ABOUT US
History
In its early years, Phyllis Wheatley was a safe place for young African American women to seek shelter and to receive guidance and marketable skill development. Gradually, the agency became the center of the African American social scene, and it evolved into a home-away-from-home for numerous African American civic leaders, educators, entertainers, and students. The Wheatley, as it was affectionately called, was the only place in Minneapolis where non-whites were permitted to lodge during those days.
Today Phyllis Wheatley programs address the needs of children, youth, families, and elders by providing tailored education and skill-building opportunities to help individuals and families discover their strengths, develop their personal networks of support, and take control of their futures.
OUR TEAM
Leadership Team
Suzanne Fuller Burks
Executive Director
Jimelle Duncan
V.P. of Finance & Operations
jimelled@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3242
Melissa Donovan
Director of Early Childhood Services,
Mary T. Wellcome Child
Development Center
melissad@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3251
Brad Bourn
V.P. of Programs and Development
bradb@phylliswheatley.org
612-423-9901
Debra Bushrod
Women’s Program Coordinator
debrab@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3254
Meghan Hanna
Adult Program Assistant
megh@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3241
Dr. Wilma Mckinnies
Men’s Program Coordinator
wilmam@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3250
Quanda Arch
Program Director
DigitalTechWorks Academy
quandaa@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3261
Theresa Munson
Program Manager
DigitalTechWorks Academy
TheresaM@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3245
Lucius Luther
Youth Trauma Program Manager
luciusl@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3249
Pierre Young
eSports Coordinator,
DigitalTechWorks Academy
PierreY@phylliswheatley.org
Tamiko Edwards
be@school Case Manager
tamikoe@phylliswheatley.org
612-977-3252
Kimberly Caprini
Family Engagement Coordinator
KimberlyC@phylliswheatley.org
Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center
Sea Turtle (Infants),
612-977-3244
Enrolling now!
Dolphin Classroom (Pre-K),
612-977-3260
Darnell
Teacher
darnelld@phylliswheatley.org
Sharee S.
Teacher
sharee@phylliswheatley.org
Board of Directors
Board
Douglas Hill, Chair
Director of Operations/Construction Management
Minneapolis Public Schools
James McGregor, Vice Chair
CEO, Reach1Records
Laura Danielson, Secretary/Treasurer
Shareholder & Chair of Immigration Dept, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Lorinda Burgess
VP of Finance Americas Region, Medtronic
Batala-Ra McFarlane
Publisher, McFarlane Media Interests
Kenard Rockette
Database Administrator,
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Clyde Turner
Founder, Clyde Turner Basketball Camps