About Us

Destiny’s Daughters of Promise is a Georgia-based, nonprofit organization that aims to provide a safe environment where teen girls can learn strategies to become confident leaders and contributing members of society. We offer services that promote leadership development, strong interpersonal skills, financial literacy, healthy relationships, community involvement, and basic life skills. Program activities are designed to prepare teen girls for the transition to healthy and independent adults. In addition, we aim to prepare teens for college and careers and to serve in the community.

Our Mission Our History Executive Director Our Board

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Our Mission

We are preparing youth, with an emphasis on teen girls, to thrive in their purpose, lead with confidence, and excel in the workforce.

Our Vision

Our vision is to form strong alliances with local schools and extend our reach to impact a larger number of girls.

Our Mission

Our Core Values

Commitment - We remain committed to our participants, volunteers, employees, and especially the community, which is our most valuable resource.

Accountability – We remain accountable to each other and the mission of Destiny’s Daughters of Promise.

Respect – We have compassion and show tolerance for everyone, valuing diversity and the unique contributions of others.

Excellence – We attract and develop employees and volunteers who are dedicated to excellence and possess the desire to make this a premier leadership organization for teen girls.

Hstory

Our History

DDP founder and Cobb County educator Lorraine Thomas explains her triumph over personal pain and how her experiences galvanized her to envision and realize her dream of empowering women and girls.

DDP founder and former Cobb County educator, Lorraine Thomas believes that she was given the vision to start Destiny’s Daughters of Promise to help young girls learn how to develop the life skills needed for future success. Mrs. Thomas grew up in a single-parent home and understood many of the challenges young girls face.

On April 27, 2007, she was given a vision that conceptualized DDP. Lorraine believes that she was given the vision to start DDP to help young girls learn how to recognize unhealthy relationships and prepare for college and careers. She also wanted to ensure that none of them would ever experience being abused, bullied or ignored.

Through years spent in the classroom and her experiences as an instructional coach, Lorraine formulated activities that would enhance a young girl’s self-awareness, confidence, and empowerment. Mrs. Thomas drafted a plan she was sure would be a success. Although she had faith that her dream could elevate teen girls, the thought of starting DDP was a bold step. Mrs. Thomas was hesitant to share her vision.

In October 2007, an elderly woman approached Mrs. Thomas at the end of a funeral service and told her that God wanted her to work with women and teens. This encounter stunned Lorraine, but it served as the impetus to get her to act on the dream. “Our students need more than what we could provide as teachers during the school day,” says Thomas.

With the help of board members, volunteers, and supporters, she developed a program that would instill in young women the foundations of healthy relationship-building techniques, leadership skills, civic engagement, and personal growth and development. Lorraine presented the program idea to Cobb County school administrators and principals, all of whom gave their support.

The first DDP board meeting was held on October 4, 2007, with the following members: Charles A. Thomas, Tanya Gayle, Pamela Bagley, Kimberly Nix, Susan Adair, and Sharon Jackson.

Equipped with backing from the community, the organization was incorporated on February 20, 2008. Lorraine initially wanted to name the organization Daughters of Promise, but discovered that the name was not available. The board members eventually decided on the name Destiny’s Daughters of Promise. The group alternated hosting the monthly board meetings in their homes until Barber Middle School approved holding the meetings at the school.

The mission of DDP was to provide mentoring to young women ages 12-18 years old in a fun and exciting way to help prepare them for a successful future; the first workshop session was held at Barber Middle School in the fall of 2008 with eight girls.

Future goals and organization vision

DDP fills an immediate need among local at-risk middle and high school youth. Demand continues to grow for our life-enhancing workshops, mentoring, and leadership development programs. It is our vision to develop new partnerships with local schools to expand our program.

Interim Executive Director

J. LAJUANA MILLER

J. Lajuana Miller has amassed an impressive body of experience in Executive Leadership, Community Development, Project Management, and Special Event Productions. Her work in Community Development and Special Events began when she served as Vice President of Community Development and Fair Lending for US Bank (then Star Banc Corp.), where she oversaw the corporation’s community development and fair lending compliance for eleven banks in three states.

Ms. Miller has made community involvement one of the cornerstones of her life. She has served the following organizations as President of the Board: Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, the Arts Consortium of Cincinnati, The Self Esteem Institute, Cincinnati Black Ambassadors, and the Greater Cincinnati African American Heritage Institute. She served in varying capacities on the Boards of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, United Appeal, Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cincinnati Educational Television, and the General Assembly. As a tribute to her ten years of service on the Board of the Hamilton County Development Disabilities Services, the J. Lajuana Miller Award was established and is awarded annually to a company or organization that demonstrates exemplary inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in their work or daily lives.

Ms. Miller has been honored many times for her work and career. She has been featured in Who’s Who in American Women, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati, YMCA Black Achievers, and SuccessGuide Magazine. She is a former member of the Cincinnati Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and the Cincinnati Chapter of The Links, Inc. She is a founding member of the Cincinnati Queen City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a former member of Quinn Chapel AME Church, where she served as a Trustee, Steward, and President of the Missionary Society. Ms. Miller is a member of Allen Chapel AME Church (Sanford), where she is a Steward and Chair of the Hospitality Committee, Altamonte Springs Chapter of The Links, Inc., serving as Chair of the Technology Committee, Sanford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she has served as Chair of the Scholarship Fundraising Committee, the Nominating Committee, and May Week. She chairs the Audit Committee for the West Volusia/Seminole Section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Ms. Miller holds a B.A. degree in Speech and Communications from the University of Georgia and is the author of How to Finance Your Small Business Start-Up or Expansion.

Meet Our Board

The Board of Directors, management, and staff of DDP work together as a team, understanding that our success centers on all members and stakeholders working together, openly sharing information and resources to achieve our mission.

LYNNE RUFF, BOARD PRESIDENT

Lynne D Ruff is Randstad NA’s Senior Vice President, Audit and Assurance Services Group – responsible for Internal Audits, Compliance Reviews, Enterprise Risk Management, Investigations, and Internal Controls. This role provides strategic oversight for the comprehensive programs within these areas and acts as a business partner to balance the needs of the businesses with a foundation of compliance and internal control. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Administrative Management and an MBA in Finance. Lynne is a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

Why I joined the Board: DDP’s vision is to prepare young women to thrive, lead and excel in the workforce. As a female executive, I want to support this organization to see its vision realized.

Fun fact: I play tennis at least 3 to 4 times a week.

FELECIA CARTY, BOARD SECRETARY

Felecia Carty transitioned her passion for fashion into a successful retail career spanning over 14 years. As an Executive Leader in the industry, her experience across the retail footprint includes department and specialty stores with up to $100 million in annual revenue. Felecia’s charismatic nature has produced top-performing teams, through a focus on people development, maximizing productivity and efficiency, and driving profit growth.

Felecia received her B.S. in Business Administration, with a Concentration in Marketing, from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, which sits on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, Florida.

In the past, Felecia has been a board member of the Atlanta Women’s Leadership Network; volunteered with Unity in Uniform, Inc., Gwinnett County Public Schools, and Orange County Public Schools.

Why I joined the Board: I’m a boy mom, but I have always had the desire to mentor and be a positive role model in the lives of tween and teen girls. I want to be a catalyst to them making good choices that will lead to empowered and fulfilling lives.

Fun fact: I love polka dots and mixing patterns and textures that most people think don’t go well together.

HASKELL RUFF, BOARD TREASURER

Haskell Ruff returns to the Board after several years. Haskell is currently the Associate Vice President/ Controller for Morehouse College. He is responsible for the financial well-being of the College with critical processes of Accounting, Payroll, Grants, and Accounts Payable within the Business and Finance Organization under his control.

Haskell’s previous roles include lead finance/controller positions at Morehouse School of Medicine and Meharry School of Medicine. He also provided financial consulting services which included acting Chief Financial Officer at Arkansas Baptist College and Controller at Wilberforce College. This activity followed a lucrative career in the corporate world at Alcoa (a metal and mining company). Haskell enjoys all sporting events and stays active by playing tennis and working out.

Why I Joined the Board: This is a wonderful organization that is there to help young ladies prepare for the next phase of their lives.

PADMINI ADDEPALLI, GOVERNANCE CHAIR

Padmini Addepalli is an accomplished product visionary who has played a key role in the successful launch of multiple products across the mobile, telecom, and hospitality sectors. Her career at a Fortune 100 company saw her managing a global P&L of $600M, leading a team of thousands of partners, sales and marketing professionals, and operations specialists. Padmini holds two Masters degrees in Business/Product Strategy and IT & Management from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University in Boston and Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Her impressive list of accreditations is a testament to her expertise in Product Management. Although she is originally from India, Padmini and her husband now call the Greater Atlanta Area home.

Padmini's strength comes from her deep faith and her close-knit family. She has a keen interest in fashion, loves to travel and explore new cuisines, and is an avid Formula 1 fan.

Padmini's passion for empowering women and nurturing young girls as future leaders led her to join the board of an organization that shares her values. She firmly believes that women are the backbone of society, and that instilling strong values and principles in young girls can pave the way for a brighter future for all. Her own experience of being surrounded by strong, confident women - her grandmother, mother, aunts, sisters, and mother-in-law - have been a driving force in her life. She considers it a privilege to be part of an organization that is dedicated to creating future leaders and making a positive impact in the world.

Fun fact: Padmini was awarded the title of Miss university twice during her college years.

RHEA BRINSON, BOARD MEMBER

With an extensive journey spanning a decade within the technology and higher education industry. Rhea Brinson, an Atlanta, GA native, has cultivated an expertise in Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, and technology implementation. Beyond technical roles, Rhea takes pride in serving as a subject matter expert for Salesforce(Tableau). Her dedication extends beyond professional realms, actively collaborating with community partners to empower and equip minority women in AI and technology. As a board member, Rhea's primary focus is to understand the diverse perspectives within our community and utilize her skills to foster authentic relationships through the transformative power of technology.

Why I joined the Board: Serving as a board member is not just a responsibility; it's a passion. I am driven to understand the diverse perspectives within our community and use my skills to foster authentic relationships that align with accountability to raise awareness of emotional intelligence. By leveraging the transformative power of technology, I aspire to create opportunities, break barriers, and inspire the next generation of women and young girls. My goal is to be a living testament that diverse backgrounds and skills are valuable assets in shaping the future of technology.

Fun Fact: I hold a cosmetology degree and have a wealth of experience in makeup artistry. I've worked on various occasions, including weddings, proms, and even had the opportunity to provide makeup tutorials. Notably, I've worked with the Housewives of Atlanta!

DR. CHIOMA ENYINNAH, BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Chioma Enyinnah is a Pharmacist with a passion for service, especially for the underserved community. She has worked in the pharmacy field for over a decade, assisting patients in medication management, administering immunizations, and providing health and wellness screenings.

Why I joined the Board: As a youth growing up on the Southside of Atlanta, I was encouraged and mentored by caring organizations that were pivotal in me becoming who I am today. As an adult, I must do the same and give back to the youth who are our future.

Fun fact: I am a trivia fanatic!

DAMARIS JOHNSON, BOARD MEMBER

Damaris Johnson is Clinical Director of The Walk of Life Counseling Center. As a graduate of Mercer University School of Medicine with a Masters degree in Family Therapy, she maintains a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia that serves individuals, families, and couples. Damaris has over 10 years of experience in the mental health field and conducts trainings for licensed therapists throughout the metro Atlanta area. Additionally, she also provides supervision and mentorship to graduate students in their training to become a therapist.

Damaris has also served on the board of The Journey of Life, a nonprofit aimed at preparing metro Atlanta teens for life beyond high school. She is often invited to speak on the topic of mental health and work-life balance in communities and workplaces of high achievers in order to proactively best manage potentially high-stress environments. Damaris is a member of the Georgia Association for Marriage & Family Therapy as well as Postpartum Support International.

Why I joined the Board: My first job out of graduate school was working with adolescents and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the work. During my time in that role, I quickly saw the value in healthy resources for young adults. DDP is an organization I wish I had to offer to the young girls I met long ago. I have eagerly joined this board so I can do my part to help expand the reach of DDP so that every adolescent in Atlanta is aware of the wonderful resource that is DDP.

Fun fact: I was born in South Dakota!

MARLY MARCELLUS-LAURENT, BOARD MEMBER

Marly Marcellus-Laurent is an accomplished Attorney with over a decade of diverse experience ranging from government to the private sector. Originally from Haiti, Marly relocated to Florida at the age of twelve. Marly holds degrees in Political Science and Philosophy from Barry University and earned her Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 2012. Marly started her career as a Prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York, and later served as an Assistant General Counsel and Parliamentarian for the New York City Council's Office of the General Counsel. Marly’s career trajectory led her to the financial services and technology sector. She served as Legal Counsel and a Financial Crimes Compliance Professional at an international bank and currently works as a Legal Counsel at a major social media company. Marly recently relocated from New York/New Jersey to Georgia with her husband and three children.

Why I joined the Board: I joined the Board of Destiny’s Daughters of Promise because I believe in the work that it is doing in empowering the youth. Over the course of my academic and legal career, I have benefited from having mentors who encouraged and inspired me. I feel a responsibility to do the same when given the chance.

Fun fact: Marly is fluent in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and has a working knowledge or French.

SHONTAY ROBINS, BOARD MEMBER

Shontay Robins is Randstad NA’s Manager of Randstad Technologies Solutions Billing, Accounts Receivable, and Collections team – responsible for over $600 million in revenue. In this role, Shontay oversees a team to ensure accurate and timely analysis and processing of billing and accounting functions relating to various sales activities. Shontay has helped to reduce time to invoice by 28%, decreased DSO by 9 days, and is certified LEAN Yellow Belt.

Shontay also serves on Randstad’s African Heritage Community Service committee as co-chair of the Youth Outreach sub-committee and a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlanta. Shontay is a graduate of Temple University’s Business Administration undergrad program and Wilmington University’s Master’s program.

Why I joined the Board: I joined the board because being a beneficiary of a youth development program during high school prepared me for my future and inspires me to give back. It’s time for me to help plant mustard seeds of inspiring faith, foster healthy relationships, and empower girls to live a bold successful life.

Fun fact: I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia. No, really climbed a bridge!