Sangha Unity Network
Our Board
The mission of Sangha Unity Network is to provide opportunities to empower and enhance the lives of people who are marginalized. We are excited to welcome our committed Board of Directors who will join us in accomplishing our goals of growing and supporting the mission of Sangha Unity Network.
Belinda Harris
Board Chair
Belinda is an executive coach, speaker and author. With a Masters Degree in Human Resource Development, Belinda has over 15 years in the Human Resource field. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and is also certified as a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management. Currently, she is the Executive Director/ Owner of Rocket Science HR LLC and CEO/Owner of Rocket Employment LLC. Rocket Science HR was created to assist people with disabilities to gain and maintain employment in the state of Georgia. Rocket Employment was created to assist people worldwide with gaining employment through a variety of service supports. Belinda is passionate about helping folks achieve their dreams and goals in employment.
Jackie McNair
Board Secretary
Jackie McNair has strived for over 15 years, to provide support, training and resource information to families of children who are deemed eligible to receive Special Education Services. Jackie is currently the founder and owner of A Voice For Kendra, where she continues to work with students, families, and school systems. With a passion for learning and connecting, Jackie has served in various capacities with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, Autism Society of America, Georgia Chapter (now defunct) and as a member of the Regional Advisory Council, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. As a graduate of the 2016 Gwinnett County Citizen’s Academy, Jackie received recognition as a community volunteer by former Commissioner of Gwinnett County, Charlotte Nash. She has volunteered for various events that are sponsored by Gwinnett County Government’s Community Outreach Program. Jackie continues to build bridges and bring awareness about issues facing people with disabilities to communities across Georgia.
Debbie Stone
Board Finance and Compliance Chair
Debbie Stone is currently in a leadership position with Creative Consulting Services which provides monitoring and oversight for folks with disabilities who use Medicaid waivers. She has worked in this field for over 20 years. Prior to this, Debbie worked as Director of Social Work and Admissions in Long Term Care facilities, as well as teaching at a Private Elementary School in a Metro Atlanta. Debbie is an artist and has sold many works of art which includes illustrating 2 books. Debbie has a long history of working with non-profit organizations and has a gift for Organizational Leadership and Fundraising.
Derek Heard
Board Member
Derek is a graphic artist, entrepreneur, public speaker, and disability justice advocate based in Albany, Georgia. Derek believes in the power that images have in creating positive change. Derek uses graphics to help understand and communicate with the world. For the last few years, he has used his love of art to help educate others about the rights of people with disabilities by illustrating the importance of equality, self-determination, and the power of using one’s voice. He currently serves as a leadership collective member of Uniting for Change and is a board member of REV Up Georgia. Derek is also a Fannie Lou Hammer Fellow and a Youth Ambassador for the Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice.
Stephen Spurrier
Board Member
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Stephen Spurrier Jr. has spent the majority of this adult life in the vibrant metro Atlanta area. A passionate poet with a deep love for history, Stephen is driven by a genuine heart for others and a thirst for lifelong learning. Stephen is currently part of the Uniting for Change Leadership Collective and brings both compassion and dedication to the self-advocacy movement in Georgia. Grateful for each new chapter, Stephen is excited to continue learning, connecting, and making a meaningful impact across the state and beyond.
Sheila Jeffrey
Board Member
Sheila Jeffery is a fighter and a survivor. After spending many years living in a state institution in Georgia, she now lives with her significant other near Atlanta. She was a member of Pathfinding Outfitters, an international group of people focusing on building true and meaningful inclusive communities. She is a dedicated and passionate self-advocate and serves as an active member in the Leadership Collective with Uniting for Change. Her mission is to assist every self-advocate to find and use their voice!
Renee Pruitt
Board Member
Renée currently works with the National Disability Rights Network where she provides technical assistance and training to the P&A network for the Representative Payee Program. Before joining NDRN in September 2019, Renée worked at the Georgia P&A, the Georgia Advocacy Office, for over six years. During her time there, she was an advocate before becoming the Director of the Developmental Disabilities Program and coordinated orientation and values based training. In 2018, she led the development and implementation of the Representative Payee Program.
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Renée previously worked at Hope House Foundation in Norfolk, VA, where she led a team of direct support professionals to support people with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities to expand their advocacy skills, live in their own homes, gain more independence in their lives, and contribute to and find membership in the community. Renée sees her career as a way to honor the legacy of her aunt. Her significant influence in Renée’s life from a young age guided her into a life of advocacy.
LJ Young
Board Member
Lawrence Young is 26 years old and lives independently with his significant other near Atlanta, Georgia. LJ is a member of the Uniting for Change Leadership Collective and enjoys being a presenter and an advocate for people with disabilities. He graduated from Coronado High School in Lubbock Texas and enjoyed audio video production. He currently aspires to get a job in either the TV or radio industry. LJ wants to make TV and
radio shows that promote advocacy for people with disabilities in the future. His hobbies include watching anime, playing video games and listening to music.