Essie Mae Good Deeds Foundation
Meet Our Board
Gail Lawson, President/Founder
Bachelors degree in Human Ecology with a Minor in Business, Marygrove College
Concentration in Culinary Arts, Wayne County Community College
Certifications in Health Unit Coordinatior, Phlebotomy, and Phlebotomist Lab
Gail Lawson is a non-profit advocate volunteer, raising funds for the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" and United Way for Breast Cancer month through the UPS, where she has been employed for over 36 years. She has also raised money for her fellow co-workers, and their family members when they've encountered hardships. Gail Lawson is the private family funder of Essie Mae Crystal Giving Heart Recognition Award in honor of her Grandmother. Gail has also volunteered her time to COTS serving food and preparing lunches for the homeless, and has assisted patients, at St. John Hospital, with feeding, walking, and passing out leisure resources.
Gail's employment history encompases working with people of different ages, genders and a variety of ethnic backgrounds. These are the companies she acquired her skills: J.L. Hudson's (Return Checks Dept./Register Auditor), Comp-U-CK (Debt Collector), Board of Education (Teacher Assistant for 4th and 5th Graders), and Marygrove College (Lab Assistant).
Tanisha Ezell, Vice Preident
MBA and BA, Northwood University
Associates in Paralegal
Tanisha Ezell is a business professional with over 19 years of experience as a Vice-President and Manager. She is co-founder of a local process service company, M&T Legal Services. Within her dual roles at M&T Legal Services, Tanisha has been a strong leader and mentor. Tanisha is a leader in Organizational Development and Management Revitalization, she has lead critical transition phases, managed hiring of professional and technical staff, implemented budget reductions, written business plans and installed effective management information systems. Building employee morale along with maintaining client confidence has been a key contributing factor in to the success of M&T Legal Services for over a decade. Tanisha has also managed financial records, budget and payroll controls, and completed advertising and market research for her team. Tanisha's volunteer work includes helping several schools, churches and non-profit organizations throughout the state of Michigan.
Roshonda Washington, Secretary
Classes in Psychology, Tuskegee University and Oakland Community College
Highschool Diploma, Redford High School, 1992
Roshonda Washington has been an employee of United Parcel Service for over 17 years. Roshonda is a member of the safety team where she attends meetings and gives ideas and solutions. She is currently the Wellness Champion where she mentors new hires, making sure they are aware of all the safety rules. She also takes part in volunteering and helping the community. Roshonda has been a member of the key club and girls varsity basketball, volleyball and softball teams. Roshonda has helped coach and mentor young women with self-esteem issues. She is currently preparring herself for the Karmanos Cancer Race for the Cure this Spring where she will raise funds for her team and walk in honor of Cancer patients. Roshonda volunteers her time with Focus Hope, the Special Olympics, soup kitchens, Girl Scouts and provides transportation to seniors.
Tantheia Lawson, Treasurer
BS in Nursing, University of Detroit Mercy,
McAuley School of Nursing
Tantheia Lawson has been a Registered Nurse at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan for over 16 years, working in the spinal cord injury unit, which has been rewarding, challenging, heartbreaking and insightful. She has provided for patients with debilitating diseases and crippling injuries leaving them partially or permanently paralized. During her career as an RN, Tantheia has taken on the role of Charge Nurse making out shift assignments to balance patient workloads, solving issues that arise between patients, caregivers, patient family members and staff members. Tantheia's first nursing job was at Harper University Hospital in the Cardiology unit for two years. In addition she has worked in various hospital settings encompassing: hematology, indigent population, medical-surgical and woman's health.
In rememberance of loved ones and cancer survivors past and present, Tantheia volunteers annually in the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure", by competing in the 5k walk since 2002. She also volunteers her time assisting with bag checks and food distribution at various UPS centers.
Enyka Matthews-Gaines, Board Member
MBA in Strategic Management, Davenport University
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Grambling State University
Enyka Matthews-Gaines is the Program Director of CCC Because We Care Foundation, and has over 20 years experience working in the non-profit industry planning corporate events, community relations and fundraisers. She has served as a Board of Director for community and outreach foundations for the past 14 years. She is very active in the Detroit community where she serves on committees developing and implementing programs for the youth; these organizations include: Creating a Healthy Community Summer Camps, Divine Impressions and Youth Financial Workshops. Enyka has worked as an Area Director with Group Excellence, Ltd., mentoring and tutoring students in Detroit Public Schools
