Leadership

Petrina Edmondson

Executive Director, Founder & Mother of Maurice

As Executive Director, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization. Before creating this foundation, Petrina worked for over 20 years in the financial sector and has worked with credit unions, mortgage companies and banks. Her latest position was serving as an Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President of the Michigan Credit Union League. Her other positions included being a Mortgage Processor, Credit Card Member Service Rep, Collection Representative and Front Desk Service Representative/Teller.

She currently holds an Associate of Arts degree and is scheduled to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Public Administration in 2017. In addition, Petrina’s has several years of experience volunteering and working directly with low income and disadvantaged youths and also working with both adults and children with special needs.

Katrina Walton

President

Katrina Walton is a ATI Office Manager. Katrina enjoys being a mother to her 3 year old daughter and dedicated wife. During, her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She has volunteered her time throughout the years with the Salvation Army and COTS serving the homeless adults and children.

Katrina graduated from University of Phoenix with an Associates Degree, certificate in medical records and in office administration. Being the President of this foundation, her goal is to serve the underprivileged youth by assisting them with the necessary skills and knowledge to help them grow and succeed.

Stacey Watson

Secretary

Stacey Watson has served the community as an educator and mentor starting in Secondary Education since 2003, starting at Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit as a seventh and eighth grade Social Studies teacher. In 2007, she continued to impact the youth at David Ellis Academy West in Redford, Michigan. Here is where she had the pleasure of teaching and forming a close bond with one of her students, Maurice Kirkwood. During this time Watson had already established a four-year mentoring program (D.E.E.V.A.S) where five young girls were handpicked to be mentored by her as well as leaders from the community in life skills, etiquette, college preparation and self-awareness. At the conclusion of the program she continued to mentor those same girls now ladies developing long-lasting relationships.

Watson continued to follow her passion in education by receiving her certification in Secondary Education in History at Madonna University, Bachelor's Degree from Central Michigan University and Master’s in History at Fort Valley State University. Watson lives by a two simple mottos; teach others to teach others and no dream is impossible except the one you do not live.

Jasmine Cardenas-Adeoye

Treasurer

Jasmine Cardenas is a Treasury Finance Manager for Intel Corporation with over 10 years of finance experience in the Tech/Semiconductor Industry. She obtained her MBA with a concentration in Finance from California State University – Sacramento and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University. Jasmine is also an active member with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Sacramento Alumnae Chapter. She has a true passion for mentoring youth and giving back to her community

Jason Anderson

Creative Brand Strategist

As a Founding Partner and Sr. Creative Strategist of The Smith Anderson Group, he operates the daily the task of project management, customer service and sales also managing the creative process of projects from design to print and web. The Smith Anderson Group has serviced ministries, small to mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, educational institutions and have also contractually worked with advertising and marketing companies, event planners and entertainment promoters. Jason lends his creativity to The MACK Foundation for the purposes of brand advancement.

Jason also has a passion to serve the community and mentor the youth. He was a mentor to Moe through volunteering with The Midnight Golf Program and has served in youth ministries over the years. Creatively he consults and provides design services to community and non-profit organizations in metro-Detroit.

Jasmine McFarland

Director of Program Management and Grant Administration

Jasmine McFarland is a Staff Accountant at SEEL LLC, where she applies her expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and operational accounting to support organizational efficiency and compliance. She brings a strong background in administrative operations and financial management, having previously served as a Business Administrator for two business units within the American Iron and Steel Institute.

In addition to her professional work in accounting and administration, Ms. McFarland previously did contract work as a Freelance Writer and Editor, with over 100 ghostwritten short stories and poems to her credit. Her original poetry has been featured in several anthologies, including Michigan’s Emerging Best Poets (2017).

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English – Creative Writing, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2014. She later completed a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Information Systems Management at Wayne State University in the summer of 2019.

When Ms. McFarland is not handling professional responsibilities, she enjoys doing enrichment activities with her autistic son.

Mikayla E. Gipson

Program Coordinator

Moe and I met in the first grade in 2001 and have been friends ever since! We never lost touch even when we all went to different schools and reconnected in 10th grade when he transferred to our high school. From there we did everything together at prom, graduation, parties in the summer and when he moved up to Lansing. I even helped move them in (not really, I just stood there giving directions). For 15 years Moe was my friend and brother and I miss him every day. I enjoy being the mom of a 2-year-old, being a youth leader at church and student.

• B.S. Psychology, B.A. Gender & Women’s Studies
  Western Michigan University

• Senior Recruitment Adviser
  Oakland University

• M.A. Candidate Environmental Health & Safety
  Volunteer MACK Youth Foundation since 2018

Saniyah Baker-Boatwright

Social & Content Media Specialist 

Saniyah Baker-Boatwright is an author at Saniyah Baker-Boatwright LLC., mentor, and speaker. When she is not busy being a servant to others, she enjoys shopping, traveling, eating good food, and spending time with family and friends.

She is a cousin of Maurice Kirkwood and loved him like a brother. The memories of their childhood together was a joy to watch. They baked cookies together and stayed up past midnight to play video games, even when they were supposed to have been asleep. As writer and Social Media & Content Specialist she hopes to keep his name alive, cherish the sweet soul that was her favorite playmate as children, and be creative in reaching the people through the MACK Youth Foundation.

Alyse Baker

Community Research Director 

Alyse is alumna of California State University, Dominguez Hills with a double major in Psychology (experimental research) and Africana Studies. She has worked in the behavior and psychiatric field for over 10 years and has been involved in the community and participated with multiple non-profit organizations.

Felicia Edmondson

Volunteer Coordinator

Felicia Edmondson, sister of Maurice Anthony Charles Kirkwood Jr., proudly serves as the Volunteer Coordinator of the Maurice A.C. Kirkwood Jr. Youth Foundation. A 2024 high school graduate, Felicia continued her education at Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC), where she earned certification in Marketing and Customer Service. Driven by her passion for helping others, she further advanced her career by becoming a Licensed Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Felicia’s deep love for her brother, Maurice, and the way she witnessed the bond between him and his friends greatly influenced her outlook on life. Seeing how he loved others and how others loved him inspired her to live with the same spirit of care, compassion, and community.

Now, in her role as Volunteer Coordinator, Felicia brings strong organizational skills, a compassionate heart, and a commitment to uplifting youth and families through the foundation’s mission.