Global Roots is more than a nonprofit organization; it is a movement dedicated to empowering people, strengthening families, and creating opportunities that transform communities.
Global Roots Community Foundation was inspired by a lifelong belief in the power of community.
Rooted in New Haven, our organization was shaped by the understanding that strong neighborhoods are built through connection, service, opportunity, and leadership. We recognize both the strengths and challenges that communities face, and we believe lasting change begins when people come together with a shared commitment to improving the lives of others.
Our work is centered on empowering individuals, strengthening families, developing future leaders, expanding economic opportunities, celebrating culture, and building partnerships that create lasting impact.
Although our roots are firmly planted in New Haven, our vision extends far beyond our city. Through education, service, cultural exchange, and community collaboration, we are building bridges that connect people, communities, and opportunities around the world.
Strong local communities and global understanding go hand in hand.
Empowering individuals, strengthening families, and building thriving communities through education, financial empowerment, housing stability, youth leadership, community engagement, and global connections.
Our Vision
We envision thriving communities where every individual has access to opportunity, every family has the support to succeed, and every generation is empowered to build a stronger future. Through collaboration, education, and service, we strive to create lasting change that extends from our local neighborhoods to communities around the world.
At Global Roots Community Foundation, our work is guided by five core pillars that reflect our values, our mission, and our commitment to building stronger communities. These pillars shape every program, partnership, and initiative we develop, ensuring that our efforts create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact for individuals, families, and communities.
Together, these pillars represent our holistic approach to strengthening communities, locally and globally.
Building neighborhoods where families, friendships, and partnerships flourish
Supporting children, families, veterans, and underserved communities with compassion and practical resources
🎓 Service & Leadership
Leading with integrity, resilience, and a servant's heart.
Creating pathways to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and generational wealth.
Building bridges across cultures through education, travel, and international partnerships.
Tywanna Johnson is the Founder and Executive Director of Global Roots Community Foundation, Inc., where she leads initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen families, and build thriving communities through education, financial empowerment, housing stability, youth leadership, and global engagement.
With more than 30 years of experience in human services, military service, community development, and real estate, Tywanna has dedicated her career to creating opportunities that improve the lives of children, families, veterans, and underserved communities. A proud New Haven native, her commitment to service was inspired by growing up in the Dixwell neighborhood and strengthened through her work with families, service in the U.S. Army Reserve, and leadership in community development.
Tywanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Southern Connecticut State University, an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut, and is a graduate of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) and the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). She also serves as a licensed real estate professional with Coldwell Banker Realty and is the founder of Global Vision LLC.
Global Roots is more than a nonprofit organization.
It is a movement built on the belief that when we invest in people, we strengthen families. When we strengthen families, we transform communities. And when communities work together, their impact can reach far beyond their own neighborhoods.
Our roots may begin in New Haven, but our vision extends across communities, cultures, and generations.
Together, we can build stronger communities.
Board Chair
Artist/Owner, Everything Is Art (EIA),
Tracey Davis Massey is an artist, educator, pastry chef, and dedicated community leader who believes creativity has the power to inspire, heal, and bring people together. As the founder of Everything Is Art (EIA), she creates engaging artistic experiences that encourage self-expression, cultural appreciation, and lifelong learning for people of all ages.
With more than six years of experience as a nanny and caregiver, Tracey has devoted her career to serving children, families, and the community. She is an Art Instructor with Lit New Haven, works as an Official Checker of Registered Voters, and is pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts at Gateway Community College, where she is expanding her passion for baking and pastry arts.
Tracey is an active member of the G-Chop Club and volunteers with United Way, LEAP, after-school enrichment programs, and the annual LEAP Reads initiative. As a Director of Global Roots Community Foundation, Inc., she helps develop programs that strengthen families, empower youth, celebrate culture, and build stronger communities through education, creativity, and service. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact through compassion, leadership, and the arts.
Dr. Colette Poole Boykin is a psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent mental health. She attended Montclair State University on a full scholarship and earned a B.S in Molecular Biology in 2006. She then earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in 2015 on a full scholarship from the United States Air Force.
Following her graduation, Dr. Poole-Boykin completed a Residency in Adult Psychiatry while serving her country as a Medical Officer at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She then completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center, finishing in 2020. Upon completion of her fellowship, she became an Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine where she served as the Mental Health Medical Director of the Juvenile Justice Program in Connecticut. She now serves as the Principal Psychiatrist for the Connecticut Department of Corrections.
In addition to her clinical practice, she has contributed to public discussions on mental health topics, including authoring articles for ABC News and appearing on Good Morning America. Despite her busy schedule she continues to be a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
She has also participated in events focused on postpartum wellness for Black mothers, highlighting her commitment to addressing mental health disparities.
Her professional journey reflects a dedication to serving diverse populations and advancing mental health care for children and adolescents.
Dr. Poole Boykin is also a mother of 2 spirited teens and a business owner. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her church, reading, and traveling.
Natica G. Williams is a dynamic leader with a multifaceted career in commercial and residential real estate, architecture, and community development. She is a licensed associate broker in New York with Browns Realty Services LLC and formerly owned New Leaf Real Estate Group in Westchester, New York. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design and completed three years of a five-year architecture program at Howard University. In her expansive career, Natica has led commercial leasing ventures, designing custom commercial spaces tailored to clients’ needs, while simultaneously excelling in residential sales. She has supervised and trained first-time homebuyer programs, guiding new buyers through every step—from financial planning to design concepts—ensuring they felt empowered and informed. Previously, Natica managed senior tax-credit properties in Yonkers, New York, ensuring dignified housing for older adults while coordinating renovations and compliance. Beyond real estate, Natica is a dedicated community servant; she works with Vertical Church on outreach, food pantry support, and beautification projects for senior residences in West Haven, Connecticut. Her vision as a board member of a nonprofit organization is to harness her business acumen and heartfelt community commitment to create lasting social impact. She leads with vision, creativity, and a steadfast dedication to progress.
Dale R. Holder is a nonprofit executive, grant strategist, and organizational development consultant with more than two decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations transform ambitious ideas into measurable community impact. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles with nonprofit organizations across New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford, building high-performing development programs, securing significant public and private investments, and fostering strategic partnerships that strengthen communities and expand opportunities for underserved populations.
Recognizing the growing need for experienced fundraising and capacity-building support, Dale founded DRH Nonprofit Consulting in 2017. Since then, he has partnered with nonprofit executives, boards of directors, and community leaders to develop funding strategies, strengthen governance, build organizational capacity, and position organizations for long-term sustainability. His expertise spans federal, state, foundation, and corporate grant development, strategic planning, capital initiatives, affordable housing, youth and family services, economic empowerment, and organizational growth. His work has helped organizations secure millions of dollars in competitive funding to expand programs, improve services, and create lasting community impact.
As a member of the Board of Directors of Global Roots Community Foundation, Dale is honored to support the Foundation's mission of empowering children, families, and underserved communities through education, economic opportunity, housing initiatives, arts enrichment, and community development. He is committed to providing strategic leadership, sound governance, and resource development expertise that will help advance innovative programs, strengthen partnerships, and create sustainable opportunities that improve lives and build stronger communities.
Moustapha Diakhate is a seasoned trader and financial educator who helps people navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of day trading. With years of experience in the markets, he believes success isn't about predicting prices but mastering mindset and discipline. Through his work, Moustapha empowers traders to move beyond technical analysis and develop the mental edge needed to turn chaos into clarity - and losses into lessons.
Community Outreach
Family Engagement
Volunteerism
Thriving Families
Parent Advocacy
Housing Resources
Lyons Trading Academy
Financial Literacy
Entrepreneurship
Homeownership Education
Veteran Initiatives
Youth Leadership Academy
Civic Engagement
Everything is Art
Arts & Culture Exchange
Ghana Educational Experience
Sankofa Premier Travels