Our Team

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Jimmy Stewart

Executive Director

Jimmy Stewart is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur with deep expertise in workforce development, construction, and diversity & inclusion initiatives. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Project JumpStart, Inc., a newly registered 501(c)(3) organization and a renowned workforce development program in Baltimore. In this role, Jimmy leads large-scale programs that provide intensive job-readiness training and career placement for city residents. Under his leadership, Project JumpStart has expanded its reach, improved operational efficiency, increased staffing, and continues to strengthen the financial sustainability of the new non-profit following its spin-off from another organization.

Yvette Diamond

Chief Operations Officer

With 35+ years in leadership and consulting, Yvette Diamond empowers workforce leaders to drive impactful change. A longtime friend and advisor at Project JumpStart, Yvette brings her experience and skills to help PJSI meet its growth initiatives. As Executive Director of the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC), she promoted apprenticeships as critical pathways for Maryland’s workforce. In 2021, she led the Greater Baltimore Committee’s initiative to connect 350+ regional stakeholders, building sustainable strategies for industries like healthcare and tech.
Her career includes roles as COO of a logistics firm, VP in publishing, and founder of a health and beauty company, giving her unique insights into employer challenges. A recognized thought leader, she served on multiple boards and advocates for inclusive workforce solutions.
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Cierra Jackson

Program Assistant

Cierra Jackson has a great love for helping her community and sharing her knowledge through experiences she faced, throughout the success and growth within her career. Working in the workforce world for over 8 years has helped her to understand and hear the need for the community.
Starting at Project JumpStart Inc. has allowed her to help and provide assistants to the program working closely with program participants obtain sustainable employment. Guiding participants through training while knocking out barriers. Applying her project management/assistant background in all aspects of her career has helped others become successful.

Emma Shirey

Employment Program Manager

Emma Shirey is the Employment Program Manager at Project JumpStart, where she spearheads initiatives aimed at improving job readiness and employment opportunities for underemployed communities. As the Director of Outreach and Communication for statewide programs at The Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, she led partnerships between MCCEI and Equality Equation, the Maryland State Department of Education, and various colleges and universities in the state. In addition, she directed the MCCEI and ACE partnership as the Affiliate Director for the ACE Mentor Program of Baltimore. Previously, as the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator at ABC Greater Baltimore, Emma developed strategic partnerships with NCCER and local employers to enhance workforce development initiatives.
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Antonae Jones

Employment Case Manager

Antonae is motivated to genuinely serve others and build long-term relationships. With over five years as a personal and business financial advisor in retail banking, she has had the opportunity of helping over 200+ clients achieve their financial goals and deliver strategies that overcome complex challenges. In addition to her professional experience, Antonae enjoys participating in community engagements and currently volunteers as a mentor for several Baltimore City non-profit organizations. In joining the Project Jumpstart team, Antonae plans to utilize her knowledge and skills to encourage our dedicated students toward growth mindsets and life changing career opportunities.

Our Instructors

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Bill Plantholt

PJSI Lead Instructor

Master Trainer for NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research); certified to teach in Maryland through MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education); current teacher for Baltimore County School System and Master Electrician.

Dave Tate

PJSI Class Lead Instructor

Certified to teach in Maryland through MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education), current teacher for Baltimore County School System.
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Antoine Boykins

PJSI Instructor

Certified to teacher First Aid/CPR; Supervisor at Scaffold Resources, LLC with over 8 years of experience; Project JumpStart graduate.

Steve Holloway

PJSI Instructor

Certified NCCER Instructor; was also a MSDE certified teacher with Baltimore City Schools (Mervo) for 30+ years before recently retiring.
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Richard Dixon

PJSI Instructor

30+ years of construction experience and presently operates a small general contracting company; includes previously teaching at another construction trade school; Master tradesmen with the ability to teach and perform Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, and basic HVAC; Project Management Professional (PMP) Series – Certification

Gene Cobb

Instructor

OSHA 10 Class CHST/Site Inspector/Authorized OSHA Training Director at Diversified Safety Services/Safety Dir at ABC Greater Baltimore

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Tyrone Rushing

PJSI Instructor

System Service Technician at Fireline Corporation. Commercial Driver’s License holder with over 10 years of transportation experience; Project JumpStart graduate.