Mrs. Debra Reddrick-Hamlet served as Board Chair since our inception. Unfortunately, she passed away in October of 2022 after being a vital piece to our growth and a pillar in the community that she served tirelessly. Because of her endless passion and dedication to this organization as well as her life's work to youth, family, and all those she came in contact with we will forever recognize the work she did and carry that torch with us in all that we do! Debra "Deb" will be missed. We thank and honor her by spreading love and making a difference every chance we get!
Dr. Chico Tillmon is the Executive Director of READI at Heartland Alliance where he leads a team who provides strategies, capacity building, technical assistance, and direct service in the community violence prevention space. Dr. Tillmon is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Chicago Urban Labs and a violence prevention expert who has consulted with several organizations across the country and was recognized for his work nationally by President Biden and was invited to the Rose Garden at the White House in 2021. Dr. Tillmon is trained in trauma informed care practices, has a Masters Degree in Inner-City Studies, a PhD in Criminology, and is a veteran of the Illinois National Guard. Dr. Tillmon has received several awards and recognition and we are proud to have him on our team.
Karl Wright is a graduate of Purdue Global University and has a degree in Information Technology. For over twelve years he has worked at one of the largest hospitals in the Midwest with experience leading major projects, navigating the ever changing industry, and leading a team to successfully complete and administer several programs in a timely manner. Karl is excited to be a part of The START Program and brings that expertise to the organization helping to push the envelope and achieve our mission.