After serving as a volunteer to children in Cabrini-Green for five years, Donnita stepped down as president of an advertising agency in the year 2001 to establish By The Hand Club For Kids. By The Hand Club For Kids is an after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child — mind, body and soul. Located in four of Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand Club is dedicated to helping 851 children have new and abundant life. Donnita received her MBA from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management in 1996. Awards and recognition include Today’s Chicago Woman “100 Women Making a Difference” (1998); Northwestern Kellogg School of Management Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2010), the Chicago Bible Society Gutenberg Award (2010), and Mayor Daley’s SAGE Award (2010). Donnita serves as a full-time volunteer at By The Hand Club For Kids.
