Retired Federal Housing Inspector Adrian Bishop, President Emeritus — Adrian, as President with distinction, has stepped down. He is still honored and respected by the entire UniFIED Efforts, Inc. Team. Your leadership exceptional and foundational. We say, "Thank you."
Our youth DON'T just sit at the table — they help build it!
First Quarter Board Meeting — April 10, 2026
Meet our Board Members
UniFIED Efforts, Inc., first quarter (April 10, 2026) Board Meeting. Held at The Village of Cross Keys, Delta Marriott Hotel Board Room, Baltimore, MD. Newest Board Members: Kamal Quickley (Selfie-Taker). Left to Right: Bo Brand, Maggie Newman, Ghadir Smallwood, Debbie Ramsey, and Kamille Simmons.
Our Board
Meet our Board members
Richard Thayer
Board Member at LargeCEO of Syngineering Solutions, LLC, Richard is one of UE's founding board members and continues to provide invaluable expertise and guidance in organizational transformation, agile operating models, and leadership development with digital-transformation components.
Ghadir J. Smallwood
Sitting Vice PresidentExecutive Board Member, Social Media, Marketing Youth
Ghadir, one of UE's first volunteers. Graduate of UMBC. Presently in Graduate School. Youth advocate and community involvement member. A graduate of Seton Kreou HS, Baltimore City. Ghadir is one of UE's first Summer Camp Volunteers since 2015.
Elizabeth DuVerlie
Board MemberFormer Director of Program Development at the MD Healthcare Education Institute. Writer and Editor. Provides editorial expertise to our young adults' IBelongMagazine.com print publication.
Maggie Newman
Board MemberRetired from Johns Hopkins University, a mother, a resident of Baltimore, MD, and a dedicated community volunteer. Lifelong friend of Founding Executive Director since the third grade!
Wanda G. Best
Board MemberExecutive Director, Upton Planning Committee
Wanda Gibson Best is a connector of resources. She graduated from South Carolina State University with a BS in Foods and Nutrition and a triple minor in Biology, Chemistry, and Business. Wanda worked for USDA for over twenty years as the program analyst for a five-million-dollar federal food safety and quality program. She has maintained her dietician license for thirty years and continues to practice as a Nutritionist and Dietician.
Bo Brand
Sitting Vice PresidentMember, Executive Board
One of UE's first volunteers, 2015. Member of UE's Executive Board, college graduate, and currently pursuing a medical profession field and working at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD.
Cynthia Blake Sanders
Founding AttorneyRetired from Baker Donelson, Baltimore, MD. Cynthia's early commitment to see UniFIED Efforts, Inc.'s best practices as part of our progress made us what we are today: An award-winning nonprofit serving our most vulnerable — the children. Thank you, Friend!
Eleanor Hubbard
Board MemberRetired Baltimore City Government Supervisor.
Kamal Quickley
Board MemberBowie State University, Financial Business Major
Newest board member bringing fresh perspective and financial expertise.
Kamille Simmons
Board MemberTowson State University
Youth committee member and dedicated volunteer.
Individually working together and making a positive impact as one.
Photo coming soon
Founding Attorney
Cynthia Blake Sanders
Meet our founding attorney — Cynthia Blake Sanders. Retired from Baker Donelson, Baltimore, MD. Cynthia's early commitment to see UniFIED Efforts, Inc.'s best practices as part of our progress made us what we are today: An award-winning nonprofit serving our most vulnerable — the children. Thank you, Friend!
Unified Efforts 2024 Board
What we bring to the table is diversity, talent, and love.
Mission statement: reduce summer and vital learning losses.
Meet the Executive Director
Deborah B. Ramsey
Founding Executive Director
Foundation: love of community
Open Society Institute Fellow. Member, Law Enforcement Action Partnership (Speakers' List). Baltimore Magazine: Change Maker Awardee. The Baltimore Curriculum Project, Board Member, and Publisher of IBelongMagazine.com.
Find out more — meet the Executive Director