St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Dontavia is a youth advocate with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminology and a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. Born and raised in Chicago, she knows firsthand the power of community programs like Open Doors Academy, which shaped her growth and inspired her to give back.

Dontavia is passionate about guiding young people to realize their potential, providing mentorship, and creating opportunities for positive development. She is also a creative entrepreneur, enjoying custom creations and natural hairstyling—skills she often uses to inspire others to embrace their individuality and creativity.

Her long-term vision is to establish a creative youth center that offers a safe space for expression, learning, and leadership development for the next generation.