Candace Smith is a dynamic serial entrepreneur hailing from the Eastside of Detroit, MI, driven by a profound commitment to personal and community empowerment. She is the proud owner of two successful businesses, one  established in 2014 in financial literacy , and the other company founded in 2018 dedicated to supporting those suffering from hair loss in the community.

Her entrepreneurial spirit extends deeply into philanthropy as the founder of The C Institute, a non-profit organization established in 2021. The C Institute emerged from Candace's deeply personal recognition of unmet community needs; after experiencing significant hardship following the loss of her brother, she witnessed firsthand the critical gap in accessible support for vulnerable individuals. This transformative experience ignited her passion to create a resource dedicated to empowering underserved residents. Through The C Institute, she provides free coaching and essential resources in crucial areas such as health, wellness, and financial literacy, fostering more equitable and thriving communities.

With over a decade of experience, Candace is a dedicated business strategist and educator, guiding both individuals and corporations toward success. Her mission is clear: to empower her clients and students to unlock their full potential and achieve significant, lasting results in their personal and professional lives. Prioritizing continuous learning for herself and those she works with, Candace ensures everyone stays ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. Her approach is rooted in helping clients gain clarity, set realistic goals, and develop actionable strategies that enable them to overcome challenges and achieve sustained success throughout the year. Candace's work through The C Institute is a testament to her unwavering belief in the power of community support and her dedication to creating a more equitable society.

Khiana brings a dynamic blend of strategic leadership and a deep commitment to community empowerment. With a robust background in non-profit management, community development, corporate social responsibility, and a specific program area like mental health/financial literacy. Khiana is instrumental in advancing the organization's mission to support underserved individuals.

In her pivotal role, Khiana works in close partnership with the founder and Executive Director to articulate and implement The C Institute's strategic vision. She is directly responsible for overseeing program development and operational excellence, ensuring that initiatives in mental health, workforce development, financial literacy, and basic needs are impactful and sustainable. Khiana leads efforts in cultivating key partnerships with corporations, community leaders, and philanthropic organizations, securing the vital resources necessary for the C Institute's growth and reach. She also plays a crucial role in governance and financial stewardship, working closely with the Board of Directors to ensure accountability and long-term viability.

Khiana's leadership is characterized by her dedication to fostering an inclusive environment and driving measurable change, embodying unwavering belief in empowering individuals for lasting success.

Nykia Mack is an accomplished Account Manager with over 13 years of experience in driving growth, enhancing client relations, and optimizing operations. Her expertise includes client relations, operations management, recruitment, and process improvement. She has a proven track record of leading teams, improving processes, and delivering exceptional results. Nykia holds a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Michigan.

As Community Support Liaison Marquis Woodson brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to managing the organization’s finances and supporting its mission. With a background in healthcare systems administration and a passion for community-focused work, Marquis ensures that every dollar is used responsibly to make the greatest possible impact.

He currently works in healthcare operations, where he leads initiatives that streamline patient intake, insurance verification, and workflow efficiency. Marquis is also pursuing his MBA and Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) certification, further deepening his leadership and strategic planning skills.

Marquis joined the board out of a deep belief in the power of purpose-driven work and collaboration. He’s proud to be part of a team that’s committed to creating lasting change and serving with integrity, transparency, and heart.

Margaret-Maria Pemu, M.S., LPC, CCTP is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Arkansas and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama in 2014 and a master's degree in 2020 from that same institution. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Arkansas. Working with justice-involved youth, counseling LGBTQ+ adolescents, engaging with and conducting research on issues affecting QTBIPOC individuals, advocacy, trauma, adventure therapy, and using non-traditional counseling tools, such as dungeons and dragons, in her work with college students are among her professional and research interests. On a clinical level, Margie hopes to specialize in Brainspotting and 

Adventure Therapy. Upon graduation, she hopes to join a university's counseling center in an administrative capacity. She is also focusing on expanding her teaching and supervision practices at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The goal is to foster an experiential learning environment through creative teaching and supervision methods. Recently, Margie was awarded the CSI member of the year award for her outstanding contributions made during her tenure as president of the Rho Alpha Beta chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI). Furthermore, she received the Warren F. and Judith G. Housley Endowed Award in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas. She has been active in her school and community. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the Association of Black Counseling Students at her university. She also serves as the Executive Board Adviser of the Rho Alpha Beta Chapter of the CSI. She has volunteered at Queer Camp, a summer camp catering to LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas, where she led process groups. She has also been a volunteer at New Beginnings, a shelter for homeless individuals in Northwest Arkansas. Teaching, supervising, and counseling have been topics of her presentations at local and national conferences. Apart from her professional commitments, Margie enjoys traveling, playing and watching rugby, hosting board game nights with friends, and singing karaoke.

Demi Reynolds is a native of Mississippi currently residing in the Detroit, Michigan area. Demi celebrated 5 years of marriage to her amazing wife, Chantel, this year; and they have a 4-year-old daughter, Emersyn.She is currently a Process Analyst for State Farm® and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Upper Iowa University. She is a business owner of two small businesses: Dakota Design Studios- a custom T-Shirt and graphic design company, and Spin 360- a 360 Photo Booth company.She prides herself on giving back to the community, having more than 120 community service hours thus far in the 2024 calendar year. Her passion is to mentor the LGBTQIA+ youth, in hopes that they will not have to endure half of the pain that we had to endure in the generations before them.Demi is very excited to become a member of the C Institute’s Board, and she can’t wait to see what we can all accomplish together.

Russel was born and raised in the Philippines and is currently an Executive Director Assistant at The C Institute. Though she graduated Hospitality and Restaurant Services, her passion has led her to a fulfilling career in administrative work, where she excels at supporting organizational goals and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Outside of work, Russel enjoys baking and decorating cakes, a creative hobby that showcases her attention to detail and love for bringing joy to others. Inspired by The C Institute's mission and their eagerness to take on more community-driven projects that foster wellness, education, and empowerment, she plans to stay with the organization. She finds great satisfaction in contributing to their impactful work and is excited to be part of a team that is making a real difference.