The Board of Directors of Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., has appointed Tremaine “Teddy” Reese as its new Chair. A national nonprofit in 32 states and the District of Columbia with global partnerships in Ireland, Guatemala and Sierra Leone, YAP provides community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, out-of-home child welfare placements, congregate care facilities, and neighborhood violence.

Reese, 41, YAP’s first Board Chair to reside outside of Pennsylvania, where the nonprofit is headquartered and was founded 46 years ago, is principal owner and managing attorney of the Reese Firm, LLC in Columbus, Georgia.

“I am tremendously honored that the Board of Directors would select me to serve as the Chair of such a prestigious and time-tested organization,” Reese, who was born and raised in Wilkinson County, said. “It is my hope that my experiences, my education, and life journey will lend well to this role and my responsibilities as the Board Chair. The fact that the new Board Chair is the son of a single mother raised in rural Georgia and the first in his family to go to college is a testament to the greatness and the possibilities of YAP.”

Reese formerly served as Vice Chair alongside former Chair Lynette M. Brown-Sow, who is leaving the Board after 16 years of service. In addition to Brown-Sow, outgoing board members include Vivian Sanks-King, Fran Lanigan and Randolph Stone. Other new officers include Vice Chair Juan Sepulveda, Secretary Janet Lincoln, and Treasurer Clarence Campbell.

“YAP has an amazing impact on changing people’s lives,” Brown-Sow said. “This is a time to change; the world has changed and while our impact is one thing that has not changed, it’s time for a new look, a fresh approach. For those of us leaving, we leave you in good hands.”

Active in his community and profession, Reese’s memberships have included the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Florida Bar, State Bar of Georgia, Fountain City Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association. He is a graduate of Albany State University, Georgia College and State University and he graduated Cum Laude from Florida A&M University of Law. Reese is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the NAACP, and the Albany State University National Alumni Association. Most recently Reese is representing the family of a Fulton County inmate who allegedly died in police custody in 2018; six deputies have been indicted for the murder.

“I am honored to welcome Teddy as Board Chair. His expertise in law and experience with the organization having previously served as Vice Chair make him an incredible asset to YAP," said YAP President Gary Ivory. "I also join Teddy in personally thanking Lynette for her dedication, leadership and service as the organization's outgoing distinguished Board Chair," Ivory said.

Brown-Sow, a Philadelphia native who is well-respected in her community is president of L.M. Brown Management Group LLC and is former Vice President of Government Relations with Community College of Philadelphia, serves as the Chair of the Board of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; is a member of Board of Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Board of City Trust. Additionally, she chairs the Girard College Committee, is a board member of the Philadelphia Tribune Co. Inc.

Reese, who has seen YAP experience considerable expansion since he joined the Board in 2019, expects continued growth as more communities look to make their youth justice, child welfare and other social services systems more effective and racially equitable.

“I’m very excited about where YAP is headed with the organization,” he said.

In addition to Reese's academic and professional achievements, he is a member of the Columbus Inns of Courts and was among the 2014 Columbus and the Valley Magazine Top 5 Under 40 Professionals, 2016 Rural Leader Magazine Top Professional Under 40 and 2016 Georgia Trend Magazine Top 40 Under 40. In 2018 Reese received the Urban League of Greater Columbus Trailblazer Award. He graduated with the 2014 Class of Young Game Changers through Georgia Forward and Leadership Georgia Class of 2015. Reese also received the Center for Legal Education Opportunity Diversity Leadership Award and American Bar Association Law Student Division Golden Key Award. In 2011 Reese served as the National Chair of the American Bar Association Law Student Division.

YAP’s Board meets regularly during the year, both collectively and in committees such as Executive, Finance, Audit, International, and Governance. Board members represent YAP's service areas in the United States and abroad.

For more information about Youth Advocate Programs, visit yapinc.org.