About
The Purpose
Melanin and Honey was established to cultivate new beliefs. Providing e-mentorships within communities in Atlanta and Chicago; our organization pushes for young black women of all shades, shapes and sizes to love, respect, and cherish themselves and each other. Through direct engagement, our mentors will help mentees to: develop and exercise leadership skills, independence, and build integrity within various on-site and workshop programs.
Our organization advocates for our girls to establish a voice within society that will support and promote success in all that they strive to achieve. Through our efforts, we seek to change the narrative that has plagued young women of color that come from single-parent homes and impoverished neighborhoods. We plan to build Queens that feel empowered in who they are and impart the skills needed to step confidently into the world.
The Tools
Melanin and Honey will cultivate relationships between experienced individuals in a variety of career fields and inspiring protégés in need of help navigating through their adolescent years. Our organization will focus on two services to accomplish this goal: Virtual and Non-virtual.
Virtual:
A service that allows for mentees to discuss professional and personal goals and to also to participate in live sessions of speakers through web conferencing. Every girl will be given, or have access to, a technology tool to discuss these organizational driven topics.
Non-virtual:
Service that allows for mentees to have the opportunity to sit in on live sessions with speakers, participate in live Q & A sessions on topics, participate in live workshops, and engage with other mentees.
*Time commitment (Non-virtual): Candidates will be required to meet once a month at workshops (physically on site), and once a week virtually with mentors
*Time commitment (Virtual): Mentors and mentees will be required to meet virtually twice a week (at least 30 minutes) to ensure progress.
*ALL candidates will be matched based on personal and professional career goals. If you are matched with someone that does not reside in your city, you will automatically be selected to participate in the Non-virtual service.
Exhale positive results...
Board Members
Steffinie Winfrey,
Founder
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor’s Degree in English from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL (2013)
Master’s Degree in English from Governor’s State University in University Park, IL (2014)
Occupation: Professor of English at HBCU
LaToya Jones,
Co-Founder
Chicago, IL
Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education: Northern Illinois University: 2010
Certification in NPO from Notre Dame University (2015)
Master Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management (2016)
Occupation: Develpment Specialist



Ashley Tate,
Chief Financial Officer
Atlanta, GA
Bachelors degree in Psychology from Governors State University (2010)
Master degree in Criminology from The Adler Professional School of Psychology (2015)
Occupation: Logistics Coordinator

Courtney Little,
Chief Liaison Officer
Chicago, IL
B.S in Applied Health & Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2012)
Mercer University College of Health Professions:
Master's in Public Health (2015)
MPH Student Advisory Board
Occupation: Clinical Research Assistant

Sameca Howard,
Chief Marketing Strategist
Chicago, IL
Bachelors Degree in Marketing (2015): Columbia University
Master Degree in Business Administration (2017):
Keller Graduate School of Management
Occupation: Project Manager III- Labor & Employee Experience