Executive Officers
Shante Stevens, President
Shante Stevens was raised in Milwaukee, WI, but has called Richmond, VA home for the past 10 years. A natural leader who sought after challenges, Shante enlisted in the U.S Army after high school. Throughout her 12 year career in the military, she served on multiple missions to include a tour to Iraq for “Operation Enduring Freedom”. She currently works as a Senior Program Analyst for the Virginia Army National Guard. Shante is also an investor and budding entrepreneur.
With a genuine passion to aid others and become a positive influence amongst her peers, Shante previously served as our Membership Chair and Social & Cultural Development Chair.
Shante’s awards include the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Joint Forces Achievement Medal, and many others. She is the first female of the Virginia Army National Guard to be awarded honorary Spurs from the 2-183rd Cavalry Regiment. Additionally, Shante has been named the National Urban League Young Professionals, President of the Year.
In her free time, Shante loves to cook, experience the outdoors, and take once in a lifetime trips with family and friends.
Shayla pittman, VIce President
Shayla Pittman, a Richmond native, currently works in the financial industry. She holds an Associates of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Richmond’s very own, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Since becoming a member in Spring 2018, she has served as Social and Cultural Committee Co-Chair and was selected to be a member of Urban League Young Professionals National Programs Committee prior to holding the vice president position.
Shayla is a dependable daughter, sister, and friend who enjoys dancing, hiking, museums, traveling, and partaking in the renowned Richmond food and brewery scene in her free time.
Quote of Inspiration: “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle” - Abraham Lincoln
Krystle Dorsey, secretary
Krystle Dorsey represents Hampton, Virginia, part of a region known as “the 757”. Krystle has 10 years of experience in the non-profit and higher education industries as a career counselor. She attended George Mason University, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development. She is the CEO and Founder of Uplift Opportunity Career Services, LLC, a career services and media platform specializing in the needs of first generation, low-income, and underrepresented minorities.
Krystle has been a member of ULGRYP since fall 2018. She served on the ad-hoc committees for the 2018 National Day of Empowerment and 2020 Visionary Scholarship Award. She was also a participant of the Spring 2020 Cohort for the National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program and the inaugural Fall 2021 Cohort for the John Mercer Langston Institute for African-American Political Leadership.
Krystle is a committed daughter, sister, and friend and enjoys writing, spirituality, reading, social justice, art and culture, and community development in her free time.
Stephanie Jefferson, Treasurer
Stephanie is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, but has lived in Richmond for the past 13 years. She has a professional background in the financial services and human resources industry and is the Operations Manager of a local family business, A-Metropolitan Driving School, LLC. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiological Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park.
She joined the Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals (ULGRYP) in summer of 2017. Stephanie served as the 2018-2020 Fund Development Committee Chair before becoming the current Treasurer of this impactful organization. She served on multiple ULGRYP ad-hoc committees, 2018 National Day of Empowerment and Richmond Visionary Scholarship Award for two consecutive years (2020-2021), to name a few.
Stephanie is a devoted wife and mother, her hobbies and interests include volunteering, travel, camping and tailgating with family/friends, appreciating good food, and attending local festivals and concerts.
Phillip Lecky, parliamentarian
Phillip Lecky hails from Woodbridge, Virginia. He is an attorney with professional experience in general practice including family law, contracts, business, landlord-tenant, estate planning, and bankruptcy. Phillip is also an entrepreneur. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the prestigious University of Virginia, and completed his Juris Doctor degree from the College of William and Mary.
Phillip joined ULGRYP in 2019. Phillip is a faithful brother, mentee, and friend and his hobbies include volunteering, playing and watching sports, going to the movies, dancing, eating delicious food, and generally having a good time.
Quote of inspiration: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Committee Chairs
Ashley Belton, Membership engagement
Ashley is a Native of Richmond, Virginia. She has always believed that you have to have a full understanding and acknowledgement of the past to have a better future. In Order to achieve that she attended Virginia Union University obtaining a degree in History and Political Science. While attending Virginia Union, Ashley was the Assistant Director of Privately Owned Childcare Center. During that time, she increased the attendance of the Center from 2 to 200 children. Ashley is currently a Sales Consultant at a top auto retailer.
Ashley has a passion for helping people find what motivates them and connecting them to it. She joined Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals in June 2020 to follow her passion, meet new people, and expand on her talents.
In her free time she enjoys watching documentaries, the Real Housewives and attending museums. To know Ashley is to know that she is a devoted fiancee, friend and loves her family.
Joy Pitts, social & cultural development
Joy Pitts is an alumna of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science. She also graduated from Strayer University with a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Science in Management.
Joy currently works for the Department of Defense where she provides effective and efficient worldwide support to warfighters. She continued her passion for education and leadership by completing a Leadership Series at Harvard University.
Her passion includes serving the community which became her village while uplifting and empowering the younger generation. In her free time, Joy assists her mother in restoring the rights of convicted criminals. She leads her life by the words of Maya Angelou “It is always about the work.”
Joy hopes to bring her dynamic leadership and authenticity to her new role.
CYNTHIA RUFF, SOCIAL & CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Cynthia Ruff is a native of Trumbull, Connecticut but lovingly refers to Richmond as “home.”
Her professional journey has revolved around fortifying diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work within higher education, nonprofits, and the private sector. She is currently serving as an Associate Director for Corporate DEI Strategy Research at EAB.
Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware and a Master of Education from James Madison University. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Cynthia joined ULGRYP in 2022. Her passions include spending quality time with family and friends, dining out, laughing a little too loudly, game nights, and having meaningful conversations with others.
Tyrone Williams, Civic & POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
It took nine states – Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, Nevada, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, and California. Then, Tyrone made Richmond, Virginia, home.
After leaving his hometown of Columbus, Georgia, to attend Kansas State University, Tyrone quickly got involved on the campaign trail. He served as an LGBTQ Ally Advisor and the Student Governing Association’s Multicultural Affairs Director, helping to create safe spaces for students and ensuring the voices of minority communities were being heard.
Tyrone is now a 5+ year Campaign Strategist serving national, state and local campaigns, some of the most notable campaigns including Bernie Sander for President, McClellan for Governor 2021 as Deputy Political Director, and Biden/Harris 2020 as the GOTV Coordinator of Allentown Pennsylvania. He now works as the Deputy Legislative Director to Delegate Suhas Subramanyam of the 87th District of Virginia.
We’ve tried to ask Tyrone what he enjoys doing in his spare time, but he responded “That’s a trick question. There is no spare time in Politics.”
Tommie Jefferson, civic & political engagement
Tommie Jefferson was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the U.S. Army right after graduating from John Marshall High School in 2001. During his 8 year stint in the Army, Tommie filled many roles as a Human Resource Manager. He excelled during his time in the military, received many awards and was also called to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Tommie then accepted the challenge of taking on the family business. He decided to use humor as a driving force to steer A Metropolitan Driving School in a new direction. His comedic flare is thought to be the powerhouse behind the company’s tremendous success. For that success, Tommie won the Small Business Administration (SBA) Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2010 after being nominated by his wife, Stephanie.
Tommie has been an active YP member for the past 5 years and volunteers countless hours to serve his community.
In his free time, you can find Tommie working as a property developer, camping, cycling, tailgating, and doing obstacle runs such as Rugged Maniac and Tough Mudder. After all that Tommie still finds time to be a loving husband to his wife, Stephanie and father to their two young kids, Jordan and Logan.
Chapter Advisors
Jer’Mykeal Mccoy, Immediate Past President
Jer’Mykeal McCoy is a Richmond business and civic leader with a heart for community and innovation. Born and raised in East Knoxville, Tennessee, Jer’Mykeal earned a B.S. with honors from Tennessee State University and MPS from Georgetown University. McCoy is also a graduate of the National Urban League's Emerging Leader Program.
The Richmond City Council appointed Jer’Mykeal in 2021 as the youngest member to the city’s Economic Development Authority Board of Directors. Additionally, he has served on the Advisory Council for the Richmond 300 City-wide Master Plan. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Tennessee State University National Alumni Association, and The Life Church RVA.
Jer’Mykeal was named TSU Alumni, 40U40 and has been featured in various publications, including the Washington Post, Richmond Free Press, NBC12, and ABC8.
He currently serves as the Eastern Region Vice President for the National Urban League Young Professionals.