About Us
Keep Going, Sis! (KGS) was founded with a vision where Women and Girls of Color know exactly who they are and build lives on that foundation: achieving academic and entrepreneurial success, becoming trailblazers in their communities, leaders in their fields, and advocates for positive change. By providing resources, support, and guidance, KGS aims to dismantle barriers and create pathways to a brighter, more equitable future, one where every woman and girl of color gets to define herself on her own terms.
Our Impact
Every number below represents a woman or girl who showed up, and a KGS program that met her exactly where she was. This is what it looks like when identity comes first.
These aren't just satisfaction scores. They're evidence that when girls are given space to define themselves, they choose to keep coming back.
2025 Year at a Glance
120+ Women and Girls Served
250+ Villagers Joined the KGS Community
6 States Served
93 New Donor Relationships Established
$10,252 Raised for Programs and Operations
Our flagship school-based program doesn't just teach leadership skills, it changes how girls see themselves. Here's what that looked like in our first year:
60+ youth served across 3 completed cohorts
92% rated their experience positively — 0% reported a negative one
100% demonstrated new wellness knowledge and measurable growth in self-awareness
94% left with a concrete action they committed to applying
100% want to return for continued programming (zero girls declined)
Meet Our Board
Dr. Simone Thomas
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Dr. Simone Thomas is a leadership development practitioner and social impact entrepreneur dedicated to advancing Identity Development in Black women and girls. She leads the Heart Vibes Brand, delivering culturally grounded leadership and identity-
development programs. Simone is the creator and host of the Black Magic podcast, where she elevates stories, strategies, and research that support belonging and
leadership growth. Her work blends practice and scholarship, with a focus on equity, community wellness, and systems change. She also explores tech and startup ventures, building scalable ideas designed for impact and sustainability across nonprofit and
community spaces.
Geneva Budd
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Geneva L. Budd, MBA, is a talent acquisition leader, educator, mentor, and advocate dedicated to helping people discover their passion, unlock their potential, and find their voice. With extensive experience in talent acquisition, leadership development, workforce strategy, and team management, she has spent her career helping individuals identify opportunities for growth and achieve their professional goals.
Beyond her professional expertise, Geneva’s greatest passion is empowering girls and women of color to recognize their worth, embrace their strengths, and pursue lives filled with purpose and possibility. She is committed to building a village where girls of color feel safe, seen, supported, and celebrated. Through mentorship, leadership development, wellness programming, and community engagement, she works to create spaces where young girls can show up authentically, build confidence, and develop the tools to become the leaders they are meant to be.
At the heart of everything she does is a belief that representation matters, community transforms lives, and every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her voice, realize her full potential, and know that she belongs.
Grant Writer
Raheem Alli
Raheem Alli holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in General Business, and he applies that foundation to work rooted in public administration and health equity. He began his public health career more than a decade ago as a WIC vendor intake analyst, where traveling to prospective vendor stores exposed him to disparities in underserved communities and deepened his commitment to expanding access to healthier lifestyles. Raheem now serves as a Section Manager with the California Department of Public Health, overseeing four cardiovascular health programs and one Type 2 diabetes program aimed at reducing chronic disease disparities by addressing social drivers of health.
Genae L. Budd is an 11-year-old performer, visual artist, and the inaugural Youth Ambassador for Keep Going Sis (KGS). Already commanding stages through singing and theatre, she channels her creativity to uplift and inspire her peers. In her role with KGS, Genae represents the next generation of girls learning to lead with confidence, embrace their voices, and support one another. She is passionate about storytelling as a tool for belonging and joy, and is committed to showing young girls everywhere that strength and leadership can begin at any age.
Youth Ambassador
Genae Budd
Chair
Celestine Syphax
Celestine Syphax is a partner at Syphax Strategic Solutions, where she provides board governance training, business operations assessments, executive
coaching, and strategic planning for companies and nonprofits. A former State of California leader in disaster planning and emergency response, she is deeply
committed to community and the arts. Celestine has served in leadership roles with organizations including the Crocker Art Museum, Broadway Sacramento,
and the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program. She holds certifications in the DISC assessment system and graphic facilitation, and treasures time with her
husband, children, and grandchild.
Treasurer
Markus Benjamin
Markus Benjamin holds a Master of Arts in School Counseling from UMASS Global and serves as a School Counselor at a local Middle School, where he supports students in academic achievement, career development, and personal growth. With decades of youth development experience spanning recreation,
mentorship, and education, Markus has built a career around creating spaces where young people feel supported and equipped to thrive. A proud girl-dad
who loves sports and values time with family and friends, he brings both professional expertise and personal heart to everything he does for the young
people he serves.
Secretary
Jenine Jenkins
Jenine Jenkins is an award-winning coach and diversity strategist who has spent over 15 years helping teams and leaders create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. She has partnered with organizations across the country to bring equity, belonging, and leadership skills to life through
engaging training, real conversations, and actionable strategies. Jenine is passionate about guiding leaders to build cultures that not only welcome diversity, but truly celebrate it.
Director
Joshua Hanosh
Joshua Hanosh brings over a decade of experience in leadership, education, and marketing. From co-founding two nonprofits to teaching math and computer science, he later launched his own
marketing agency—now part of Three29—where he serves as Vice President. Josh specializes in B2B marketing strategy, generative engine optimization, and sales team support, helping clients achieve measurable impact.
Director
Nkiruka Ohaegbu
Government Relations | Public Affairs
