About Velma’s Nest

Velma’s Nest is a non-profit mentorship program that is tailored to girls in the 4th-12th grade. We are dedicated to empowering young Black girls through mentorship, education and personal development. Velma’s Nest was founded by St. Louis native Johne’e Johnson and officially incorporated on November 15, 2024. Velma’s Nest is named after her late grandmother (Velma Turner) and mother (Caroline Velma Powell-Smith) who always encouraged and championed her to face life’s challenges head on. The organization reflects their legacy of strength, love and support.

We believe every girl deserves the tools, confidence and guidance needed to break every glass ceiling she encounters in life. Through tailored workshops and life skills education, we create a safe and supportive space where our girls can grow and discover their full potential.

Meet Our Founder/CEO

Johne’e was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. Johne’e attended the University of Missouri- St. Louis and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with an emphasis on medicine and a minor in Psychological Sciences. She has also completed a course on “Becoming a Mentor” and has a certificate from the online school “Alison: Empower Yourself”. She brings a unique blend of scientific insight and understanding of human behavior to her leadership skills. Her educational background informs her holistic approach to creating impactful programming that will nurture confidence, resilience and a sense of identity in attending individuals.


She has seen first hand the need for fostering lifelong skills and healthy values in the youth of today. Through years of engaging with younger children in the community and hearing critical conversations they were having, Johne’e recognized the need for a safe and supportive space where girls can grow, learn and thrive comfortably. 


As a lifelong anchor to members of her own family, Johne’e has provided guidance, life lessons and unwavering support by laying the foundation for the values the organization upholds. She is committed to fostering a generation of confident, capable and empowered young women who are ready to face the world as their authentic selves.


Meet our Board

  • Courtney Smith - Secretary & Treasurer

    Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Courtney is very passionate about the upbringing of the youth. He is very tech savvy and hopes to bring his many technical talents to the organization. In his free time, he enjoys gaming and spending time with his family.


  • Ibura DeHaan, MPH - Director of Development

    Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Ibura is passionate about uplifting her community. She currently works in public health evaluation at a local nonprofit serving children who have experienced early trauma. She takes pride in her roles as a birth doula, writer, auntie, and sister.


  • Briara Williams, BSN - Creative Director

    Briara Williams is the Creative Director of Velma’s Nest. She has come on to assist with and accomplish the mission of the organization through creativity and aesthetics. Briara spends her free time creating and styling clothes. She also creates her own arts and crafts. 


  • Carrie Henderson - Community Leader/Youth Advisor

    Carrie Henderson is an experienced educator and advocate for equitable learning opportunities with over 12 years of experience in education. Having started her career with Teach for America in Greater New Orleans, she has served as an English teacher, professional development facilitator, program manager, and administrator. Currently, Carrie is the Director of Youth & Family Programming at Beyond Housing, where she oversees the implementation of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program in the St. Louis region, impacting hundreds of students annually. She is also pursuing her Ed.D. in Education with an emphasis on social justice, further solidifying her commitment to creating transformative educational opportunities and preparing to expand her influence as a consultant and community leader.