Memphis Allies announces two leadership promotions

As Memphis Allies moves into its third year of providing direct services to those most at risk for gun violence, Executive Director Susan Deason has announced two staff promotions:

Jevonte Porter has been promoted to director of community relations; Brittney Jordan Ragin has been promoted to director of clinical programs.

Porter joined Youth Villages three years ago as the corporate relations manager on the development team. He was then promoted to assistant director of community relations with Memphis Allies.

“Jevonte is a pillar in the community, and he plays a pivotal role in supporting Memphis Allies’ mission and in garnering support from others,” Deason said. “In a relatively short time, he has built a tremendous team of key players who represent Memphis Allies all across the city.”

He is a proud Orange Mound native and was the valedictorian of his class at Melrose High School.  Porter is also a graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville and has received numerous community awards and accolades, most recently graduating from Leadership Memphis.  He is very active in his church, serving in a leadership capacity there, and loves spending time with his wife Shelby and their two children Madison and Deuce. 

“This is a critical time for the City of Memphis,” Porter said, “and there is nowhere I would rather be than on the Memphis Allies leadership team working to build partnerships in the community as we all strive to reduce gun violence and its generational impact.”

Ragin oversees all SWITCH Youth, SWITCH clinical, the placement team, and the licensed program experts.  She joined Youth Villages 10 years ago, working as a family intervention specialist for the Anaya Partnership.  She was promoted to clinical supervisor and regional supervisor before moving into a PRN role, during which time she took a position outside of Youth Villages and oversaw clinical programs at Agape Child & Family Services. 

“Brittney is very passionate about this work,” said Deason. “Not only is she overseeing the clinical components, but she has had a big hand in writing and creating many of our processes, policies, and procedures. Her knowledge and expertise make her an invaluable member of the leadership team.”

Ragin attended Harding University for undergraduate school and then graduated from the University of Memphis, earning a master of social work degree.  She is also now a licensed clinical social worker. Ragin is a long-time Memphian and enjoys spending time with her family and giving back to the community.

“This is more of a calling than a job,” said Ragin. “I love Memphis and our community, and I am honored to be part of this team working to create peace in our city.”

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