CORE TEAM
Shaniqua Coley
Outreach Officer
Kendall Kelemek
Editor-In-Chief
Carol A. Robinette
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Samara Corbin
Education Team Lead
Shola Adepegba
Education Team Lead
Veronica D. Loyd
Homeless Outreach Team Lead
Litrena Gordon Staton
Executive Administrator
Kendall Kemelek
Editor-In-Chief
Kendall Kemelek is the Editor-in-Chief for the Urban Dream Initiative. Born on a military installation in Virginia, Ms. Kemelek grew up in Williamsburg where her parents instilled in her a love for service and stewardship.
After graduating from Hampton University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in English, Kendall enlisted in the United States Army as an Officer Candidate. She completed Basic Training and Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Adjutant General’s Corps.
Seeking even more challenge and opportunities to serve Soldiers, Kendall applied for and was accepted to the Army’s Funded Legal Education Program. She attended William & Mary Law School, where she served as Executive Editor for the William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law.
Now an Army Judge Advocate, Ms. Kemelek brings years of focus on communication and writing to the Urban Dream Initiative’s center stage – to enhance every mission set in the organization.
Shaniqua Coley
Chief Outreach Officer
Shaniqua Coley is the Chief Outreach Officer for Urban Dream Initiative. In this role, she oversees the management for all four of our initiatives: economic development, educational outreach, homeless outreach, and physical & mental health initiatives, working with the directors to turn urban dreams into realities. Shaniqua believes you have to engage, empower, and educate to uplift people. Her work with Urban Dream Initiative allows her to do all three on a community level.
Growing up in urban communities in several of New York City’s boroughs provided Shaniqua a unique perspective on the underlying issues affecting the urban community she called home — and fueled her passion to serve both humanity and urban communities. As the eldest of seven grandchildren, she has consistently worked to improve the conditions of those closest to her. Shaniqua brought this fervor for helping others to her military service.
Over the past eighteen years, while serving in the United States Army, Ms. Coley has been trained in key components vital to outreach, including networking, project management, and human resources. She is a certified instructor and also holds technical certifications in knowledge management, human resources, and law office management. Shaniqua holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia.
Executive Administrator
Director Public Affairs
Samara Corbin
Education Team Lead
Samara Corbin is a native of Manassas, Virginia. Ms. Corbin completed her undergraduate studies in Foreign Affairs and English at the University of Virginia, receiving her Bachelor of Arts. Thereafter, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Ms. Corbin currently practices immigration law in Virginia, though she serves clients across the United States. Throughout her youth and studies, Ms. Corbin balanced academic pursuit with creative expression through the creative arts. Firstly, Ms. Corbin has dedicated her efforts towards literary writing, composing stories and novels since age six. Her writing aims to spotlight and delve into societal issues, using fiction as a way to connect to people emotionally and mentally. Further, Ms. Corbin has a deep love for music. Specifically, she has focused on vocal performance, training from primary school through university. She has performed with vocal ensembles in concerts spanning from coast to coast. In addition to writing and music, Ms. Corbin has come to greatly enjoy dance. Latin dance is her current focus, as she dances salsa, bachata, cha cha, and zouk among other forms. As the Director of the Creative Arts Program, Ms. Corbin is delighted to show today’s youth how the pursuit of the creative arts can develop self-discipline, determination, and provide a channel for positive expression. Ultimately, the creative arts are a way to reflect and balance everyday life. Ms. Corbin is always happy to share knowledge and practice of the creative arts with whomever would like to learn.
Shola Adepegba
Education Team Lead
Shola Adepegba is a native of Glenarden, Maryland. He is married to his beautiful wife, Abisola, and they have three beautiful children together. Shola graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2010, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences with a Minor in Civil Engineering. Shola also holds a Master of Arts degree in Procurement and Acquisition Management and is licensed in Government Contracting from Webster University.
He commissioned as an active-duty Infantry Officer upon graduation from West Point and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort hood, Texas for his first assignment. Shola has deployed and led soldiers on three combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and has also been stationed at West Point, Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, and Fort Shafter. Shola has held several leadership and broadening assignment positions to include Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Deputy Division Training Officer, Brigade Assistant Operations Officer, Brigade Cyber Electronic Warfare Officer, and Theater Cyber Electronic Warfare Planner.
Shola is currently serving on active duty in Hawaii as a Cyber Electronic Warfare Planner. He is devout Christian who loves to spend most of his time with his wife, kids, friends, and family traveling across the globe.
Veronica D. Loyd
Veronica is a native of Ville Platte, Louisiana. She is retired from the U.S. Army where she served 28 plus years. She has worked in various capacities in the U.S. Army providing leadership and mentoring many officers and enlisted personnel over her time. She is a Transporter for life as a retired 88M and Master Sergeant. She has a Bachelors in Business Administration from TUI University. She currently spends her time volunteering for her church as an Usher and Minister in charge of the Feeding By Faith Ministry where she helps and serves all she can who are in need of help and guidance in their lives.
Veronica is married to Thomas Loyd. They have four children and seven grandchildren who they love dearly and love to be a part of their lives as much as possible.