Award-winning educator, nonprofit founder, and community leader to guide the organization’s next chapter of growth
SHINE2Inspire announced today the appointment of Tanysha Monique Nunnally, MPA, as its Executive Director. In this role, Nunnally will lead the organization’s business development, strengthen and expand its partnerships, and drive program development and growth in close collaboration with the Board of Directors.
Nunnally brings more than a decade of experience at the intersection of education, community engagement, and social innovation. A native Atlantan and Teach For America alumna, she began her career as a certified English/Language Arts educator with Atlanta Public Schools, where she designed project-based learning experiences grounded in culturally responsive content and led the district’s first published anthology of Black student writing, “Backwoods Artists: Making a Mosaic from Nothing.”
She is also the founder and CEO of Teach X, a creative enrichment platform that connects young people and families with teaching artists through micro-skill workshops designed to spark creativity, develop new skills, and create pathways to future career opportunities. Her work with Teach X was recognized when she was named a Teach For America Social Innovation Award finalist. She has also served as Director of Community Engaged Learning at The New School in Atlanta and as a civic leader in her community, including as Vice Chair of Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit Y and Chair of its Education Committee.
“Monique’s rare combination of classroom experience, entrepreneurial drive, and deep community roots makes her the ideal leader for SHINE2Inspire’s next chapter. We are thrilled to welcome her,” remarked Danesha D. Smith, Board Chair.
“As an educator, community advocate, and lifelong champion for young people, I have seen firsthand that talent and potential are everywhere, but access and opportunity are not,” said Nunnally. “I am honored to lead SHINE2Inspire as we work to build the ecosystem, partnerships, and infrastructure our young people need to thrive beyond the classroom. This work is about more than creating opportunities today—it is about building pathways that can transform families, communities, and generations to come.”
In her first months, Nunnally will focus on strengthening relationships with the organization’s existing funders and partners, cultivating new partnerships and funding opportunities, and leading the implementation and growth of SHINE2Inspire’s programs.
About SHINE2Inspire
SHINE2Inspire (Es of Choice, Inc.) is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to close the wealth divide by providing young people — ages 13 through college — with access, exposure, and opportunities to become business owners and entrepreneurs. Founded by business owners Danesha and Andre Smith, the organization delivers real-world business experience through its marquee SHINEU paid internship, the SHINE Startup Studio, the SHINE Entrepreneurial Experience, and partnerships such as the Georgia State P.A.C.E. Its programs build financial, operational, and AI literacy, as well as social and emotional well-being, through golf, money mindset, networking, and mentorship. SHINE2Inspire is a recipient of the Gatorade Equity in Sports Community Grant and is proud to be supported by partners including Wells Fargo, Reuters, Azeko, and Adobe Employee Giving. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors comprising Andre Smith and Danesha Smith (Entrepreneurs); Dr. Shelva Clemons (Morehouse College / Howard University / Tuskegee University); Shavonne L. Dargan (Curated by Live Nation); Mark McGruder (Commercial Real Estate); Reggie Walker (Mojo Coffee Company; Adobe); and Denise Graf (Sunshine & Sunrise Enterprises, LLC). Learn more at shine2inspire.org.
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