Minister Cleveland Wilson is a devoted husband, father, and mentor who has committed his life to supporting at-risk youth in the St. Louis area. Drawing from his own personal experiences growing up without a father and overcoming negative social influences, Cleveland uses his journey as a powerful tool to connect with and uplift young men. Trained under the mentorship of Duane Tolen at Boys 2 MenTORRs, he now serves as Vice President of the organization, where he leads with empathy, strength, and a relentless dedication to making a difference in the lives of the next generation.
Melodie Bostic brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the Duane H. Tolen Sr. Foundation board. Her expertise lies in institutional advancement, with strengths in relationship cultivation, fundraising, and strategic communication. As COO of Mission Nation Publishing, she champions ethnic diversity within churches and mission-driven communities. A dedicated advocate, Melodie is also a longtime supporter and fundraiser for the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb. A proud lifelong resident of St. Louis City, she credits her family and mentors for inspiring her passion for service, faith, and community engagement. Outside her professional and volunteer work, Melodie enjoys fashion, interior design, yoga, and daily meditation.
Lisa Thompson is a seasoned financial professional with over 37 years of service in the federal government. She dedicated 35 years to the United States Postal Service in corporate accounting, where she held several leadership roles and ultimately retired as Supervisor at the Accounting Services Center. She also spent two years with the Department of Defense, further strengthening her expertise in financial oversight and operational integrity.
Lisa now serves as the Treasurer of the Duane H. Tolen Sr. Foundation, where she applies her extensive financial knowledge to support the foundation’s mission. Her dedication to transparency, integrity, and community service makes her an essential member of the leadership team and a trusted steward of the foundation’s resources.
In addition to her work with the foundation, Lisa currently works as a Customer Service Representative at Southwest Airlines.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, line dancing, and traveling.
Dr. Chérie Pollard-Swingler is a passionate advocate for mental health and a dedicated mental health community volunteer. With over 20 years background in counseling, psychotherapy and advocacy. “Dr. Chérie” is compassionate about building personal connections to those she assists that are faced by challenges directly, and indirectly with mental health conditions. Dr. Chérie is deeply committed to the mission of the DT Foundation.
She brings a wealth of experience in program development/advocacy and is excited to contribute to the board’s efforts to improve access to quality mental health services in our community. In her free time, Dr. Chérie enjoys yoga, kayaking, listening to music, and spending time with her family; which fuels her commitment to creating a healthier and more supportive community for children, adults and the family unit.
Shamika brings a strong background in risk management and business strategy to her role on the board of The Duane Tolen Sr. Foundation. With degrees in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Lindenwood University, she offers practical insight and a service-oriented mindset that supports the foundation’s mission. Shamika is deeply committed to empowering others and plays an active role in strategic planning and community outreach. A proud mother of three, she balances her professional work with a passion for family, travel, and making a meaningful impact through mentorship and leadership.
Deshunai Barlowe is a legal professional, business owner, and passionate advocate committed to uplifting communities through mentorship, justice, and empowerment. As a board member of the Duane H. Tolen Sr. Foundation, she proudly supports the organization’s mission to empower youth and families through mentorship, mental health support, and community healing—turning pain into purpose in honor of Duane’s legacy.
With years of experience in advocacy and civic engagement through her involvement with the NAACP, OBS, and other grassroots efforts, Deshunai is dedicated to creating safe, affirming spaces where young people can grow, heal, and lead.
Her commitment to transforming systems and empowering future generations is reflected in her pursuit of a legal career focused on social justice, reform and representation for advocacy and opportunity. Deshunai brings a deep sense of purpose, strategy, and compassion to the board—ensuring that every initiative reflects the foundation’s values of healing, hope, and lasting impact.
With over 14 years of experience in education, La’Juanda Cooper has served as a classroom teacher, Positive Behavior Intervention Specialist, and Restorative Justice Specialist. She has earned the trust of her school community by creating environments where students feel seen, supported, and safe. Raised in an underserved neighborhood, La’Juanda brings a deep understanding of the barriers many youth face and the power of persistence and advocacy.
Her work across multiple fields, including education, real estate, and criminal justice, is rooted in service and empathy. A longtime volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of America, she has mentored countless youth with the same compassion once shown to her. As a board member of the Duane H. Tolen Sr. Foundation, she is dedicated to ensuring every child feels valued, heard, and uplifted.
