My Part CAO

Participant Biographies

Runners

	Kenneth L. McRay, an alumnus of Cleveland's St. Joseph High School, began his career as a financial accountant with the prestigious public accounting firm, Ernst & Young. After working with world-class clients like National City Bank, KeyCorp, Sherwin Williams, and American Greetings, Ken entered the investment arena providing investment services to large institutional investors. Currently living and working in New York City, Ken helps large pension plans and foundations achieve their investment goals. His rich connection to Greater Cleveland is maintained through his community work with My Part Community Advancement Organization, which he founded in 2004. In addition to proven leadership skills, Ken brings to My Part his relationships with the business community, expertise in financial and investment management, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Cleveland. He holds a B.B.A. from Cleveland State University and M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
	William D. Dawson, former host of Frankly Speaking on Cleveland Talk Radio, is well known and highly respected for his high-profile work as a skillful defense attorney. A graduate of East Cleveland's Shaw High School, Kent State University, and Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Will has made a name for himself in the courtroom and around the community with his keen intellect and generous nature. In addition to working with YLRTC, his own nonprofit organization, The Annie L. Dawson Center for Justice, Education, & Achievement, delivers charitable programs to underprivileged communities around the Cleveland area. Will's community work includes a two-year term as Executive Director of the Greater Cleveland Jail Diversion Program. As a presenter at the Tavis Smiley "Youth to Leaders" seminar and frequent speaker at local graduation ceremonies, Will serves as a willing role model and is committed to improving the lives of children in the Greater Cleveland area.
	Lynard Zingale is owner of the Lynard Zingale Agency of American Family Insurance. Since 2000, Lynard's agency has grown to become one of the top 1% of producers in American Family's national network of more than 4,000 agents. With numerous awards, including the Life Diamond and All American Club honors, Mr. Zingale has achieved impressive growth as a direct result of his deep relationship with the people of Greater Cleveland. Prior to opening his agency, Lynard honorably served his country as a member of the U.S. Army.
	H. Douglas Rice II is among the new, young and exciting breed of principals recently tapped to bring new life to the leadership of the schools in the Cleveland Municipal School District. His fresh and innovative brand of leadership at Woodland Hills Elementary School has amassed astounding level of support from parents in the community that demand quality education for their children. Doug is a graduate of Central State University and holds a Masters of Education from Cleveland State University.
	Donshon Wilson is an educator in the East Cleveland City School District. Mr. Wilson is the district's community coordinator and marching band Director, responsible for the district's media relations and community events and outreach. As band Director, Donshon is directly involved with the students and organizes the wildly successful Annual Battle of the Bands. Despite his students' lack of "formal" music training, Donshon continues to lead the students to victories in competitions across the U.S., including a top 10 finish in the National Hi Stepping Marching Band Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Wilson has been recognized for his work as an educator in 100 Black Educators/Teachers "A Few Good African American Male Educators" (National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa - Gamma Rho Chapter), Cleveland Magazine's "Most Interesting People", The Cleveland Plain Dealer's "World Class Cleveland".
	Irving B. Scott is the Senior Technical Recruiter for Adecco Technical ‘s Energy Services Division. In addition to supporting the power generation field, he has also recruited for the federal government, health services, and aerospace industries. Irving has B.B.A from Kent State University and a M. Ed., Adult Learning and Development, from Cleveland State University. He currently serves as the Co-Chair position for Public Relations and Marketing for the Urban League of Greater Cleveland Young Professionals (ULGCYP). In this capacity he promotes area programs and mentors Cleveland youth on career /professional development.

Program Coordinators & Contributors

Jessie LeGrande, President and Founder of Diamond Enterprises, a sports and entertainment marketing and management firm. The company represents clients in professional sports and in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Diamond sponsors the Cleveland First Fridays Event and other promotional events that serve to connect an eclectic group of event-goers with corporate marketers pursuing coveted access to urban professionals. Diamond's events also serve to raise funds for Diamond Kids, a nonprofit organization focused on assisting and mentoring Cleveland's youth with the help of professional athletes represented by Diamond Enterprises.
Silindra N. McRay is currently a student at Spelman College in Atlanta pursuing a B.A. with a major in Spanish and minor in Business and Media Writing. She is a graduate of Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and a budding star in the field of communications. Silindra writes a regular sports column in The Spotlight - Spelman's campus newspaper and is the Business Advisory Chairperson of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). She stays busy as an active member of Toastmaster's, Black Public Relations of Atlanta, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, and the INROADS Student Association, where she is Vice President and founding member.
Ray Lawson, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Group.

Jessie LeGrande, President and Founder of Diamond Enterprises, a sports and entertainment marketing and management firm. The company represents clients in professional sports and in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Diamond sponsors the Cleveland First Fridays Event and other promotional events that serve to connect an eclectic group of event-goers with corporate marketers pursuing coveted access to urban professionals. Diamond's events also serve to raise funds for Diamond Kids, a nonprofit organization focused on assisting and mentoring Cleveland's youth with the help of professional athletes represented by Diamond Enterprises.

Silindra N. McRay is currently a student at Spelman College in Atlanta pursuing a B.A. with a major in Spanish and minor in Business and Media Writing. She is a graduate of Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and a budding star in the field of communications. Silindra writes a regular sports column in The Spotlight - Spelman's campus newspaper and is the Business Advisory Chairperson of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). She stays busy as an active member of Toastmaster's, Black Public Relations of Atlanta, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, and the INROADS Student Association, where she is Vice President and founding member.

Ray Lawson, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Group.