About Us

About Performing Hearts

Performing Hearts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and domestic violence support for women, children, and underserved communities. Through creative expression, wellness programming, and community connection, we create safe spaces where healing happens and empowerment takes root.

We believe that every woman deserves access to healing, community, and the tools to build a life she loves. That belief is at the heart of everything we do.

Our Leadership

Sarahjeen Francois — Director of Performing Arts Sarahjeen brings the healing power of performance to life. She leads our performing arts programming, using movement, storytelling, and creative expression as tools for transformation.

Samanta Creed — Board Secretary & Director of Public Relations Samanta ensures the voice of Performing Hearts is heard clearly and powerfully. She oversees organizational communications and public-facing strategy, keeping our mission visible and our community informed.

Aaliyah Brown — Director of Financial Literacy Aaliyah builds the relationships that fuel our mission. She works to secure partnerships and sponsorships that allow Performing Hearts to grow its impact and reach.

Lekeyna Gleason — Director of Health Literacy Dr. Lekeyna guides our approach to wellness education, ensuring our programs are rooted in evidence-based health literacy and accessible to every woman we serve.

Stephanie Clemence Nelson- Founder & Chief Impact Officer Stephanie is a visionary community architect, executive leader, and multi-sector founder who has spent over a decade building spaces where people heal, grow, and become who they are meant to be. As Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Performing Hearts, Stephanie created one of the nation's most authentic models of human-centered, community-first leadership — a living proof of concept for what psychological safety, unconditional belonging, 
and culture-first programming look like in practice.