MEET OUR FOUNDERS

 

Robert Gray

Executive Director | Co-Founder

Robert Gray is a visionary leader, social entrepreneur, and community strategist with a deep commitment to criminal justice reform, violence prevention, and economic empowerment. A native of Albemarle County, Virginia, born and raised in Charlottesville, Gray has experienced firsthand both the opportunities and systemic gaps that shape outcomes for marginalized communities. These lived experiences inform his lifelong mission to operationalize socio-economic mobility as a pathway to generational stability, wealth, and community resilience.

Gray is the founding Executive Director of The Uhuru Foundation, where he leads peer-led reentry housing, workforce development, mentorship, and violence prevention initiatives for justice-impacted adults and youth. His work centers on building durable infrastructure around individuals returning from incarceration and those at elevated risk of violence, ensuring access to stable housing, employment pathways, accountability, and community connection. Under his leadership, Uhuru has designed and implemented innovative models that bridge reentry, workforce systems, and community-based violence intervention.

Gray is the architect of the “Peace in the Streets” initiative, a community-centered violence prevention and interruption strategy grounded in credible messenger engagement, conflict mediation, and neighborhood-based outreach. For his contributions to gun violence reduction and community safety, Gray received the Peacekeeper Award from the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Public Policy PEG Lab, recognizing his leadership in advancing evidence-informed violence intervention strategies. He is also a recipient of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville Caring for Community Award (Above and Beyond) for sustained impact and service to vulnerable populations.

In addition to his executive leadership, Gray serves on the Board of Directors of Georgia’s Friends, an all-female recovery housing program providing safe, supportive environments for women in recovery. He also serves on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Prevention, contributing statewide insight on policy, prevention, and system-level reforms impacting justice-involved youth and families. Locally, he serves on the United Way Financial Resilience Task Force and the Charlottesville Black Male Achievement Initiative Steering Committee, supporting cross-sector strategies focused on economic stability and community wellness.

Gray brings over a decade of experience working with high-risk and justice-involved youth and adults, including the application of nationally recognized, evidence-based engagement and accountability models in partnership with schools, courts, and community organizations. His work bridges lived experience, policy, and practice to advance safer communities and long-term economic mobility.

A first-generation college graduate, Gray holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy from Saint Augustine’s University.

Derek Rush

Deputy Director, Programs & Workforce Development | Co-Founder

Derek Rush, Richmond, VA: Co-Founder of The Uhuru Founder; a visionary leader with a profound background in community development and organizational leadership. Born and raised in Albemarle County, Derek's journey is one of resilience and dedication. Despite facing significant personal challenges, including nearly two years of incarceration, he has emerged as a beacon of hope and transformation, using his experiences to fuel his passion for change.

In 2022, Derek was honored with the Innovator Award from Cities United, recognizing his groundbreaking efforts in addressing systemic issues and fostering community resilience. His commitment to leveraging technology for empowerment has led him to focus on enhancing digital literacy and ensuring equitable tech access through The Uhuru Foundation.

Derek's academic and professional journey is extensive and varied. He is an esteemed graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and Leadership Charlottesville, where he honed his skills in collaborative leadership and strategic community engagement. Moreover, Derek is currently enrolled in the Sorenson Institute Political Leadership Program, aiming to harness his insights and experiences to become a future lobbyist and advocate for systemic change.

His dedication to service extends beyond his professional endeavors; Derek serves as a board member of the Rotary Club of Richmond, contributing to local and international community betterment initiatives. His leadership journey is underpinned by a commitment to creating inclusive spaces and driving positive change within his community.

Derek has also achieved a Certificate in Federal Grants Management through the Department of Justice and serves as a peer reviewer for federal grants within the same department, showcasing his expertise and commitment to transparency and efficacy in public service.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Derek's leadership journey is marked by an unwavering dedication to fostering community growth and advocating for digital inclusion. Through The Uhuru Foundation, he continues to break barriers and create pathways for underserved individuals and communities, championing the transformative power of technology and digital literacy.

MEET OUR STAFF

  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a white button-up shirt and hoop earrings, smiling in front of a textured gray wall.

    Lashawna Gray

    Housing & Peer Support Program Manager

    LaShawna Gray is a dedicated Peer Recovery Support Specialist and Housing and Peer Support Program Manager at The Uhuru Foundation, where she plays a vital role in supporting justice-involved individuals on their path to healing, recovery, and reintegration. With lived experience in both the justice and recovery systems, LaShawna brings a powerful blend of empathy, insight, and resilience to her work—serving as a beacon of hope for those navigating similar journeys.

    At Uhuru, LaShawna works closely with leadership to coordinate reentry services, facilitate peer mentorship, and support program operations across initiatives like Keys to Love and Her Path Forward. She is deeply involved in community outreach and provides one-on-one support to participants, offering guidance rooted in compassion and lived wisdom.

    LaShawna is also a certified motivational speaker, a credential she earned through a professional development cohort with The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM) in New York City. Through her speaking, she uplifts and inspires others by sharing her story of transformation and resilience, encouraging women and returning citizens to reclaim their power and pursue purpose.

    She studied at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she majored in Sociology. Her academic background, combined with lived experience, informs her holistic approach to recovery and reentry.

    She is passionate about breaking cycles of incarceration and substance use through trauma-informed care, recovery housing, and peer-led support. Her presence in the organization is a testament to the transformative power of second chances, community connection, and walking alongside others with dignity and respect.

  • A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black New York Yankees cap, a black jacket, a light-colored shirt, and a gold chain, sitting in front of a wall with a calendar and a hummingbird poster.

    Jamey Rush

    Life Coach

    Jamey Rush is a Life Coach committed to helping individuals gain clarity, build confidence, and take intentional steps toward personal growth and purpose. Drawing from lived experience and a people-centered approach, Jamey supports clients as they navigate life transitions, overcome obstacles, and develop the mindset and habits needed for long-term success.

    With a focus on accountability, self-awareness, and practical goal-setting, Jamey creates supportive spaces where individuals can reflect, reset, and move forward with intention. His work emphasizes empowerment, resilience, and helping people show up as their best selves in both their personal and professional lives.