Ny’Ea is a Youth Minister, Voice Actor, and Director and recently joined Cohort Detroit’s staff as the Program Manager. In 2019 she received a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Central Michigan University and earned her preaching license in 2024 from the African Methodist Episcopal church.    Ny’Ea is also the founder of NXT Generation: Youth & Young Adult Movement at Mitcham Chapel A.M.E. Church. The aim is to boldly activate youth and young adults through their gifts to call future generations to Christ. Ny’Ea is most excited about cultivating deeper partnerships in Detroit while becoming a stronger advocate for the community and its residents. She also hopes to grow and learn alongside a new Cohort and share in their diverse life experiences.

Nathan is focused on faith-rooted leadership formation, justice and bridge-building alongside Detroiters. Nathan is a minister in the CRC, and as pastor & director for Cohort Detroit, he gets to learn from amazing young leaders every day who are living out Jesus' work of justice-making and grace-extending across the city. In his free time, he writes, gardens, enjoys front porch conversations and backyard BBQs, and travels – particularly to his home-far-away-from-home, Olancho, Honduras, or to any place that reminds him of it.  Second to the tenacious grace of Detroiters, his favorite part of the city would be every taco truck in Southwest Detroit. He’s married to the kindest truth-teller, Katie, and they have one dog, who sleeps 18 hours a day and then terrorizes the neighborhood. 

Ileana is a Detroit-based artist and educator with a deep passion for arts, faith, and community building. Born and raised in Detroit, Ileana has spent the last two years as an art teacher, nurturing creativity within her students. Now, as an academic interventionist, Ileana continues to support students in their educational journeys. This year, Ileana is stepping into the role of Arts and Creative Coordinator, leading the creation of a pilot Arts initiative designed to bring together artists in the city of Detroit. Through this initiative, Ileana is dedicated to exploring the connection between art and faith, and to using creative expression as a tool for personal and communal growth. Ileana is excited to welcome this new Cohort into all the exciting things we are doing and is looking forward to learning from each participant.