About Us

Cecile De Mello serves as the Executive Director of Teamwork Englewood, bringing extensive experience in organizing, public policy, and nonprofit management. She holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and a second Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy.

As a longtime resident of Englewood, Cecile is deeply committed to the community where she and her husband are raising their family. Her leadership at Teamwork Englewood reflects a strong dedication to improving the quality of life for residents through intentional, equity-focused services and community-building efforts.

Cecile takes great pride in the organization's collaborative approach and its ongoing impact on Englewood’s future.

Ondrewal Langworthy II serves as the Director of Economic Development for TWE. In this role, he works to improve quality of life for Englewood residents by building wealth through business ownership, creating jobs by attracting new businesses, supporting innovation, and helping residents leverage local resources and opportunities.

With 20 years of experience, Ondrewal has worked with developers, general contractors, management companies, and private equity firms. He has been part of management teams overseeing more than $500 million in commercial, residential, and industrial assets—contributing to the development, renovation, and construction of over 4,000 units and projects.

Debra attended Saint Xavier University in Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies with a minor in Business Administration. She currently manages the community program staff at Teamwork Englewood, overseeing key initiatives such as the Parent Mentor Program, Englewood Women’s Initiative, Youth Programs, and the Englewood Quality of Life Initiative.

Debra's strong connection to the Englewood community is driven by her commitment to creating positive change and improving the quality of life for both residents and local leaders. She brings years of experience in community organizing and providing services to South Side residents.

After working for various reentry organizations in the past 10 years, Mark M. Mitchell accepted the position of Reentry Program Manager for Teamwork Englewood in February of 2017. It is his contention that the current state of reentry–excessive job readiness, insufficient resources, and inadequate job opportunities–has been and continues to be a failure. In understanding that disappointment, he continuously seeks to implement innovative and holistic approaches to truly assist with improving the lives of returning residents. Mr. Mitchell’s perspective of this work derives from lived experience and having obtained four post- incarceration degrees, the latter two being a master’s in Political Justice and Criminal Justice. Mr. Mitchell was born and raised in the Englewood community.

Melody is a proud native of Englewood with over two decades of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University and a Master of Science in Education in School Business Management from Northern Illinois University. Melody is licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education as a Chief School Business Official and is a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Melody leads the organization’s financial strategy and planning, overseeing all financial operations to ensure fiscal stability. She is deeply committed to Teamwork Englewood’s mission, recognizing the critical role of sound financial stewardship in sustaining and advancing the organization’s impact in the Englewood community.

Tametrius Files is the Community Public Safety Manager at Teamwork Englewood, where she leads efforts to promote safety and healing within the community through the #TIME2136 Public Safety Initiative. Tametrius began her journey with the initiative as a Public Safety Ambassador and now plays a key role in coordinating its programs and outreach.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and brings a deep-rooted passion for community work. As a lifelong resident of Englewood, Tametrius is deeply committed to serving the neighborhood she grew up in and still calls home. Her work is grounded in the belief that creating safe, empowered, and unapologetically Black spaces is essential to true community transformation.

Sonseriya Williams graduated from TEAM Englewood Highschool, before moving on to study and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Missouri- Columbia. After returning to Chicago Ms. Williams spent three years working as a special educator within the Chicago Public Schools system and furthering her education. Obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration in Public Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Using both life experience and professional training, Ms. Williams now leads as Project Manager for the Englewood Quality of Life Initiative.

Brianna Hobbs is the Health and Wellness Program Manager at Teamwork Englewood, where she leads initiatives to promote health and wellness throughout the community. In partnership with the Englewood Quality of Life Plan Taskforce, Brianna facilitates impactful programs designed to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of Englewood residents.

Born and raised in Englewood, Brianna attended Arna Wendell Bontemps Elementary School and Lindblom Math & Science Academy before heading to Columbia, Missouri, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

Brianna brings both personal connection and professional expertise to her role, with a deep commitment to creating a healthier, more empowered Englewood.

Maanasi Laird serves as the Re-Entry Call Center Coordinator at Teamwork Englewood, where she provides direct support and resources to individuals returning to the community after incarceration. In this role, Maanasi connects clients with services such as housing assistance, employment opportunities, mental health resources, and legal support, helping them navigate their re-entry journey with dignity and stability.

A graduate of Richard T. Crane (Vocational) High School, Maanasi has spent several years working in the Englewood community, offering hands-on assistance to those in need.

Mother of 4, born and raised in the Englewood community. Sabrina has been serving her community since 2007. She began as Chairperson of the Local School Council and Parent Advisory Council at her children’s elementary and high school here in Englewood. In 2012 she began working at Teamwork Englewood as the Base Operator of the Safe Passage program. She quickly established her connection to people as a Community Organizer, and currently is the Parent Programs Manager for Teamwork Englewood. Sabrina oversees the Parent Mentor Program which supports elementary schools and the New Englewood Stem high school in Englewood. She has an Associate Degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing.

As the Job Developer for TWE’s Re-Entry Department, Sir supports returning citizens and job seekers in Englewood and the greater Chicagoland area in securing meaningful employment. He connects individuals to essential resources and services that help address barriers to success and foster both personal and professional growth.

As a dedicated member of the Re-Entry team, Sir is committed to collective impact, working to ensure the department operates effectively to create positive outcomes for individuals, families, and the Englewood community.

Shania Jackson is a Paralegal at Teamwork Englewood, where she plays a vital role in supporting the organization's legal services. Her responsibilities include case development and management, legal research, drafting documents, and organizing data into charts, graphs, and other materials to support casework. Shania is especially focused on assisting clients with expungement and record sealing, helping them navigate the legal system to move forward with confidence.

A proud alumna of Kenwood Academy High School, Shania is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Chicago State University.

As Office Manager at Teamwork Englewood, Taylor Allen plays a key role in supporting day-to-day operations and ensuring staff have the resources they need to succeed. A lifelong resident of Chicago’s South Side, Taylor values the Englewood community as an important part of the city's cultural fabric.

Janika Parnell is a lifetime resident of the Englewood Community, seeking to give back to the neighborhood that made her. Ms. Parnell serves at Teamwork Englewood as a Case Manager and Lead Community Outreach Navigator. Beyond the office Ms. Parnell is pursuing higher education at Kennedy King College.

LaShawn Evans is a Program Manager for Teamwork Englewood’s Reentry Department and has been a member of the Teamwork Family since 2017. His work with returning residents--those recently released from the Cook County Jail and/or the Illinois Department of Corrections--consists of the following: job training, job referrals and placement, wrap-around services, legal support services, case management, and more.

Steven Johnson serves as a Community Organizer for the Englewood Quality of Life Initiative (EQLI) at Teamwork Englewood, where he works to unite residents and community partners in developing and advancing the Englewood Quality of Life Plan.

Steven brings 15 years of experience in civic engagement and six years of dedicated AmeriCorps service to his role. His commitment to community service has earned him national recognition, including the President's Volunteer Service Award and the Congressional Award (twice).

Deeply passionate about community involvement, Steven founded the Volunteer Corps at Teamwork Englewood to create more opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful service.

Ilango Gopalan is a Data Analyst supporting the Home Repair Pilot Program. He manages a caseload of more than 150 residents, guiding them through intake and connecting them to grant opportunities for home repair funding. Ilango also tracks trends in housing and repair needs, and visualizes their impact on Chicago communities. He finds it especially rewarding to help a resident complete an application and see them receive funding that improves the quality of their home and life.

Outside of work, Ilango performs as a stand-up comedian across Chicagoland and trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he currently holds a brown belt.

James Long is the Supervising Attorney for the Teamwork Englewood Legal Clinic. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, James has a deep-rooted connection to the communities he serves. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with a major in Political Science and a minor in History. James then pursued his legal education at Chicago-Kent College of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctor in 2022 and successfully passing the Bar Exam that same year. He takes great pride in his work advocating for justice and providing legal support to those in underserved communities.

Gregory Sims is a Certified Substance Abuse Specialist and currently serves as a Navigator in TWE’s Reentry Program, supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, both men and women, in securing employment and housing.

While most of his work focuses on men, Gregory is especially passionate about helping fathers reconnect with their families. As a father of four sons and one daughter, he understands the pain of separation due to incarceration. His own reentry journey taught him that rebuilding trust, especially with his children, takes time, patience, and space for them to express how his absence affected them. Today, he’s proud of the strong relationships they’ve built and credits his recovery support for the work he does now.

In his free time, Gregory enjoys playing bass guitar and has a great sense of humor, though most people know him as a quiet person.

Kenya Reaves brings more than 30 years of experience in education, including 12 years as a classroom educator. Throughout her career, Kenya has remained dedicated to inspiring individuals to break destructive cycles by cultivating motivation, self-belief, and a strong focus on achievement.

Her journey with Teamwork Englewood is both personal and rewarding. She credits the organization for supporting her early work by providing space for her summer camps over two decades ago. Today, she is proud to be part of a team that continues to make a lasting impact in the community.

Kenya is passionate about creating positive change through both traditional and non-traditional avenues, empowering people of all ages to realize their full potential. She lives by the belief that "Dreams are realities in the making."

Jason Ward brings years of experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds to support their housing and personal development needs. As the Housing Case Manager at Teamwork Englewood, he brings a unique blend of experience, expertise, and compassion for human development. Jason is committed to driving positive outcomes and contributing to the continued success and stability of the individuals and families he serves.

Neferti Brown has served as the EWI Coordinator since 2022, bringing with her a deep commitment to community empowerment and social impact. With a professional background rooted in social services, Ms. Brown has dedicated the majority of her career to supporting women and families, helping them achieve greater stability and upward mobility.

A proud alumna of Kennedy-King College and Chicago State University, Neferti holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Her passion for service, combined with her academic foundation, continues to drive her work and advocacy for meaningful community development.

Michael is a leader who serves as the face of Teamwork Englewood’s public safety department. Raised in the Englewood community, he has earned a strong reputation for being both purposeful and present, often acting as the boots on the ground during “hot spot” activations.
Michael actively identifies opportunities for alignment and collaboration within the city's violence prevention ecosystem, helping to spearhead forward-thinking strategies.

As a Restorative Justice peace circle trainer, he incorporates teachings to redirect individuals away from the prison industrial complex and toward community-based support systems. Michael is a man of deep faith and carries a powerful life story that informs his work. He is also a committed student of global self-determination movements and the histories that shape them.

George Moore, a lifelong Englewood resident and Paul Robeson High School graduate, is dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship and advocacy. As the Youth Program Associate and Parent Mentor Coordinator at Teamwork Englewood, he focuses on expanding job opportunities, promoting mental health awareness, and building confidence in young people. Drawing from his own life experiences, George is committed to guiding youth toward positive paths and helping them avoid the challenges he once faced.