Lakesha York Co-Founder & Executive Director

Professional woman in a white blazer with curly hair, smiling.

Lakesha York is a highly experienced professional with nearly 21 years of expertise in nonprofit leadership and fund development. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Talladega College, one of the first historically black colleges and universities, and a Master's in Business Administration from Loyola University, she possesses a strong educational foundation.

Throughout her career, Lakesha has made significant contributions as an educator, teaching courses on entrepreneurship and grant writing. Additionally, she has authored impactful youth-based curriculum materials. In 2012, she launched the Scholarship Me curriculum, a program specifically tailored to helping under-resourced youth prepare for the financial burdens of college. This initiative has successfully assisted 92 students in obtaining more than 1 million dollars in scholarship funding for their education.

Lakesha's dedication to supporting others extends beyond her professional endeavors. She is particularly passionate about empowering women who face similar challenges, drawing from her own experiences as a black woman in predominantly white spaces. Having overcome barriers along her personal journey, Lakesha now carries the lessons learned and the knowledge gained, with the aim of equipping other black women with the tools and guidance needed to navigate their paths to success.

In 2017, Lakesha launched her own business, Synergy Works Better, which enables her clients to effectively tell their stories to the right funders in addition to growing and managing their operations through times of organizational change and growth. Prior to pursuing entrepreneurship, she excelled as a nonprofit leader and fundraiser renowned for her abilities to build meaningful relationships and fundraise. Her approach was particularly valuable in tackling high-visibility programs and campaigns. Lakesha's love for the art and craft of grantwriting and storytelling has resulted in securing millions of dollars in grant funds for various causes, including youth development, workforce development, after-school programs, advocacy groups, entrepreneurship hubs, arts organizations, and social justice causes.

At the center of Lakesha’s heart is her beautiful family of seven, which includes her wonderful husband Chris, and six children: Justice (26), Jaione (24), Kamaya (19), Reece (17), and Harper (8).