Our Team
Jitu Weusi
Founder
1988—1993
Jitu Weusi was a formidable force in education and a lifelong advocate for the empowerment of African-American youth. From 1988 to 1993, he served as the Founder and leader of Pride Family Services Inc., where he championed a visionary approach to mentorship, education, and community partnership. Under his guidance, the organization provided youth with academic support, life skills, and real-world connections—fostering opportunities that helped students not just succeed, but thrive.
A true icon of Bedford-Stuyvesant and a pillar of Central Brooklyn, Jitu Weusi stood at the intersection of cultural enlightenment and socio-political progress. He was a tireless champion of African-American identity, heritage, and advancement—leaving an indelible mark on generations of families and educators.
In recognition of his enduring legacy, Central Brooklyn commemorated his contributions by naming a public space in his honor: Jitu Weusi Plaza, located at Putnam and Grand Avenue.
Jitu Weusi will be sorely missed and remembered always—for his wisdom, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to justice and community uplift.
Founder–Director, Pride Family Services
Educational Leader | Holistic Life Coach | Former Division I Athlete
Makini C. Campbell
Makini C. Campbell is a visionary educational leader, holistic life coach, and former Division I athlete with over 20 years of experience spanning education, sports, wellness, and entertainment. Her diverse career includes roles as a teacher, counselor, consultant, and performance coach for elite athletes and professionals in high-pressure industries.
As Director of Pride Family Services since 2003, Makini has led a broad spectrum of impactful programs—including youth mentoring, academic consulting, job placement, and wellness initiatives—designed to empower families and strengthen communities.
In 2020, she founded Soul Reawakening LLC, a holistic life coaching business focused on aligning mind, body, and soul. Her deep background counseling, education, and sports gives her a unique perspective on personal growth, emotional wellness, and resilience, especially for those navigating high-profile or high-performance environments.
Widely known as “the connector,” Makini is passionate about bridging individuals, families, institutions, and communities. She believes that meaningful change starts in the heart, mind, and home, and that every individual has a unique purpose to fulfill.
Makini is the proud mother of two sons—both former Division I basketball players now working in professional sports—and a joyful grandmother of two.
Maria Wertzler
Board Member
Maria Wertzler is a dedicated Family and Community Engagement Liaison with Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky, bringing 24 years of experience in the education field. With 22 years of teaching in Family and Consumer Education, she has a strong background in Career and Technical Education and has worked with students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Maria specializes in developing and sustaining meaningful community partnerships, connecting families to essential resources, and building strong, trusting relationships within the school community. She is known for her positive attitude, tireless energy, and ability to motivate others to work hard and succeed.
Since 2003, Maria has served as a board member of Pride Family Services, contributing valuable insight from both educational and family resource perspectives. Her leadership continues to support the organization’s mission of empowering families and strengthening communities.
Maria draws daily inspiration from her fiancé and their two sons. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family.
Professional Basketball Player | Entrepreneur | Consultant | Program Director | Communications Graduate
Kamani Johnson
Kamani Johnson is a dynamic professional—Division I basketball alum, entrepreneur, consultant, and Program Director for Pride Family Services—currently playing for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League during the 2024–25 season.
A 2023 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Communications, Kamani began his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. There, he made an immediate impact, earning Third Team All-Sun Belt honors in 2020 while leading the conference—and ranking among national leaders—in both free throw attempts and free throws made. Over two standout seasons, he appeared in 58 games (43 starts), totaling 479 points, 337 rebounds, and 105 assists.
After college, Kamani launched his professional basketball career internationally in Indonesia before returning to the U.S. to compete in the NBA G League.
Beyond the court, Kamani serves as the Program Director at Pride Family Services, where he leads youth-focused initiatives centered on mentorship, leadership development, and family empowerment. In 2023, he founded Blank Canvas LLC, a creative venture aimed at bridging lifestyle, branding, and personal growth. As a consultant, Kamani helps individuals and organizations bring ideas to life through strategic guidance and authentic storytelling.
Driven by purpose, creativity, and a deep commitment to service, Kamani Johnson is building a legacy that extends far beyond the game—empowering others to thrive, both on and off the court.
Judge Nandi Campbell
Champion for Justice | Mentor | Community Leader
Judge Nandi Campbell brings a lifetime of service, legal excellence, and community-rooted leadership to her work. Raised in the heart of Brooklyn’s Black Arts Movement and inspired by a legacy of culturally responsive education, she has dedicated her career to fighting for equity—in the courtroom, the classroom, and the community.
After earning degrees in Business Management and Law, Judge Campbell built a successful early career in New York’s financial and public sectors before answering a deeper calling: the defense of the poor and underserved. She earned her law degree from the University of Georgia, where she was nationally recognized for her commitment to public interest law.
In post-Katrina New Orleans, Judge Campbell became a fierce advocate for justice, serving as a public defender in Orleans Parish and later founding NFC Law, where she represented high-profile clients and mentored the next generation of attorneys. She also founded My Sister’s Keeper, a mentoring program connecting young girls with women role models—extending her passion for justice beyond the courtroom.
Today, Judge Campbell serves as a law professor at Tulane and Loyola Universities and continues to support public defense efforts at the state and federal levels. Her leadership has been honored by the Innocence Project of New Orleansand numerous civic organizations.
Judge Nandi Campbell’s work embodies the core values of education, equity, and opportunity. Her journey is a powerful example of how investing in leaders rooted in community creates lasting change.
Dakari Johnson
Professional Basketball Player | International Athlete | Youth Mentor
Dakari Johnson is an American professional basketball player known for his commanding presence as a 7'0" center. Born on September 22, 1995, in Brooklyn, New York, Johnson has built a dynamic career that spans collegiate, NBA, and international basketball.
He attended Montverde Academy in Florida, where he was recognized as one of the nation’s top high school prospects and was selected as a McDonald's All-American. Earlier in his youth, he spent time in Lexington, Kentucky, where he attended middle school before rising to national prominence in high school.
Dakari played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, helping lead one of the most prominent programs in the country. He declared for the NBA Draft after two seasons and was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. He began his professional career with the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League, eventually joining the Thunder roster. His professional journey has also taken him overseas to play in China and Bahrain.
Beyond basketball, Dakari is committed to mentorship and youth development, often working with young athletes to promote personal growth, education, and resilience. He is also deeply passionate about supporting families with children facing Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), advocating for awareness, resources, and emotional support for those navigating this challenging journey.
He currently lives in Dallas, Texas, with his fiancée and their two daughters.