Our Team

(504) 766-7499 | info@dbinola.org | 2129 Oretha Castle Haley #C, New Orleans, LA 70113

Dominque Jones - Johnson

Founder/Executive Director

Dominque Jones-Johnson’s life and career reflect the core qualities of a change agent, visionary, and cycle breaker. Over the course of her life as a child with an incarcerated parent, Dominque has made her mark by intentionally uplifting black girls with parents in prison and developing them into advocates, policymakers, and grassroots activists to forever change lives, systems, and communities for good.

She is particularly passionate about enhancing the quality of life for girls with a parent in prison. In May of 2018, Dominque alongside her currently incarcerated dad, Charles Brown, Jr, created Daughters Beyond Incarceration (DBI). DBI is a nonprofit, boldly committed to dismantling the stigma against black girls with parents in prison. In under five years Dominque has raised over $600k in grants, worked with youth ages 8-18 to pass legislation that works to support all children In Louisiana impacted by parental incarceration and has provided services to over 150 girls in the city of New Orleans. She is boldly leading DBI’s vision -creating a future where Black girls who navigated parental incarceration to become narrative, policy and practice change makers within our city, state, and nation. Dominque is a native New Orleanian and a graduate of Warren Easton Sr. High School. As an adult child with an incarcerated parent, she speaks on panels as an expert in the field of trauma due to parental incarceration. In December of 2017, Ms. Jones became a published author with her article in Loyola’s Law Review, titled: “When are you coming home: AN EXPLORATORY ESSAY CONFRONTING THE ISSUES INVOLVING CHILDREN WITH INCARCERATED PARENTS AND HOW TO BREAK THE CYCLE”. She received her undergraduate’s degree from Alabama State University on a full track and field scholarship and her master’s in human resource education with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from LSU.

Tanyanika Franklin

Operations Manager

Tanyanika Franklin is a dedicated agent of change with a diverse background and a passion for community service. She is a LSU graduate and has extensive experience in various roles. Presently, she is Operations Manager for Daughters Beyond Incarceration and brings over 2 decades of experience driving strategic growth, fundraising, collaborative development and volunteer development to the role.

Tanyanika’s commitment to community shines through her previous work with CASA New Orleans, where she was instrumental for over a decade. In these various roles such as Lead Advocate Supervisor she was involved managing case investigations and supporting advocates while helping 10 foster children be accepted into college. Tanyanika’s strong background in grants, budgeting, program planning and her use of Six Sigma to improve processes will be invaluable to DBI. In addition to her professional roles, Tanyanika is an active member of various organizations, including the Urban League Greater New Orleans Young Professionals and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, where she has held leadership roles. Her extensive training, including Diversity and Inclusion, Trust Based Relational Intervention, and Mental Health First Aid, complements her skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Quickbooks and her excellent communication abilities. Tanyanika’s wealth of experience, education and community involvement make her a dynamic individual ready to contribute to DBI in more than one capacity.

Mariah Grant

Assistant Director of Business Developement

Mariah Grant joined Daughters Beyond Incarceration as Assistant Director of Business Development because she believes every girl deserves the tools, support, and opportunities to reach her full potential, regardless of the challenges her family faces.

With more than two decades of experience building strategic partnerships and generating sustainable revenue for organizations she believes in, Mariah brings expertise in corporate relations, foundation partnerships, and mission-aligned business development. She has secured six-figure partnerships, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and led organizations through periods of significant growth and transition. A proud New Orleanian with a master’s degree from UNO, Mariah is committed to investing in the next generation of young women in her community. She sees business development not just as funding—but as building relationships with partners who share DBI's vision of empowering girls and breaking cycles of system involvement.

Board of Directors

Amber Walker

Board Chair

Amber Walker is a Black, queer justice leader from St. Louis, MO, with more than 15 years of experience working at the intersection of community organizing, advocacy, and reimagining public safety through challenging carceral institutions and the narrative of what truly makes communities safe. She has led initiatives focused on public safety transformation, democracy, and survivor/impacted-led approaches to harm reduction, partnering with, resourcing and convening grassroots organizations, funders, and national partners to advance sustainable, long-term change.

In her role as Director at Safety Bound, she has the honor of building a national movement to reduce the harm sheriffs have in jails and communities. Her work emphasizes amplifying and shifting power to directly impacted communities, building cross-sector coalitions, and developing strategies to reimagine a world that works for all people and communities. Amber brings a practitioner’s lens grounded in movement building, political strategy, and experimentation that includes expansive models of what it means to thrive and be free.

Kimya Holmes, Esq.

Board Vice-Chair

Judge Kimya Holmes (she/her) is a judge, mentor and instructor born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. A lifelong advocate for justice and fairness, she has worked tirelessly for meaningful change in our community. Her dedication to righting wrongs and achieving justice stretches from the streets of carnival all the way to the courtroom.

In fall 2020, she was elected Judge of Criminal District Court, Section D, a courtroom she’d served in as a young assistant district attorney, then later as a zealous capital defense advocate, before her election to the bench.

It is with immense pride and the knowledge from her years of dedicated service to the community as an advocate for justice that she proudly began serving as judge in January 2021.Judge Holmes has served as a speaker at the American Judges Association annual conferences, to students at Eleanor McMain school, in community-based Know Your Rights workshops and forums and as an instructor with the National Capital Voir Dire Training Program. She has been featured on national and local news for her work as an attorney, a Mardi Gras Krewe founder and president, and now as a judge. She was previously the Chair of the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters and has served as a Louisiana Bar Examination grader. Last, but certainly not least, she is a dedicated Alpha Kappa Alpha and enjoys serving the community along with her Sorors at various civic events throughout New Orleans. Judge Holmes is a proud 2000 graduate of Southern University Law Center.

Alana Peck

Secretary

Alana J. Peck, PhD, is a sociologist and accomplished researcher with extensive experience in education, program management, and community development. She holds a Doctorate and Master’s degree in Sociology from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. Peck’s academic and professional pursuits center on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the intersections of race, gender, and social justice. Her research expertise spans quantitative and qualitative methods, program evaluation, and community-focused initiatives.

With a passion for empowering underserved communities, Dr. Peck leverages her sociological insights to foster meaningful connections that drive positive change.

Shawnda Chapman

Treasurer

Shawnda Chapman is an experienced philanthropy leader and the Former Director of Innovative Grantmaking and Research at the Ms. Foundation for Women. Throughout her personal and professional journey, Shawnda has been dedicated to addressing inequality and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. At the Ms. Foundation, she shaped impactful research initiatives, including leading the influential Pocket Change report series, which has informed sector-wide conversations on resource distribution and justice. She also fostered organizational learning and managed two transformative grantmaking portfolios:

the Girls of Color Initiative, combating systemic inequities for girls and gender-expansive youth of color through strategic grants and leadership development, and the Activist Collaboration and Care Fund, which supports collaboration and healing justice in social justice movements. Prior to this role, Shawnda played a pivotal part in advancing justice at the Vera Institute of Justice, focusing on ending girls' incarceration, and directed the Beyond the Bars Fellowship at Columbia University, cultivating leadership and advocacy in social justice practitioners. A Black feminist deeply committed to systemic change, Shawnda blends academic excellence with practical expertise. She holds a BA and MS from Hunter College and is pursuing a Doctorate in Social Welfare at The Graduate Center, City University of New York. Her extensive thought leadership includes writing media articles and op-eds, as well as engaging with stakeholders to drive policy influence and promote care-based, equity-focused philanthropy.

Grace Ayers

Board Member

Grace Ayers is a seasoned Professional Paralegal and Civil Law Notary with over 18 years of comprehensive experience in the legal industry. Since entering the field in 2008, Grace has developed a diverse portfolio, navigating the complexities of Personal Injury and Family Law with precision and expertise. Her career is defined by her ability to build and sustain organizational infrastructure. She has served as a vital consultant for multiple companies across New Orleans and Oklahoma City, most notably Khans Codes and Standards and Good Shevron. In these roles, Grace was instrumental in the foundational startup phase, architecting comprehensive operational procedures and drafting the critical governing documents essential for daily functionality and long-term compliance.

This history of strategic leadership includes her tenure as the Paralegal for Liberty Bank, where she was instrumental in assisting with corporate governance and strategic planning. Today, Grace leverages her expertise as the owner of Global Assistance, a firm providing specialized freelance paralegal support and expert notary services to legal teams and individuals alike. Dedicated to the highest standards of her craft, Grace is an active member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Notary Association (NNA). Beyond the office, she is a passionate advocate for systemic reform and community restoration. She is the founder of Global Assistance Initiatives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing and comprehensive reintegration resources for formerly incarcerated individuals. Grace’s work is defined by a unique intersection of legal precision and a deep-seated commitment to her community and social equity.

Sadie Becnel

Board Member

Sadie Becnel, the Government Affairs Director and General Counsel of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, has a rich background in public service.

Prior to joining the Policy Institute, Sadie served as the legislative liaison for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. In this role, she built and maintained close connections with state legislators and their staff, providing timely updates on departmental news and facilitating communication between the department and other state agencies, as well as budgetary agencies. Additionally, Sadie actively participated in leading and coordinating the department’s planning and policy section, along with the agency staff, on all legislative matters.

Sadie’s expertise extended beyond the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. She also worked as a staff attorney for the Louisiana House of Representatives, where she played a pivotal role in translating policy into law. Sadie drafted several pieces of legislation and provided legal advice to lawmakers, contributing to the formulation of sound policies. Furthermore, she actively assisted the House in developing ideas and plans for professional development and training, ensuring the continuous growth and improvement of the legislative body. Sadie’s academic achievements are equally impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Southern University Law Center. Her dedication to her legal profession has led to her licensure as a lawyer and her registration as a lobbyist in Louisiana. When not engaged in her professional pursuits, Sadie cherishes her time with her family. She is also a passionate Saints and LSU football fan, who eagerly supports her teams during their games.

Kenyatta Collins

Board Member

New Orleans native and LSU alumna working in External Affairs for a Federal Agency, bringing extensive local and federal government experience while actively engaged with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Parade Krewe, Luxury Girls Golf Club, and numerous other community organizations.

Our Team

Board of Directors

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