OUR MISSION
The mission of Planted Foundation Inc. is to create and implement holistic youth initiatives that cultivates, educates, and empowers black and brown youth to social entrepreneurship in order to become global leaders of our tomorrow
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Bernadette Chatman is the Founder and CEO of Planted Foundation Inc. She was born in Chicago, IL and raised the suburbs of the Chicagoland area. She attended Northern Illinois University to earn her Bachelors of Science in Education with minor study in Nonprofit & NGO studies. It was through her experience at Northern Illinois University and the organizations that she joined (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., E.B.O.N.Y Women, and Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity Inc) and her study abroad program to Tanzania that inspired her to mentor young girls. Her first mentorship program was called "Princess to Queen" where she gathered college volunteers to mentor black and brown girls in the Dekalb, IL area. After graduating from Northern, Bernadette dedicated 27 months of service with the Peace Corps in the Kingdom of Tonga as an English Literacy Facilitator. Not only did she teach English, she also coached teachers, wrote a grant for renewing water tanks in her village of service, lead professional developments for the Ministry of Education Special Education Department, collaborated with local Tongan artist and the TTI Sight word Book club with creating English literacy books that are relevant to Tongan culture, as well as collaborate with women Peace Corps Volunteers and local Tongan organizations to plan a camp centered around women empowerment for the female youth around the country. After her service, Bernadette returned home to Chicago and received her Masters of Art in Teaching Exceptional Learners at Relay Graduate School of Education. She is currently working at a high school in the West Humboldt Park area as an educator and mentor.
MEET OUR BOARD
ALICE MWZINI
President of the Board
Alice Mwinzi was born and raised from DeKalb IL and currently resides in Chicago IL. She has established a career in Affordable Housing Development, developing housing for low-income individuals and families. She is passionate about community development and finding ways to improve the quality of life in the most equitable way for residents within their community.
Alice earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
She currently works as a Development Officer at a prominent real estate development company in Chicago where she is involved in all aspects of the development cycle including site acquisition, community outreach, underwriting, negotiations, as well as design and construction management.
JULIA METZ
Treasurer
Julia Metz (she/ her) is a queer, cis-gender woman who was raised in Lombard, IL and currently lives in Durham, North Carolina. Julia is feircely passionate about justice, particularly channeling this through sexual health education and violence prevention work. She received her Masters of Sociology at Northern Illinois University, where she explored the ways gendered power complicates sexual consent. She has since co-authored papers in Gender and Women’s Studies (2021) and The Journal of Gender Studies (2020).
Julia currently works as a client advocate and the Director of Educational Programs at a domestic violence response nonprofit, where she works to create inclusive, trauma-informed education. She offers education on recognizing relationship abuse, how to support survivors, sexuality and gender, and healthy relationships, and sexual health.
REATHER MERRITT
Secretary
Reather Merritt was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She moved to Chicago in June 2008. She received both her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Social Work at Chicago State University. She has obtained a Post-Graduate Degree, Professional Educators License, and is currently working for Chicago Public Schools as a School Social Worker. She is a mother to four beautiful young ladies, who all attend school in Chicago Public Schools. She is also a member of the Finest Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Reather Merritt stands on the principles of her organization to prepare our future leaders of tomorrow, today.
RAYNA JONES-PAILER
Board Member
“Be the person you needed when you were younger.” Is one of the many philosophies that fuels me to do the work that I do. My name is Rayna Jones-Pailler and I have always had a passion for mentoring. Born and raised on the west side of Chicago to first generation parents, education was a pillar in my upbringing. I graduating from Eastern Illinois University with my bachelors in Sociology. Currently, I’m the Assistant Dean at a high school on the west side of Chicago. In my spare time I enjoy coaching softball, doing arts & crafts, traveling, cooking and enjoying time with family & friends.