprise Network. Dr. Nesbitt was also appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to a four year term as a member of Kentucky’s Early Childhood Advisory Council.
Edmond C. O’Neal III
WorkOne: Fort Wayne, IN
Edmond C. O’Neal III serves as the Senior Director of WorkOne Services for Northeast Indiana Works. In this position, he is responsible for oversight of operations, policy development, youth services and supporting regional collaborative efforts. Prior to joining Northeast Indiana Works, Edmond worked in varying capacities at Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas. He holds a B.A. from Stanford University, an M.Ed from Texas Christian University and an MBA from Indiana University. Edmond currently sits on the Board of Erin’s House for Grieving Children, where he is also a member of the Board Governance Committee and is a Board Director for Catie B Charities, where he facilitates the annual Pro Football Mini Camp for local 6th, 7th and 8th grade youth. Edmond also volunteers at the Renaissance Pointe YMCA and is a member of the school Advisory Committee for Anthis Career Center.
Justin Hall
Ohio State University Hospital: Columbus, OH
As a former Surgical Service Assistant and current Anesthesia Tech while working toward his Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Justin is responsible for managing and ensuring the success of Fitness, Health, and Wellness at Ohio State University Hospital. He is a team captain and decorated athlete. Justin applies the same enthusiasm, dedication, and tenacity required for physical success to cerebral development and academic success. Through volunteerism in his community, Justin has had a hand in serving: Rebuilding Together Dayton, Incarnation Fish Fry, Big Brother Program, Archbishop Alter High School’s Mulch Sale, Wood Glen Alzheimer’s Community Center, the Virginia Haunted Coal Mine, the Koman Walk/Race for the Cure, playing music in local nursing homes, providing lawn care services for the elderly, directing a Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive, the Columbus Book Drive, the Polar Bears Basketball Program, and a Mother’s Day Flower distributor. Justin currently holds an Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences and a pursing his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Ohio State University. His passion for life and compassion for others fuels his commitment to enhancing the quality of life of each individual.
Omar McGee
Executive Prep: Hawthorne, CA
Omar grew up in a city that is consistently at the top of the list of Worst Places to Live in America – Flint, Michigan. During the height of the crack epidemic in the 1980’s, Omar, the baby of eight children, was exposed early to the harsh realities of divorce, drugs, violence, and alcoholism that plagued not only his family but the community at large.
Rising above his circumstances Omar went on to attend Howard University as a Communications Major, where he started a non-profit organization called, Inner City Outreach. Due to his own struggles, the mission for ‘Inner City’ was to provide financial support to low income and inner city youth in need of assistance for secondary education. Through Inner City, Omar went on to help 50 students along their road to higher education. A dream of a career in the film industry eventually led Omar to write and direct his first film called Flint Town Kids. Eventually the film was awarded ‘Best Docudrama’ at the New York International Independent Film Festival. Flint Town Kids showed the dark side of life for African American kids living in Flint, MI and their struggle to balance success in sports and the street life waiting for them on every corner. Omar also achieved substantial success in real estate development.
He decided that he wanted to create a program that would provide a foundation for success that, due to his own experiences, he knew most inner city youth lacked. Through Inner City Outreach, and now, Executive Prep Academy of Finance, Omar is able to fulfill his mission to provide children in the inner city with what he was not afforded as a student: the platform to obtain a world-class education armed with the tools of financial literacy to ensure success for children that are often overlooked by society and government programs. Preparing them for success not just as students, but as adults that will eventually contribute and strengthen their communities; making the ‘American Dream’ real for them, kids who are just like him.
Tracey Y. Moorehead
Southfield Public School: Southfield, MI
Tracey Y. Moorehead MAT was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services. After graduation she was the director of Daycare Centers before opening her own Center and running it for nearly 5 years before she decided to go back to school to gain a Master’s degree in teaching. While in the Wayne State University’s MAT program she began working in the Southfield Public School system as a substitute teacher and was eventually hired as an elementary teacher where she worked for almost 7 years gaining her teaching certificate and Master’s Degree. She is also Vice Chair of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Michigan Chapter where she has been a board member for nearly 10 years. She recently decided to return to Wayne State University to pursue a second Master’s Degree in Sociology as she continues to serve her community.
Jesse J. Mark III
MBA– Associated Benefits Consultants: Columbus, OH
Jesse is a Senior Business Development Officer for Associated Benefits Consultants (ABC), LLC and an agent of Lifetime Financial Growth (LFG) & Park Avenue Securities (PAS). He has 15 years’ experience in the financial Industry servicing individuals, families & businesses of high net worth. Jesse’s expertise is in retirement planning, business, individual & family protection, and budgeting.
Jesse is a graduate of Ohio Northern University (ONU) James F. Dicke College of Business with areas of concentration in Finance and Sports Management. While at ONU, he was a two sport student-athlete in varsity Football & Basketball. He earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix while concurrently managing a $70MM banking center. He is a former board member of Columbus Business Alliance, holds professional affiliations with numerous Central Ohio chambers & rotary groups.
Jesse’s experiences include consumer, commercial & mortgage lending, business & individual insurance and money management. He is a licensed life and health insurance agent, a resident licensee in Ohio, and a nonresident in other states. Jesse is securities licensed (series 6 & 63) in: D.C., West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio, with no limitations for entry into other regions of the US; with investment advisory licensing in Ohio. Our firm is committed to quality service & helping clients develop informed financial strategies. LFG ranks in the top 20 financial services companies in the world- with access to the intellectual capital of more than 200 + representatives with diverse knowledge and expertise in the protection & accumulation of wealth, investments, executive benefits, business planning & estate planning.
Trentae Taylor
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Dayton, OH
Trentae is an early childhood education professional who is dedicated to enhancing early learning experiences for young children and their families. She has worked with children for 13 years as a teacher, education coordinator, leadership coach, and child care licensing supervisor. Trentae has volunteered to plan professional development conferences, create workshops, and train/mentor numerous individuals on best practice in educational settings. She thrives on helping others increase their knowledge. Trentae believes that parent-teacher collaboration is the key to student success. Her goal is to help others build solid systems to maintain the quality in their school, program, and classroom.
Natasha M Nesbitt
Research Scientist: Stony Brook, New York
Since 2005 Natasha M Nesbitt, PhD has been a researcher at Stony Brook University where she is committed to improving global health and safety through scientific research. Her research has focused on identifying novel targets for treating various human pathogens. Natasha is dedicated to fostering future scientists and has served as a hands on mentor to dozens of undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom have become independent researchers. Additionally she volunteers at science fairs and scientific competitions for elementary and high school students in her community.
Natasha holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Michigan State University.