Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
Excellence & Ambition Inc (E&A) is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization, established in July of 2012 by The Pinder Family, whose program focuses on entrepreneurship and workforce development for youth age 14-21.
Our Vision: We envision every young person ages 14-21 who would like to be employed is given the training and opportunity to do so; and for those who want to start a business to have the support to be successful.
Our Mission: Our mission is to provide participants with training in the areas of the arts, professionalism, experience in business development, and community leadership.
Our Goal: To enable companies to hire young employees ready for the opportunity to grow and prosper; and for participants to have the ability to maintain their own business ventures and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Meet Our Team
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Meet Our Team *
Danelle Pinder
Founder & Executive Director
Danelle is the Founder of E&A and CEO of D. Pinder Enterprises LLC. She is a dedicated youth development specialist and grant writing coach committed to strengthening organizations and expanding opportunities for young people. With a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Nonprofit Management and Entrepreneurship, Danelle combines academic training with hands-on experience to build programs that are both impactful and sustainable.
Elisha ‘EJ’ Johnson
Workforce Development Coordinator
Elisha is a life coach and workforce development professional based in Baltimore. She specializes in youth career readiness, community engagement, and food-access initiatives, and is the founder of Glow and Grow with EJ, an urban agriculture project focused on food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Elisha is passionate about helping people turn skills into careers and neighborhoods into thriving communities.
Kayala Lawson
PR & Social Media Coordinator
Alumni of Cohort 2018, Kayala returned to support E&A in 2023. She is a co-founder of YBC, and arranges our staff and Youth Leaders to feature in media appearances, and podcast inquiries. She also manages our social media sites and marketing campaigns.
"You live and you learn, but don’t forget to have fun." Kayala L.
Tyric Byer
Online Course Coordinator and Let’s Thrive Baltimore Youth Program Director
Alumni of 2023, Tyric is also a co-founding member of YBC. He uses his gifts and talents for community organizing to help serve youth and families throughout Baltimore City.
He has a passion to support the next generation and make a lasting positive impact on the world.
Yamaudi Pinder
Program Director and Founder of Sister & Brother Circle
Contact Yamaudi for general inquiries, guest speaking, partnerships, and business mentoring opportunities.
She is a graduate of Towson University, majoring in Sports Management; she also holds her Master's Degree in Exercise Science & Health Promotion with a concentration in Sport Psychology from Penn West University.
"Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another” - Toni Morrison (Beloved, 1987)
Aamirah Lawson
Manufacturing Coordinator
Alumni of Cohort 2019, and co-founder of YBC, Aamirah is an artist and owner of Pressing Creations. She leads our youth leaders to use their creativity to create products for The Bmore You Retail Project, Pop-Up Shop and Etsy store.
Contact her for custom crochet art, press on nails, and if you have craft ideas.
“When the chapters are over just open a new book” Aamirah L.
Jerome Pinder
Food & Facilities Manager
Founder of The Geeks Haven
The Geeks Haven was created in 2013 by Jerome needed a place for like-minded people to hang out and enjoy all things ‘geek’... Comics, movies, shows, cos play, anime, cartoons, and visual art.
He is also a bartender and mixologist, specializing in non-alcoholic mixes and mocktails.
Aniya Wade
Director of YEP and Alumni of Cohort 2025
Aniya joined E&A as a Youthworker in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. She came in and hit the ground running winning the YEP Pitch Contest for her business Poised Packages. She is the highest grossing youth entrepreneur in the program, and a great facilitator for the next generation of Youth Leaders.
Jada Pinder
Administrative Assistant & Dance Chorographer
Jada handles daily administrative duties. Contact her for questions about enrollment, Youthworks Registration, program evaluation, and Data Collection.
She is also a professional dancer in the Baltimore Club Scene. You can find her on Dark City: Beneath the Beat, and teaching elementary/middle school students for Media Rhythm Institute.
"Follow Your Dreams!" Jada P.