Meet our Staff

Ulonda Kearney-Youngblood was born and raised in Washington DC. She started her early years  growing up in SE, D.C., where she lived with both parents and her older brother. She attended Anita J. Turner Elementary School until the 5th grade. During the family years in SE, her family joined & attended A.P. Shaw UMC. After her 5th grade school year, her dad decided to move the family to NW, DC.  Although, her family moved out of the neighborhood, she continued to stay connected to Ward 8 through ministry.   

Ulonda served as Youth Team Leader at the formally known A.P. Shaw UMC now Brighter Day Ministries for 8 years, under the leadership of Ernest D. Lyles Sr.  She organized activities for the youth, youth lock-in nights, bible study and youth catch-up nights; over a meal with conversation.  Within that 8 years, she also accompanied 40-60 youth to Ocean City, MD annually for the ROCK Christian Youth Retreat. Where she witnessed youth ages 11-18 choosing to give their life to Christ for the first time.

In the beginning there were times when she found working hands on with children & youth with a large percentage of those youth exposed to trauma within the home was very challenging. But for her to witness some of those same youth today as productive young adults, college graduates, entrepreneurs and some giving back in the same community which gave to them, she realized her work was not in vain.

Ulonda is a Psychology major with a concentration in Counseling at Liberty University. She  desires to further her education in Theology.  She is experienced in Crisis Prevention & Intervention as well as First aid/CPR.  Ulonda is an entrepreneur at heart. She grew up learning about money at a early age with her parents being small business owners for 40 years in NW, DC.  Ulonda partnered a successful Commercial Janitorial service with her late husband Wendell in March 2013. That was until his sudden death to the city’s gun violence in August 2019, abruptly ending her 15 year marriage. Ulonda spends her free time enjoying family, close friends, traveling and growing her new e-com business.

With her energetic personality she tends to be a magnet to the children & youth. Although, she is not a biological mother, she is and has been a mother to many and enjoys every minute of it as long as she can return them. Today, she continues to serve the youth as a Minister at New Life Ministries DC located in Ward 8. Her passion for the youth comes from her own youth experiences and how she at times felt misunderstood. So she’s adamant about building the youth self-esteem instead of criticizing them. Ulonda has answered the call because she understands her assignment and that’s to be present in developing our future into strong, confident young men & women who’s sure of their true identity.

Zoriah Bailey is a native Washingtonian, who grew up in Ward 8. Her love for children and community has led her to pursue a degree in early childhood education. Working in underserving communities to help bridge the educational and social emotional learning gap is her goal. Zoriah, enjoys working with the children/youth at The TraRon Center she says, “this opportunity to work within the community with children/youth who have been deeply impacted by social ills, gives me an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives and communities.”

Mariah Gray is a recent graduate of George Washington University’s Art Therapy Master’s Program. She also earned her bachelor’s degree at Regent University, gaining knowledge and experience in implementing an integrative approach to psychology through the lens of Christianity. During this time, by having art as her secondary focus of study, she was able to engage in a multitude of classes including figurative drawing, painting, animation, and advanced art. With her love for art and deep interest in psychology, she was led to pursue a career within the art therapy field. 

Within her first semester of graduate school, she was elected as the head member of the George Washington Art Therapy Student Association

(GWATSA) of the Multicultural Committee. Striving to create imperative, brave spaces, the committee attempted to shine a light on areas that are often overlooked and undervalued. Being a witness to how essential it is to have such spaces where these difficult conversations can be held has been a strong motivation for her involvement within her school’s committee and potentially AATA (America Art Therapy Association). Her desire as a recent graduate, is to continue to hold these safe spaces that encourage conversations regarding impactful experiences within various communities beginning with the TraRon Center. At the TraRon Center the desire is to promote a safer space for students, families, and faculty members can share their impactful experiences within the community and foster community healing while gaining an intrinsic understanding of self each other more fully.