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Meet Our Leaders:
Sparkle Mentoring Program is led by a dedicated leadership team committed to empowering young black girls through mentorship, wellness, leadership development, and community engagement.
Founder
/Director
Stacey McDowell Rodgers is the founder and visionary behind Sparkle Mentoring Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black girls ages 10–18 through mentorship, leadership development, and personal growth. Driven by her passion for creating safe, supportive spaces for young Black girls to openly share their thoughts, challenges, and experiences without judgment, Stacey launched Sparkle Mentoring Program from her living room alongside her then 14-year-old daughter, her daughter’s friends, and her nieces. What began as intimate conversations and guidance quickly grew into a mission to help girls build confidence, self-worth, resilience, and purpose. Growing up in a single-parent household after the loss of her father at a young age, Stacey understands firsthand the importance of mentorship, emotional support, and positive guidance during formative years. Her life experiences, combined with witnessing the struggles many girls face with identity, peer pressure, and self-esteem, inspired her commitment to ensuring no girl has to navigate life’s challenges alone. Through Sparkle, Stacey strives to help young women discover their voice, embrace their uniqueness, and understand their value both within their families and in their communities. Stacey earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Shaw University and an Associate degree in Christian Education from Kinston Theological Seminary. She is a Licensed Minister who actively serves in her local church and has devoted her professional career to supporting youth, women, and families. Stacey currently serves as a Parenting Specialist at The Hope Center at Pullen, where she provides support for youth ages 18–27 who have aged out of foster care. She is also a Crisis Counselor with InterAct, supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her extensive background also includes work as a Foster Care Social Worker and Intensive In-Home Professional serving youth and families in need. In addition to her advocacy work, Stacey is a Certified Life Coach and Birth Doula, continuing her mission of empowering and supporting families through every stage of life. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Stacey is part of a blended family with nine children and nine grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys writing, painting, spending time with family, and relaxing at the beach. Through every role she serves, Stacey remains committed to helping young women recognize that they are loved, capable, and destined for greatness.
Stacey Rodgers
Dorothy Razzak is an accomplished educator, mentor, and leader who is deeply committed to empowering and uplifting young Black girls through mentorship, education, and personal development. As the Board Chair of Sparkle Mentoring Program, Dorothy plays a vital role in helping guide the organization’s vision, growth, and impact within the community. Her passion for leadership and service is reflected not only in her leadership position, but also in her years of dedicated service as a mentor within the program, where she has consistently poured wisdom, encouragement, and guidance into the lives of young girls. Dorothy is a proud alumna of Winston-Salem State University, one of the nation’s leading HBCUs, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. With more than a decade of experience in education, she later continued her academic and leadership journey by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Her extensive background in education and leadership has equipped her with a strong understanding of the importance of mentorship, representation, and creating supportive environments where young girls can thrive academically, emotionally, and personally. Through her work with Sparkle Mentoring Program, Dorothy is passionate about helping girls build confidence, recognize their value, and develop the leadership skills needed to navigate life with purpose and resilience. She believes in the power of intentional guidance and the importance of exposing young girls to opportunities that broaden their perspectives and inspire them to dream beyond their circumstances. Her commitment to the mission of Sparkle reflects her desire to help cultivate a generation of confident, empowered young women who understand their worth and potential. Beyond her professional and community work, Dorothy is passionate about personal and professional growth and continuously challenges herself to explore new opportunities and experiences. She is a devoted wife and mother who values family above all else and works diligently to create meaningful opportunities for her loved ones and community. She enjoys traveling, discovering new places, and embracing experiences that enrich both her life and the lives of those around her.
Dorothy Razzak
Chair/Mentor
Destiny Chestnut is a dedicated mental health professional, mentor, and advocate who is passionate about empowering adolescents and teens through emotional support, mentorship, and personal development. As a therapist working with youth, Destiny is committed to helping young people navigate life’s challenges, build healthy coping skills, and develop confidence in who they are. Her heart for service and desire to create safe, supportive spaces for young people align deeply with the mission of Sparkle Mentoring Program. Destiny serves as the Board Secretary for Sparkle Mentoring Program and has remained deeply committed to the organization’s mission for years by also serving as a mentor to the girls within the program. Her long-standing dedication reflects her genuine passion for uplifting and guiding young Black girls as they navigate important stages of growth, identity, and self-discovery. Through mentorship, she has provided encouragement, emotional support, and positive guidance while helping girls strengthen their confidence, self-worth, and resilience. Destiny earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Shaw University and her Master of Social Work from North Carolina Central University. She is currently working toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with the long-term goal of opening her own private practice dedicated to supporting teens and adults in their mental wellness journeys. Through her work with Sparkle Mentoring Program, Destiny brings compassion, leadership, and a strong understanding of the emotional and social challenges many young girls face today. She is passionate about helping girls find their voice, prioritize their mental and emotional wellness, and recognize their full potential. Her ability to connect with youth in a genuine, uplifting, and impactful way makes her a trusted mentor and valuable leader within the organization. Outside of her professional and community work, Destiny enjoys theatre, spending quality time with her daughter, relaxing at the beach, and encouraging others to become the best version of themselves. She believes that with the right guidance, support, and environment, every young person has the ability to grow, heal, and thrive.
Destiny Chestnut
Secretary/Mentor
Destiny Chestnut is a dedicated mental health professional, mentor, and advocate who is passionate about empowering adolescents and teens through emotional support, mentorship, and personal development. As a therapist working with youth, Destiny is committed to helping young people navigate life’s challenges, build healthy coping skills, and develop confidence in who they are. Her heart for service and desire to create safe, supportive spaces for young people align deeply with the mission of Sparkle Mentoring Program. Destiny serves as the Board Secretary for Sparkle Mentoring Program and has remained deeply committed to the organization’s mission for years by also serving as a mentor to the girls within the program. Her long-standing dedication reflects her genuine passion for uplifting and guiding young Black girls as they navigate important stages of growth, identity, and self-discovery. Through mentorship, she has provided encouragement, emotional support, and positive guidance while helping girls strengthen their confidence, self-worth, and resilience. Destiny earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Shaw University and her Master of Social Work from North Carolina Central University. She is currently working toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with the long-term goal of opening her own private practice dedicated to supporting teens and adults in their mental wellness journeys. Through her work with Sparkle Mentoring Program, Destiny brings compassion, leadership, and a strong understanding of the emotional and social challenges many young girls face today. She is passionate about helping girls find their voice, prioritize their mental and emotional wellness, and recognize their full potential. Her ability to connect with youth in a genuine, uplifting, and impactful way makes her a trusted mentor and valuable leader within the organization. Outside of her professional and community work, Destiny enjoys theatre, spending quality time with her daughter, relaxing at the beach, and encouraging others to become the best version of themselves. She believes that with the right guidance, support, and environment, every young person has the ability to grow, heal, and thrive.
Destiny Chestnut
Secretary/Mentor
Gwen McDowell serves as the Board Treasurer of Sparkle Mentoring Program, where she brings compassion, wisdom, and decades of experience serving and supporting others. With more than 30 years of experience as a Direct Support Professional working with intellectually and developmentally delayed adults, Gwen has dedicated her life to helping individuals live with dignity, encouragement, and care. Her nurturing spirit and heart for service make her an invaluable part of the Sparkle Mentoring Program leadership team.
As Board Treasurer, Gwen helps support the organization’s financial stewardship and overall mission to empower Black girls through mentorship, leadership development, and personal growth. Her practical knowledge, strong sense of responsibility, and passion for helping families make wise financial decisions provide meaningful guidance to the organization. Gwen’s caring and supportive nature also reflects Sparkle’s commitment to creating a community-centered environment where young girls and their families feel supported and uplifted. In addition to her professional background, Gwen is an experienced licensed cosmetologist who values creativity, confidence-building, and self-expression. She enjoys helping family members with budgeting and healthy spending habits, and she has a passion for arts and crafts, creating ceramics, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones. Gwen is also active in her church and deeply committed to serving others in both her personal and professional life. Through her service with Sparkle Mentoring Program, Gwen helps ensure that young girls are surrounded by strong, compassionate leadership and positive examples of faith, resilience, and community support.
Gwen McDowell
Treasurer
Adra Campbell is a Raleigh-based entrepreneur, licensed esthetician, wellness advocate, and community champion dedicated to empowering women, girls, and families through service, mentorship, and personal development. She is the founder of B. Enhanced Beauty and serves as the Fundraising & Development Director for Sparkle Mentoring Program, where she helps expand opportunities and resources for Black girls through community partnerships, fundraising, and youth development initiatives.
With more than 19 years of experience in banking, financial services, and credit restoration, Adra has built a career focused on helping individuals strengthen their financial well-being while developing expertise in leadership, relationship building, and community engagement.
Adra’s passion for service began through years of involvement with the Raleigh Boys & Girls Club, where she first discovered the impact of mentoring youth both within the organization and throughout the local community. Those experiences inspired a lifelong commitment to helping young people realize their potential and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
Her dedication to mentorship is also deeply personal. Although she grew up in a loving and supportive home, Adra understands the unique value of intentional mentorship. Having faced challenges with anxiety, self-worth, and identity as a young woman, she experienced firsthand how mentorship can provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective during critical stages of life.
Through her work in the beauty, wellness, financial, and nonprofit sectors, Adra has witnessed how confidence, emotional wellness, and positive support systems can transform lives. She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that help girls build resilience, leadership skills, self-confidence, and a strong sense of purpose. Adra believes mentorship is not only a tool for overcoming challenges but a foundation for lifelong growth and success.
Adra Campbell
Fundraising/Development Director
