Meet The Team
Leanna Calvin, LCSW
Founder
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​Leanna is a creative and free spirited individual. Some may attribute her success to obtaining her MSW, becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and being in several leadership roles. Leanna obtained her BSW from Tuskegee University and MSW from Fordham University. She identifies her success as the impact she has made on each individual encountered throughout her life. Leanna was given the vision to develop a creative youth program many years ago and has worked hard to make the vision become a reality. She has worked with many youth in several states including California, Alabama, New York and Charlotte. Through her work she noticed a theme of youth having a lack of knowledge on various careers and struggling to understand their uniqueness, hence the birth of Exposure Project. Leanna founded Exposure Project with the hope and belief that the program will have an impact on the world like no other!
Jamal Payne
Board Member
Mr. Payne is a graduate of Rust College, where he is the founding charter member of the first collegiate 100 in the state of Mississippi which is an organization with its programmatic initiatives that supports the development of social, emotional, and educational needs of youth who need positive role models. Mr. Payne serves as a Sr. Executive in Charlotte, North Carolina, office of XPO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: XPO). He is responsible for providing world-class supply chain services to customers he has cultivated and grown with XPO’s competitive advantages as well as C-suite Executives.
Prior to joining XPO Logistics, Mr. Payne was the communication director and for State Senator Joel Ford where he developed communication strategies to assist in the facilitation for organizational change within the statehouse and collaborated with campaign administrative staff to establish a comprehensive communication plan encompassing all media outlets.
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Christina Velasquez, MSW
Board Member
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Christina Velasquez is currently a Social Worker for the NYC Department of Education, and a Field Instructor for Columbia University. She has over 11 years of experience in the Social Work arena empowering clients through a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to, child/adolescent individual and/or group therapy, and program development. Christina's experience also includes managing the operational and programming needs for afterschool programs and summer camps funded by the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD).
Christina studied in New York, earning her Bachelors of Social Work degree from Lehman College, and her Masters Degree of Social Work for Fordham University. She believes in the service to humanity and service to our children. She understands the importance of educating, guiding, and exposing our youth to the numerous opportunities in the world. For Christina, "there is no greater gift than the smile of a child who has found their way."
Aubrey Yeboah, MBA
Board Member
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​Aubrey has an MBA in International Business and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. He has over ten years of professional experience, and has held numerous positions in both the educational and non-profit sector; one of which includes an Advertising Consultant for Black Entertainment Television (BET) in Washington, DC.
Aubrey is Co-Founder at BatteryXchange and is the organization's Chief Marketing Officer. His role as CMO is to oversee the branding development, advertising and content planning, and execution of the organization's marketing and customer initiatives. Aubrey will use market research to create a marketing strategy and develop creative and engaging material to reach target audiences.
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Amber Ellis
Volunteer
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​Amber is a Charlotte native who has a passion for entrepreneurship and the arts. She combined these two loves for the creation of Juvi Hair Spa, Rejuvination of Hair and Spirit, established in 2007. Amber is also an Art Director and Entrepreneurship Coach. Amber believes that exposure is a vital component to reaching your fullest potential, and sees Exposure Project as a perfect opportunity to help youth broaden their perspective. Amber enjoys Tango and Chicago Two Stepping.
Tiaira Robinson, LCSW
Volunteer​
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​Tiaira is a Chicago native, who has been living in the Charlotte area for 2 years. She is a Clinical Social Worker with a significant background in working with youth and families. She has enjoyed volunteering with Exposure Project and being a positive support for the youth that enter the program. Tiaira most enjoys spending her time playing volleyball or listening to live music.
Janelle Spikes, LCSWA
Volunteer
​​Janelle is a San Diego native currently residing in Charlotte. Some of her professional background include obtaining her BSW from Tuskegee University and MSW from UNC Charlotte. She is currently a Medical Social Worker. Janelle has always been an active member of her community since middle school; volunteering with youth and other community members. Her favorite aspect of volunteering with EP is interacting with the youth and being a part of a creative driven environment. A fun fact about Janelle is that she’s obsessed with ordering from Amazon!
