Meet our Board

Sharrah Gardner is the Founder and President of Gems to Jewels Inc., a Newark-based nonprofit transforming the lives of underserved and justice-involved youth through literacy, mentorship, travel, and reintegration programs. A proud product of Newark Public Schools and graduate of Weequahic High School, Sharrah studied Liberal Arts at Essex County College and Criminal Justice at Kean University laying the foundation for her passion for service, education, and advocacy. 

With over 15 years of experience as a Human Resources Specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sharrah has dedicated her life to empowering others especially youth facing barriers to opportunity. Her inspiration for Gems to Jewels is rooted in her personal journey as a mother, community advocate, and mentor. From supporting her son’s reentry after incarceration to ensuring her daughter received early literacy support, Sharrah turned her family’s challenges into a mission to uplift others.

Zereisha Culver is a passionate Registered Nurse with over a decade of experience spanning acute care, rehabilitation, addiction recovery, and community health. Known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, she has served diverse populations in hospitals, clinics, and nonprofit settings—most recently at the Department of Veterans Affairs in East Orange, NJ.

Zereisha is deeply committed to health equity, youth empowerment, and holistic wellness. Her clinical expertise includes IV therapy, wound care, medication management, and chronic disease support. Beyond the bedside, she advocates for underserved communities and believes in the transformative power of education, mentorship, and access to care.

As a board member of Gems to Jewels, Zereisha brings both healthcare insight and a heart for service. She is proud to support the organization’s mission to inspire and uplift young women through leadership, wellness, and opportunity.

Mercedes Chambliss brings a wealth of financial expertise and community engagement experience to Gems to Jewels. Holding an Accounting Degree, she previously worked for the IRS before transitioning to the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she currently serves as the Chief of the Center for Development & Civic Engagement (formerly VA Voluntary Service).

A transformational leader, Mercedes has reshaped the culture of her department by fostering partnerships and collaborations with the community to provide essential support for veterans and their families. Through her leadership, she has expanded access to food assistance, educational programs, school partnerships, stipends, shelter, and permanent housing solutions for those in need.

Her passion for service extends beyond veterans to empowering youth through literacy, mentorship, and community development. As a dedicated Gems to Jewels board member, Mercedes leverages her expertise in finance, program development, and civic engagement to help create meaningful opportunities for underserved children and families.

Specialty Areas

Urban Art, Graffiti, and Hip-Hop Studies – cultural history, aesthetics, ethics, global movements, and preservation

Metaphysics & Eschatology – spiritual philosophy, cosmology, and consciousness studies

Urban Group Dynamics & Community Counseling – art as mediation, healing, and social cohesion

Library & Information Science (Administration & Leadership) – governance, strategy, policy, budgeting, and community services

Archival Studies & Cultural Preservation – oral history, special collections, and Black cultural heritage

Media, Film & Documentary Production – research-based storytelling and cultural documentation

Educational Program & Curriculum Development – arts-integrated learning, workforce and reentry programs

Nonprofit & Community Development – grants, partnerships, MOUs, and program evaluation

Research, Writing & Scholarly Communication – interdisciplinary scholarship and academic publishing

Josianne “Josie” Payoute is a dedicated community advocate, philanthropist, and changemaker committed to uplifting underserved populations and creating inclusive spaces. As a first-generation Haitian American, she proudly leads initiatives that celebrate culture, empower youth, and amplify diverse voices.

Josie is the founder and President of New Jersey Kids Fashion Week and serves on multiple boards, including the Hillside Library Board, Hillside Zone Planning Board, and the Zany Scientist Board. She is also the Ambassador of the Haitian Flag Raising Ceremony in Hillside and an active member of the Kentucky Derby Committee in East Orange.

Through every role, Josie works to connect communities, cultivate leadership, and drive impactful change from the ground up.