![Wedding[1]](http://www.breakingbarriers05.org/.a/6a00d8354930a553ef015392c30b25970b-800wi "Wedding[1]")
Dwayne H. Adams Sr.
C.E.O./Founder
On July 19, 1998 his life was almost taken by a stray bullet that entered his left eye and is now lodged in the right side of his face. This incident left him with partial sight in his only eye and no sense of smell. This terrible accident was done by some youth in a rival drug shootout. With the prayers from family and friends, the blessings from our Lord above and a month in the hospital he survived this tragic incident. Soon afterwards Dwayne took up the sport of rowing, a non-traditional sport for African Americans. In the years to come he would win 30-40 races – taking first place in most of them. During this time, Mr. Adams also went back to school.
First Dwayne became a licensed massage therapist; afterwards he became a licensed personal trainer , a license rowing coach and a motivational/public speaker. Still rowing during this time, he became a three-time member of the US National Adaptive Rowing Team and the winner of a bronze medal in the 2002 World Rowing Championship in Seville, Spain. In July of 2005 Dwayne founded Breaking Barriers, a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, to share his experience and the alternative sport of rowing with the youth of the city. Dwayne was honored in 2008 with the Outstanding Citizen Award by the NAACP. On June 4, 2010 Dwayne was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year by the Masonic District Mason for his work with Breaking Barriers and within the community. The Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities honored him with the 2010 Access Achievement Award.
His mission is to help all youth to: improve their academic work habits, gain respect for themselves and others and to develop discipline, teamwork and self-motivation. Dwayne wants the youth to know that there are alternatives available to them, and plans to accomplish his goals with the growth of Breaking Barriers. He counts it as a blessing that a few youth could have taken his life away but instead he has survived and became more driven, motivated, and respected by the community. Mr. Adams has just open the new Breaking Barriers House, this is the home base for all activities where our youth can comes to train and learn. Realizing that many youth have not been exposed to much, Breaking Barriers and the sport of rowing can expose youth to a whole new world and set a new course for life.
Sharonda Johnson
Executive Director
She has been working as a consultant with writing grants for several nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia for over five years. Before joining Breaking Barriers she was a consultant with University of Pennsylvania EPIC Nursing Program in helping to transition their overall staffing to learn the newly appointed system for the Hospital and University. She also worked with the University of Pennsylvania Museum with a renown exhibit called “Silk Road” in obtaining media coverage and follow up with statistics on members growth. Prior to she worked and still works closely with State Rep W. Curtis Thomas, 181st District on his campaign as his campaign coordinator in managing the operation of the campaign, gaining community participation and contribution, organization, pledge activity, volunteer, strategies and tactics.
As the Executive Director of Mt. Tabor CEED she help develop projects, wrote grants, maintain financial reports, collaborate with CYBER Village in the development of the senior citizen complex. Her passion is for the youth, where she helped several youth gain financial aid while in post secondary school and helping the students maintain financial status and grow to a four year college. Sharonda Johnson is very skilled with PC Literacy in competency of Microsoft Office XP, SCT Banner, Brio, prioritizing, micromanagement, customer service, conversational Spanish, grant writing, communications and several financial aid workshops.
Sharonda Johnson is a graduate of Mercer County Community College, Temple University, and University of Pennsylvania and is currently seeking her Masters Degree at Lincoln University. She belongs to several organizations, Bring Everybody Together, Cyber Village administration, CWICTI Communications External Director, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated, honorary member of Clear Channel 105.3 WDAS club, Daughters of Isis, and Order of Easter Stars. Sharonda Johnson still continues to extend her growth for the youth and looks forward to expanding Breaking Barriers to a nationally well known program
Zachary Mondesire
Crew Coach
A local to the greater Philadelphia area as well as boathouse row, having started his rowing career at the Episcopal Academy. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Anthropology. He formerly coached for the New York Rowing Association during his time at Columbia where he trained crews that competed successfully at the local and state levels. His passion lies not only with rowing but also with working with youth from under-served communities both domestically and abroad. During his undergraduate career, his academic interests in the Middle East have found him multiple opportunities in the region as a mentor and teacher. His experiences have afforded him the skills and motivation to prepare youth for higher education and build their capacity for cross-cultural and interfaith relationships. He is very excited to be a part of the Breaking Barriers team
Terrell Johnson, Sr.
Personal Trainer
CEO and Founder of Building Our Future Fitness Center. Terrell is blessed to be the father of four wonderful children. Terrell is a graduate of Cheyney State University and was the P.S.A.C. track champion, four-year starter on C.S.U. football team, and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. After college Terrell went on to play four years of Arena Football and enjoys volunteering his time coaching and training the youth in the sports of Football and Basketball. Terrell is also Certified to train in CPR, First Aid & AED. Terrell is now training the youth in Breaking Barriers rowing program along with the adults in BBRC Breaking Barriers Rowing Club
