Building Bridges.Changing Lives.
Them2Us turns “them” into “us” — connecting professionals, communities, and global partners through mentorship, advocacy, and outreach that reaches from Washington, DC to Africa.
Together, we create lasting impact.
A movement built on advocacy in action
Them2Us is a Washington, D.C.–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on a simple idea: proximity changes people. We bring professionals and community members together through networking across Washington, DC — and turn those connections into real, lasting opportunity.
We create mentorship for young minority professionals, link Black professionals with African youth through STEM, and confront local violence and wage inequality where people live.
Our Board of Directors
The people steering Them2Us's mission to bridge and build.
Jerome Lewis, MBA, PMP, CSM
Jerome Lewis is the Founder and Executive Director of Them2Us, a national nonprofit dedicated to mentorship through networking, advocacy in action, and global outreach. A U.S. Army combat veteran, senior technology project manager, and Ph.D. candidate in Leadership Studies, he brings more than 17 years of experience leading enterprise technology, digital transformation, and strategic initiatives across government and private sector organizations. His passion for connecting people has helped grow Them2Us into one of the nation's premier professional networking organizations, creating opportunities through leadership development, mentorship, career advancement, global service missions, and community engagement. Jerome believes meaningful relationships create lasting impact and is committed to building bridges that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
April Green
April Green is an accomplished operations strategist and business consultant with more than 13 years of experience leading service delivery, operational excellence, client operations, and business process improvement across government-regulated and private sector organizations. As Founder and Principal Consultant of The Real Evolution LLC, April helps organizations improve operational performance, strengthen client experiences, and build scalable systems that drive measurable results. Her expertise spans project coordination, stakeholder engagement, business operations, and organizational strategy. As Senior Board Member for Global Outreach at Them2Us, she provides strategic leadership for international initiatives, community partnerships, and mission-driven programs that expand the organization's global impact.
Dr. Alger M. Studstill, Jr.
Dr. Alger M. Studstill, Jr. is a nationally recognized human services executive with extensive leadership experience in child welfare, public administration, and organizational transformation. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Social Services Administration for the Maryland Department of Human Services, overseeing statewide child and adult welfare operations, more than 2,000 employees, and an annual budget exceeding $550 million. Throughout his career he has led transformational initiatives across Maryland, Nebraska, and Florida, improving operational performance, strengthening public services, and advancing equitable outcomes for children and families. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Valencia College and is recognized nationally for his leadership in public service, innovation, and workforce development. As a Senior Board Member of Them2Us, Dr. Studstill provides strategic guidance, executive mentorship, and governance that supports the organization's continued growth and long-term vision.
Brittany Martin, M.A.
Brittany Martin, M.A., is the Owner and Administrator of Prestige Haven Assisted Living Facility, where she is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care that promotes dignity, independence, and an exceptional quality of life for seniors. With a master's degree and a strong background in healthcare leadership, Brittany combines operational excellence with a servant leadership approach to ensure residents and their families receive personalized support and outstanding care. Beyond her work in healthcare, she is passionate about community engagement, relationship building, and creating meaningful partnerships. As Board Member for Partnerships and Sponsorships at Them2Us, she leads efforts to cultivate strategic relationships with corporate partners, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to advance the organization's mission.
Kenya Stephens
Kenya Stephens is an educator, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to empowering children and families through education and mentorship. She is the Owner and Director of Precious Creations Preschool and Academy, where she has spent years creating nurturing learning environments that prepare young learners for lifelong success. In addition to leading her preschool, Kenya serves as an Instructor with JetBlue Airways and founded Soooo Adorable Modeling, a youth development program that teaches confidence, leadership, and professional skills through modeling and the performing arts. As Board Member for Events and Operations at Them2Us, she oversees event planning and operational execution, helping create engaging networking experiences that connect professionals, strengthen communities, and inspire future leaders.
Tiye Huertas, M.A., CCC-SLP
Tiye Huertas, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an accomplished entrepreneur, Speech-Language Pathologist, and advocate dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families. She is the CEO of Collaborative Therapies and Collaborative Care, as well as the founder of Collaborative Contracts, where she helps entrepreneurs position their businesses for government contracting opportunities. As the parent of a child with autism, Tiye brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work, creating accessible, family-centered therapy services while empowering business owners to grow sustainable organizations. Through leadership, education, and advocacy, she is committed to building stronger communities and expanding opportunities for others.
We build bridges where people once saw distance.
Them2Us is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on a simple conviction: proximity changes people. When a student meets the professional who's already walked the path, when a business owner meets the partner they didn't know existed, when a room in Washington, DC connects to a classroom in Accra — the line between "them" and "us" starts to disappear.
We do that work three ways: mentorship through networking that turns introductions into careers, advocacy in action that puts resources and voice where they're needed, and global outreach that carries both across borders. Every event, every mission, every mentorship hour is aimed at the same outcome — closing the gap until there's no them and us, just us, building together.
How we bridge and build
Every program runs on the same belief — get close enough, and “them” becomes “us.”
Mentorship Through Networking
The #1 networking community in Washington, DC. Curated events, panels, and happy hours where the right introduction becomes a job, a mentor, or a partnership.
Advocacy in Action
STEM activations in schools and community centers, economic empowerment, and directing real dollars to Black-owned businesses — advocacy you can measure.
Global Outreach
Six humanitarian missions to Africa — delivering laptops, STEM tools, and mentorship, and connecting the diaspora with the communities that raised us.
Where the room becomes the network
Connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and expand your network. Reserve your spot at an upcoming Them2Us event.
DC All Industries Networking
Diaspora & U.S. Professional Networking Summit
What a Them2Us night actually looks like
No awkward name-tag circles. No pitch-fest. Just a room built so the right people actually meet.
Social Hour
Arrive, grab a drink, and get eased into the room. Our team makes introductions — you never have to work a room alone.
Panel & Curated Networking
Industry leaders share what actually worked, then we connect you with people in your field or the one you're moving toward.
Open Networking
The part where business cards turn into follow-ups. Music, energy, and time to go deeper with the people you clicked with.
Where we've already been
Thirty-plus events and counting, across Washington, DC and Orlando.
Been to a Them2Us event?
Tell us what worked and what didn't — it shapes every event we build next.
Ghana Mission 2026
This December, we lead our third mission to Ghana — delivering 150+ laptops and STEM tools to three schools, and connecting the diaspora through a professional networking summit in Accra. Educate. Empower. Elevate.
Donate
Every gift funds technology, mentorship, and travel.
Donate a Laptop
New or used — put a computer in a child's hands.
Sponsor a Mission
Back travel, events, meals, and operations on the ground.
Join the Trip
Travel with us to Accra and make direct impact.
150+ Laptops
Delivered to three schools with full documentation and signed receipts.
Mentorship & Education
Inspiring students through mentorship and hands-on technology access.
Stronger Together
Partnering with schools, government, and communities for lasting impact.
Diaspora Connection
Bridging the Ghanaian diaspora, U.S. professionals, and local leaders.
Three days, three schools
December 15–17, 2026 · Accra & partner school communities, Ghana. Educate. Empower. Elevate.
Arrival, School 1 & the Summit
- MorningArrival & government welcomeLand at Kotoka International Airport. Official reception, transfer to hotel, check-in.
- Late morningDepart for the Accra high schoolWelcome by school leadership and staff.
- MiddayLaptop delivery ceremony — School 1Remarks, formal handover, signed receipts, student demonstration, photos.
- AfternoonDelegation break & summit prep
- 6:00–10:00 PMDiaspora & U.S. Professional Networking SummitRegistration, opening remarks, keynote, structured networking, partnership showcase. “Together, We Elevate.”
Travel, School 2 & mentorship
- MorningDepart Accra for the second school locationDelegation travel and arrival.
- MiddayLaptop delivery & formal presentation — School 2Welcome, remarks, handover, signed receipts, group photo.
- AfternoonMentorship & student engagement sessionTechnology orientation and professional exposure, plus a meeting with local community partners.
- EveningDelegation debrief
School 3, closing & wrap
- MorningTravel to the third school location
- MiddayFinal laptop delivery & closing ceremony — School 3Handover, recognition of partners and sponsors, closing remarks, group photo.
- AfternoonMission wrap & documentationImpact capture, receipts and reporting for transparency and accountability.
- EveningMission concludesFormal programming ends; delegates continue with independent travel plans in Ghana or the region.
Diaspora & U.S. Professional Networking Summit
The evening that opens the mission — connecting Ghanaian professionals, American delegates, and community leaders in one room. The focus: expand networks, build business and community connections, explore partnerships, and support meaningful impact in Ghana.
Diaspora leaders & U.S. professionals
Delegates travelling with the mission, plus the wider Ghanaian diaspora.
Ghanaian professionals & entrepreneurs
Business owners and industry leaders building on the ground in Accra.
Educators & community partners
School leadership, government partners, and the people who host us.
What your sponsorship actually buys
These are previous deliveries — the same model we'll run in Accra this December.

What the mission delivers — and who stands behind it
Them2Us works directly with the Ghanaian government and the Ministry of Education, with logistics and program design already built. A partner organization doesn't start cold — you plug into work that is funded, planned, and underway, alongside trusted local partners.
Mission impact
- Technology access for students who have never had a computer.
- Mentorship and professional exposure for future leaders.
- Strengthened partnerships with schools, communities, and government.
- Documented impact with transparency and accountability.
- A sustainable annual presence in Ghana's education landscape.
Proud partnerships
The organizations that make the mission possible on the ground.
Ghana Tourism Authority
In-country coordination and logistics support.
Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)
Alignment with the Ministry of Education, plus the statutory education exemption that clears our laptops through customs.
The Bridgezone Global
Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, local partnership lead.
Host school leadership
Community partners at each of the three school locations.
Ways your organization can partner
Four routes in, whether you bring funding, equipment, relationships, or simply your presence.
Align & advocate
Lend your voice and your government or education relationships to strengthen the mission.
Join the Networking Summit
Add your reach to the Dec 15 Diaspora & U.S. Professional Summit in Accra.
Presence at activations
Be present as laptops reach students across the three school ceremonies.
Sponsor or supply
Support through funding, laptops, or gift cards to extend the initiative's reach.
Put your brand in the room where it matters
Them2Us builds the rooms where opportunity changes hands — networking summits in Washington, DC, and educational missions across Africa. Sponsors don't get a logo on a banner and a thank-you note. You get named from the podium, met by our network, and photographed handing a laptop to a student who has never owned one.
Four ways to come in
Whether you bring a budget, a warehouse of refreshed devices, a room full of relationships, or just your presence — there is a version of this partnership that fits.
Fund a tier
Cash sponsorship from $1,000 to presenting-sponsor level. 100% tax-deductible under our 501(c)(3).
Supply the equipment
Laptops from a corporate device refresh, tablets, or gift cards count toward the same tiers as cash.
Host or co-present an event
Put your venue, your stage, or your speakers behind a summit or panel in the DMV.
Lend your voice
Advocacy, government and education relationships, and introductions that open doors we can't.
Your brand isn't just seen — it's aligned
Our networking events fill rooms with the audience most brands spend a fortune trying to reach: lawyers, doctors, technologists, founders, and government professionals across the DMV and Orlando. Sponsors reach them in the room and again across our channels afterward.
Five ways to sponsor a room
Packages for our monthly networking events across the DMV and Orlando. Every level is negotiable — from a logo on the flyer to naming the entire event. All gifts are tax-deductible under our 501(c)(3).
- Digital logo on the event flyer
- Listed among website supporters
- 501(c)(3) donation receipt
- Logo on event TVs and screens
- Verbal acknowledgment on the mic
- Social media shoutout
- Featured in the event email blast
- Post-event attendee list
- Logo on the step & repeat backdrop
- Reserved table at the event
- Permanent listing on this website
- Five-minute speaking slot on stage
- Featured backdrop placement
- Solo email blast to 18,000+
- Branded post across our channels
- Event naming rights
- Curate the panel and speakers
- Exclusive backdrop branding
- Media spotlight and press inclusion
Sponsor a classroom into the future
Every laptop is sourced, hand-carried in our luggage, and delivered to a Ghanaian classroom — about $330 all-in. Mix cash and equipment donations to reach any tier. All gifts are 100% tax-deductible.
- Name on mission materials
- Recognition to our 400+ network
- Donation impact report
- All Bronze benefits
- Logo on the mission webpage
- Named at the Accra Summit
- All Silver benefits
- Logo on mission team shirts
- Event signage at Summit
- All Gold benefits
- Logo in mission recap video
- Your rep joins the mission
- All Platinum benefits
- Premier mission-wide signage
- Summit co-host + your rep speaks
Become the Presenting Sponsor
Fund the core of the mission — 120 laptops plus hand-delivery — and put your brand at the center of everything: top billing on every asset, logo on the delegation polo and the laptops themselves, premier Summit signage, and a live podium acknowledgment in Accra.
Import duties are covered under GETFund's statutory education exemption — no customs costs erode your gift. Donated laptops from a corporate device refresh count toward the exact same tiers as cash. 501(c)(3) · EIN 92-3277175. Ready to sponsor? jerome@them2us.com · (407) 437-2997.
From America to Africa
Our missions have reached children's homes and schools across the continent — delivering technology, mentorship, and the message that no one is on their own.
Every year, another bridge built
Six missions, four countries, and a room full of professionals back home — here's what each year looked like on the ground.
Nairobi, Kenya — our first mission abroad
On November 12, 2022 we took local professionals to Nairobi and gave orphaned children something they'd never had: a day at the cinema. We chartered a Black Panther-wrapped bus, filled the theater, and spent the day in the community — leaving behind clothing, food, and essentials. We came home certain this had to keep going.
Ghana & South Africa — the model takes shape
Three missions in one year. In Accra, we supported 180 children at Eye of the Lord Orphanage — a home led by a blind caregiver — and 75+ more at Akwadum Christian Village. In Johannesburg, seven volunteers spent the day with 150 HIV-affected children at Nkosi's Haven.
Cape Town, Tanzania & the first laptops
In April we returned to Cape Town, South Africa, buying school uniforms for 120+ children at Siyaphambili Orphan Group and delivering our first laptop and printer abroad — the moment the technology mission was born. In November we reached Tanzania, hosting a networking summit with Dr. Battle, the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, as guest speaker, then spending time with the children at Ukwama Children's Home. At home, Advocacy in Action meant Albert Einstein Career Day, a mental health clinic at Kramer Middle School, and mentoring 400 7th and 8th graders at Charles Herbert Flowers High School.

Washington, DC — recognition and reach
A year of scaling the work at home: networking events across tech, law and government, healthcare, small business, and arts and entertainment; school activations covering mental health, mock interviews, and the transition from high school to the workforce; and Advocacy in Action initiatives including violence reduction meetings that strengthen our communities. Three staff members received the President's Volunteer Service Award, and 13 professionals were honored as humanitarians for their global outreach.
Orlando, Washington, DC & a return to Ghana
The community expanded beyond Washington, DC to Orlando, with networking events running through the year alongside CBC Tech and Leaders of the South during Congressional Black Caucus week. In December we return to Ghana for our third mission there — and seventh to Africa — delivering 150+ laptops to three schools.
Ghana Mission — December 15–17, 2026
Three days, three schools, 150+ laptops delivered with full documentation and signed receipts, plus the Diaspora & U.S. Professional Networking Summit in Accra. Sponsorship is open now.
Six missions. Four countries.
Every laptop we've shipped arrived, was logged, and was signed for. This is a proven model — not a promise.
Nairobi
300 children saw their first-ever movie — Black Panther — plus clothing, food, and essentials to carry hope forward.
Accra
180 children — a home led by a blind caregiver — supported with clothing, shoes, rice, and food.
Johannesburg
150 HIV-affected children reached with activities, food, and games, supported by 7 volunteers on the ground.
Accra
75+ children supported with food, clothing, educational materials, and recreational items.
Cape Town
120+ children — school uniforms purchased, and our first laptop and printer delivered abroad.
Multiple cities
469 professionals connected in one evening — opened by U.S. Ambassador Dr. Battle — plus 150+ children at Ukwama Children's Home.
Moments that made the movement
From Washington, DC to Accra to Cape Town — the rooms, the missions, and the people who turn "them" into "us."
Trusted at home and on the ground
Opened by a U.S. Ambassador
The U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania opened our 469-professional summit — a room connecting American and Tanzanian business.
President's Volunteer Service Award ×3
Three Them2Us staff have been honored for exemplary commitment to community service.
13 professionals honored
DC professionals recognized as humanitarians for their contributions to our global outreach.
Non-Profit of the Year
Named Non-Profit of the Year at the 2025 Celebration of Us awards.
On the ground in Ghana
BridgeZone Global, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), and the Ghana Tourism Authority back every delivery.











What happens after the room
Our events aren't just mixers. People have landed jobs, joined missions, and built businesses from a single introduction.
Them2Us created a high-impact activation that exceeded expectations. I strongly recommended to our CEO that GDIT continue this partnership.
VP of DiversityGDITWe want to hear your success story
Did a Them2Us event lead to a job, a mentor, a client, or a partnership? Did you travel with us on a mission? Tell us — your story helps someone else take the first step.
Share your story →Impact reports
Full accounting of our missions, events, and outcomes — for sponsors, grant officers, and partners.
Building bridges. Changing lives.
The missions, the rooms, and the moments where strangers become family — straight from our channel.
Be part of the movement
Whether you give, show up, or share your story on our panel — there's a way for you to bridge and build.
Donate
Fund mentorship, STEM activations, and the Ghana mission. Every dollar directs opportunity to where it's needed most.
Give now →Volunteer
Lend your time and skills at a Washington, DC event or on a humanitarian mission abroad. We move further when we move together.
Join us →Become a Panelist
Share your expertise on a Them2Us panel and inspire the next generation of professionals across Washington, DC and beyond.
Apply to speak →Every mission earns a pin.
When a humanitarian or volunteer travels with us, they come home with that country's flag pin — worn on the sleeve, right on the Them2Us shirt.
It isn't merchandise. You can't buy one. Each pin means you were there — that you carried laptops through an airport, sat with children in a classroom, shook hands with a community leader who trusted us to come back. Look at a veteran of our missions and you can read their service straight off their sleeve: Kenya. Ghana. South Africa. Tanzania.
Six missions. Four countries. One sleeve at a time.
Let's bridge and build
Sponsorships, partnerships, speaking, volunteering, laptop donations, or press — tell us what you have in mind and the right person will come back to you.
Send us a message
A few quick questions and it's with us. We typically reply within two business days — sooner if it's about an event that's close.
Form not loading, or would you rather just write to us? Email info@them2us.com or call (407) 437-2997. We never share your details.
General & new enquiries
Outreach & missions
Jerome Lewis · Executive Director
Where we are
Washington, DC — working across the DMV, and on the ground in Ghana every December.
Them2Us is a registered 501(c)(3)
EIN 92-3277175. Every donation is tax-deductible, and every mission is documented with signed receipts. For sponsorship paperwork, W-9s, or an impact report, ask and we'll send it.
Give your time. Change a trajectory.
Them2Us runs on people who show up — in a room in Washington, DC, in a classroom in Accra, or behind the scenes making both possible. There's a role here whatever your schedule looks like.
At our events
Check-in, hospitality, photography, setup and breakdown. The most common way people start — one evening, a few hours, and you're inside the network you came to build.
On a humanitarian mission
Travel with us to Africa. Carry laptops, run STEM sessions, sit with children, and represent Them2Us on the ground. You cover your travel; we handle the mission.
Skills-based
Design, video, grant writing, logistics, social media, translation. If you're good at something we need, that's often worth more than an extra pair of hands.
Mentor a student
Weekly mentorship in high-need schools — mock interviews, career days, mental health sessions, and the transition from high school into the workforce.
How it works
- Reach out. Email us with what you'd like to do and roughly how much time you have.
- We match you. We'll point you at the next event, mission, or project that fits.
- You show up. We brief you beforehand — you'll never be dropped in cold.
- You earn your place. Travel on a mission and you come home with that country's flag pin for your sleeve.
Share what you know. Someone needs to hear it.
Every Them2Us event features a panel of professionals talking honestly about how they got where they are. If you've built something, navigated something, or learned something the hard way — there's a seat for you.
What we look for
- Real experience in your field — you don't need to be famous, you need to be honest.
- Willingness to talk about the setbacks, not just the highlight reel.
- A genuine interest in helping the person three steps behind you.
- Availability for a short pre-event call so we can shape questions around you.
What panelists get
- A platform in front of an engaged, professional audience
- Professional photography and video from the event
- Promotion across our channels and event materials
- Complimentary admission for you and a guest
- Direct access to the network in the room
Panelist Information Form
Please fill out the form. This information will be used in regards to our upcoming networking panel.
- Prefix
- Full Name
- Phone
- Position
- Company
- Educational / Professional Abbreviations
- LinkedIn URL
- Instagram Handle
- Where do you reside?
- Professional Headshot — upload
- Brief Bio
Opens our secure form — you can upload your headshot there directly. Questions? info@them2us.com