Board of Directors
Jermaine Brown
Jermaine Brown is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unnecessary University, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to breaking cycles of trauma, creating pathways to opportunity, and empowering individuals to realize their full potential. As an Individual Development Specialist, Trauma-Informed Facilitator, and Community Advocate, Jermaine has dedicated his life to helping people overcome adversity, navigate challenges, and build sustainable futures for themselves and their families.
Grounded in both professional training and lived experience, Jermaine brings a unique perspective to community engagement, mentorship, and personal development. His work is centered on meeting people where they are, recognizing the impact of trauma, and providing practical tools, guidance, and support that foster healing, growth, accountability, and long-term success. He believes that every individual possesses untapped potential and that transformation becomes possible when people are given access to the right resources, relationships, and opportunities.
Jermaine's leadership is informed by extensive training in trauma-informed practices, civic engagement, conflict resolution, public health awareness, workplace safety, and community-based intervention strategies. He serves as a trained Civics Curriculum Facilitator, Credible Messenger Mentor, and Precious Blood Peace Circle Trainer, helping individuals strengthen their decision-making skills, develop leadership capacity, and build healthier relationships within their communities.
In addition to leading Unnecessary University, Jermaine is the Founder and Peer Leader of The Trauma Unit, an initiative focused on creating safe spaces for healing, personal reflection, and meaningful conversations around trauma, resilience, and recovery. Through workshops, mentoring programs, educational initiatives, and community partnerships, he continues to advocate for underserved populations and individuals facing systemic barriers.
Jermaine is a graduate of John Marshall Metro High School in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently pursuing studies in Psychology and Technical Mathematics at Lakeland College. His commitment to lifelong learning reflects his belief that education, personal accountability, and community support are powerful tools for transformation.
Through Unnecessary University, Jermaine's vision is to equip individuals with the knowledge, confidence, and resources needed to overcome obstacles, rewrite their narratives, and create lasting change in their lives and communities.
Theresa J. Thomas
Theresa J. Thomas is a legal professional, entrepreneur, author, and community advocate whose work is centered on empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to opportunity. With nearly two decades of experience spanning across financial services, legal services, entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and community advocacy, Theresa brings a unique blend of professional expertise, strategic insight, and servant leadership to every organization and community she serves.
She currently serves with the Legal Aid Society, where she supports housing advocacy and works alongside attorneys, community partners, and vulnerable populations to help prevent displacement and increase access to justice. Her dedication to serving others and advancing equitable outcomes earned her the organization's Champion of Justice Award.
As the Founder of The Prosperity Experts, Theresa helps entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and business owners build strong foundations through compliance, strategic planning, and organizational development. She is passionate about equipping individuals and organizations with the tools needed to create sustainable success.
Raised in Chicago and a first-generation college graduate, Theresa developed an early understanding of both the challenges and resilience that exist within underserved communities. Witnessing the impact of limited access to resources and opportunity shaped her belief that education, financial literacy, and informed decision-making have the power to transform lives. That belief continues to fuel her work today.
Throughout her career, Theresa has remained deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. She has served in nonprofit leadership and governance roles, contributed to community-focused initiatives, and actively supports programs centered on mentorship, and prevention-focused outreach. She also serves on the Grief Ministry at Bates Memorial Baptist Church, where she helps provide encouragement and support to individuals and families navigating loss and healing.
Theresa's commitment to empowering others aligns closely with the mission of Unnecessary University. She believes lasting change occurs when individuals are equipped with knowledge, accountability, support, and access to opportunity. Through her leadership, advocacy, and service, she remains dedicated to helping people overcome barriers, realize their potential, and build stronger futures for themselves and their communities.
Nikki Donnelly
Nikki Donnelly is an attorney with Rights and Restoration Law Group. Nikki is a zealous advocate for individuals coping with the impact of their criminal records, as well as those who are still behind bars. Her passion for working with people impacted by the criminal legal system began while studying public policy at DePaul University, where she studied the implications of local laws on Chicago's residents. Since this time, Nikki has continued to fight against systemic injustice in her role as an attorney.
Nikki has helped hundreds of clients successfully mitigate their criminal records through sealing and expungement, executive clemency, healthcare waivers, certificates of good conduct, and at hearings in front of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Nikki also co-launched a project assisting over twenty-five incarcerated survivors of domestic violence file motions to reduce their sentences after there was a change in sentencing laws, allowing domestic battery to be considered by Judges in sentencing.
In addition to directly representing clients, Nikki has trained and supervised hundreds of pro bono attorneys representing clients in their petitions for executive clemency. Nikki earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she worked as Vice President of the Pitt Law Human Rights Coalition. In this role she worked to address human rights violations occurring in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, specifically regarding their use of prolonged solitary confinement. While working for a federal magistrate in the District Court of Western Pennsylvania, she helped create mediation pilot program for pro se incarcerated litigants.
Nikki currently sits on the Board for Restore Justice Illinois and Saint Leonard's Ministries.
Shirley Sneh
Shirley Sneh, MHRM, is a visionary CEO, accomplished executive leader, writer, and passionate advocate for community impact. With over a decade of experience spanning healthcare, human services, business, and financial empowerment, she has built a reputation for leading with excellence, integrity, and purpose.
As the Founder and CEO of multiple nonprofit organizations, Shirley is deeply committed to uplifting underserved communities, expanding access to resources, and creating sustainable opportunities for growth. Her work is rooted in service and driven by a mission to empower individuals and families to thrive.
She is also the Founder and CEO of Heritage Care CNA Training, where she equips aspiring healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce. Through this work, she is not only building careers—but transforming lives and strengthening communities.
In addition to her leadership in healthcare and nonprofit sectors, Shirley is a Licensed Realtor and Licensed Financial Professional, helping individuals and families build generational wealth through homeownership and financial literacy. Her unique ability to bridge service, business, and financial empowerment sets her apart as a holistic leader committed to long-term impact.
Shirley holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Change Leadership from the University of St. Thomas and is a Certified Assisted Living Director in the state of Minnesota. Her executive experience includes overseeing complex operations, leading multidisciplinary teams, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing strategies that drive measurable results.
Beyond her professional achievements, Shirley is a writer who uses her voice to inspire, uplift, and share stories of resilience, faith, and purpose. She believes in the power of storytelling to heal, empower, and connect people across communities.
At her core, Shirley leads with faith and a deep sense of calling. She believes that true success is measured not just by accomplishments, but by the lives impacted along the journey. As it is written in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” This truth continues to guide her path as she serves, leads, and builds with intention
Bishop T.L. Simpson
Bishop T.L. Simpson is the youngest of eight sons born to Robert and Florine Simpson, starting in ministry at the young age of 17 under the pastorate of Elder (Dr.) Harvey Jackson (his childhood spiritual mentor) in Mound Bayou, Mississippi at the Lampton Street Church of Christ. He has received extensive ministerial training from great teachers of God’s Word like Reverend Wayne Anderson of the City of Refuge Christian Church in Aiea, Hawaii; Rev. (Dr.) Maxwell of the Independence Chapel in Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Chaplain Onerray Neal of Fort Hood, Texas.
Bishop spent 22 years of military service in the United States Army as a Military Intelligence professional and serving in ministry under various military chaplains in a non-denominational capacity, while retaining his association with his ministerial upbringing in both the Baptist and Church of Christ faiths. He declares himself to be a Christian following an evangelical path for living his life for the Lord.
Throughout his career, he has served in many facets of ministry during his many years of service to the Lord and was ordained in 1997 as he showed full proof of his calling. He was elevated and ordained to the “Office of Bishop” in February 2016. He continues his growth in God’s Word and believes that the Bible is the Spirit of God in action. He currently oversees several ministries throughout the United States.
He served as the Senior Pastor of the Kino Gospel Protestant Church service, Fort Huachuca, Arizona and guest minister of the Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for many years until God called him and his wife to start a new ministry. Together with Pastor Rae, they endeavor to do what God has ordained them to do in the community, the nation, and the world. In 2004, he was led by the Holy Spirit to accept the mentoring of spiritual father, Bishop (Apostle) Nathaniel Holcomb & Pastor Valerie of the Christian House of Prayer (CHOP) and the Cathedral of Central Texas located in Killeen and Copperas Cove, Texas. He also completed his seminary studies graduating from the Sonship School of the First Born (SSOTFB) – Killeen, TX. Embarking upon a destiny inspired by the Almighty God, Bishop accepted the move to open the doors of the New Jerusalem Community Church (NJCC) in Sierra Vista, AZ along with Pastor Rae where he currently serves as the Senior Pastor and overseer (Bishop).
Ministry Affiliations:
Dean/Auxiliary Bishop, New Destiny Fellowship of Churches International & Joint College of Bishops & Apostles (NDFCI & JCB&A) - Past
Regional Bishop & Adjunct Bishop, Kingdom Fellowship of Interdependent Ministries, INC (KFIM) - Past
President, Interdenominational Christian Ministries, INC (ICM) - Present
Bishop is married to his “good thing” Pastor (Overseer-Elect) Rae Simpson, a native of Chicago, Illinois and together they are blessed with two lovely daughters, Keana and Ciarra , a granddaughter, Amaya and grandson, Ayden. Together, they endeavor to follow God’s heart and to love as God loves, to see as God sees, and to live as God would want man to live. The Scripture that drives him is, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“Where God Reigns”