Deodge Hill
CEO & Founder
Deodge Hill was born and raised in Inkster, Michigan, graduating from Wayne Memorial High School. Deodge obtained her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from The University of Michigan of Ann Arbor in 1999. From there she earned her Masters of Physician Assistant studies from Wayne State University in 2004. Promoting health and wellness through challenging circumstances, Deodge has been a certified Physician Assistant for16 years. She has worked in various surgical specialties including general, vascular, trauma, and ENT. Deodge also has experience in emergency, adult, and addiction medicine. However, life became trying in 2013. After finishing her undergraduate career, Deodge married her college sweetheart, Patrick Hill. Patrick went on to become a Detroit Police officer, and diligently served those in and around his community. While serving in the line of duty, Patrick was injured by a gunshot wound. He spent the following six months in the hospital until he took his last breath on October 19, 2013. Deodge and Patrick were married for twelve years before his passing. After his passing, Deodge reevaluated her life and career and discovered that she had a deep passion to give back to the community. From that passion, The PH1LL Foundation, a nonprofit organization named in her husband’s honor was birthed. The purpose of this foundation is to provide financial support and resources to single mothers in college. Amongst other leadership roles and responsibilities, Deodge also sits on the Commissions for the Michigan Law Enforcement Memorial, a nonprofit organization that helped to build a Michigan memorial for fallen officers in Lansing, Michigan in 2018. Deodge also spent time reaching out to survivors of fallen officers and volunteered with the Detroit Police Departments Committee for fallen and injured officers. And in efforts to continue in her endeavor of helping those around her, Deodge also endowed a scholarship at the Center of Education for Women (CEW) at The University of Michigan in 2017. When it reaches its full maturity, this scholarship, The Deodge Hill scholarship fund, will provide one semester of tuition for a nontraditional student. In 2017 Deodge started a partnership with a good friend and colleague in opening a family practice called I AM Health & Wellness of Belleville. This family practice was birthed out of her passion to help people persevere through challenging and trying situations by maintaining health, mind, body, spirit, and space. After a traumatic experience in 2018 where Deodge was involved in a domestic situation that lead to her being physically, mentally, and emotionally abused she was lead to start a non profit organization, I Am With You. A 501c3 nonprofit that provides resources to individuals who are attempting to escape harmful domestic situations. The organization was established in 2019. Deodge also published a journal and daily devotional, I AM With You, to help encourage victims of domestic violence to leave their abuse, trust and follow God, and live a life free from bondage of abuse. All proceeds from this book will go to I Am With You. The ultimate goal is to provide shelter and housing for the victims in their process of escape. With all of Deodge’s leadership roles and responsibilities, her proudest role is being the proud mother to four beautiful children: Donovan, Lauren, Kamryn, and PJ (Patrick Junior).
Tallette Kitchen
VP
Tallette Kitchen, an Information Technology Management professional who holds a Master's Degree in Analytics, Innovation and Technology. She is a wife of 18 years and a devoted, caring mother of a beautiful, creative daughter. Her interest in "growing people" drives her passion as a lead at Triumph Church's Impact Youth Department and professional mentor to young girls in the Winning Futures Program at Detroit area high schools. The ability to envision greatness in everyone and manifest a plan to do so is one of her greatest assets as a person. I Am With You is providing another avenue to transition lives toward a positive path.
Barb Steeves
Treasurer
Barbara Steeves was born and raised in Michigan, graduating with honors from Milan High School in 1986. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in psychology from Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 1991. Barbara has a passion for helping others and has worked in various areas throughout her nursing career, including cardiac intensive care, emergency medicine working with trained SANE nurses, pre- and post-anesthesia care and now with inherited cardiac cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias. In 2016, Barbara was in a year long relationship with a classic narcissist which lead to her being mentally and verbally abused. The relationship ended after a six-hour period where she was held against her will and physically, emotionally and sexually abused. She was successful in seeking justice and her attacker was sentenced to 15-22.5 years in prison for what he did. Barbara joined I AM With You in its early stages with the hope others would hear her story and seek help. Barbara is the proud momma of one biological son and has taken on the role of mother to several others over the years. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, ballroom dancing and traveling.
LaToya Ellis
Community Support
LaToya Ellis was born and raised in Michigan. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University in 2001. After practicing as Registered Nurse for many years she later returned to graduate school obtaining her Master of Science in Nursing with a certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2019. With over 20 years of diversified nursing experience, LaToya has been dedicated to her career working in areas of women’s health, medical/surgical telemetry, Resource/Float Pool, Intensive Care Stepdown, Pre-anesthesia and post- surgical recovery. Aside from being a health care provider, LaToya has been an active volunteer at her children’s school, her religious organization youth ministry, The River Church Health Fair and Gleaners Community Food Bank. Member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners, National Black Nurse Practitioner Association and Michigan Nurse Association. LaToya is very passionate about helping others especially those in need or with limited resources. LaToya joined I am with You as a board member in late 2019, hoping to bring awareness in the community to help victims and their families seek assistance and comfort from domestic violence. LaToya is married with two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, exercising, photography, relaxing and listening to music. Although, she has been dedicated to her profession she has experienced many challenging journeys in her life which has motivated her to stay prayerful, optimistic and be a positive asset in the community.
Umika Wynn
Community Support
Umika Wynn was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan where she earned both bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Umika is married with two children. Her professional background includes case management, administrative leadership, and clinical services. Umika spent her professional career providing services to children and families, adults with co-occurring disorders, at-risk youth, children with autism, and in-patient hospitalization services throughout Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
Umika is passionate about advocacy and supporting her community. She uses her voice and platform to lobby for change, spread awareness, and provide resources to others. Umika serves as a board member for As I Am and Grethen’s Place. She joined As I Am as a board member in early 2020. Umika became involved with As I Am to combine her passion of empowering others, her professional expertise, and knowledge of domestic violence to serve individuals, families, and communities affected by domestic violence. She also chairs the benevolence committee for her local church, and she is a proud member of Zonta International Detroit II Club which is geared toward empowering all woman locally and internationally. Aside from her professional career, Umika enjoy spending time with her family, traveling, exercising and going for long walks.
Umika Wynn, MSW