YoLanda Davis
Executive Director and Founder
YoLanda M. Davis is a daughter, mother, grandmother, retired disabled U.S. Army veteran, and a relentless advocate for her community. After serving her country, she returned to Wilson with a steadfast mission: to be an agent of change, lifting up her community through service, leadership, and love.
Throughout her life, Ms. Davis has been a tireless force for justice and opportunity. She served as past President of the NAACP Wilson Chapter, co-founded the Human Justice Coalition, and actively contributed as a member of the Human Relations Commission, Housing, and Patriotism Committees under the City of Wilson. She is also a lifetime member of both the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the NAACP. For over seven years, she personally drove the Wilson Chapter DAV van to Greenville and Durham, demonstrating her dedication to veterans and community service firsthand.
Her unwavering commitment has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, Ms. Davis was celebrated during Black History Month with the WRAL Channel 5 Honors Award, and earlier this year, she was recognized as the Paul Lee Stevens Humanitarian of the Year by the Human Relations Commission. These accolades are a testament to her impact, but her true legacy lies in the lives she has touched.
After the heartbreaking loss of her son, Derrick Davis II, Ms. Davis transformed grief into action by co-founding Dee’s House. With a vision to provide vital educational opportunities for children in low- and moderate-income families, she poured her heart, soul, and unwavering determination into creating a space where every child can thrive. Under her guidance, Dee’s House empowers children academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring that each scholar has the resources and support to reach their fullest potential.
YoLanda M. Davis embodies the essence of selfless service. Known for “always giving and never asking for anything in return,” she continues to inspire her community, honor her son’s legacy, and change lives—one child, one family, and one community at a time.
Venetta Barnes
Education Coordinator
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Venetta Barnes has dedicated her life to education, service, and empowering young people. She studied Exceptional Children at St. Augustine’s College with a minor in Music Education, laying the foundation for a career devoted to nurturing and uplifting children.
Venetta has worked in various childcare centers and with Migrant Head Start, where she gained valuable experience supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds. For 16 years, she volunteered in the Wilson County School system, serving as an SGA coach, PTO organizer, and Battle of the Books organizer, always championing opportunities for students to grow and succeed.
Since the founding of Dee’s House, Venetta has poured her heart into its mission. Her greatest joy is working directly with the children, offering them guidance, care, and encouragement every step of the way. Guided by her motto, “Children and community are my passion,” Venetta continues to inspire hope and make a lasting difference in the lives of young people.
Davonte Ferguson
Chairman of the Board
Born and raised in Wilson, NC, Davonte Ferguson has spent his life in service to others. A law enforcement officer, volunteer firefighter, and community advocate, he has dedicated more than a decade to protecting and uplifting the people around him.
A proud graduate of Hunt High School, Wilson Community College, the University of Pembroke, and Eastern University, Davonte built his career on a foundation of education, leadership, and public service. His journey has included serving with the NC State Capitol Police, volunteering with the American Red Cross and Teen Court Program, and leading initiatives that bring people together and strengthen communities.
Today, Davonte serves as a Campus Police Officer at Wayne Community College and lends his leadership as Chairman of the Board for Dee’s House and President of Elite Vocal Ensemble. Guided by a vision of a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Wilson, he continues to shape his community with dedication, integrity, and heart.
Sonja Bloodworth
Secretary
Ms. Sonja Bloodworth was born in Wilson, North Carolina, and raised in the Bronx, New York. She is a retired U.S. Government Public Servant and currently works as a consultant with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), where she serves historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and landowners throughout North Carolina.
She began her education in the Bronx public school system and later pursued higher education at Oxnard College in Oxnard, California, and the University of Maryland Global Campus in College Park, Maryland.
In addition to her professional contributions, Ms. Bloodworth is actively involved in a variety of civic and nonprofit organizations. She is also a proud and devoted member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina.
Rev. Dr. Debora Powell
Board Member
Rev. Dr. Debora Powell was born at the historic Old Mercy Hospital in Wilson, North Carolina, to Staff Sergeant Elmer Lee Powell and Janie Ruth Vick Powell. She is the proud mother of two children, Robert Proctor and Dr. Ashley Simone Proctor, and the loving grandmother of Ivy Simone Proctor — all of Greensboro, North Carolina.
A lifelong learner and educator, Rev. Dr. Powell began her education in Wilson, attending St. Alphonsus Catholic School, St. Therese Catholic School, Sam Vick Elementary, Charles H. Darden Middle, Woodard Middle, Coone Middle, and Ralph L. Fike High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Special Education with a minor in Psychology from East Carolina University, where she was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated — beginning a lasting legacy of sisterhood and service. She later earned a Master of Education from Grand Canyon University.
Over the course of more than 30 years, Rev. Dr. Powell devoted her career to teaching in several North Carolina school systems, including Randolph, Robeson, Wilson, Wake, and Nash-Rocky Mount Counties, before retiring as an educator.
Answering the call to ministry, Rev. Dr. Powell was ordained on November 28, 2002, in Kinston, North Carolina, through the United American Free Will Baptist Tabernacle. Through the Accredited Institute of Higher Learning at Wilson Chapel Church, she earned an Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, a Master of Arts in Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Counseling. She has also served as an instructor at the Institute and held multiple ministerial roles including assistant pastor, associate pastor, and pastor.
In recognition of her dedication to service and community uplift, Rev. Dr. Powell received the Northeastern Frontier Award from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, at the 73rd Northeastern Regional Conference on April 25, 2015.
Rev. Dr. Powell’s leadership extends deeply into her community. She was elected to the Wilson County Board of Education in 2014 and has been re-elected twice, in 2018 and 2022. She serves on the Boards of the St. John Community Development Corporation, Incorporated, and Dee’s House, both in Wilson, North Carolina. Additionally, she is active on the Committee for Persons with Disabilities, serves as a Guardian ad Litem, is the Chaplain of the Beta Zeta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and has been a mentor with H.E.R. Pride of Wilson County Schools. She also served as a liaison between Wilson County Schools and the WAGES Foster Grandparent Program.
Rev. Dr. Debora Powell’s life and work are grounded in her favorite scripture, Psalm 34:1 —
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
