Our Team

Steve is the founder and CEO of No Father No Excuse. He is from Suffolk, VA. He is a graduate of Norfolk State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Administration at Regent University. Steve also serves as the Youth Pastor at Greater Grace Church in Chesapeake, VA. He is married to his beautiful and amazing wife Cheyne Dent. Steve has had the passion of mentoring youth based on his past pain and experiences. He enjoys sports, video games, mentoring and traveling.

Steven Dent

Chief Executive Officer

Cheyne Dent

Co-Vice President

Cheyne Dent is a native of Chesapeake, VA, by way of St. Albans, NY. As the only child to the late Morris and Jeryl McLeod, Cheyne has always been passionate about helping and encouraging others, which has proven to be one of her most fulfilling attributes in serving others. Cheyne is a graduate of Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA) with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education (Sports Management), and a graduate of Liberty University, earning a Master of Arts in Human Service with an emphasis on Executive Leadership. During her tenure in school, Cheyne wrestled and accepted her call to ministry, receiving her license to preach in January 2011. She is currently in the process of pursuing a Masters of Theological Studies degree at Regent University’s School of Divinity. Cheyne currently serves her community as CFO of No Father No Excuse and ministering through mime with Gospel Choice Music Awards nominated group, Dancers of David. Cheyne is happily married to the love of her life, Steven D. Dent, of Suffolk, VA.

Shakeem “Shak” Ffrench was born and raised in Queens, New York. Upon graduating high school in 2003, he relocated to Norfolk, Virginia to attend the illustrious Norfolk State University where he studied Elementary Education. While there he participated in several organizations such as Big Brother, Big Sister, 100+ Men, Student Government Association, and he is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. He has received his bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in Information Systems, and is currently attending Liberty University to receive his 2nd master’s degree in educational leadership and administration. He attends Greater Grace Church in Portsmouth VA, where he serves on the deacon board and is the assistant youth director. From his upbringing and growing up in New York in the 90s, Shak has dedicated his life to helping youth who need that extra boost of confidence and support. His dream is to one day open his own Charter School for troubled students that will focus on Technology and Life Skills.

Shakeem Ffrench

Co-Vice President

Galina Bailey

Treasurer

gbailey26@charter.net

Galina is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant specializing in pediatrics. Following a ten-year career as a Regional Operations Manager with a telecommunications company, Galina earned her A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy from Tidewater Community College. She currently provides occupational therapy services to public school students of all ages and also has experience working in pediatric outpatient clinics. Galina provides skilled treatment to children with a variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Sensory Processing Disorder. Raised in a single-parent household, Galina has a sincere passion for providing services that support the development of children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. She enjoys reading, roller skating, and traveling.  Galina currently resides in Suffolk, VA with her husband, Malcolm, and her children, Quincy and Jayda.

T. Malcolm Bailey is a Compliance Inspector with over 19 years of experience in the Telecommunications industry. He oversees contractor operations for a Fortune 500 company, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and procedures. Malcolm graduated from Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School as an Electrician in 1994. Raised in a two-parent household, Malcolm understands the importance of positive male role models in children’s development. His desire is to ensure that children have the support system and guidance needed to become successful. In his free time, Malcolm enjoys riding dirt bikes, playing tennis, and bowling. He resides in Suffolk, Virginia with his wife and two teenage children.

Malcolm Bailey

Board Member

Michael Wilkins

Board Member

Michael Wilkins was born and raised in Portsmouth, VA. Mike like many others grew up in a single parent home and endured some hardships as a child but made a decision to do something different. Despite the absence of a father in his home, he made a conscious choice at the tender age of eleven to explore his passion to help the community and young people who had the same childhood experiences. His love for youth and the community poured into his adult life and his resume has developed into a reflection of servanthood. His life’s work is to focus on both young and adult black males of all ages who have faced a mountain of challenges. He believes that people make choices that lead to negative behavior, crime, jail, early parenthood, and death because of lack of guidance. His goal is to create a network of men who will transform the misguided traits of manhood, and birth a new generation of families that are emotionally, socially and economically strong.

Mike’s mission is to inspire youth and empower men to take responsibility for their lives by overcoming the challenges that hinder their way of living. His dream is to see people live better and make positive choices. Mike seeks to be a servant that will help young and adult men achieve a life of significance by teaching them how to avoid the pitfalls of society. He advocates building up both the community and young people so that the next generation will have positive examples that will sow the next seeds of positive transformation. Currently Mike serves as a role model and mentors for boys ages 11 to 18 for Alpha Omega Ministry, he is the Director of Community Engagement for African American Males for the Portsmouth NAACP branch, youth advocate for the Virginia Organizing Chapter which focuses on organizing initiatives to strengthen education for public schools systems, former Director of Am I My Brother’s Keeper for the Garden of Hope Community Development Corporation under the leadership of Pastor Kirk T. Houston Sr. of Gethsemane Community Fellowship Church, and a former Youth Leader for the National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed that oversees youth ages 14 to 18 on post-secondary education, career exploration, financial literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

There are two quotes by Mahatma Gandhi and Frederick Douglass that best summarize the heart and soul of Michael Wilkins platform – “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” and “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”. These are philosophies that inspire Mike to transform the lives of young and adult men with a vision to expose them to their true identity and responsibility to society.

Desiree’ P. Swain was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, but grow up in the Hampton Road area. She attended Old Dominion University for her undergraduate studies where she received a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She received her Masters for Norfolk State University in Education with a concentration in School Counseling. She was licensed as an Evangelist in 2011. She has over 14 years of experience in the Human Service and Mental Health field, with the last 4 years in management. Desiree’ is a Therapeutic Options Instructor and has recently become a registered QMHP-A/C. Desiree’ has a strong passion for youth and adults alike and desires to support them with excelling in life. Desiree’ has strong leadership skills and embraces the philosophy that we are to lead by example. She has a reputation for being dedicated, hard-working, and walking with integrity. Desiree’ embraces the philosophy Proverbs 12:10 “The Godly care for their animals.” She is the proud fur parent of a 6-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier named Jasper. Desiree’ desires to share the love of Christ through her employment and volunteer activities not just in the Body of Christ but the community as well.

Desiree’ P. Swain

Leader of NFNE Girls

LaJill Hunt

Board Member

LaJill Hunt is a native of Mobile, Alabama who resides in VA Beach where she is a full-time author. She also serves as a grant writer and assists high school students with college searches and scholarship applications. Her hobbies include reading, writing, reality tv, and social media. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and volunteers with several organizations in her community.

Darius Ferguson is the founder and owner of “Resumes by Ferguson”, a creative and black-owned online technical writing business that aids all young professionals in attaining the career of their dreams. Darius was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and moved to Norfolk, Virginia to attend Norfolk State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree in Computer Science. Not long after he received his Masters, he received the job of his dreams as a Software Engineer at Microsoft, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Although this was a major feat of his, he eventually fell out of love for working within the industry. After careful consideration, he decided to come back to Virginia and become a teacher, where his real passion lied. He started his new career at Norview Middle School in Norfolk, Virginia as a Lead Geometry Teacher and soon after, became an Assistant Head Football Coach. Wanting to do more, he decided to utilize his network and mentorship capabilities to empower young adults in disciplines outside of STEM. He knew there was an abundance of adolescents who didn’t have the tools necessary in showcasing their abilities and transferable skills on paper, so he decided to become a Professional Resume Writer to assist with that. Through guidance from mentors and creative writers, Darius decided to cultivate his business that was specifically focused on helping young professionals streamline into trade schools and careers after college. It was his hope that his expertise would open up a gateway for students to advertise their amazing skills and abilities, not just by action, but on paper as well. Since 2013, Darius has updated over 500 young professional resumes, reviewing and editing documents relating to diverse career fields, ensuring the future had a shot at obtaining the job they desired and always wanted. He hopes, with his works, he can service an HBCU or some private university in the near future.

Darius Ferguson

Board Member