MEET OUR TEAM
The team behind Empowered U Youth Organization takes great pride in motivating the youth to become leaders and agents of change. The staff is developed by professional training and backed by an Advisory Board that represents years of experience in the nonprofit and youth mentoring sector and that works with us to keep Empowered U focused and on target.

Qianah Simmons
Coach
Qianah has been in Columbia, SC since 2004. While attending graduate school, she became a volunteer tutor and mentor at Eau Claire High School. Shortly after, she began working with preschoolers and youth professionally and through church. Through those experiences she has built constructive and lasting relationships with those families.
Currently, Qianah is employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield. In addition to being a god-mother, she finds meaning in spending time with family and friends. They keep her grounded and encourage her commitment of advocacy for children and families.
Her philosophy is summed from a quote by
Frederick Douglas:
It is easier to build a strong child than to repair a broken adult.
Her Life Saying:
Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes of playing a poor hand well.
- Robert Louis Stevenson
Maya Bostick
Intern
Maya Bostick was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina-Aiken. Maya has worked in public education for three years as a Career Development Facilitator and has a GCDF certification. She enjoys working with young people and informing them about the various career options available and how to turn their interests into passion filled careers. Maya is currently a graduate student working to obtain a Master’s in Social Work and is excited about joining the Empowered U team!