Meet our Team

Raised in Johnsonville, SC, Shaguana (Shay) Hunt is often called “Mama Bear” because her motherly spirit extends beyond just her children. Since her teenage years, she has always found joy in caring for children and encouraging them to be their best selves. Overcoming exposure to traumatic experiences during her youth is what led Shaguana to establish Raise a Child of the Carolinas. Her purpose is to be the person she needed someone to be for her.

As a 21yr old single mother, Shay relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2003 where she continued to pursue her Bachelor’s of Accounting and Business Administration at Limestone College in Gaffney, SC. She continued to balance being a student, working dual jobs, and caring for her young son. Shortly after graduating, she continued on to pursue her Master’s of Accounting and Business Management, married her husband of 12 years, Jonathan Hunt, and gained a bonus daughter. Today they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.

Shay spent over 20 years working in finance, and as of October 2018, she decided to finally step out on faith and follow her passion, one that has been a vision since her youth. From being a Girl Scout as a child, volunteering with church youth groups, singing in church choirs, volunteering with local nonprofit organizations, as well as leading community service projects with her employers; Shay has always been passionate about serving others. In addition to being the Executive Director of The RACC (Raise a Child of the Carolinas), she is an actively involved member of New Waves of Joy Baptist Church where she has been serving for 11 years and currently Chairs the Trustee Board. Shay is also a member of several local community youth organization committees.

In her spare time, Shay enjoys spending time with family and friends, being a Momager to her 9 year old daughter, shopping, outdoor activities, traveling, alone time, music, and learning new skills.

“When I leave this place my greatest aspirations are that I would have lived a life in which I exemplified true dignity, honesty, and love, and that I would have inspired others to live on purpose achieving everything they deserve and their hearts desire.

Originally from Baltimore, MD, Ulanda has over 20 years experience in the finance industry. She relocated to South Carolina where she met her husband David of 27 years, started a family, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree at Coker College in Hartsville, SC. Soon afterwards, Ulanda and her family relocated to the Charlotte area where currently she works for The Auto Club Group of the Carolinas as their Travel Divisional Controller.

Ulanda and her family, 3 children and 2 grandsons, joined the New Waves of Joy Church soon after relocating to the Charlotte area and have maintained this connection ever since. She is the Church Secretary and her husband is the Chairman of the Deacon Board. Both are very active in worship and other church activities.

Ulanda has always been seen as a mother figure towards the youth in her community. Children have indicated that with her they feel safe, loved, listened to, and cared for.

In her spare time, Ulanda enjoys needlework, reading, and watching horror movies.

"I joined The RACC because I know from experience there is a need in our Charlotte community."

Blake Ross, born in Waldorf, Maryland, graduated from Messiah College with his bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduating, he worked with non-profits as an auditor near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He spent his post-graduate years in Washington D.C. working with a variety of non-profits as an outsourced accountant. He and his new wife, Julia, moved down to Chapel Hill in the summer of 2020.

Blake has always been passionate about helping children, in the past working in summer camps, and volunteering as a youth group leader in his church. He joined the RACC team to plant seeds of success so children today and tomorrow can access the resources they need for a bright future.

In his spare time he likes to play tennis, read, and likes to hang out with his cat Beau whom he maintains is the cutest cat in the Carolinas."