Learn more about our Board of Directors. Through their leadership, guidance, and support, Project P.L.E.A.S.E. is able to deliver on its promise of providing holistic activities to Chicago’s youth.
Erin Johnson - Board of Directors, Chairperson
Erin Johnson is the Founder and Chairperson of the Board for Project P.L.E.A.S.E. To say that Project P.L.E.A.S.E. is a passion of hers is too insignificant. Erin was called to develop this program.
This program is the culmination of Erin’s lifelong work of service. She was raised by two socially minded parents who impressed upon her and her siblings the need to serve the community. She served alongside her parents collecting and donating presents to give to children in need during the holidays, buying back-to-school clothing, and crossing the state to transport children to enrichment activities they would not otherwise have experienced. She appreciated the example her parents set and knew there was more she could do.
Her particular interest in bettering her own City developed while she attended the University of Chicago. The media reports of the dangers in the City and the understanding that children were not being cared for pressed her into action. She started by volunteering with City Year Chicago after completing her undergraduate coursework. Seeing the lack of resources her City Year students had and that her students were not granted simple experiences, like field trips across the City, she determined that she wanted to develop a program which filled that void. She was motivated to do more. That was when she began refining the programming of Project P.L.E.A.S.E.
Erin is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law. She received the College of Law’s highest honor for graduating students, the Rickert Award, for her service to the community. Her commitment to service has also extended into her full-time career as a practicing attorney. Frequently, Erin volunteers with legal aid organizations and she has a particular interest in serving as a guardian ad litem on behalf of minor children.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with her family. One of her favorite things to do is watch movies and quote movie lines within a normal conversation without anyone perceiving it. She loves to laugh and loves making sure other people are laughing too. She also spends time currently working on relearning French, a language she was once fluent in speaking.
Michael Harvey - Board of Directors, Secretary
Michael grew up in West Philadelphia among many of the persistent challenges that face urban youth and their communities. Fortunately, the influence and impact of family and enrichment programs throughout Michael’s youth provided guidance and a quality foundation.
Now transplanted from the Mid-Atlantic region, he has been in Chicago for over a decade and considers the Southside a home away from home. He is dedicated to positively furthering efforts that elevate urban quality of life through community development. As Secretary for the Board of Directors of Project P.L.E.A.S.E., Michael draws on a multi-sector background in strategic and operational roles to contribute to organizational direction and approach, ensuring the same opportunity and advantages that he received as a child and young adult are accessible to Chicago’s youth.
Michael earned his master’s degree from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, where he concentrated in Philosophy and Classical Studies.
Dana Bozeman - Board of Directors, Member
As the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, Dana serves as the senior leader responsible for advancing diversity and inclusion efforts across the Harris School of Public Policy. Dana has been a higher education administration professional for more than 17 years. She has trained students, faculty, staff, and private organizations for more than 12 years in diversity and leadership-related topics. She has executed diversity consulting for Microsoft and Britannica most recently. Dana is a current member of the Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Board. She most recently she served as the Director of Diversity of UChicagoGRAD at The University of Chicago.
Dana holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management with dual concentrations in Psychology and Training & Development. She also holds a master of arts in Organizational Leadership. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Education Policy and Organizational Leadership Program with a Diversity and Equity concentration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Leslie Johnson - Board of Directors, Member
Dr. Leslie Johnson was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. At a very young age, she realized her value in the community and her desire to serve the community to help make it better for all. By the age of nine, she was volunteering in nursing homes and other care facilities. As she matured, Leslie began to focus her service on topics which she was most passionate, children and healthcare. While attending Morgan Park High School, she coached and mentored younger tennis players through her tennis club and she became heavily involved in her church, leading the Children’s Ministry for ages newborn to 5 years old.
When she went on to the University of Michigan, Leslie identified how she could serve specifically in the medical field. Leslie successfully completed pharmacy school at Chicago State University at the very top of her class, and continued her education throughout a prestigious residency, serving an underserved population. Leslie chose to serve as a Project P.L.E.A.S.E. Board Member because the program aligns with her passions and builds on all that she has done since adolescence. She aims to bring her unique perspective and affect the health, including the social-emotional health of children on the South Side of Chicago. Her hobbies include playing tennis, going to the gym and collecting uncommon gym shoes.
Dr. Ashley Mitchell - Board of Directors, Member
Dr. Ashley Mitchell is a veteran educator with ten years of experience and a passion for culturally relevant curriculum. Dr. Ashley ensures that all students have access to culturally-relevant curriculum and the agency to advocate for their educational endeavors.
She has served in the Chicago (Woodlawn) and New York (Brooklyn, Queens, and South Bronx) communities. From her undergraduate working experience as an after school and summer tutor with the Neighborhood Schools Program (NSP), Dr. Ashley knew that she had to shift her career goals from corporate lawyer to becoming a trail-blazing educator in urban schools. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, Dr. Ashley immediately pursued her master’s degree at the University of Southern California to become a certified English teacher. She made her way back to the South Side of Chicago and began her teaching career at the University of Chicago Charter Schools. After a few years, Dr. Ashley once again pursued higher education and began her doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University.
In the midst of her doctoral program, Dr. Ashley was inspired to live out one of her dreams and move to New York City. Seven years later and Dr. Ashley has expanded her professional wings to include educational consulting services, serving as Assistant Director for MB Tutoring, and providing content development for corporate companies. She also developed an interest in baking along the way and has expanded her small business, The Cake Queen, LLC. She is excited to bring her many talents to Project P.L.E.A.S.E.
Show Your Support
Board positions are currently open for Project P.L.E.A.S.E. Fill-out this short application and a member of our staff will be in touch with your shortly!
