About Us

About Us

DETOUR is a mentoring program for girls of color. Our vision is to see equity and inclusion for teen girls of color in higher education and priority sector employment. Our mission is to increase access to education and employment opportunities for girls through our Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (F.A.N.C.Y.) Leadership programs (Expo, Leadership Academy, and Ambassador Internships.)

We provide a series of educational workshops and activities to engage teen girls by fostering a safe-space allowing them to express themselves, ask questions surrounding their experiences, and create positive relationships with females to enhance growth and development. Our evidence-based curriculum includes lessons on confidence building, personal growth, developing leadership skills, accountability, and team building.

Our world is in desperate need of programs that introduce girls of color to fields and demonstrations they are not typically exposed to. DETOUR sets out to dismantle stereotypes while building the girls up with self-confidence and the desire to pursue their passions, regardless of today's societal boundaries.
 
 

Vision:

Our vision is to see equity and inclusion for teen girls of color in higher education and priority sector employment.

Mission:

DETOUR (Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment) is a mentoring program for girls of color. Our mission is to increase access to education and employment opportunities for girls through our Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (F.A.N.C.Y.) Leadership programs (Expo, Leadership Academy, and Ambassador Internships.)

History:

Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment (DETOUR), a 501(c)3 organization, uplifts, motivates, and inspires girls to become personally, academically, and professionally successful through education, empowerment, and the arts.

Tinesia Conwright launched my Little Sisters, a DETOUR youth development mentorship program, in 2009. The program was the first phase of DETOUR, which began with monthly breakfast meetings held by Tinesia and her five little sisters and included discussion forums that provided a platform for the girls to voice their life experiences and challenges. Upon observation of the girls getting older and becoming of age, she felt that moment would be the perfect time to begin providing additional guidance and assistance to them throughout some of the most difficult years they were facing ahead. Her goal was to always set an example, be a resource, and constantly support them during their times of need.

In 2010 she expanded the program and implemented more extensive and interactive weekly sessions at the City of San Diego's Skyline Recreation Center for one year. This experience prompted her to return to school to enhance her knowledge and skills pertaining to effectively operating her organization. In 2013, Tinesia graduated from the Masters in Nonprofit Management & Leadership program at the University of San Diego. She continues to further her vision through DETOUR and contributing her knowledge and passion to nonprofit organizations throughout her Southeastern San Diego community.

Objectives:

Increase teen girl’s self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-development
Provide an environment that nurtures growth for teen girls
Host seminars/conferences that focus on motivation and empowerment
Promote motivational speakers, artist/entertainers, and vendors
Encourage positive living and lifestyles through apparel and entertainment
Partner with organizations that share our vision

Board and Staff

Tinesa Conwright Tinesia Conwright was born and raised in Southeastern San Diego during the 1980s and 90s at the peak of gang violence within a neighborhood facing large pockets of poverty and few opportunities for educational advancement and socio-economic mobility. Despite the challenging environment, she found an outlet to express her love for dance through a youth group, The Steps of Praise. As a member of this group, she realized the capacity within youth to impact social change and uplift their peers and community. She discovered her self-worth and met people within her community who inspired her to become the person she is today.

Passionate about nurturing the growth of girls and developing them into our future leaders of tomorrow, Tinesia launched her nonprofit, Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment (DETOUR). The organization provides three youth development programs: The Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (F.A.N.C.Y.) Teen Girls Expo, Leadership Academy, and Scholarship Program which have empowered over 700 girls since 2009. DETOUR teaches and mentors teen girls of color in grades 6 - 12 to be themselves by exploring their self-identity, building confidence, participating in career exploration/employment, volunteering/service-based learning and completing a college education.

Tinesia earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from the University of San Diego. She currently serves as the Youth Workforce Development Program Manager for the San Diego Housing Commission and the Executive Director for DETOUR.

Tinesia currently serves on the following boards; the San Diego Workforce Partnership Youth Council, the City of San Diego Human Relations Commission, the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals, and the SDSU African-American Alumni Association.

Her work has been acknowledged by the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Under 40 Award, the Black Girlz Rock San Diego Community Change Award, the San Diego County Young Professionals Top Forty Under 40 Award, the Urban Pride Community Leadership Award, an Assembly-member Dr. Shirley Weber 79th District’s 2014 Women of the Year Award Nomination, a City of San Diego Human Relations Commission Commendation, and the Blue Heart Foundation Community Award.

If you would like to partner with DETOUR, please fill out our Partnership Request Form.
Aisha Davis Aisha Davis is a San Diego native military wife, and mother of three (2 adolescent sons and one daughter) who enjoys helping others and making a difference in her community.

In her own words she states “The world as we know it, demands positive role models for our teenage girls. It is up to organizations such as DETOUR to continue to empower and encourage girls within our community to strive for excellence both in school and in life. I love being a part of an organization that I not only believe in, but have seen firsthand the difference it's made in the lives of our teen girls.” Her teen daughter Kelis, is an active participant in the F.A.N.C.Y. Leadership Academy.

Aisha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ashford University and is a Workers Compensation Insurance Underwriter for Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. She is also a Certified Travel Consultant and an entrepreneur, owning and operating A Davis Travel.
Joshlyn-Turner-Board-Vice-President Joshlyn Turner currently resides in San Diego and works as a consultant for various community grass root organizations, helping them build their capacity and secure city, state and federal funding for their youth programs. She provides them with project management services including program and budget development, implementation and management.

In addition, Joshlyn is also the CEO and Creative Director of The Write Fit, an ingenious online apparel company for men, women and children specializing in graphic T-shirts that relates the lives of individuals around the world. Joshlyn created The Write Fit as a platform for creative expression through Fashion. She uses various inspirations like: life, love, thoughts and everyday situations to create her statement pieces. When people wear The Write Fit, she wants them to feel like they are wearing life with a purpose.

Joshlyn knows the obstacles youth are facing and not only is a mentor, but a role model. She is active in her community and dedicated to lending her time as a speaker and mentor for local youth programs. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Vice President for D.E.T.O.U.R (Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment) overseeing programs for youth involved in the juvenile justice system and is the co-founder of the TurnMoore Dreams Scholarship given to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher attending a Historically Black College or University.

Joshlyn is committed to depositing hope and planting a seed into the generation of tomorrow.
LaWana practices what she preaches in terms of professional education and development, having earned a joint doctorate in educational leadership from UC San Diego and CSU San Marcos while working at UC San Diego. LaWana held several different positions at UC San Diego in Business & Fiscal Services before joining Transportation Services, where she’s leading organizational development and the department’s Lean Six Sigma initiative. LaWana has been an active volunteer and leader on campus, most notably as Chair of the UC San Diego Staff Association and as the Staff Advisor to the UC Regents.
cache_4203501011 Joyce McBryde created the Sister Love mentoring group at Knox Middle School in 2013. The program has since expanded to include Bell Middle School. In addition, she has volunteered previously as the Lincoln High Girls JV Basketball Assistant Coach. Joyce is present in various locations within the community on a weekly basis mentoring the girls who need emotional and social support.

She encourages youth, helps them improve their grades, and mentors them to ensure they are prepared for life and advancing in their education. She strongly believes that it takes a community to raise a child, and this is why she works overtime to do her part.

In addition to her work with youth, Joyce is also an Eastern Star and a faithful member of New Creation Church. She is always there to assist at community events including everything from feeding the homeless to toy drives. She continually goes above and beyond the call of duty to do her part and be a resource for those in need.
cache_4203501011 Rasheedah Rashada is a strong and determined woman with the ability to exude any endeavor to its highest potential.

With more than 15 years of experience in the fashion and entertainment industry, she has proven her strength and determination in accomplishing various projects alongside the most prolific in the field. After beginning an internship at a recording studio in 1996, it was only right to move up the ladder of success, developing skills in strategic planning, marketing, production, and start-up companies. Ms. Rashada transformed her expertise into working and contributing to the success of many among the industry’s elite. This includes but not limited to directors, athletes, entertainers, marketing executives, and entertainment industry veterans.

Her ambition allowed her to currently provide administrative and business supportive services to successful and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as organizations and well-known individuals throughout various industries. Ms. Rashada is also very committed to improving the health and wellbeing of inner-city communities and has been involved in several community-based projects over the past 10 years.

Having the opportunity to work in the entertainment industry and with local non-profits has given her a tremendous amount of experience and savvy; allowing her to be an asset to all that know her. Ms. Rashada studied Communications at California State Dominguez Hills and will soon be pursuing a Masters of Arts in Organizational Psychology.

Keyana Wilson

Valencia Morris