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.
Our vision is to see equity and inclusion for teen girls of color in higher education and priority sector employment.
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.)
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.
  • Increase teen girl’s self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-development
  • 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
  • Provide an environment that nurtures growth for teen girls
  • Partner with organizations that share our vision

Board and Staff

Tinesa Conwright Tinesia Conwright Devoted community leader within the nonprofit and for-profit industries, Tinesia Conwright is a Nonprofit Executive and Career Development Specialist focused on strengthening the economic security of women and girls of color through creating a pipeline of girls entering into leadership roles in careers paying livable wages.

She 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 and realized the capacity within youth to influence social change and uplift their peers and community. There, 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, DETOUR (Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment) to increase access to higher education and employment opportunities for girls of color. The organization provides the FANCY (Focused And Naturally Confident Youth) Teen Girls Expo, Leadership Academy, and Scholarship youth development programs which have empowered over 2,000 girls since 2009 (www.Detourempowers.org).

Currently, she serves as the Youth Workforce Development Program Manager for the San Diego Housing Commission. A graduate of San Diego State University and University of San Diego, Tinesia is dedicated to empowering youth to believe in themselves and change the world.

She is a 2021 Graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network with the Center for Creative Leadership, based out of Battle Creek Michigan, and a 2019 Graduate of RISE San Diego Urban Leadership Program. She also serves as a Mentor for RISE and on the San Diego Police Department Chief’s LGBT Advisory Board.

In 2019 she launched The All About Girls of Color (AAGOC) Collective, which unites individuals passionate about youth equity and inclusion to reduce the exclusionary practices and marginalization of girls of color by providing training on current trends impacting them and evidence-based practices for supporting and engaging girls of color around these trends. In 2023 she along with her co-facilitators Gabriella Delgado and Janedra Sykes launched the All About Girls of Color Podcast.

A recent author of the book “Find Your Flair!”, she teaches youth how to "Find Their Flair" - Their Future Leadership Attributes Inspiring Resilience – to realize they have everything inside of them to become the person they want to be! Check out the book at www.findyourflair.org


Tinesia’s work has been acknowledged Mental Health America’s Richard Thurman Award, the ABC Channel 10News Leadership Award, the San Diego LGBT Pride Champion of Pride Award, the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Under 40 Award, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Organization for Diversity and Inclusion Award, the San Diego Community Assist Impact Community Service Award, the RISE San Diego -SD Women In Civil Rights Award, the National Council of Negro Women, the San Diego Chapter of BAPAC Community Service Award, the African-American Association of Educators Unsung Hero Award, Molina Healthcare Community Champion Award, The Moxie Theater, Open Heart Leaders, the Black Girlz Rock San Diego Community Change Award, the San Diego County Urban League Young Professionals Top Forty Under 40 Award, the Urban Pride Community Leadership Award, a 79th District’s Assembly-member Dr. Shirley Weber 2014 Women of the Year Award Nomination, a City of San Diego Human Relations Commission Commendation, and the Blue Heart Foundation Community Award. 
Dr. Lupita Moncada Dr. Lupita Moncada an accomplished Human Resources Executive with 25+ years of proven expertise. Lupita held various leadership positions, allowing her to develop a broad perspective and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved.

Lupita is recognized by company leadership and peers as a smart, industrious, tenacious, and decisive leader and visionary. She quickly assessed situations, rapidly crafts solutions, builds teams; organize actions, and creates profit and/or efficiency with each project's conclusion. She is a persuasive, solution-oriented Bilingual (English & Spanish) communicator with highly effective motivational skills.

Down the line, Lupita has showcased excellence in anticipating problems and attracting and retaining a highly skilled and motivated workforce by implementing innovative and cost-saving programs. She drives change targeted at strategic growth. She brings balance and simplicity to Human Resources processes, and creates a competitive advantage for the business that is reflected in the bottom line. Her comprehensive knowledge, strategic mindset, and dedication to the well-being of employees contribute to creating a thriving work environment where individuals can reach their full potential.

She holds an MBA/HR Mgmt. from the University of Phoenix and earned her Doctoral degree in Business Administration/International Business in 2015. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive work environment ensures that every team member feels supported, valued, and inspired to thrive. In her spare time, Lupita enjoys sharing her wealth of knowledge through coaching, mentoring initiatives, and empowering emerging leaders to rise to their fullest potential. Her radiant charisma and passion for uplifting others make her a beacon of inspiration within the human resources community.
Ady Huertas Ady Huertas has a career in library services and outreach to the San Diego and binational Baja California community that spans over 26 years at San Diego Public Library. She is the Program Manager of Youth, Family, & Equity Services where she executes large scale public programs and crafts and contributes to library initiatives and policies with a special focus on equity and the impact on youth and families. Ady recently served in the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color Call-to-Action Taskforce and is a longtime active member of REFORMA – The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, where she has been directly involved with services to asylum seeking youth through the Children in Crisis project.

Ady co-created Creando Enlaces, a binational library conference that fosters community connections and cultural diversity in public, academic, and special libraries bringing together libraries from the US, Mexico, and across the globe to share best practices and build more inclusive library spaces. She helped establish SDPL's LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee, which has been providing services and resources to the LGBTQ+ community for almost 10 years, and serves as a co-chair in San Diego County's LGBTQ+ Latine Coalition. Ady also serves as a community partner in SDUSD Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee and is a proud member of the All About Girls of Color Collective which has inspired her to want to get more involved with DETOUR to support girls and women of color.

Ady received her B.A. in Chicana/o/x Studies from San Diego State University and her MLIS from San Jose State University. In her personal time Ady likes to be in the water with her dragon boat racing team, spend a tremendous amount of time with her huge familia, and go on long walks with her wife and their dog Botero Fernando Blanco Huertas. 😊
Deona Dorsey Deona “Dee” Dorsey has over 20 years’ experience supporting organizations that focus on helping families improve the quality of their lives. As a connector and champion for communities in need, she is living out her passion through her work. Deona continues to reflect on the wisdom of her grandmother, Dr. L.A. Gonzales, who was an educator and advocate for children who experienced trauma. From her influence, Deona enjoys volunteering and supporting positive efforts in the diverse communities of San Diego. In her current professional role Deona combines her philanthropic drive through workforce development.

Deona has a master's degree in international relations and bachelor's degree in international business administration with a concentration in marketing from Alliant International University.
Eva M. Bryant Eva M. Bryant serves as Assistant Vice President, Client & Community Relations Specialist for San Diego County. In her role, she is focused on employee engagement and volunteerism, coordinating client and community events, and helping to establish the PNC Bank footprint in the region. Eva joined PNC in 2006 and prior to her current role, she held various positions in Retail Banking from part-time teller to Senior Branch Manager.

Born and raised in Detroit, Eva is passionate about mentorship, career development, volunteerism, financial literacy, and community engagement. She has been actively involved from the beginning of her career in serving the community through her volunteerism with PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative, Gleaners Community Food Bank as well as diverse business associations and non-profit organizations in and around Detroit. She is a PNC Certified Women and Minority Business Advocate.

Since relocating to San Diego in Fall 2022, Eva has volunteered with the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum and San Diego Habitat for Humanity.

Keyana Wilson - Program Coordinator

Joyce McBryde - School Programs Lead Facilitator

Kimberly Lara - Program Coordinator

Rose Griscom - Administrative Assistant

Denice Pappas-Caul - Education Liaison & Academic Support

Kai'Jah Peterson - Program Assistant

Liz Buffington -Curriculum Development Specialist

Tiana Hopkins - Program Therapist

Tara Madden Slaughter - Program Manager

Nadeaja Shaheed - Program Manager

Angelique Patterson - Parent Liaison and Senior Class Coordinator

Mjulela Nettles - Parent Liaison and Senior Class Coordinator

Emeritus Board Members

Aisha Davis, Joshlyn Turner, LaWana Richmond, Joyce McBryde, Rasheedah Rashada, Janaha Ransome, Ghia Ransome, Lakeshia Lindsey, Johnique Poole-Woods, Rosalina Herrera Small.