TGi Team

Devonta Boston

Founder | CEO

Southwest side Chicago native. An activist, A spoken word artist, community organizer, entrepreneur and so many more hats I wear. I am Devonta Boston the founder and CEO of TGi. I have been doing community organizing for over a decade and one thing I have seen time and time again is that the change has to start with us. I am passionate about increasing pathways and opportunities for youth in black and brown communities to follow their passion.

Justin Clemons

Graphic Designer

Justin is a passionate artist who has been drawing since he was young. He believes there is an impact that can be made through art in the community. Justin also works at Magnolia Screen Printing along with teaching art to students as an After School Matters instructor.

Jasmine Serrano

Board President

I live and work on the southwest side, in Chicago lawn, and I am an organizer for the Southwest Organizing Project. I’m passionate about increasing equity for Chicago Lawn, while maintaining its diverse culture and community. When residents understand their agency they have the ability to transform their world, and it is this understanding that motivates me to do this work.

Ted Christians

Vice President

Ted Christians is the Executive Director of Amplify Chicago (Amplify), an initiative of The Academy Group. Amplify is a justice system to a professional pathway for young men ages 20 to 26 designed to drive economic development and wealth creation in Chicago's most resilient communities. Prior to Amplify, he served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Umoja Student Development Corporation (Umoja). Ted lives in Chicago with his wife and two sons.

Yasmin Cortes

Secretary

Hi! My name is Yasmín Cortes, I’m a recent grad from Lehigh University, and a Gage Park High school alumna. I’m part of the first generation, Latinx, Southside of Chicago communities hoping to inspire and aspire change within the youth of our city.

Natasha Patterson

Board Member

Natasha Patterson currently serves as the network deputy chief of schools for Network 11 within the Chicago Public Schools, where she supports the Englewood, Auburn Gresham, and Washington Heights communities.  Previously, she worked as the managing director of education systems in the Office of the Illinois Secretary of Education where she focused on overseeing the work of the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth.  Natasha is an advocate for youth and has experience in communications, policy, and organizing.

Shayne Evans 

Member

Shayne Evans is a Founder and Managing Partner of the Academy Group. Previously, Evans served as the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Chicago Charter School and managing director of the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute. At UEI, Evans also co-founded The Success Project, a curriculum focused on preparing students for college access and graduation beginning in 6th grade, a program included in President Obama's College Opportunity Day of Action.

Debra Gitter

Member

Debra is the Founder and Executive Director of Contextos. She has raised over $5 million and expanded ConTextos reach into Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala. Debra received her master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education (2010) with a focus on international policy and social entrepreneurship.

Brian Metcalf

Member

Dr. Metcalf is an avid champion of dismantling racism in education and has dedicated more than 20 years in both the public and private sectors advocating on behalf of young people. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of a charter organization in Indianapolis.