Meet The Raising Multicultural Kids Founders
Denise Barbosa Lane – Co-Founder/Executive Director – Denise serves as Program Director for Raising Multicultural Kids, where she oversees the implementation and growth of RMK’s school-based programs while managing partnerships, contracts, program logistics, and a team of part-time staff, TEACH Leaders, and interns. Her leadership ensures that high-quality programming reaches thousands of students and educators each year.
Denise earned a Bachelor of Science in Management with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from the University of Massachusetts Boston and an MBA from the Simmons School of Management. She brings more than 20 years of experience in banking, strategy, operations, and client services, including leadership roles that culminated in serving as a Strategic Business Consultant within the Office of the Chief Information Officer. She has also consulted for a medical software company, providing expertise in sales, customer service, and organizational operations.
At RMK, Denise combines her business acumen with her passion for education and community engagement. She plays a critical role in building and maintaining partnerships with schools and community organizations while ensuring programs are delivered effectively and sustainably.
As a proud Cape Verdean American and parent of three multicultural children attending Easton Public Schools, Denise brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to her work. She is deeply committed to helping create learning environments where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed.
Kelly Ann Lamb, M.A. – Co-Founder, Chief Innovation Officer – Kelly began her career as a scientist specializing in epigenetics and experimental design before dedicating her work to addressing inequities in healthcare, education, and child welfare. In 2009, Kelly co-founded the Ethnicity & Disease Community Empowerment Center, where she developed patient education programs, designed clinical research initiatives, and delivered cultural competency training to healthcare professionals serving BIPOC and immigrant communities. Her passion for systems change later led her to advocate for children and families involved in foster care, serving as Vice President of Massachusetts Alliance for Families and consulting with the Department of Children and Families to improve support systems for foster families and the children they serve.
In 2019, Kelly co-founded Raising Multicultural Kids after her daughter experienced multiple racial incidents in kindergarten. What began as a grassroots effort to address issues of belonging and representation has grown into a nonprofit organization that partners with schools and communities to build empathy, cultural understanding, and inclusive learning environments. Today, Kelly leads RMK’s educational vision, designing innovative curriculum, developing youth leadership programs, and delivering professional development that helps educators create classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. She has built partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations throughout Massachusetts while securing the resources necessary to expand RMK’s impact.
Kelly believes that belonging is the foundation for learning and that preparing young people to thrive in a diverse world benefits all students. Through her leadership, RMK is helping schools cultivate the next generation of compassionate leaders, engaged citizens, and globally minded learners.
Meet The Raising Multicultural Kids Board of Directors
Jacqueline (Jackie) Grant – Co-President – Jackie serves as Co-President where she provides strategic leadership and plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission and community impact. Since joining the Board in 2020, Jackie has been instrumental in the planning and execution of RMK’s signature events, fundraising initiatives, and community engagement efforts, helping to build the partnerships and resources that support the organization’s continued growth.
Jackie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bentley University and brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, client services, and operations. She currently serves as a Client Accounting Manager at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she manages complex financial operations and client relationships for one of the world’s leading law firms.
Known for her exceptional organizational skills and commitment to service, Jackie combines her professional expertise with a passion for creating opportunities for children and families. Her leadership has been invaluable in strengthening RMK’s fundraising capacity, expanding community partnerships, and ensuring the success of key organizational events.
As the parent of two multicultural children who attend Easton Public Schools, Jackie is deeply committed to helping create learning environments where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed.
Jacqueline Williams – Co-President – Jacquie serves as Co-President and is the Founder and Director of The U Project, a youth empowerment program designed to help pre-teens and young adults build self-confidence, embrace their authentic identities, and develop a strong sense of self-worth. Through workshops, mentorship, and meaningful conversations, The U Project encourages young people to recognize their strengths, celebrate their individuality, and develop the confidence.
For more than 40 years, Jacquie has worked as a professional model, traveling throughout the United States and building a successful career in the fashion and beauty industry. Her experiences provided a unique perspective on the powerful role appearance, representation, and social acceptance play in shaping self-esteem and identity. Drawing from both her professional journey and personal experiences, Jacquie has dedicated herself to helping young people develop confidence from within and embrace what makes them unique.
In addition to her work with The U Project, Jacquie serves on the Executive Board of Directors for My Brother’s Keeper, a nonprofit organization that provides furniture, food, and essential household items to families in need throughout Massachusetts. Her extensive volunteer service reflects a lifelong commitment to supporting children, families, and communities.
As the parent of multicultural children and a proud grandmother, Jacquie is deeply passionate about RMK’s mission of helping every child feel seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. Her expertise in youth development, identity, and confidence-building strengthens RMK’s ability to create programs that foster belonging, resilience, and leadership in the next generation.
Maria Monteiro – Vice President – Maria has been involved with the organization since its founding. Known for her exceptional project management skills, strategic thinking, and ability to turn ideas into action, Maria plays a critical role in helping RMK develop systems, manage complex initiatives, and achieve organizational goals.
Professionally, Maria is a Senior Integration Analyst on the Interface Engineering Team at Boston Medical Center, where she manages complex technology integrations that support patient care and organizational operations. Her work requires a unique blend of technical expertise, problem-solving, collaboration, and process improvement—skills she brings to her leadership role at RMK.
Maria earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Pre-Med concentration from Manhattanville College. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for building efficient systems, managing large-scale projects, and helping teams navigate challenges with clarity and focus.
As the parent of a multicultural student attending Easton Public Schools, Maria is deeply committed to ensuring that all children have access to learning environments where they feel seen, valued, and supported. Her combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and unwavering commitment to RMK’s mission helps strengthen the organization’s capacity, sustainability, and impact.
Angela Clark – Treasurer – Angela is a nationally respected leader in organizational culture, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. She currently serves as Chief of Organizational Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, where she leads enterprise-wide strategies that foster inclusive workplace practices and organizational excellence across all six bureaus of the Attorney General’s Office.
Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Angela held executive leadership roles at some of the nation’s most recognized financial institutions, including serving as Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at Fidelity Investments and President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Robinhood Markets. Throughout her career, she has advised senior leaders, developed organizational strategies, and led large-scale initiatives focused on talent development, workplace culture, and equitable systems.
In her current role, Angela helps shape policies, programs, and organizational practices that support thousands of employees while advancing the Attorney General’s mission to protect consumers, safeguard civil rights, combat fraud and corruption, and promote economic opportunity throughout the Commonwealth.
Angela earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Boston College. She also holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 licenses and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Boston College, where she teaches courses focused on multicultural studies and diversity and inclusion strategies. Angela brings to RMK a wealth of expertise in leadership development, organizational change, and inclusive practices. Her guidance helps strengthen the organization’s ability to build belonging, empower future leaders, and create learning environments where all young people can thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
Yajaira Matus – Secretary – Yajaira serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Raising Multicultural Kids and is a proud example of the organization’s commitment to developing future leaders. Her journey with RMK began as a TEACH Leader, where she delivered multicultural, arts-integrated lessons in classrooms throughout Fall River and Quincy Public Schools, supporting multilingual learners and helping create inclusive learning environments where all students could thrive.
Yajaira graduated from Quincy College with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Management. Since her time as a TEACH Leader, she has remained actively involved with RMK through community outreach events, educator and TEACH Leader trainings, and organizational support initiatives. Her firsthand experience with RMK’s programs provides a valuable perspective as she helps guide the organization’s continued growth and impact.
In addition to her work with RMK, Yajaira has extensive experience supporting children and families through her work as a nanny and caregiver. As a first-generation Mexican American, she is passionate about representation, belonging, and ensuring that every child feels seen, valued, and supported. Her dedication to youth development and community engagement reflects RMK’s mission of preparing young people to thrive in a diverse world.
Leadership
Justine Medina – Curriculum Director – Justine has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Manhattanville College, a Master’s degree from Mercy College in Elementary Education and Teaching and a CAGS from American International College. She began her career in social work and transitioned to education in September of 2004 as a teacher in the Bronx for the New York City Public Schools. In 2007 Justine returned to her hometown of New Bedford, MA, where she initiated a district wide Parent Teacher Home Visit Project, bringing teachers and families together and giving teachers a stronger understanding of the students and families they serve. Justine taught for 8 years before moving into the role as Assistant Principal. As a leader she continued to grow and was asked to lead Carlos Pacheco Elementary School as the Principal in 2017. While Principal she served as a member of the New Bedford Public Schools’ Diversity and Equity Team. After leading Carlos Pacheco from 2017-2021, Justine became a search consultant with Carney Sandoe and Associates’s DEI practice. Justine is currently the Dean of Teaching, Learning, and Culture at Our Sisters’ School, an all girls, tuition free, independent middle school. In September, she will be teaching ESL at Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School in New Bedford School District. She is a certified personal trainer and passionate about health and wellness. Justine enjoys spending time with her two children, Noah and Karlee.
Lauren Robinson – Instructional Strategy – Lauren spent 13 years as an educator and supported students who have a variety of needs and backgrounds, including Autism, ADD/ADHD and Dyslexia. She has M.A. in Special Education/Moderate Disabilities and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction served as the Director of Special Education for Pre K-12 for for a charter school in Boston for 3 years. She also is a parent of a child with special needs and utilizes her lived experiences to support other parents through the special education process. Lauren is a Curriculum Specialist for RMK and owns Mind Motives Consulting where she helps families navigate the special education system.
Amie Dossantos – Littlest Inclusive Learners Curriculum Leader – Amie has a BA in Child Psychology & double Master’s Degrees in Elementary & Special Education. She worked as a Child Developmental Specialist for Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention for 4 years. During that time, she founded a Library Story Hour at the Boston Public Library in Mattapan & served as a Play Activity Leader for Horizons for Homeless Children. She currently works for Randolph Public Schools as a Kindergarten teacher. Over the last 12 years she has also taught K, 2nd & 3rd grade special education. She has served on the Language Assessment Team for English Language Learners & currently serves on the Instructional Leadership Team. She has been a union representative & member of the Principal Advisory Council. Amie was a panelist at Bristol County Community College’s Social Justice Forum: Race & Education. She served as an Inspired Fellow for Massachusetts DESE, focusing on the recruitment, support and retention of BIPOC educators. She is a mentor for youth through Taunton Area School to Career. Amie is the Educational Director for T.R.U.E Diversity. In this role, she has secured and created DEIB resources for students of all ages as well as families. She also develops the curriculum for their summer enrichment program. Amie’s most important role is being a mother to her beautiful daughter. Each day she strives to make the future better for her daughter & all children.
Adam Garner – Grant Writer – Adam graduated from Dean College in May 2021 with a B.A. in English. Growing up in a multicultural family, Adam has a great enthusiasm for learning about other cultures. This aligns perfectly with RMK’s mission and work. He is currently taking courses to learn Chinese. Adam’s passion for helping people and organizations tell compelling stories has helped RMK receive several grants from multiple local Cultural Councils and foundations.