Aaron Mallory is the founder of GRO Community, founded to assist males, particularly males of color, that are often misunderstood and outcasted within our society. Aaron has over ten years in the field, working with specifically African American males with diverse behavior challenges. Aaron has provided direct service work at UCAN within their transitional living shelter for young adult males, HRDI as a child and adolescent therapist, and Youth Advocate as an advocate. Aaron has served in leadership roles at HRDI as the Clinical Supervisor within the Child and Adolescent Department and Clinical Director at Heartland Alliance, READI initiative.

Aaron obtained his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Aaron is also a licensed clinical social worker under the state of Illinois regulatory board.

Bryan D. Evans, Sr. is a visionary leader, pastor, educator, and community advocate with a passion for helping people, families, and organizations grow with purpose. His career reflects a deep commitment to leadership development, community empowerment, and transformational service, shaped by years of experience in ministry, teaching, mentorship, and organizational leadership.

As President and CEO of Solvent Services, Inc. and Pastor of Soul Anchor Church in Kokomo, Indiana, Bryan D. Evans, Sr. has dedicated his leadership to strengthening people, organizations, and communities. Through his work, he has championed initiatives centered on personal development, faith formation, youth empowerment, and leadership cultivation, creating environments where individuals are inspired, equipped, and empowered to flourish.

Known for his ability to connect vision with action, Bryan brings a thoughtful and people-centered approach to service. His experience in guiding mission-driven work, mentoring leaders, and fostering meaningful community impact reflects the kind of wisdom, compassion, and strategic perspective that supports strong organizational leadership.

At the heart of Bryan’s work is a simple but powerful belief: when people are strengthened, communities are transformed. That conviction continues to shape his service, his leadership, and his commitment to creating lasting impact wherever he is called to serve.

Compassionate and results-driven social work professional with an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). Extensive experience supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Skilled in individual counseling, group facilitation, program coordination, and clinical supervision.

Jerry Davis-EL is Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and currently the Executive Director of GRO Community Behavioral and Mental Health Services. He also has had several positions as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor at various treatment centers.
He graduated from Governors State University’s Master of Social Work program with a 3.8 GPA
(2018) pursuing a concentration primarily on Families and Children. In addition, he was the Student Graduate Commencement Speaker (2018). Jerry is a champion for social justice –– working with the Dual Diagnosed/cooccurring disorders clients, traumatized, socioeconomically deprived, and marginalized populations indicative of the inner cities of Chicago in which he was raised is very dear to his heart. Jerry has utilized his personal and professional experiences to illuminate and champion holistic solutions to injustice. He won The Illinois Student Laureate Award in 2015 for his civic engagement and excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. Jerry won the 2023 Star Rising Distinguished Alumni Award and Governors State University. In addition, Governor Pritzker appointed him as a member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) board.
He has presented at various events across the country including the Council of Social Work
Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting in Dallas Texas, the Social Work 20th Annual GSU
Student Research Council, Kennedy King College Reintegrative Justice, GSU Forum on Mass
Incarceration/Re- Integrative & Restorative Justice and the role of Higher Education, Columbia
University (NYC) twice in partnership with the Center for Justice and a plenary panel at New York University Silver School of Social Work: Re-Imagine Justice: Mass Incarceration, Trauma, and Reentry-Intersections and Implications for Social Work Practice, including Speaking in Des Moines, Iowa at The People's Presidential Forum closing out President Elect Elizabeth Warren to name a few.
Jerry was active within numerous organizations abroad and at GSU – he is specifically proud of the work he has done within Generating Hope a student organization (where he is a founding member). In his last year of graduate school, he became President of the organization and created a scholarship as part of his legacy. Generating Hope is a space created to support, advocate for, and empower GSU students who have been impacted by mass incarceration ––hope, or maybe the lack of it, is something Jerry knew all too well. For almost 16 years, Jerry was trapped in a cycle of destruction ––jail, prison and the streets were his life until an event occurred that changed him forever. While in prison on his birthday in 2010, Jerry learned that his daughter was murdered. A victim of a cruel world, injustice, in every sense of the word. Jerry left prison a month after the killing of his daughter, determined that her death would not be in vain, and vowing to make social injustice the cause he would now dedicate his life towards.

With over 20 years of experience, I am a culturally competent and empathetic leader who excels at identifying the intersections between national social policies and their localized impact.

I have Masters of Business Administration with a concentration on healthcare administration previously working as a health equity/population health strategic leader. As a macro-level social worker, I am the CEO/Founder of Authentically New LLC which specializes in an authentic, new approach in strategic planning and funding for profit and nonprofit community engagement leaders.

I have a Masters of Social Work. As a micro-level social worker, I specialize in creating culturally competent and supportive mental health spaces for BIPOC individuals. I work in a private practice and I am a contracted clinical supervisor for mental health providers with expertise in serving minority communities with lived-in experience as a person of color.

Additionally, I am a Board-Certified Nonprofit Member who acted as a consultant for the United Way Black Empowerment Nonprofits, providing education and training on strategic planning and community building.

Statement of belief - The phrase "it could have been me" reflects on a past possibility that did not materialize. It can express sadness over a missed opportunity or relief that something negative did not occur. Our life choices often hinge on this simple phrase, and we find ourselves contemplating it in moments of quiet reflection.

I'm Managing Partner with Intentrify Urban Development in my role I lead the vision, capital strategy, and execution of equitable, community-focused real estate development projects. I am a friend, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, real estate developer, and creative at heart someone who believes deeply in legacy, responsibility, and the power of transformation. My life’s work has been rooted in building whether that’s communities, opportunities, or connecting pathways for others to grow. I love sports, and traveling domestically and abroad.
Professionally, I have spent decades in real estate, finance, and development
At my core, I like to think that am a builder and connector of people and possibility.
As a father and grandfather, I understand that everything we create today should make life better for the generations that follow.
As a poet, I see the world through a lens of reflection, truth, purpose and transformation.
I am committed to doing work that matters work that bridges gaps, restores communities, and sets a new standard of excellence grounded in integrity, equity, and long term impact.

Passionate about making a life-changing impact.

Social science-based, business admin and published research attorney by day; philanthropic legal advisor by night.