Board of Directors
Meet key people dedicated to the cause.
Emanuel "Dupree" Jackson, Jr.
Founder and Executive Director
Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Jr. was born and raised in Delray Beach, Florida. He has worked with youth and children for most of his career and holds a passion for connecting with at-risk youth to help them tap into their strengths. After graduating from Boca Raton High School, Dupree attended Hibbing Community College where he obtained his Associate of Arts degree. From there he received a full athletic scholarship to North Dakota State University where he studied Communication and minored in Psychology.
Upon his return to Delray Beach, Dupree noticed that the community’s youth needed more mentors. The idea for the Emmanuel Jackson Senior (EJS) Project was birthed. The EJS Project is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that focuses on changing the perception and aspirations of local youth through mentorship and positive interventions.
Though institutionally prepared and accomplished, he learned early that sustainable solutions to marginalized community challenges exist within the people, associations and organizations in those communities. In-depth relationship building is necessary to bridge gaps and connect people. Through intentional engagement and inclusion a connected community emerges.
Venette Pierre
Chief Strategist, VP Creative Consulting
Venette Pierre is a lifelong Floridian. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Public Relations, Venette currently as the Director of Community Impact at Thrive Collective. In this role, Venette manages the community facing iniatives that support local economic mobility.
Venette’s background includes working in marketing for a global travel firm as well as initiating digital marketing campaigns to generate revenue. Venette also worked in the healthcare field providing administrative support to providers and creating initiatives to help prioritize patient-provider relations. After working in inpatient healthcare, Venette decided she wanted to take a more proactive approach to assisting families in low income areas access education and resources.
A big believer in education equality, Venette hopes to continue to actively support parents in advocating for their child’s education needs despite barriers. Venette hopes to empower natural talents in the community with the skills and resources they need to pursue entrepreneurship as a career choice.
Sara Selznick, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Thrive Collective
Sara Selznick, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Florida and received her Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago. Sara completed her fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Children’s Hospital Boston and has provided services and developed, delivered, and evaluated programs and interventions in many settings including hospitals, schools/ after-schools, juvenile detention centers, and community mental health agencies. Before moving to Delray Beach she worked in Chicago’s Cabrini Greene Public Housing Community for 10 years providing direct services and supervising a community outreach and advocacy team. Recognizing the impact of systemic racism and the importance of power (not just programs), Sara left the direct service world to work on community capacity building initiatives as co-founder of Thrive.
Tiesha Dyer, Esq. Attorney
Tie Dyer Law
Tiesha is now a licensed Florida attorney who spent most of her time practicing family law in Palm Beach County. She has recently decided to slightly step away from her solo practice, Tie Dyer Law, to focus on her original goal of being in the community and focusing on the importance of education. Tiesha feels it was a brush with destiny that she found EJS and has been able to work with Dupree and his team on tutoring and mentoring the youth at EJS. Tiesha is a wife and mother of three. She looks forward to what the future has in store for them all.
Terance Scott
Sergeant, Delray Beach Police Department
Sergeant Terance Scott has been a police officer with the City of Delray Beach for over 24 years. He prides himself on community policing and being a community servant. He has been involved in many community initiatives and organizations including From Boyz to Men Mentoring Program, Carver Kids of Character, Youth Basketball Coach (for 20+ years) and many more. Sergeant Scott has received over 90 awards and commendations; however, the most gratifying awards or acknowledgments he says come from the community. He is the recipient of the TrailBlazer of the Year Award and the 6th Annual Walk Against Violence Community Champion. He is a widower of 2 years now and a proud parent to 2 sons, Terance 18, and Tyrell 12.
Nancy Chanin
Community Activist, Palm Beach County
Nancy Chanin is a long-time community activist and fundraiser for a broad range of causes. After the Florida Legislature placed restrictions on Amendment 4 in 2019, Nancy created a committee with the Palm Beach County State Attorney, Public Defender and other stakeholders that implemented a workaround enabling former felons (returning citizens) to register to vote. Nancy serves on the Delray Beach Police Advisory Board and is the Vice President of the Board of the Boca Raton Police Athletic League (PAL). Nancy is also a Board member of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and the Delray Chamber Education Fund. She attended Cornell University and received her BA in history with a minor in journalism from New York University. Nancy has lived in the Boca Raton/Delray Beach area for over 25 years.