About

Vision:

To create unity and prosperity throughout Lincoln while honoring our African American heritage.

Mission:

Malone programs and services are designed to help achieve our mission to eliminate multigenerational poverty in Lincoln.

Malone was founded in 1955 through a reorganization of the Lincoln Urban league. The league founders were determined to improve social and economic conditions and increase understanding between all races.

For the last 66 years Malone has served neighboring families, youth, and the Lincoln community with inclusive, social, cultural, educational, employment and welfare services. With our mission to end-multi-generational poverty and our vision to create unity and prosperity in Lincoln, we are constantly re-evaluating our programs to ensure the current needs of the community are being met.

History

1955

The Clyde Malone Center Was Founded

The Clyde Malone Center was Founded by Mr. Millard Woods.

1959

The Lincoln Evening Journal Shares “Knowing Our Neighborhood” Report Results

The report reveals that 52.7% of elementary, 87.7% of junior high, and 70.5% of high school students were enrolled in activities at Malone Community Center.

2019

Malone Launches The Malone Panthers

The Malone launches its first youth focused athletic program, the Malone Panthers. The team teaches character, sportsmanship, leadership, and helps kids realize their full individual potential.

2020

Malone Takes A Knee With Police Officers

The Malone took a knee with officers from the Lincoln Police Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in tribute to Black Americans killed by police.

Board

Malone Board members envision and direct our progress.

Max L. Rodenburg

Board President

Topher Hansen

Secretary

Jan Sheridan

Treasurer

Micheal Q. Thompson

Board Member

Dr. Charlene Maxey-Harris

Board Member

Tim Clare

Board Member

Mike Demps

Board Member

Deb Mullen

Board Member

Leon Holloway

Board Member

Kelsey Liddy

Board Member

Connie Duncan

Board Member

Jasmine Kingsley

Board Member

Staff

The Malone staff and team members are a group of passionate professionals who tirelessly deliver for our community.

John Goodwin

Executive Director

Tyrina Webster

Director of Operations

Laura McCulley

Grant Manager

Ishma Valenti

Director of Teen Programming

Jillian Boldt

Director of Malone Maternal Wellness

Karla Brown

Director of Youth Programs

Michael Hunter

Athletic Director

Christiana Vermeline

Director of Community Health & Outreach

John Goodwin

As a Chicago, Illinois native John Goodwin has made Lincoln, Nebraska, his home since 1996. Since arriving in Lincoln, John has consistently involved himself within the community. John graduated from Bellevue University where he received a bachelor’s degree in security management. He worked for Lincoln Public School for twenty years as a Campus Supervisor and Football Coach. In 2017, John transitioned to the Malone Community Center as the Director of Operations and in 2019 became the Executive Director. With a strong mission to serve and passion for the community, John continues to be a driving force in the community for impactful change.

Tyrina Webster

Director of Operations Tyrina was born and raised in Nebraska. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Minors in Accounting and Sociology. Tyrina’s biggest accomplishment is being the first person in her family to graduate college. Tyrina has worked for private companies, state agencies and has now been at Malone since early 2020. Her passion in life is to help others grown and learn in life and giving back to her community. Tyrina has a son that is currently a senior in high school who keeps her on her toes between basketball and prepping for college. Apart from impacting her community with positive change, Tyrina enjoys scrapbooking, and plans to visit all 7 continents.

Laura McCulley

Grant Manager

Laura is the Grant Manager at Malone. She graduated from Southeast Community College with an Associates in Business Administration. After graduating in 2006 she has managed various grant-funded programs working at local nonprofits and attending Wesleyan University and she is a registered tax preparer. She has been trained in CPR, Mental Health First Aid, working with interpreters, case management training, and Motivational Interviewing. She has participated in various community groups such as the New American’s Taskforce, Cultural Coalition of Lincoln, and the Lincoln Unites committee of Lincoln and served as a Human Rights Commissioner of Lancaster County from January 2020 to January 2022.

Ishma Valenti

Director of Teen Programming

Ishma Valenti is a servant leader who partners with non-profit organizations and community activists to coordinate outreach, fundraising and policy change. Ishma has dedicated over 20 years of his life to working for the betterment of the community in Lincoln, Nebraska and its surrounding areas. Ishma truly cares for his community as a native Nebraskan who works, lives, and enjoys his family life (wife, 3 children) in the Lincoln area. Ishma has helped to co-found, rebrand, fundraise, create policy, and bring positive media exposure to various successful non-profit organizations and community entities. Ishma is also an award-winning filmmaker who uses his community-oriented nature to tell inspiring stories through film.

Jillian Boldt

Director of Malone Maternal Wellness

Jillian has been the Director of Maternal Wellness at Malone since February 2019. She was born and raised in Tampa, FL where she graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She left the world of teaching to pursue her passion of helping others and desire to serve her community in new ways. She moved to Lincoln six years ago and has spent her time in Nebraska facilitating and building programs for non-profit organizations. Her diverse skill set as a Certified Breastfeeding Educator and Community Health Worker has resulted in the creation, expansion and management of unique programs to serve our community through the Malone. She comes from generations of women who are dedicated to women’s health advocacy and maternal health equity.

Karla Brown

Director of Youth Programs

Karla is the Director of Youth Programs at the Malone Center, with over 20 years of experience serving and working with children and families in the school system and community. Karla is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor's degree in Art Education. She believes that every child can be successful when provided with the right resources and tools. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends.

Michael Hunter

Athletic Director

Michael the Malone Athletic Director and is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and currently serves as a District Transition Specialist for the Lincoln, Nebraska Public Schools. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Bellevue University and his Master of Science degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, he also is the lead organizer of the youth middle school groups within LPS. In 12019 Michael introduced the first 5th and 6th grade football team at Malone and has grown the program to where it now includes Basketball, Track & Field, and Volleyball. Through his heart and drive he continues to not only build the skills and qualities of the youth, but focuses his program and interactions around teaching the youth their worth, cultural background, how to deal with adversity, and how to build a path to power.

Christiana Vermeline

Director of Community Health & Outreach

Christiana is the Director of Community Health & Outreach and has been with Malone since February 2019. She was born in Denver, Colorado and moved to Nebraska with her family at a young age. Christiana received her degree in human services which she perused in her desire to serve the community and build paths of empowerment for those looking to break crippling generational cycles. Her career has been primarily in non-profit for the last 12 plus years. Christiana loves spending time with her family (husband, 3 kids) listening to music, and writing.