BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A seasoned educational leader and founder of SCHOOL ME LLC, an innovative startup dedicated to providing interdisciplinary and customized learning solutions. With a robust background in urban planning and education, including a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington and additional coursework at Howard University, Jonathan has made significant strides in education and program development.

Currently serving as an Independent Consultant for Building Changes, Jonathan co-led the Homeless Student Stability Program Funding Cycle RFP, successfully allocating over $1.6 million to support organizations serving homeless students. Previously, as an Educational Leader at Federal Way Public Schools, Jonathan managed key initiatives for students experiencing homelessness and foster care, effectively coordinating across departments and overseeing a substantial budget.

A Seattle, WA native, Jonathan brings a deep-rooted commitment to his role as a dedicated board member of CYC. With extensive experience in youth homeless services and non-profit organizations, Jonathan is passionate about leveraging his expertise to drive positive change in the community. Jonathan's visionary leadership, coupled with his compassionate service background, make him an invaluable asset to CYC as it continues its mission to foster growth and opportunity for youth in the Seattle area.

The Altruism, Biosintegrumology, and Civics of Education 

Elmer Dixon is currently President of Executive Diversity Services, an organizational development firm in Seattle, Washington.   Following many years as an executive in public and non- profit organizations, Elmer now applies his experience to developing and implementing solutions that help organizations fully value and benefit from the diversity of both their employees and clients.

Elmer has over 30 years of experience in designing practical, innovative solutions to organizational challenges that increase the cultural competency of the organization and its executives, managers and employees.  Elmer is a certified administrator for the Intercultural Conflict Inventory and was instrumental in the development of the Inclusive Circles Process ™ that has benefited EDS’s diverse clients including United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, the University of California, Davis, United States Gypsum, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, American Red Cross, Exelon, Mobil Oil, PepsiCo, and Catherine T. and John D. MacArthur Foundation and JC Penney and the Cities of Seattle, Portland and Berkeley among others. He has delivered a highly acclaimed training to police departments on the “Challenges of Policing in Diverse Communities” and the impact of implicit bias and intercultural conflict.

Elmer’s vision, energy, and creativity have contributed to his success in leading diverse teams, facilitating and implementing strategic plans for organizations, and providing outstanding training and consultation in the areas of cross cultural communication, team building, and conflict management. Elmer brings both practical experience and a dynamic presence to his work with specialized training in working across cultures from leading interculturalists at several universities in Europe and the United States.  As a former activist and current diversity consultant, he has served as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator for a variety of US organizations including Illinois Police Chief’s Midwest Security Conference, SIETAR US, and SIETAR Europa, and SIETAR France. Elmer guest lectures annually at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Jyvaskyla, Finland on topics related to Strategic Diversity Management, Unconscious Bias, Intercultural Conflict, Cross Cultural Competence and Team Development  and has taught regularly at Espeme, an undergraduate program of the Edhec Business School in Lille and Nice France.

Die Standing: From Black Panther Revolutionary to Global Diversity Consultant 

Eric Jackson is a prominent leader in sports management and community development, currently serving as the Founder and President of the Washington Rebels Group LLC. With a deep-seated passion for sports and entertainment, Eric has leveraged his extensive experience to build and lead the Washington Rebels, an indoor arena football team committed to delivering excellence and fostering community pride in Kent and beyond.

Eric’s background includes a successful tenure managing several nightclubs in Seattle, followed by a significant role in law enforcement before transitioning to professional arena football. His acquisition and development of the Washington Rebels reflect his dedication to creating impactful and enduring sports entertainment opportunities for the community.

A Seattle native, Eric combines his expertise in organizational leadership with a commitment to enhancing community engagement through sports. His strategic vision and proven leadership make him a valuable asset to the Cornerstone Youth Collective Board of Directors. Eric is dedicated to supporting CYC’s mission of empowering youth and promoting positive development through innovative programs and community partnerships.